Content output device, content output method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

A content output device according to the present invention includes an information acquisition unit, a content acquisition unit, an output unit, and an evaluation unit. The information acquisition unit acquires information relating to a driving state of a vehicle. In a case in which first driving state information acquired as information relating to a current driving state of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition, the content acquisition unit acquires content for output, which is content used for outputting to an occupant of the vehicle. The output unit outputs the content for output to the occupant. The evaluation unit evaluates the validity of the content for output with respect to the occupant, on the basis of second driving state information acquired as information relating to the driving state of the vehicle following the content for output being output.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique that can be used in outputting content. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There are known technologies relating to content output, which output content corresponding to various information obtained through a sensor or the like to a user based on the information.

[0003] Specifically, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for outputting a greeting voice when passengers get on and off a vehicle, based on information obtained through a vibration sensor that detects the opening and closing of the vehicle door. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-237453 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, according to the above-mentioned content output, since the content output does not require a response from the user, it is not possible to evaluate the validity of the content output to the user.

[0006] Therefore, for example, when the output of content is applied while driving a vehicle, a problem may arise in that it is not possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the content output to the passengers of the vehicle.

[0007] However, Patent Document 1 does not particularly disclose a method capable of solving the above problems. Therefore, according to the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, problems corresponding to the above problems still exist.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its main object to provide a content output device that is capable of evaluating the effectiveness of content output to vehicle occupants when outputting content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The invention described in the claims is a content output device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires information related to a driving situation of a vehicle; a content acquisition unit that acquires output content, which is content used to be output to an occupant of the vehicle when first driving situation information acquired as information related to the current driving situation of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition; an output unit that outputs the output content to the occupant; and an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the occupant based on second driving situation information acquired as information related to the driving situation of the vehicle after the output content has been output, wherein the evaluation unit outputs a first evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and output as the output content; a second evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and output as the output content, the second evaluation result expressing information having the same gist as the first script but in a different expression; by referring to data stored in a state in which the trigger condition is associated with the It is determined which of the first content for output and the second content for output is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger.

[0010] The claimed invention is a content output device, When at least one of a plurality of first driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information related to a current driving situation of each of the plurality of vehicles satisfies a trigger condition, a content transmission unit that acquires output contents, which are contents used for outputting to passengers of each of a plurality of vehicles, and transmits the acquired output contents to the plurality of vehicles; and a content transmission unit that transmits a plurality of output contents to the plurality of vehicles after the output contents are output to the passengers, Secondan evaluation unit that evaluates the validity of the output content for the passenger based on driving status information, the evaluation unit generating a first evaluation result that evaluates the validity of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and transmitted as the output content, a second evaluation result that evaluates the validity of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and transmitted as the output content that expresses information having the same gist as the first script but in a different way, and by referring to data stored in a state in which the trigger condition is associated with the It is determined which of the first content for output and the second content for output is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger.

[0011] The claimed invention is a content output method executed by a computer, comprising: The method includes the steps of: acquiring information related to the driving status of a vehicle; acquiring output content, which is content used to output to an occupant of the vehicle when first driving status information acquired as information related to the current driving status of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition; outputting the output content to the occupant; and evaluating the effectiveness of the output content for the occupant based on second driving status information acquired as information related to the driving status of the vehicle after the output content has been output, and further includes the step of determining which of the first output content and the second output content is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the occupant by referring to data stored in a state in which a first evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and output as the output content and a second evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and output as the output content, the second script expressing information with the same gist as the first script in a different expression, are associated with the trigger condition.

[0012] The claimed invention is a content output method executed by a computer, comprising: When at least one of a plurality of first driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information related to a current driving situation of each of the plurality of vehicles satisfies a trigger condition, A step of acquiring output contents to be used for outputting to passengers of each of a plurality of vehicles, and transmitting the acquired output contents to the plurality of vehicles; and after the output contents are outputted to the passengers, transmitting a plurality of output contents to the plurality of vehicles, the plurality of output contents being received from the plurality of vehicles as information relating to the driving conditions of each of the plurality of vehicles. Second and evaluating the validity of the output content for the passenger based on driving status information, the evaluation result including a first evaluation result evaluating the validity of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and transmitted as the output content, and a second evaluation result evaluating the validity of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and transmitted as the output content expressing information having the same gist as the first script but in a different manner, by referring to data stored in a state in which the trigger condition is associated with the The method further includes a step of determining which of the first content for output and the second content for output is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger.

[0013] The invention described in the claims is a program executed by a content output device having a computer, the program making the computer function as an information acquisition unit that acquires information related to a driving situation of a vehicle, a content acquisition unit that acquires output content, which is content used to be output to an occupant of the vehicle when first driving situation information acquired as information related to the current driving situation of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition, an output unit that outputs the output content to the occupant, and an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the occupant based on second driving situation information acquired as information related to the driving situation of the vehicle after the output content has been output, the evaluation unit generating a first evaluation result that evaluates the effectiveness of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and output as the output content, a second evaluation result that evaluates the effectiveness of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and output as the output content, the second evaluation result being an evaluation result obtained by evaluating the effectiveness of the first output content corresponding to a second script that expresses information having the same gist as the first script in a different expression, and by referring to data stored in a state in which the trigger condition is associated with the It is determined which of the first content for output and the second content for output is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger.

