Voice output device, voice output method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To perform voice route guidance in an easy-to-understand manner for a user.SOLUTION: In a voice output device, a storage section stores priority predetermined for each type of mark, with respect to the marks used in voice guidance at guidance points. A voice generation section determines a mark to be used for voice guidance at the guidance point on the basis of the priority for each of the guidance points included in a guide route of a mobile body, and generates guidance voice using the determined mark. A voice output section outputs the generated guidance voice at an utterance point where the guidance voice for the guidance point is to be uttered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to audio route guidance. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known navigation devices that provide route guidance to a destination mainly by voice. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a voice navigation system that notifies the user of the approximate distance and direction from the current location to the destination by increasing the width of the sound field as the distance from the current location to the destination decreases and by localizing the sound output from the speaker so that the sound is heard from the direction of the destination relative to the user's head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-138277 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In voice route guidance, various landmarks are used to correctly inform the user of the guidance point. To provide guidance that is easy for the user to understand, it is desirable to give priority to the use of landmarks that can uniquely identify the guidance point.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its main object to provide a voice output device that can provide route guidance by voice in a manner that is easy for the user to understand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in the claims is a voice output device comprising: a memory unit that stores predetermined priorities for landmarks to be used for voice guidance at guidance points, for each type of landmark; a guidance voice generation unit that determines, for each guidance point included in a guidance route of a mobile body, the landmark to be used for voice guidance at that guidance point based on the priorities and generates a guidance voice using the determined landmark; and a voice output unit that outputs the generated guidance voice at an utterance point where the guidance voice is uttered for the guidance point, wherein, when the guidance voice generation unit uses time as a landmark, if the distance from the current position of the mobile body to the guidance point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it uses distance otherwise.

[0007] The invention described in the claims is also a voice output method executed by a computer, which determines, for each guidance point included in a guidance route of a mobile body, a landmark to be used for voice guidance at that guidance point based on a predetermined priority for each type of landmark to be used for voice guidance at that guidance point, generates a guidance voice using the determined landmark, and outputs the generated guidance voice at an utterance point where the guidance voice is spoken for the guidance point, and when the guidance voice uses time or distance as a landmark, if the distance from the current position of the mobile body to the guidance point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, uses distance otherwise.

[0008] Furthermore, the invention described in the claims is a program that causes a computer to execute a process that determines, for each guidance point included in a guidance route of a mobile body, landmarks to be used for voice guidance at that guidance point based on predetermined priorities for each type of landmark, generates a guidance voice using the determined landmarks, and outputs the generated guidance voice at an utterance point where the guidance voice is spoken for the guidance point, and when the guidance voice uses time or distance as a landmark, the guidance voice uses time when the distance from the current position of the mobile body to the guidance point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and uses distance otherwise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a voice guidance system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a voice guidance device. [Figure 3] 10 shows examples of landmarks used for voice guidance in the first voice guidance method. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of voice guidance regarding a certain guidance point. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart of a route guidance process according to a first voice guidance method. [Figure 6] 10 shows examples of landmarks used for voice guidance in the second voice guidance method. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a route guidance process according to a second voice guidance method. [Figure 8] An example of guidance when there is no specific landmark with a high priority at the guidance point is shown below. [Figure 9] 10 is a configuration example of a voice guidance system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voice output device includes a memory unit that stores predetermined priorities for each type of landmark to be used for voice guidance at a guidance point; a guidance voice generation unit that determines, for each guidance point included in the guidance route of a mobile body, the landmark to be used for voice guidance at that guidance point based on the priority and generates a guidance voice using the determined landmark; and a voice output unit that outputs the generated guidance voice at an utterance point where the guidance voice is spoken for the guidance point.

[0011] In the above voice output device, the storage unit stores predetermined priorities for landmarks to be used in voice guidance at guidance points, for each type of landmark. The voice generation unit determines, for each guidance point included in the guidance route of the mobile object, the landmark to be used in voice guidance at that guidance point based on the priority, and generates a guidance voice using the determined landmark. The voice output unit outputs the generated guidance voice at the utterance point where the guidance voice for the guidance point is uttered. This enables route guidance using voice guidance to be easy for the user to understand, using landmarks with high priority.

