Information processing device, information output method, and program

Abstract

It is possible to inform the user of what will happen if they take a different route than the guided route. We provide information processing equipment. [Solution] The information processing device includes a voice guidance unit that acquires the current location of a moving object and provides voice guidance along the route to the destination. When a user requests information by specifying a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at a guidance point, the voice guidance unit outputs voice information comparing the current route with the route to the destination in the specified direction.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to route guidance by voice. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Conventionally, a navigation device for providing route guidance to a destination by voice has been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, as the distance from the current location to the destination is smaller, the spread of the sound field is increased, and the sound output from the speaker is localized so that the sound can be heard from the direction of the destination with respect to the user's head, thereby notifying the approximate distance and direction from the current location to the destination. A voice navigation system is disclosed. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-138277 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 During route guidance by a navigation device, there may be a desire to know what will happen if a route different from the guided route is taken. For example, at a guided location, the guided route indicates a right turn, but if the right turn direction is congested and the straight-ahead direction is clear, the user may consider that going straight may be faster. Therefore, it would be convenient to be able to know what will happen if one proceeds in a direction different from the guided route. 【0005】 The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide an information processing device capable of conveying to the user what will happen if a route different from the guided route is taken. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0006】 The invention described in the claims is an information processing device that provides information relating to the movement of a moving object, comprising a guidance unit that acquires the current position of the moving object and provides guidance along a route to a destination, wherein, at a guidance point on the route, the guidance unit, upon receiving voice input from a user, specifies a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at the guidance point and calculates an alternative route from the current position in the specified direction to the destination, and outputs information relating to a comparison between the current route and the alternative route. 【0007】 Furthermore, the invention described in the claims is an information processing method performed by a computer that provides information regarding the movement of a moving object, comprising a guidance step of acquiring the current position of the moving object and providing guidance along a route to a destination, wherein, at a guidance point on the route, the guidance step calculates an alternative route from the current position in the specified direction to the destination in response to the information request made by the user's voice input specifying a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at the guidance point, and outputs information regarding a comparison between the current route and the alternative route. 【0008】 Furthermore, the invention described in the claims is a program that provides information regarding the movement of a moving object, wherein a computer functions as a guidance unit that acquires the current position of the moving object and provides guidance along a route to a destination, and when the user requests information at a guidance point on the route by voice input specifying a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at the guidance point, the guidance unit calculates an alternative route from the current position in the specified direction to the destination in response to the information request, and outputs information comparing the current route with the alternative route. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0009】 [Figure 1] An example configuration of the voice guidance system according to the first embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] An example of the general configuration of a voice guidance system is shown. [Figure 3]This example illustrates a situation where information is requested about a route different from the one provided. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of the route guidance process. [Figure 5] This is an example of the configuration of the voice guidance system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] An example of a general configuration of a server device is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0010】 In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an information processing device that provides information about the movement of a moving object includes a voice guidance unit that acquires the current position of the moving object and provides voice guidance along a route to a destination, wherein when a user requests information by specifying a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at a guidance point, the voice guidance unit outputs voice information comparing the current route with the route to the destination that proceeds in the specified direction. 【0011】 The above-described information processing device includes a voice guidance unit that acquires the current position of a moving object and provides voice guidance along the route to the destination. When a user requests information by specifying a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at a guidance point, the voice guidance unit outputs voice information comparing the current route with the route to the destination in the specified direction. This allows the user to know what will happen if they proceed in a direction different from the current guidance route. 【0012】 In one embodiment of the above-described information processing device, when an information request is made, the voice guidance unit calculates a new route that proceeds in the specified direction to the destination and outputs information comparing the current route with the new route. In this embodiment, a new route that proceeds in the specified direction is calculated, and information is output based on it. 