[0014] The present invention also provides a program executed by a content output device having a computer, When at least one of a plurality of first driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information related to a current driving situation of each of the plurality of vehicles satisfies a trigger condition, a content transmission unit that acquires output content, which is content used to output to a passenger in each of a plurality of vehicles, and transmits the acquired output content to the plurality of vehicles; and a content transmission unit that transmits a plurality of output content to the plurality of vehicles after the output content has been output to the passenger in each of the plurality of vehicles as information relating to the driving conditions of the respective vehicles. SecondThe computer is caused to function as an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the passenger based on driving situation information, and the evaluation unit generates a first evaluation result that evaluates the effectiveness of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and transmitted as the output content, and a second evaluation result that evaluates the effectiveness of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and transmitted as the output content that expresses information having the same gist as the first script but in a different way, and by referring to data stored in a state in which the trigger condition is associated with the It is determined which of the first content for output and the second content for output is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a voice output system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an audio output device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a server device. [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a specific example of a method for evaluating the validity of output content. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a specific example of a method for evaluating the validity of output content. [Figure 6] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a specific example of a method for evaluating the validity of output content. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed in the audio output device. [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed in the server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a content output device includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information related to a driving status of a vehicle, a content acquisition unit that acquires output content, which is content used to output to an occupant of the vehicle when first driving status information acquired as information related to the current driving status of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition, an output unit that outputs the output content to the occupant, and an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the occupant based on second driving status information acquired as information related to the driving status of the vehicle after the output content has been output.

[0017] The content output device includes an information acquisition unit, a content acquisition unit, an output unit, and an evaluation unit. The information acquisition unit acquires information related to the driving status of the vehicle. The content acquisition unit acquires output content, which is content used to be output to an occupant of the vehicle when first driving status information acquired as information related to the current driving status of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition. The output unit outputs the output content to the occupant. The evaluation unit evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the occupant based on second driving status information acquired as information related to the driving status of the vehicle after the output content is output. Thereby, the effectiveness of the content output to the occupant of the vehicle can be evaluated in the output of the content.

[0018] In one aspect of the above-mentioned content output device, the evaluation unit determines which of the first output content and the second output content is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger based on a first evaluation result that evaluates the effectiveness of a first output content acquired and output as the output content, and a second evaluation result that evaluates the effectiveness of a second output content acquired and output as the output content.

[0019] In one aspect of the above-mentioned content output device, the evaluation unit evaluates the effectiveness of the output content based on the second driving situation information and third driving situation information acquired as information related to the driving situation of the vehicle when the output content is not acquired and output.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, a content output device includes a content transmission unit that acquires output content, which is content used to output to occupants of each of a plurality of vehicles, and transmits the acquired output content to the plurality of vehicles, and an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the occupants based on a plurality of driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information related to the driving situation of each of the plurality of vehicles after the output content is output to the occupants.

[0021] The content output device includes a content transmission unit and an evaluation unit. The content transmission unit acquires output content, which is content used for output to occupants of each of a plurality of vehicles, and transmits the acquired output content to the plurality of vehicles. The evaluation unit evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the occupants based on a plurality of pieces of driving status information received from the plurality of vehicles as information related to the driving status of each of the plurality of vehicles. This makes it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the content output to the occupants of the vehicles in the content output.

[0022] In one aspect of the above-mentioned content output device, the evaluation unit determines which of the first output content and the second output content is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passengers based on a first evaluation result that evaluates the validity of a first output content acquired and transmitted as the output content, and a second evaluation result that evaluates the validity of a second output content acquired and transmitted as the output content.

[0023] In one aspect of the above-mentioned content output device, the evaluation unit evaluates the effectiveness of the output content based on the multiple driving situation information and multiple other driving situation information received from the multiple vehicles when the output content is not acquired and transmitted.

[0024] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a content output method includes acquiring information related to a driving situation of a vehicle, acquiring output content that is content used to be output to an occupant of the vehicle when first driving situation information acquired as information related to the current driving situation of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition, outputting the output content to the occupant, and evaluating the effectiveness of the output content for the occupant based on second driving situation information acquired as information related to the driving situation of the vehicle after the output of the output content. This makes it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the content output to the occupant of the vehicle in the content output.

[0025] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a content output method includes acquiring output content to be used for output to a passenger of each of a plurality of vehicles, transmitting the acquired output content to the plurality of vehicles, and evaluating the effectiveness of the output content for the passenger based on a plurality of pieces of driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information relating to the driving situations of each of the plurality of vehicles after the output of the output content to the passenger. This makes it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the content output to the vehicle passenger in the content output.