[0012] In one aspect of the above-described voice output device, when the type of the landmark is a specific landmark, the priority is set higher for more distinctive landmarks. As a result, distinctive landmarks are given priority for use in voice guidance. In a preferred example, the priority of landmarks is set in the order of distinctive road shapes, traffic lights, stop signs, buildings, and intersections.

[0013] In another aspect of the above voice output device, when the guidance voice generation unit uses time or distance as a landmark, the guidance voice generation unit uses time when the distance from the current position of the mobile body to the guidance point is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and uses distance when the distance is less than the predetermined value. In this aspect, the voice guidance is performed using either time or distance depending on the distance from the current position of the mobile body to the guidance point.

[0014] In another aspect of the above-described audio output device, when there is a landmark that is located before the guidance point as viewed from the current position of the mobile body and has a higher priority than a landmark that is located at the guidance point, the guidance-voice generation unit generates a guidance voice using the landmark with the higher priority. In this aspect, audio guidance is provided using the landmark with the higher priority.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voice output method determines, for each guidance point included in a guidance route of a mobile object, landmarks to be used in voice guidance at that guidance point based on predetermined priorities for each type of landmark, generates a guidance voice using the determined landmarks, and outputs the generated guidance voice at an utterance point where the guidance voice for the guidance point is uttered. This enables route guidance using landmarks with high priority to provide guidance that is easy for the user to understand.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a program causes a computer to execute a process of determining, for each guidance point included in a guidance route of a mobile object, landmarks to be used in voice guidance at the guidance point based on predetermined priorities for each type of landmark, generating a guidance voice using the determined landmarks, and outputting the generated guidance voice at an utterance point where the guidance voice for the guidance point is uttered. By executing this program on a computer, the above-mentioned voice output device can be realized. This program can be stored in a storage medium and used. [Example]

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. <First Example> [System Configuration] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a voice guidance system according to a first embodiment of the voice output device of the present invention. The voice guidance system includes a vehicle Ve and a voice guidance device 1.

[0018] The voice guidance device 1 moves together with the vehicle Ve and provides route guidance mainly through voice so that the vehicle Ve travels along the route to be guided (also referred to as the "guidance route"). Note that "route guidance mainly through voice" refers to route guidance in which the user can grasp the information necessary to drive the vehicle Ve along the guidance route at least from voice alone, and does not exclude the voice guidance device 1 from auxiliary display of a map around the current location, etc.

[0019] In this embodiment, the voice guidance device 1 outputs, by voice, at least information relating to points on the route where guidance is required (also referred to as "guide points"). Here, the guide points correspond to, for example, intersections where the vehicle Ve must turn right or left, and other important passing points for the vehicle Ve to travel along the guide route. The voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance regarding travel to the next guide point at several points before the next guide point. The points where this voice guidance is provided are also referred to as "utterance points". In addition, the voice regarding guidance for the guide route is also referred to as "route voice guidance".

[0020] The voice guidance device 1 may be an in-vehicle device provided or attached to the vehicle Ve, or may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone that is brought into the vehicle and used. In another example, the voice guidance device 1 may be incorporated into the vehicle Ve. The voice guidance device 1 is an example of a voice output device. The vehicle Ve is also an example of a moving object.

[0021] [Device configuration] 2 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the voice guidance device 1. The voice guidance device 1 mainly includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a control unit 14, a sensor group 15, a display unit 16, and a voice output unit 17. The elements in the voice guidance device 1 are connected to each other via a bus line 10.

[0022] The communication unit 11 performs data communication with other terminals under the control of the control unit 14. For example, the communication unit 11 may receive map data for updating a map DB (DataBase) 4 (described later) from a map management server (not shown).

[0023] The storage unit 12 is configured with various types of memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and non-volatile memory (including hard disk drive, flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 12 stores programs for the voice guidance device 1 to execute predetermined processes. The above-mentioned programs may include an application program for providing route guidance by voice, an application program for playing music, an application program for outputting content other than music (such as television), etc. The storage unit 12 is also used as a working memory for the control unit 14. The programs executed by the voice guidance device 1 may be stored in a storage medium other than the storage unit 12.