【0013】 In another embodiment of the information processing device described above, if the information request relates to the time required to the destination, the voice guidance unit outputs information relating to a comparison of the required time. If the information request relates to the distance to the destination, the voice guidance unit outputs information relating to a comparison of the distance. If the information request relates to the toll to the destination, the voice guidance unit outputs information relating to a comparison of the toll. If the information request relates to the characteristics of the route to the destination, the voice guidance unit outputs information relating to a comparison of the characteristics of the route. 【0014】 In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an information output method performed by an information processing device that provides information about the movement of a moving object includes a voice guidance step of acquiring the current position of the moving object and providing voice guidance along a route to a destination, wherein the voice guidance step outputs voice information comparing the current route with the route to the destination that proceeds in the specified direction when the user requests information specifying a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at a guidance point. This allows the user to know what will happen if they proceed in a direction different from the current guided route. 【0015】 In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by an information processing device equipped with a computer, which provides information regarding the movement of a moving object, acquires the current position of the moving object, causes the computer to function as a voice guidance unit that provides voice guidance along a route to a destination, and when the user requests information by specifying a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at a guidance point, the voice guidance unit outputs voice information comparing the current route with the route to the destination that proceeds in the specified direction. The above information processing device can be realized by executing this program on a computer. This program can be stored and used on a storage medium. [Examples] 【0016】 Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> [System Configuration] FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a voice guidance system according to a first embodiment of an information processing apparatus of the present invention. The voice guidance system includes a vehicle Ve and a voice guidance device 1. 【0017】 The voice guidance device 1 moves together with the vehicle Ve and performs route guidance mainly by voice so that the vehicle Ve travels along a route to be guided (also referred to as a "guidance route"). Note that the "route guidance mainly by voice" refers to route guidance in which a user can grasp at least only by voice the information necessary for driving the vehicle Ve along the guidance route, and does not exclude the voice guidance device 1 from supplementarily displaying a map around the current position. In the present embodiment, the voice guidance device 1 outputs at least information on a point on the route where guidance is necessary (also referred to as a "guidance point") by voice. Here, the guidance point corresponds to, for example, an intersection where the vehicle Ve turns right or left, or other important passing points for the vehicle Ve to travel along the guidance route. The voice guidance device 1 performs voice guidance on the guidance point, such as the distance from the vehicle Ve to the next guidance point and the traveling direction at the guidance point. Hereinafter, the voice for guidance on the guidance route is also referred to as "route voice guidance". 【0018】 Note that the voice guidance device 1 may be an in-vehicle device installed or attached to the vehicle Ve, or may be a portable terminal brought into the vehicle, such as a smartphone. In yet another example, the voice guidance device 1 may be incorporated into the vehicle Ve. The voice guidance device 1 is an example of an "information processing apparatus". Also, the vehicle Ve is an example of a "moving body". 【0019】 [Device Configuration] FIG. 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. Each element in the voice guidance device 1 is interconnected via a bus line 10. 【0020】 The communication unit 11 performs data communication with other terminals based on the control of the control unit 14. The communication unit 11 may, for example, receive map data for updating the map DB (DataBase) 4, which will be described later, from a map management server (not shown). 【0021】 The storage unit 12 is composed of various types of memory, including RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and non-volatile memory (including hard disk drives, flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 12 stores programs for the voice guidance device 1 to perform predetermined processes. These programs may include application programs for providing route guidance by voice, application programs for playing music, and application programs for outputting content other than music (such as television). The storage unit 12 is also used as working memory for the control unit 14. The programs executed by the voice guidance device 1 may be stored in storage media other than the storage unit 12. 【0022】 Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores the map DB (DataBase) 4. The map DB 4 records various data necessary for route guidance. The map DB 4 is a database that includes, for example, road data representing the road network using combinations of nodes and links, and facility data indicating facilities that can be candidates for destinations, stops, or landmarks. The map DB 4 may be updated based on map information received by the communication unit 11 from the map management server, based on the control of the control unit 14. 【0023】 The input unit 13 includes buttons, a touch panel, a remote controller, an audio input device, etc., for user operation. The display unit 16 is a display, etc., that displays information based on the control of the control unit 14. The audio output unit 17 is a speaker, etc., that outputs sound based on the control of the control unit 14. 