[0026] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by a content output device including a computer causes the computer to function as an information acquisition unit that acquires information related to the driving situation of a vehicle, a content acquisition unit that acquires output content, which is content used to output to an occupant of the vehicle when first driving situation information acquired as information related to the current driving situation of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition, an output unit that outputs the output content to the occupant, and an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the occupant based on second driving situation information acquired as information related to the driving situation of the vehicle after the output content is output. By executing this program on a computer, the above content output device can be realized. This program can be stored in a storage medium and used.

[0027] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by a content output device including a computer causes the computer to function as a content transmission unit that acquires output content, which is content used to output to passengers of each of a plurality of vehicles, and transmits the acquired output content to the plurality of vehicles, and an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the passengers based on a plurality of pieces of driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information related to the driving situations of each of the plurality of vehicles after the output content is output to the passengers. By executing this program on a computer, the above-mentioned content output device can be realized. This program can be stored in a storage medium and used. EXAMPLES

[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] <First Example> First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0030] [System Configuration] (Overall composition) 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an audio output system according to an embodiment. The audio output system 1 according to the embodiment includes an audio output device 100 and a server device 200. The audio output device 100 is mounted on a vehicle Ve. The server device 200 communicates with a plurality of audio output devices 100 mounted on a plurality of vehicles Ve.

[0031] The audio output device 100 basically performs route search processing, route guidance processing, and the like for a user who is a passenger of a vehicle Ve. For example, when a destination or the like is input by a user, the audio output device 100 transmits an upload signal S1 including position information of the vehicle Ve and information related to the specified destination to the server device 200. The server device 200 calculates a route to the destination by referring to map data, and transmits a control signal S2 indicating the route to the destination to the audio output device 100. The audio output device 100 provides route guidance to the user by audio output based on the received control signal S2.

[0032] Furthermore, the audio output device 100 provides various types of information to the user through dialogue with the user. For example, when the user makes an information request, the audio output device 100 supplies the server device 200 with an upload signal S1 including information indicating the content or type of the information request and information regarding the running state of the vehicle Ve. The server device 200 acquires and generates the information requested by the user and transmits it to the audio output device 100 as a control signal S2. The audio output device 100 provides the received information to the user by audio output.

[0033] (Audio output device) The audio output device 100 moves together with the vehicle Ve and provides route guidance mainly through audio so that the vehicle Ve travels along the guide route. Note that "route guidance mainly through audio" refers to route guidance that allows the user to grasp information necessary for driving the vehicle Ve along the guide route at least from audio alone, and does not exclude the audio output device 100 displaying a map around the current position as an auxiliary. In this embodiment, the audio output device 100 outputs various information related to driving by audio, such as at least points on the route where guidance is required (also called "guidance points"). Here, the guidance 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 audio output device 100 provides audio guidance related to the guidance points, such as the distance from the vehicle Ve to the next guidance point and the traveling direction at the guidance point. Hereinafter, the audio related to the guidance for the guide route will also be called "route audio guidance".

[0034] The audio output device 100 is attached, for example, to an upper portion of a windshield or on a dashboard of the vehicle Ve. The audio output device 100 may be built into the vehicle Ve.

[0035] 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the audio output device 100. The audio output device 100 mainly includes a communication unit 111, a storage unit 112, an input unit 113, a control unit 114, a sensor group 115, a display unit 116, a microphone 117, a speaker 118, an outside-vehicle camera 119, and an inside-vehicle camera 120. The elements in the audio output device 100 are connected to each other via a bus line 110.

[0036] The communication unit 111 performs data communication with the server device 200 under the control of the control unit 114. The communication unit 111 may receive, for example, map data for updating a map DB (DataBase) 4 (described later) from the server device 200.

[0037] The storage unit 112 is configured with various types of memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a non-volatile memory (including a hard disk drive, a flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 112 stores programs for the audio output device 100 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, and an application program for outputting content other than music (such as television). The storage unit 112 is also used as a working memory for the control unit 114. The programs executed by the audio output device 100 may be stored in a storage medium other than the storage unit 12.

[0038] The storage unit 112 also stores a map database (hereinafter, database will be referred to as "DB") 4. Various data necessary for route guidance is recorded in the map DB 4. The map DB 4 stores, for example, road data that represents a road network by a combination of nodes and links, and facility data that indicates facilities that are candidates for a destination, a stop-off point, or a landmark. The map DB 4 may be updated based on map information that the communication unit 111 receives from a map management server under the control of the control unit 114.

[0039] The input unit 113 is a button, a touch panel, a remote controller, etc. that is operated by the user. The display unit 116 is a display or the like that displays information based on the control of the control unit 114. The microphone 117 collects sounds inside the vehicle Ve, particularly sounds uttered by the driver, etc. The speaker 118 outputs sounds for route guidance to the driver, etc.

[0040] The sensor group 115 includes an external sensor 121 and an internal sensor 122. The external sensor 121 is one or more sensors for recognizing the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve, such as a lidar, a radar, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or a sonar. The internal sensor 122 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 of these. Note that the sensor group 115 may include any sensor that allows the control unit 114 to directly or indirectly (i.e., by performing an estimation process) derive the position of the vehicle Ve from the output of the sensor group 115.