[0024] The storage unit 12 also stores a map DB (DataBase) 4. The map DB 4 stores various data necessary for route guidance. The map DB 4 is a database that includes, for example, road data that represents a road network using a combination of nodes and links, and facility data that indicates facilities that are candidates for destinations, stop-off points, or landmarks. The map DB 4 may be updated based on map information that the communication unit 11 receives from a map management server under the control of the control unit 14.

[0025] The input unit 13 is a button, a touch panel, a remote controller, an audio input device, etc. that the user operates. The display unit 16 is a display or the like that displays information based on the control of the control unit 14. The audio output unit 17 is a speaker or the like that outputs sound based on the control of the control unit 14.

[0026] The sensor group 15 includes an external sensor 18 and an internal sensor 19. The external sensor 18 is one or more sensors for recognizing the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve, such as a camera, lidar, radar, ultrasonic sensor, infrared sensor, or sonar. The internal sensor 19 is a sensor for measuring the position of the vehicle Ve, such as a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, a gyro sensor, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), a vehicle speed sensor, or a combination thereof. Note that the sensor group 15 may include any sensor that allows the control unit 14 to directly or indirectly (i.e., by performing estimation processing) derive the position of the vehicle Ve from the output of the sensor group 15.

[0027] The control unit 14 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc., and controls the entire voice guidance device 1. For example, the control unit 14 estimates the position (including the direction of travel) of the vehicle Ve based on the output of one or more sensors in the sensor group 15. When a destination is specified by the input unit 13, the control unit 14 generates route information indicating a guidance route to the destination, and provides route guidance based on the route information, the estimated position information of the vehicle Ve, and the map DB 4. In this case, the control unit 14 controls the voice output unit 17 to output voice guidance. The control unit 14 also controls the display unit 16 to display information on the music being played, video content, a map of the area around the current location, etc. The control unit 14 is an example of an utterance point determination unit and a guidance voice generation unit.

[0028] The processing performed by the control unit 14 is not limited to being realized by software programs, but may be realized by any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. The processing performed by the control unit 14 may also be realized by a user-programmable integrated circuit, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or a microcomputer. In this case, the program executed by the control unit 14 in this embodiment may be realized by using this integrated circuit. Thus, the control unit 14 may be realized by hardware other than a processor.

[0029] The configuration of the voice guidance device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and various modifications may be made to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. For example, instead of storing the map DB4 in the memory unit 12, the control unit 14 may receive information necessary for route guidance from a map management server (not shown) via the communication unit 11. In another example, instead of including the voice output unit 17, the voice guidance device 1 may be electrically connected to the voice output unit 17 configured separately from the voice guidance device 1 or by a known communication means, and cause the voice output unit 17 to output voice. In this case, the voice output unit 17 may be a speaker provided in the vehicle Ve. In yet another example, the voice guidance device 1 may not include the display unit 16. In this case, the voice guidance device 1 may not control the display at all, and may be electrically connected to a display unit provided in the vehicle Ve or the like via a wired or wireless connection, and cause the display unit to display a predetermined message. Similarly, instead of including the sensor group 15, the voice guidance device 1 may acquire information output by a sensor provided in the vehicle Ve from the vehicle Ve based on a communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0030] [Voice guidance method] Next, the voice guidance method by the voice guidance device 1 will be described in detail. (First voice guidance method) (1) Voice guidance method First, the first voice guidance method will be described. In the first voice guidance method, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance using the same type of landmark for each guidance point on the guidance route. For example, when voice guidance is provided at three speech points before a certain guidance point, the same type of landmark is used for all three times. Note that when voice guidance is provided at three speech points before a certain guidance point, a total of four voice guidances will be provided, including the final voice guidance at that guidance point.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows examples of landmarks used in voice guidance in the first voice guidance method. Voice guidance uses landmarks to correctly inform the user of guidance points using only voice. Landmarks used in guidance can be classified into two types: concrete landmarks and conceptual landmarks. As shown in FIG. 3, concrete landmarks include traffic lights, intersections, stop signs, distinctive road shapes, buildings, landmarks, etc. Note that "characteristic road shapes" refer to T-junctions, Y-junctions, five-way intersections, etc., excluding ordinary crossroads. On the other hand, conceptual landmarks include distance, time, etc.