【0024】 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 positioning the vehicle Ve, such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, gyro sensor, IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), vehicle speed sensor, or a combination thereof. The sensor group 15 only needs to have sensors from which the control unit 14 can directly or indirectly derive the position of the vehicle Ve from the output of the sensor group 15 (i.e., by performing estimation processing). 【0025】 The control unit 14 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and other components, and controls the entire voice guidance device 1. For example, the control unit 14 estimates the position of the vehicle Ve (including the direction of travel) based on the output of one or more sensors of the sensor group 15. When a destination is specified by the input unit 13, the control unit 14 generates route information indicating the guidance route to that destination, and provides route guidance based on this route information, the estimated position information of the vehicle Ve, and the map DB4. In this case, the control unit 14 controls the voice output unit 17 to output route voice guidance to the voice output unit 17. The control unit 14 also controls the display unit 16 to display information such as the music being played, video content, or a map of the area around the current location. Note that the control unit 14 and the voice output unit 17 are examples of a voice guidance unit. 【0026】 Furthermore, the processing performed by the control unit 14 is not limited to being implemented by software through a program, but may also be implemented by any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Also, the processing performed by the control unit 14 may be implemented using a user-programmable integrated circuit, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or a microcontroller. In this case, the program that the control unit 14 performs in this embodiment may be implemented using this integrated circuit. Thus, the control unit 14 may be implemented using hardware other than a processor. 【0027】 The configuration of the voice guidance device 1 shown in Figure 2 is an example, and various modifications may be made to the configuration shown in Figure 2. For example, instead of the storage unit 12 storing the map DB4, 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 the voice guidance device 1 having a voice output unit 17, the voice guidance device 1 may be configured separately from the voice guidance device 1 and connected electrically or by known communication means to the voice output unit 17 to perform voice output. In this case, the voice output unit 17 may be a speaker installed in the vehicle Ve. In yet another example, the voice guidance device 1 does not need to have a display unit 16. In this case, the voice guidance device 1 does not need to perform any control related to the display, and may be connected electrically to a display unit installed in the vehicle Ve, etc., by wired or wireless means to cause the display unit to perform a predetermined display. Similarly, instead of having a sensor group 15, the voice guidance device 1 may acquire information output by sensors installed on the vehicle Ve based on a communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network). 【0028】 [Information request regarding routes different from the guided route] Next, we will explain how to handle situations where a user requests information about a route different from the guided route. During route guidance, users may want to know what happens if they take a different route. For example, if the guided route indicates a right turn at a given point, but the right turn is congested and the straight-ahead direction is clear, the user might wonder if going straight would be faster. Therefore, it would be useful to know what happens if the user proceeds in a direction different from the guided route. 【0029】 Therefore, in this embodiment, the user is made able to request information about a route different from the guided route. Specifically, during route guidance, the user specifies the direction of travel and requests information about what happens if they proceed in the specified direction. For example, if the guided route indicates a right turn at a certain guidance point, the user can make a voice input such as, "What happens if I go straight here?" Note that the information request may be made before the vehicle enters the guidance point. For example, before the vehicle enters the intersection that is the guidance point, the user may ask, "What happens if I go straight at the next guidance point?" Also, if it is possible to calculate a route for each lane, the system may respond to questions such as, "What happens if I take the lane to the right?" 【0030】 In response, the voice guidance device 1 calculates a new route (hereinafter referred to as the "alternative route") that proceeds in the direction specified by the user and reaches the same destination as the currently set guidance route. The voice guidance device 1 then outputs information regarding the comparison between the current guidance route and the alternative route. Specifically, the voice guidance device 1 outputs at least one of the following: the difference in distance traveled when taking the alternative route instead of the guidance route, the difference in the time required to reach the destination, the difference in the time of arrival at the destination, and, if toll roads are used, the difference in toll charges. For example, the voice guidance device 1 may output information such as: the alternative route takes longer, the arrival time is 10 minutes later, the alternative route is 5 minutes faster but the toll charges are 300 yen higher, or there is not much difference in time between the alternative route and the guidance route. The voice guidance device 1 may also output differences in the characteristics of the guidance route and the alternative route. For example, it may output additional information such as: the alternative route has more curves, better scenery, more convenience stores, more lane changes, etc. 