[0041] The exterior camera 119 is a camera that captures the outside of the vehicle Ve. The exterior camera 119 may be only a front camera that captures the view in front of the vehicle, or may include a rear camera that captures the view behind the vehicle in addition to the front camera, or may be an omnidirectional camera that can capture the entire surroundings of the vehicle Ve. On the other hand, the interior camera 120 is a camera that captures the inside of the vehicle Ve, and is provided at a position that can capture at least the area around the driver's seat.

[0042] The control unit 114 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and the like, and controls the entire audio output device 100. For example, the control unit 114 estimates the position (including the direction of travel) of the vehicle Ve based on the output of one or more sensors of the sensor group 115. Furthermore, when a destination is specified by the input unit 113 or the microphone 117, the control unit 114 generates route information indicating a guide route that is a route to the destination, and performs route guidance based on the route information, the estimated position information of the vehicle Ve, and the map DB4. In this case, the control unit 114 causes the speaker 118 to output route voice guidance. Furthermore, the control unit 114 controls the display unit 116 to display information on the music being played, video content, a map of the surroundings of the current position, and the like.

[0043] The processing executed by the control unit 114 is not limited to being realized by software using a program, but may be realized by any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. The processing executed by the control unit 114 may be realized by using an integrated circuit programmable by a user, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or a microcomputer. In this case, the program executed by the control unit 114 in this embodiment may be realized by using this integrated circuit. In this way, the control unit 114 may be realized by hardware other than a processor.

[0044] The configuration of the audio output device 100 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and various changes may be made to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. For example, instead of the map DB4 being stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 114 may receive information necessary for route guidance from the server device 200 via the communication unit 111. In another example, instead of including the speaker 118, the audio output device 100 may output audio from an audio output unit configured separately from the audio output device 100 by electrically connecting the audio output unit to the audio output unit via a known communication means. In this case, the audio output unit may be a speaker provided in the vehicle Ve. In yet another example, the audio output device 100 may not include the display unit 116. In this case, the audio output device 100 may not perform any control regarding the display, and may be electrically connected to a display unit provided in the vehicle Ve or the like via a wired or wireless connection to cause the display unit to execute a predetermined display. Similarly, instead of including the sensor group 115, the audio output device 100 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).

[0045] (Server device) The server device 200 generates route information indicating a guide route along which the vehicle Ve should travel, based on an upload signal S1 including a destination and the like received from the audio output device 100. The server device 200 then generates a control signal S2 related to information output in response to the user's information request, based on the user's information request and the traveling state of the vehicle Ve indicated in the upload signal S1 transmitted thereafter by the audio output device 100. The server device 200 then transmits the generated control signal S2 to the audio output device 100.

[0046] Furthermore, the server device 200 generates content for providing information to the user of the vehicle Ve and for dialogue with the user, and transmits the content to the audio output device 100. Information provided to the user is mainly push-type information provided from the server device 200 side, triggered by the vehicle Ve entering a predetermined driving situation. Also, dialogue with the user is basically pull-type dialogue that is initiated by a question or inquiry from the user. However, dialogue with the user may also be initiated by push-type content provision.

[0047] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the server device 200. The server device 200 mainly includes a communication unit 211, a storage unit 212, and a control unit 214. The elements in the server device 200 are connected to each other via a bus line 210.

[0048] The communication unit 211 performs data communication with external devices such as the audio output device 100 under the control of the control unit 214. The storage unit 212 is composed of various types of memory such as RAM, ROM, and non-volatile memory (including a hard disk drive, a flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 212 stores a program for the server device 200 to execute a predetermined process. The storage unit 212 also includes a map DB4.

[0049] The control unit 214 includes a CPU, a GPU, and the like, and controls the entire server device 200. The control unit 214 also executes a program stored in the storage unit 212 to operate together with the audio output device 100 and executes route guidance processing and information provision processing for the user. For example, the control unit 214 generates route information indicating a guidance route or a control signal S2 related to information output in response to an information request from the user, based on an upload signal S1 received from the audio output device 100 via the communication unit 211. Then, the control unit 214 transmits the generated control signal S2 to the audio output device 100 via the communication unit 211.

[0050] [Push-type content provision] Next, push-type content provision will be described. Push-type content provision means that when the vehicle Ve is in a predetermined driving state, the audio output device 100 outputs audio content related to the driving state to the user. Specifically, the audio output device 100 acquires driving state information indicating the driving state of the vehicle Ve based on the output of the sensor group 115 as described above, and transmits the information to the server device 200. The server device 200 stores table data for performing push-type content provision in the storage unit 212. The server device 200 refers to the table data, and when the driving state information received from the audio output device 100 mounted on the vehicle Ve matches a trigger condition defined in the table data, the server device 200 generates output content using a script corresponding to the trigger condition and transmits the generated content to the audio output device 100. The audio output device 100 outputs the output content received from the server device 200 as audio. In this way, the content corresponding to the driving state of the vehicle Ve is output as audio to the user.