[0032] In the first voice guidance method, the voice guidance device 1 uniformly uses either a concrete landmark or a conceptual landmark for each guidance point. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of voice guidance for a certain guidance point. In the example of FIG. 4, a vehicle Ve is traveling on a guidance route R. On this guidance route R, the next guidance point is Px, and the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance to turn right at the next guidance point Px. In the example of FIG. 4, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance at an utterance point P1 200 m before the guidance point Px, an utterance point P2 100 m before, an utterance point P3 30 m before, and the guidance point Px.

[0033] In the example of FIG. 4, there are traffic lights SIG1 to SIG3 at each intersection between the current position of the vehicle Ve and the next guide point Px. Therefore, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance using traffic lights as specific landmarks at each of the utterance points P1 to P3. For example, the voice guidance device 1 utters "Turn right at the third traffic light" at the utterance point P1, and "Turn right at the second traffic light" at the utterance point P2. Furthermore, the voice guidance device 1 utters "Turn right at the next traffic light" at the utterance point P3, and "Turn right at this traffic light" at the guide point Px.

[0034] 4, if there are no traffic lights SIG1 to SIG3, the voice guidance device 1 may provide voice guidance using intersections as specific landmarks. For example, the voice guidance device 1 may utter, at the utterance point P1, "Turn right at the third intersection," at the utterance point P2, "Turn right at the second intersection," at the utterance point P3, "Turn right at the next intersection," and at the guidance point Px, "Turn right at this intersection."

[0035] Furthermore, even if there are no traffic lights or intersections until the next guidance point Px, if there are buildings or landmarks, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance using specific landmarks such as buildings and landmarks at each utterance point. Note that in the above example, only traffic lights or intersections are used, but different specific landmarks may be used in combination. For example, the voice guidance device 1 may provide voice guidance using landmarks at the utterance point P1, voice guidance using intersections at the utterance point P2, and voice guidance using intersections at the utterance point P3 and the guidance point Px. In other words, it is sufficient that the landmarks used in multiple voice guidances for one guidance point Px are unified as specific landmarks.

[0036] On the other hand, when there is no specific landmark between the current position of the vehicle Ve and the next guidance point Px, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance using conceptual landmarks such as distance, time, etc. For example, the voice guidance device 1 utters "Turn right 200 m ahead" at utterance point P1, "Turn right 100 m ahead" at utterance point P2, and "Turn right 30 m ahead" at utterance point P3.

[0037] In this way, by using a consistent set of concrete or conceptual landmarks at multiple speech points related to one guide point, it becomes possible to provide guidance that is easy for the user to understand using only voice.

[0038] (2) Route guidance processing Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the route guidance process using the first voice guidance method. This process is realized by the control unit 14 shown in Fig. 2 executing a program prepared in advance. It is assumed that when the flowchart of Fig. 5 is executed, a route search to the destination specified by the user has already been performed and a guidance route has already been set.

[0039] First, the control unit 14 determines the next guide point based on the set guide route and the current position of the vehicle Ve (step S11). Next, the control unit 14 determines an utterance point up to the next guide point (step S12). For example, as described above, the control unit 14 determines points at a predetermined distance up to the next guide point (200 m before, 100 m before, 30 m before) as the utterance points.

[0040] Next, the control unit 14 refers to the map DB4 and searches for specific landmarks between each utterance point determined in step S12 and the next guidance point (step S13). If there is a specific landmark between at least one of the utterance points and the next guidance point (step S13: Yes), the control unit 14 generates and outputs a guidance voice using the specific landmarks found by the search (step S15). On the other hand, if there is no specific landmark for any of the utterance points (step S13: No), the control unit 14 generates and outputs a voice guidance using conceptual landmarks (step S16). In this way, voice guidance using either specific landmarks or conceptual landmarks is performed at each utterance point up to the next guidance point.