【0031】 In the example above, the user simply asks, "What happens if I go straight here?" without specifying the information they want to hear. However, if the user specifies the information they want to hear and requests it, the voice guidance device 1 should first output that information. Specifically, if the user specifies the travel time, arrival time, fare, or characteristics of the travel route and requests information, the voice guidance device 1 should first provide the information the user requested. For example, if the user asks, "Is it faster to go straight here?", the information the user wants to hear is the difference in travel time, so the voice guidance device 1 should output information related to travel time, such as "It will take 5 minutes longer." In this case, the voice guidance device 1 may also output additional information, such as information about the fare or information about the characteristics of the travel route. 【0032】 Figure 3 shows an example of a case where a user requests information about a route different from the guided route. Let's assume that vehicle Ve is currently traveling on guided route R. Guided route R is a route that passes through guide points G1 and G2 in order to reach destination D, and vehicle Ve has entered the intersection corresponding to the next guide point G1. Here, according to guided route R, vehicle Ve needs to turn right at guide point G1, but as shown in the enlarged view of guide point G1, the right-turn lane is congested with other vehicles V. 【0033】 In this case, the user requests information about what happens if they go straight from this guidance point. For example, the user might make a voice input such as, "What happens if I go straight here?" Upon receiving such voice input, the voice guidance device 1 calculates an alternative route from the vehicle's current location to destination D if it goes straight from guidance point G1, and outputs information comparing the current guidance route with the alternative route. In the example in Figure 3, the voice guidance device 1 calculates the alternative route Rx shown by the dashed line and outputs information about the differences in travel time, arrival time, fare, and characteristics of the routes when traveling along the guidance route R versus the alternative route Rx. 【0034】 Figure 4 is a flowchart of the route guidance process. When the user sets a destination and route guidance is started, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance along the guided route (step S11). Next, the voice guidance device 1 determines whether it has received a user information request regarding a route different from the guided route as described above (step S12). 【0035】 If the user's information request has not been obtained (Step S12: No), the process returns to Step S11. On the other hand, if the user's information request has been obtained (Step S12: Yes), the voice guidance device 1 calculates an alternative route if the vehicle proceeds to the next guidance point in a direction different from the guided route (Step S13), and outputs information regarding the comparison between the alternative route and the guided route (Step S14). 【0036】 Next, the voice guidance device 1 determines whether the vehicle has arrived at its destination (step S15). If the vehicle has not arrived at its destination (step S15: No), the process returns to step S11. On the other hand, if the vehicle has arrived at its destination (step S15: Yes), the route guidance process ends. 【0037】 Thus, according to this embodiment, if a user requests information specifying a direction different from the guided route, the voice guidance device 1 provides information comparing the alternative route in that direction with the current guided route. Therefore, the user can decide which direction to proceed in after considering the provided information. 【0038】 Furthermore, if the user hears information comparing the alternative route and the guided route and decides that the alternative route is better, they can simply follow the alternative route. If the current location deviates from the guided route, the voice guidance system 1 will automatically reroute and change the guided route. Alternatively, the voice guidance system 1 may change the guided route by receiving a request from the user to switch to the alternative route. As a result, the alternative route is set as the guided route, and the user can then travel along the alternative route. 【0039】 <Second Example> Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of the voice guidance system according to the second embodiment. The voice guidance system according to the second embodiment mainly comprises a vehicle Ve, a voice guidance device 1A, and a server device 2. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are appropriately denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted. 【0040】 The voice guidance device 1A has the same configuration as the voice guidance device 1 described in the first embodiment above (see Figure 2). In the second embodiment, since the server device 2 performs route search processing and route guidance processing based on the map DB4, the voice guidance device 1A does not need to have the map DB4. When the input unit 13 detects input from the user specifying a destination, etc., the voice guidance device 1A transmits an upload signal "S1" to the server device 2, which includes the location information of the vehicle Ve output by the sensor group 15 and information about the specified destination. 【0041】 Furthermore, when the user requests information about a route different from the guided route, the voice guidance device 1A supplies an upload signal S1 to the server device 2, which includes information about the request and the current driving status of the vehicle Ve. Also, when the vehicle Ve is in motion, if the voice guidance device 1A receives a control signal "S2" related to voice output from the server device 2, it outputs voice based on the control signal S2 using the voice output unit 17. In this case, the voice guidance device 1A outputs information comparing the guided route and the alternative route based on the control signal S2. 【0042】 The server device 2 generates route information indicating the guided route that vehicle Ve should take, based on the upload signal S1, which includes the destination, etc., received from the voice guidance device 1A. Then, in the first example above, the server device 2 generates a control signal S2, which includes information comparing the guided route and an alternative route, based on the user's information request and the vehicle Ve's driving status, as indicated by the upload signal S1 transmitted by the voice guidance device 1A. The server device 2 then transmits the generated control signal S2 to the voice guidance device 1A. 