[0051] The driving situation information may include at least one piece of information that can be acquired based on the functions of each unit of the audio output device 100, such as the position of the vehicle Ve, the direction of the vehicle, traffic information (including speed restrictions and congestion information, etc.) around the position of the vehicle Ve, the current time, the destination, etc. The driving situation information may also include any of the voice (excluding the user's speech) acquired by the microphone 117, the image captured by the outside camera 119, and the image captured by the inside camera 120. The driving situation information may also include information received from the server device 200 via the communication unit 111.

[0052] [Specific examples of how to evaluate the effectiveness of output content] 4 to 6 are diagrams for explaining a specific example of a method for evaluating the validity of an output content. In the following, an example will be described in which the output content is stored in the storage unit 212 of the server device 200. In the following, an example will be described in which table data TB is stored in the storage unit 212 of the server device 200 as data capable of identifying a correspondence between the output content and a trigger condition, which will be described later.

[0053] First, a specific example of Fig. 4 will be described. For example, when traffic information included in driving status information of a vehicle Ve satisfies a trigger condition TG1 corresponding to a decrease in the speed limit on a current driving route, the server device 200 acquires a script SC11 corresponding to "The speed limit will be decreased from 60 km to 40 km" or a script SC12 corresponding to "The speed limit is 40 km. Be careful" by referring to the table data TB. In addition, the server device 200 transmits output contents including a script SC1X corresponding to either one of the scripts SC11 or SC12 to the audio output device 100. In this way, the script SC1X is output as voice to the user.

[0054] After that, the server device 200 acquires driving situation information of the vehicle Ve after transmitting the output content including the script SC1X, and detects the traveling speed of the vehicle Ve based on the acquired driving situation information. Then, when the server device 200 detects that the traveling speed of the vehicle Ve is 40 km / h or less, it evaluates that the output of the script SC1X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is valid, or that the effectiveness of the script SC1X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is high. Also, when the server device 200 detects that the traveling speed of the vehicle Ve is higher than 40 km / h, it evaluates that the output of the script SC1X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is invalid, or that the effectiveness of the script SC1X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is low. That is, FIG. 4 shows an example in which the effectiveness of the script SC11 to the driver of the vehicle Ve is high, and the effectiveness of the script SC12 to the driver is low.

[0055] According to the specific example described above, a database DBA including data associating the evaluation result regarding the effectiveness of the script SC11 and the evaluation result regarding the effectiveness of the script SC12 with the trigger condition TG1 can be constructed and stored in the storage unit 212. Therefore, according to the specific example described above, when the trigger condition TG1 is satisfied, the server device 200 can determine which of the scripts SC11 and SC12 is relatively more suitable as output content to be output to the driver of the vehicle Ve, by referring to the database DBA.

[0056] Next, a specific example of Fig. 5 will be described. For example, when route information included in driving status information of the vehicle Ve satisfies a trigger condition TG2 corresponding to approaching an intersection where the vehicle should turn left next, the server device 200 acquires a script SC21 corresponding to "Turn left at intersection D 100 meters ahead" or a script SC22 corresponding to "Turn left at the corner of the convenience store 100 meters ahead" by referring to the table data TB. The server device 200 also transmits output content including a script SC2X corresponding to either one of the scripts SC21 or SC22 to the audio output device 100. In this way, the script SC2X is output as voice to the user.

[0057] After that, the server device 200 acquires driving status information of the vehicle Ve after transmitting the output content including the script SC2X, and detects the position and direction of the vehicle Ve based on the acquired driving status information. Then, when the server device 200 detects that the vehicle Ve has turned left at the corner of the convenience store 100 meters away from the current position, it evaluates that the output of the script SC2X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is valid, or that the effectiveness of the script SC2X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is high. Also, when the server device 200 detects that the vehicle Ve has not turned left at the corner of the convenience store 100 meters away from the current position, it evaluates that the output of the script SC2X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is invalid, or that the effectiveness of the script SC2X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is low. That is, FIG. 5 shows an example in which the effectiveness of the script SC22 to the driver of the vehicle Ve is high, and the effectiveness of the script SC21 to the driver is low.

[0058] According to the specific example described above, a database DBB including data associating the evaluation result regarding the effectiveness of the script SC21 and the evaluation result regarding the effectiveness of the script SC22 with the trigger condition TG2 can be constructed and stored in the storage unit 212. Therefore, according to the specific example described above, when the trigger condition TG2 is satisfied, the server device 200 can determine which of the scripts SC21 and SC22 is relatively more suitable as output content to be output to the driver of the vehicle Ve, by referring to the database DBB.

[0059] However, the script SC22 including the information on the specific location has a higher speech cost than the script SC21. Therefore, according to the specific example described above, for example, based on the guidance success rate when the script SC22 is output after the script SC21 is output, it is possible to check whether the improvement effect of the script SC22 is worth the speech cost.

[0060] Next, a specific example of Fig. 6 will be described. For example, when the location information included in the driving status information of the vehicle Ve satisfies the trigger condition TG3 corresponding to approaching a famous restaurant in the vicinity of the current location, the server device 200 acquires a script SC31 corresponding to "There is a restaurant E nearby that is famous for seafood dishes" or a script SC32 corresponding to "There is a restaurant E nearby that is popular on a review site" by referring to the table data TB. In addition, the server device 200 transmits to the audio output device 100 a content for output including a script SC3X corresponding to either one of the scripts SC31 or SC32. In this way, the script SC3X is output to the user by voice.