[0041] Next, the control unit 14 determines whether the vehicle Ve has arrived at the destination (step S17). If the vehicle Ve has not arrived at the destination (step S17: No), the process returns to step S11, and steps S11 to S16 are repeated for the next guidance point. On the other hand, if the vehicle Ve has arrived at the destination (step S17: Yes), the route guidance process ends.

[0042] (3) Variations In the above example, in step S14 of FIG. 5, if there is a specific landmark between at least one of the utterance points among the multiple utterance points leading up to the next guide point and the next guide point, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance using the specific landmark. In this case, for an utterance point for which no specific landmark is found between the utterance point and the next guide point, the voice guidance device 1 may provide voice guidance using the specific landmark used for the utterance point ahead. For example, for a certain guide point, if there is a first utterance point 100 m before and a second utterance point 30 m before, and there is no specific landmark between the first utterance point and the second utterance point, but there is a specific landmark (mark X) between the second utterance point and the next guide point, the voice guidance device 1 may provide voice guidance using the landmark X for both the first and second guide points.

[0043] Instead, the voice guidance device 1 may provide voice guidance using specific landmarks when specific landmarks are found between a predetermined number or all of the multiple utterance points up to the next guidance point and the next guidance point, and may provide voice guidance using conceptual landmarks in other cases.

[0044] 5, instead of determining whether there is a specific landmark, the voice guidance device 1 may determine whether the current location of the vehicle Ve is in an urban area or a suburban area. Usually, there are many specific landmarks in urban areas, but there are few specific landmarks in suburban areas. The voice guidance device 1 may provide voice guidance using specific landmarks when the current location of the vehicle Ve is in an urban area, and may provide voice guidance using conceptual landmarks when the current location of the vehicle Ve is in the suburban area.

[0045] (Second voice guidance method) (1) Voice guidance method Next, a second voice guidance method will be described. In the second voice guidance method, the voice guidance device 1 determines a landmark to be used for each guidance point on the guidance route based on a predetermined priority for each type of landmark, and provides voice guidance at each utterance point.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows examples of landmarks used for voice guidance in the second voice guidance method. In the second voice guidance method, like the first voice guidance method, guidance is provided using landmarks to correctly inform the user of guidance points using only voice. Landmarks used for guidance can be classified into two types: concrete landmarks and conceptual landmarks. Here, in the second voice guidance method, as shown in FIG. 6, the priority of each landmark is predetermined for each of the concrete landmarks and conceptual landmarks.

[0047] In the example of Figure 6, the priority order of specific landmarks is as follows: distinctive road shapes, traffic lights, stop signs, buildings, and intersections. This priority order is determined in advance in the order that drivers generally consider them to be easiest to recognize as landmarks. In other words, the more rare, unique, and unusual a landmark is, the higher the priority order is determined. As mentioned above, "distinctive road shapes" refers to T-junctions, Y-junctions, five-way intersections, etc., excluding ordinary crossroads.

[0048] For conceptual landmarks, priority is determined based on the distance between the current position of vehicle Ve and the next guide point. When the next guide point is far from the current position of vehicle Ve, the priority of landmarks is determined in the order of time, distance. On the other hand, when the next guide point is close to the current position of vehicle Ve, the priority of landmarks is determined in the order of distance, time. This is because, in general human sense, when the distance to the guide point is far, it is easier to recognize the positional relationship with the guide point if it is expressed in terms of time, and when the distance to the guide point is close, it is easier to recognize the positional relationship with the guide point if it is expressed in terms of distance.

[0049] In this way, in the second voice guidance method, when providing guidance using specific landmarks for the next guidance point, the voice guidance device 1 selects specific landmarks based on a predetermined priority order of characteristic road shapes, traffic lights, etc., as shown in Fig. 6. For example, if there are both a characteristic road shape and a traffic light between a certain utterance point and the next guidance point, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance using the characteristic road shape based on the priority order in Fig. 6.

[0050] In the second voice guidance method, when the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance for the next guidance point using a conceptual landmark, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance in order of priority according to the distance to the next guidance point, as shown in Fig. 6. Specifically, when the distance to the next guidance point is farther than a predetermined distance, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using time, such as "Turn right in about 5 minutes." In addition, when the distance to the next guidance point is closer than a predetermined distance, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using distance, such as "Turn right about 200 meters ahead."