【0043】 Figure 6 shows an example of the schematic configuration of server device 2. Server device 2 mainly consists of a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 24. Each element within server device 2 is interconnected via a bus line 20. 【0044】 The communication unit 21 performs data communication with external devices such as the voice guidance device 1A based on the control of the control unit 24. The storage unit 22 is composed of various types of memory, including RAM, ROM, and non-volatile memory (including hard disk drives, flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 22 stores programs for the server device 2 to perform predetermined processing. The storage unit 22 also includes the map DB 4. The control unit 24 includes a CPU, GPU, etc., and controls the entire server device 2. The control unit 24 also executes at least a part of the processing of the voice guidance device 1 described in the above embodiment by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 22. For example, based on the upload signal S1 received from the voice guidance device 1A via the communication unit 21, the control unit 24 generates route information indicating the guidance route and generates a control signal S2 that includes information on comparing the guidance route and an alternative route. The control unit 24 then transmits the generated control signal S2 to the voice guidance device 1A via the communication unit 21. 【0045】 Thus, even when the server device 2 substantially controls the voice guidance device 1A regarding route guidance, the voice guidance system can output information comparing the guided route and the alternative route, similar to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the server device 2 is an example of an "information processing device". 【0046】 In each of the embodiments described above, the program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer-readable medium and supplied to a control unit, which is a computer. Non-transitory computer-readable medium includes various types of tangible storage medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable medium include magnetic storage medium (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage medium (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R / W, and semiconductor memory (e.g., mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory)). 【0047】 Although the above embodiments described the moving object as a vehicle, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, this embodiment may be applied to a pedestrian navigation system in which a pedestrian is the moving object and a mobile device such as a smartphone is used as the voice guidance device. 【0048】 Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present invention can be made that are understandable to those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention naturally includes the full disclosure, including the claims, and various modifications and alterations that those skilled in the art could make in accordance with the technical idea. Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned patent documents and other references is incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0049】 1. Voice guidance device 2 Server devices 4 Map Database 11, 21 Communications Department 12, 22 Storage section 13 Input section 14, 24 Control Unit 15 Sensor Groups 16 Display section 17 Audio output section

Claims

[Claim 1] An information processing device that provides information regarding the movement of a moving object, The system includes a guidance unit that acquires the current position of the moving object and provides guidance along the route to the destination. The guidance unit, when a user requests information at a guidance point on the route by voice input specifying a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at the guidance point, calculates an alternative route from the current location in the specified direction to the destination in response to the information request, and outputs information regarding a comparison between the current route and the alternative route. [Claim 2] The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the guidance point is a point on a road having multiple lanes, and the one direction is a direction in which a lane different from the lane guided by the guidance unit exists at the guidance point. [Claim 3] The aforementioned information request is a request that specifies the type of information the user wants to hear from among the information relating to the comparison between the current route and the alternative route. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guidance unit preferentially outputs information of the specified type. [Claim 4] The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information request specifies at least one of the following as the type of information the user wants to hear: travel time, arrival time, travel fare, and characteristics of the travel route. [Claim 5] An information processing method performed by a computer that provides information about the movement of a moving object, The system includes a guidance process that acquires the current position of the moving object and provides guidance along a route to the destination. The guidance process is an information processing method in which, when a user requests information at a guidance point on the route by voice input specifying a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at the guidance point, the method calculates an alternative route from the current location in the specified direction to the destination in response to the information request, and outputs information regarding a comparison between the current route and the alternative route. [Claim 6] A program that provides information about the movement of a mobile object, The computer functions as a guidance unit that acquires the current position of the moving object and provides guidance along the route to the destination. The guidance unit is a program that, when a user requests information at a guidance point on the route by voice input specifying a direction different from the direction indicated by the route at the guidance point, calculates an alternative route from the current location in the specified direction to the destination in response to the information request, and outputs information comparing the current route with the alternative route.

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