[0061] After that, the server device 200 acquires driving status information of the vehicle Ve after transmitting the output content including the script SC3X, and detects the position and stopping time of the vehicle Ve based on the acquired driving status information. Then, when the server device 200 detects that the vehicle Ve is stopped in the vicinity of the restaurant E for a certain period of time or more, it evaluates that the output of the script SC3X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is valid, or that the effectiveness of the script SC3X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is high. In addition, when the vehicle Ve is traveling at a position away from the restaurant E, the server device 200 evaluates that the output of the script SC3X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is invalid, or that the effectiveness of the script SC3X to the driver of the vehicle Ve is low. That is, FIG. 6 shows an example in which the effectiveness of the script SC31 to the driver of the vehicle Ve is high, and the effectiveness of the script SC32 to the driver is low.

[0062] According to the specific example described above, a database DBC including data associating the evaluation result regarding the effectiveness of the script SC31 and the evaluation result regarding the effectiveness of the script SC32 with the trigger condition TG3 can be constructed and stored in the storage unit 212. Therefore, according to the specific example described above, when the trigger condition TG3 is satisfied, the server device 200 can determine which of the scripts SC31 and SC32 is relatively more suitable as output content to be output to the driver of the vehicle Ve, by referring to the database DBC.

[0063] (Processing flow) FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process performed in the audio output device.

[0064] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the validity of the output contents is evaluated in the audio output device 100.

[0065] First, the control unit 114 acquires driving situation information relating to the current driving situation of the vehicle Ve (step S11).

[0066] Next, the control unit 114 refers to the table data TB stored in the storage unit 212 of the server device 200 to determine whether or not the driving condition information acquired in step S11 satisfies the trigger condition (step S12).

[0067] When the control unit 114 determines that the driving condition information acquired in step S11 does not satisfy the trigger condition of the table data TB (step S12: NO), it performs the operation of step S11 again.

[0068] On the other hand, when the control unit 114 determines that the driving condition information acquired in step S11 satisfies the trigger condition of the table data TB (step S12: YES), it performs a process for acquiring the content for output (step S13).

[0069] Next, the control unit 114 performs a process for outputting the script included in the content for output acquired in step S13 from the speaker 118 as voice (step S14).

[0070] Next, the control unit 114 acquires driving condition information related to the driving condition of the vehicle Ve after performing the processing of step S14, i.e., after the output content acquired in step S13 has been output to the occupants of the vehicle Ve (step S15).

[0071] Next, the control unit 114 evaluates the validity of the output content output by the processing of step S14 based on the driving situation information acquired in step S15 (step S16). The control unit 114 stores the evaluation result of the validity of the output content in the storage unit 212. Thereby, when the trigger condition corresponding to the script is satisfied thereafter, the control unit 214 can refer to the evaluation result stored in the storage unit 212 and select and output a script with a higher validity.

[0072] According to this embodiment, the control unit 114 functions as an information acquisition unit, a content acquisition unit, and an evaluation unit. Also, according to this embodiment, the speaker 118 functions as an output unit.

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, the output content corresponding to the first driving situation information acquired as information related to the current driving situation of the vehicle is output to the passenger of the vehicle, and the validity of the output content for the passenger is evaluated based on the second driving situation information acquired as information related to the driving situation of the vehicle after the output of the output content. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the content is output, the validity of the output content for the passenger of the vehicle can be evaluated. In particular, in this embodiment, after outputting the output content, the control unit 114 evaluates the validity of the output content using the driving situation of the vehicle, so that it is possible to select a script that is valid for the passenger of the vehicle. Note that in the first embodiment, the validity of the output content is evaluated for each passenger of the vehicle, so that the evaluation may differ for each vehicle (each passenger of the vehicle) even for the same output content.

[0074] (Modification) The control unit 114 of this embodiment may evaluate the content for output based on driving situation information acquired after the content for output is output (step S15) and driving situation information acquired when the content for output is not acquired and output (steps S13 and S14 are not performed). For example, in the specific example shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 114 may compare the driving situation information after outputting the content for output including the script SC11 corresponding to "The speed limit will be reduced from 60 km to 40 km" with that after not outputting the content for output. This makes it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of outputting the content for output including the script SC11 corresponding to "The speed limit will be reduced from 60 km to 40 km" compared to the case where no content is output.

[0075] <Second Example> Next, a second embodiment will be described.

[0076] In this embodiment, the server device 200 transmits output contents to each of the multiple vehicles Ve, and evaluates the validity of the output contents using driving situation information acquired from each of the multiple vehicles Ve after transmitting the output contents. Therefore, in this embodiment, the description of the parts to which the same configuration as in the first embodiment can be applied will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the parts different from the first embodiment. Specifically, the specific examples in Figs. 4 to 6 can be used in the second embodiment as well.

[0077] (Processing flow) FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process performed in the server device.