[0051] In this way, by determining which concrete landmarks and conceptual landmarks to use in accordance with predetermined priorities and providing voice guidance, it becomes possible to provide guidance that is easier for the user to understand.

[0052] (2) Route guidance processing Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the route guidance process using the second voice guidance method. This process is realized by the control unit 14 shown in Fig. 2 executing a program prepared in advance. The basic flow of the route guidance process using the second voice guidance method is the same as the route guidance process using the first voice guidance method shown in Fig. 5. Specifically, steps S21 to S24 are the same as steps S11 to S14 in Fig. 5, and step S27 is the same as step S17 in Fig. 5.

[0053] In step S25, the control unit 14 selects one specific landmark from the specific landmarks found by the search in accordance with the priority order shown in Fig. 6, and generates and outputs a guidance voice using that specific landmark (step S25). In addition, in step S26, the control unit 14 compares the distance between the current position of the vehicle Ve and the next guidance point with a predetermined distance, and generates and outputs a voice guidance using time if the next guidance point is farther than the predetermined distance, and generates and outputs a voice guidance using distance if the next guidance point is less than the predetermined distance. In this way, at each utterance point up to the next guidance point, voice guidance is provided using a landmark selected from specific landmarks or conceptual landmarks in accordance with a predetermined priority order.

[0054] (3) Variations When providing voice guidance using specific landmarks by the second voice guidance method, there may be cases where the guidance point does not have a specific landmark with a higher priority, such as a distinctive road shape or a traffic light. In this case, if there is a specific landmark with a higher priority that is located before the guidance point on the guidance route, the voice guidance device 1 may provide guidance using that specific landmark.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows an example of guidance when there is no specific landmark with a higher priority at the guidance point. In the example of FIG. 8(A), the vehicle Ve is traveling on the guidance route R, and the third intersection is the guidance point Px. Intersections P1 and P2 exist just before the guidance point Px, but neither intersection has a traffic light. In this case, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using the intersections P1 and P2 just before the guidance point Px, since there is no specific landmark with a higher priority than the intersections. For example, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance such as, "Turn right at the third intersection."

[0056] In the example of FIG. 8(B), the vehicle Ve is also traveling on the guidance route R, and the third intersection is the guidance point Px. There is no traffic light at the guidance point Px, but there are intersections P1 and P2 just before the guidance point Px, and there is a traffic light at the intersection P2. In this case, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using a traffic light with a higher priority than the intersection, i.e., the traffic light at the intersection P2 just before the guidance point Px. For example, at the utterance point P1, instead of guiding the driver by saying, "Turn right at the third intersection," the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance by saying, "Turn right after the traffic light."

[0057] In the example of FIG. 8(C), the vehicle Ve is also traveling on the guidance route R, and the third intersection is the guidance point Px. There is no traffic light at the guidance point Px, but there are intersections P1 and P2 just before the guidance point Px, and there are traffic lights at the intersections P1 and P2. In this case, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using traffic lights with higher priority than the intersections, i.e., the traffic lights at the intersections P1 and P2 just before the guidance point Px. For example, at the utterance point P1, instead of guiding the driver by saying, "Turn right at the third intersection," the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance by saying, "Turn right after two traffic lights."

[0058] <Second Example> 9 shows an example of the configuration of a voice guidance system according to the second embodiment. The voice guidance system according to the second embodiment mainly includes a vehicle Ve, a voice guidance device 1A, and a server device 2. Note that components similar to those in the first embodiment are appropriately assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0059] The voice guidance device 1A has the same configuration (see FIG. 2) as the voice guidance device 1 described in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the server device 2 performs the route search process and the route guidance process based on the map DB 4, so the voice guidance device 1A does not need to have the map DB 4. When the input unit 13 detects an input specifying a destination or the like by the user, the voice guidance device 1A transmits to the server device 2 an upload signal "S1" including the position information of the vehicle Ve output by the sensor group 15 and information related to the specified destination.