[0078] First, the control unit 214 receives a plurality of pieces of driving condition information relating to the current driving conditions of each of the plurality of vehicles Ve (step S21).

[0079] Specifically, in step S21, the control unit 214 receives, for example, driving status information DJ1 transmitted from vehicle Ve1, driving status information DJ2 transmitted from vehicle Ve2, driving status information DJ3 transmitted from vehicle Ve3, driving status information DJ4 transmitted from vehicle Ve4, and driving status information DJ5 transmitted from vehicle Ve5.

[0080] Next, the control unit 214 refers to the table data TB stored in the storage unit 212 to determine whether or not any of the driving condition information received in step S21 satisfies the trigger condition (step S22).

[0081] When it is determined in step S21 that all the driving condition information received does not satisfy the trigger condition of the table data TB (step S22: NO), the control unit 214 performs the operation of step S21 again.

[0082] On the other hand, if the control unit 214 determines that at least one of the multiple pieces of driving condition information received in step S21 satisfies the trigger condition of the table data TB (step S22: YES), it performs processing to obtain content for output (step S23).

[0083] Next, the control unit 214 performs a process for transmitting the output content acquired in step S23 to the vehicle Ve that is the transmission source of the driving situation information determined in step S22 to satisfy the trigger condition of the table data TB (step S24). Then, according to such a process by the control unit 214, in the vehicle Ve to which the driving situation information that satisfies the trigger condition of the table data TB is transmitted, one or more scripts included in the output content acquired as the content corresponding to the trigger condition are output as audio. Note that, hereinafter, an example will be described in which the output content is transmitted to the vehicles Ve1 to Ve4 because the driving situation information DJ1 to DJ4 satisfy the trigger condition of the table data TB.

[0084] Next, the control unit 214 receives a plurality of pieces of driving condition information relating to the driving conditions of each of the vehicles Ve that are the transmission destinations of the output contents in step S24 (step S25).

[0085] Next, the control unit 214 evaluates the validity of the content for output transmitted by the process of step S24 based on the plurality of pieces of driving condition information received in step S25 (step S26).

[0086] Specifically, for example, when the control unit 214 transmits the script SC1X as the output content, the control unit 214 detects the traveling speeds of the vehicles Ve1-Ve4 based on the driving condition information acquired in step S25. Then, the control unit 214 evaluates the effectiveness of the script SC1X based on the number of vehicles among the vehicles Ve1-Ve4 whose traveling speed is 40 km / h or less. For example, when the traveling speeds of three of the vehicles Ve1-Ve4 are 40 km / h or less, the control unit 214 evaluates that the effectiveness of the script SC1X for the passengers of the vehicles Ve1-Ve4 is 75%, or that the effectiveness of the script SC1X for the passengers of the vehicles Ve1-Ve4 is high. Furthermore, for example, when the traveling speed of one of the vehicles Ve1 to Ve4 is 40 km / h or less, the control unit 214 evaluates that the effectiveness of the script SC1X for the passengers of the vehicle Ve1 to Ve4 is 25%, or that the effectiveness of the script SC1X for the passengers of the vehicle Ve1 to Ve4 is low. The control unit 214 stores the evaluation results thus obtained in the storage unit 212 in association with each script. Thereby, when the trigger condition corresponding to the script is satisfied thereafter, the control unit 214 can refer to the evaluation results stored in the storage unit 212 and select and output a more effective script.

[0087] According to this embodiment, the control unit 214 has functions as a content transmission unit and an evaluation unit.

[0088] As described above, according to this embodiment, output contents are transmitted to a plurality of vehicles, driving situation information related to the driving situation of each of the plurality of vehicles after the output contents are output to the passengers of the plurality of vehicles is received, and the validity of the output contents for the passengers is evaluated based on the driving situation information. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when outputting the content, the validity of the content output to the passengers of the vehicles can be evaluated. In particular, in this embodiment, the control unit 214 evaluates the validity of the output contents using the driving situations of the plurality of vehicles after the output of the output contents, so that when selecting a script corresponding to a certain trigger condition, it is possible to select a script that is valid for general passengers, in other words, a script that is valid for a large number of passengers.

[0089] (Modification) Modifications to the above embodiment will now be described.

[0090] The control unit 214 of this embodiment may evaluate the validity of the output content based on a plurality of pieces of driving situation information received from a plurality of vehicles (vehicles Ve1 to Ve4) after the output content is transmitted (step S25) and a plurality of other pieces of driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles when the output content is not acquired and transmitted (steps S23 and S24 are not performed). For example, in the specific example shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 214 may compare the driving situation information after outputting the output content including the script SC11 corresponding to "The speed limit will be reduced from 60 km to 40 km" with that after not outputting the output content. This makes it possible to evaluate the validity of outputting the output content including the script SC11 corresponding to "The speed limit will be reduced from 60 km to 40 km" compared to the case where no content is output.

[0091] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer readable media and supplied to a control unit, which is a computer. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable medium include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage media (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)).