[0060] The server device 2 generates route information indicating a guidance route along which the vehicle Ve should travel, based on an upload signal S1 including a destination and the like received from the voice guidance device 1A. Then, the server device 2 executes route guidance processing using the first voice guidance method shown in FIG. 5 or the second voice guidance method shown in FIG. 7, using the generated route information and the position information of the vehicle Ve included in the upload signal S1 received from the voice guidance device 1A. Note that in steps S15 and S16 of FIG. 5 and steps S25 and S26 of FIG. 7, the server device 2 transmits the generated guidance voice to the voice guidance device 1A as a control signal S2, causing the voice guidance device 1A to output the voice. In this way, voice guidance using the first or second voice guidance method is executed.

[0061] 10 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the server device 2. The server device 2 mainly includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 24. The elements within the server device 2 are connected to each other via a bus line 20.

[0062] The communication unit 21 performs data communication with external devices such as the voice guidance device 1A under the control of the control unit 24. The storage unit 22 is composed of various types of memory such as RAM, ROM, and non-volatile memory (including a hard disk drive, flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 22 stores programs for the server device 2 to execute predetermined processes. The storage unit 22 also includes a map DB4. The control unit 24 includes a CPU, a GPU, etc., and controls the entire server device 2. The control unit 24 also executes the program stored in the storage unit 22 to perform the route guidance process shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7.

[0063] In this way, even when the server device 2 substantially controls the voice guidance device 1A regarding route guidance, the voice guidance system can execute voice guidance using concrete landmarks or conceptual landmarks based on the first or second voice guidance method, as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the server device 2 is an example of a voice output device.

[0064] In each of the above-described embodiments, the program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media and supplied to a control unit or the like that is a computer. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)).

[0065] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications within the scope of the present invention that would be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that would be possible for those skilled in the art based on the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical ideas. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above-cited patent documents and other documents are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Voice guidance device 2. Server device 4 Map DB 11, 21 Communications Department 12, 22 Storage section 13 Input section 14, 24 Control unit 15 Sensors 16 Display 17 Audio output section

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores a predetermined priority order for each type of landmark to be used for voice guidance at a guidance point; a guidance voice generating unit that determines, for each guidance point included in a guidance route of the mobile body, a landmark to be used in voice guidance at the guidance point based on the priority order, and generates guidance voice using the determined landmark; a voice output unit that outputs a generated guidance voice at an utterance point where a guidance voice regarding the guidance point is uttered; Equipped with When the guidance voice generation unit uses time or distance as a landmark, the guidance voice generation unit uses time when the distance from the current position of the moving body to the guidance point is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and uses distance otherwise.

2. The audio output device according to claim 1 , wherein when the type of the landmark is a specific landmark, the priority is set higher for more distinctive landmarks.

3. 3. The audio output device according to claim 2, wherein the priority is given in descending order to distinctive road shapes, traffic lights, stop signs, buildings, and intersections.

4. The voice output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when there is a landmark with a higher priority than the landmark at the guidance point that is located before the guidance point from the current position of the moving body, the guidance voice generation unit generates a guidance voice using the landmark with the higher priority.

5. 1. A computer-implemented audio output method, comprising: determining, for each guidance point included in the guidance route of the mobile body, a landmark to be used for the voice guidance at the guidance point based on a predetermined priority for each type of landmark for the landmark to be used for the voice guidance at the guidance point, and generating a guidance voice using the determined landmark; outputting the generated guidance voice at an utterance point where a guidance voice regarding the guidance point is uttered; When the guidance voice uses time or distance as a landmark, the guidance voice uses time when the distance from the current position of the moving body to the guidance point is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and uses distance otherwise.

6. determining, for each guidance point included in the guidance route of the mobile body, a landmark to be used for the voice guidance at the guidance point based on a predetermined priority for each type of landmark for the landmark to be used for the voice guidance at the guidance point, and generating a guidance voice using the determined landmark; causing a computer to execute a process of outputting a generated guidance voice at an utterance point where a guidance voice is uttered regarding the guidance point; When the guidance voice uses time or distance as a landmark, the voice uses time when the distance from the current position of the moving body to the guidance point is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and uses distance otherwise.

7. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 6.

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