[0092] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and corrections that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical ideas. In addition, the disclosures of the above cited patent documents and the like are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 100 Audio output device 200 Server device 111, 211 Communications Department 112, 212 Storage section 113 Input section 114, 214 Control section 115 Sensor Group 116 Display section 117 Mike 118 Speaker 119 Exterior Camera 120 In-car camera

Claims

1. An information acquisition unit that acquires information related to a driving state of a vehicle; a content acquisition unit that acquires an output content, which is a content used to output to a passenger of the vehicle, when first driving situation information acquired as information related to a current driving situation of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition; an output unit that outputs the output content to the passenger; an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the passenger based on second driving situation information acquired as information related to the driving situation of the vehicle after the output content is output; Equipped with The content output device determines which of the first output content and the second output content is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger by referring to data stored in a state in which a first evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and output as the output content, and a second evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and output as the output content, which expresses information with the same gist as the first script but in a different way, are associated with the trigger condition.

2. The content output device of claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates the effectiveness of the output content based on the second driving situation information and third driving situation information acquired as information relating to the driving situation of the vehicle when the trigger condition is satisfied but the output content is not acquired and output.

3. A content transmission unit that, when at least one of a plurality of first driving status information received from a plurality of vehicles as information relating to the current driving status of each of the plurality of vehicles satisfies a trigger condition, acquires output content, which is content used to output to occupants of each of the plurality of vehicles, and transmits the acquired output content to the plurality of vehicles; an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the passenger based on a plurality of second driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information related to the driving situation of each of the plurality of vehicles after the output content is output to the passenger; Equipped with The content output device determines which of the first output content and the second output content is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger by referring to data stored in a state in which a first evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and transmitted as the output content, and a second evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and transmitted as the output content, which expresses information with the same gist as the first script but in a different way, are associated with the trigger condition.

4. The content output device of claim 3, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates the effectiveness of the output content based on the plurality of second driving situation information and a plurality of other driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles when the trigger condition is satisfied but the output content is not acquired or transmitted.

5. 1. A computer-implemented content output method, comprising: acquiring information relating to a driving condition of a vehicle; acquiring an output content, which is a content used for outputting to an occupant of the vehicle when first driving situation information acquired as information related to a current driving situation of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition; outputting the output content to the passenger; and evaluating the effectiveness of the output content for the passenger based on second driving situation information acquired as information related to the driving situation of the vehicle after the output content is output, The content output method further includes a step of determining which of the first output content and the second output content is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger by referring to data stored in a state in which a first evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and output as the output content, and a second evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and output as the output content expressing information with the same gist as the first script but in a different way, are associated with the trigger condition.

6. 1. A computer-implemented content output method, comprising: When at least one of a plurality of first driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information related to the current driving situation of each of the plurality of vehicles satisfies a trigger condition, acquiring output content which is content used for outputting to a passenger of each of the plurality of vehicles, and transmitting the acquired output content to the plurality of vehicles; and after the output content is output to the passenger, evaluating the validity of the output content for the passenger based on a plurality of second driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information relating to the driving situation of each of the plurality of vehicles, The content output method further includes a step of determining which of the first output content and the second output content is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger by referring to data stored in a state in which a first evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and transmitted as the output content, and a second evaluation result evaluating the effectiveness of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and transmitted as the output content expressing information with the same gist as the first script but in a different way, are associated with the trigger condition.

7. A program executed by a content output device having a computer, An information acquisition unit that acquires information related to a driving state of a vehicle; a content acquisition unit that acquires an output content, which is a content used to output to an occupant of the vehicle, when first driving situation information acquired as information related to a current driving situation of the vehicle satisfies a trigger condition; an output unit that outputs the output content to the passenger; and making the computer function as an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the passenger based on second driving situation information acquired as information related to the driving situation of the vehicle after the output content is output; The evaluation unit is a program that determines which of the first output content and the second output content is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger by referring to data stored in a state in which a first evaluation result that evaluates the effectiveness of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and output as the output content, and a second evaluation result that evaluates the effectiveness of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and output as the output content, which expresses information with the same gist as the first script but in a different way, are associated with the trigger condition.

8. A program executed by a content output device having a computer, a content transmission unit that, when at least one of a plurality of first driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information related to the current driving situation of each of the plurality of vehicles satisfies a trigger condition, acquires an output content that is used to output to a passenger of each of the plurality of vehicles, and transmits the acquired output content to the plurality of vehicles; and after the output content is output to the passenger, making the computer function as an evaluation unit that evaluates the effectiveness of the output content for the passenger based on a plurality of second driving situation information received from the plurality of vehicles as information relating to the driving situation of each of the plurality of vehicles; The evaluation unit is a program that determines which of the first output content and the second output content is relatively more suitable as content to be output to the passenger by referring to data stored in a state in which a first evaluation result that evaluates the effectiveness of a first output content corresponding to a first script acquired and transmitted as the output content, and a second evaluation result that evaluates the effectiveness of a second output content corresponding to a second script acquired and transmitted as the output content, which expresses information with the same gist as the first script but in a different way, are associated with the trigger condition.

9. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 7 or 8.

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