Audio output device, audio output method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

This voice output device is provided with an acquisition unit that acquires a guidance route including guidance points to a destination, and a voice guidance unit that outputs, before a mobile body enters an accuracy–reduced section which is a section where the positioning accuracy for a current position is reduced, a voice guidance related to all guidance points present in the section.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In a car navigation device or the like, when the vehicle enters a tunnel during route guidance, the current location cannot be updated and guidance to guide points within the tunnel cannot be provided. Patent Document 1 proposes a method for providing the user with easy-to-understand information about tunnels while the vehicle is traveling. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-33261 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, even with Patent Document 1, it is not necessarily possible to provide highly accurate guidance regarding guide points inside a tunnel.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its main object to provide a voice output device that is capable of providing appropriate guidance regarding guidance points inside tunnels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in the claims is a voice output device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a guide route including guide points to a destination; and a voice guidance unit that outputs voice guidance regarding all guide points present in an accuracy reduction section, which is a section where the positioning accuracy of the current position decreases, before a moving object enters the accuracy reduction section. When a guidance request is received from a user while a moving object is in the accuracy-decreasing section, the voice guidance unit outputs voice guidance regarding all guidance points that exist within the section.

[0007] The invention described in the claims is a voice output method executed by a voice output device, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a guide route including guide points to a destination; and a voice guidance step of outputting voice guidance regarding all guide points present in an accuracy reduction section, which is a section in which the positioning accuracy of the current position is reduced, before the moving body enters the accuracy reduction section. When a guidance request is received from a user while the mobile body is in the accuracy-decreasing section, the voice guidance step is characterized by outputting voice guidance regarding all guidance points that exist within the section.

[0008] The claimed invention is a program executed by a content output device having a computer, the program causing the computer to function as an acquisition means for acquiring a guide route including guide points to a destination, and a voice guidance means for outputting voice guidance regarding all guide points present in an accuracy reduction section, which is a section where the positioning accuracy of the current position is reduced, before the moving object enters the accuracy reduction section. When a guidance request is received from a user while a moving object is in the accuracy-decreasing section, the voice guidance means outputs voice guidance regarding all guidance points that exist within the section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [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] 4 shows an example of a screen display of guidance in a section where positioning accuracy is degraded according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the audio output device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by a sound output device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the audio output device includes an acquisition unit that acquires a guidance route including guidance points to a destination, and an audio guidance unit that outputs audio guidance regarding all guidance points present within an accuracy reduction section, which is a section where the positioning accuracy of the current position decreases, before a moving body enters the accuracy reduction section.

[0011] The above-mentioned voice output device obtains a guide route including guide points to a destination, and before a moving object enters an accuracy-decreasing section where the positioning accuracy of the current position decreases, it provides voice guidance regarding all guide points present within the section. This makes it possible to provide guidance regarding guide points inside tunnels.

[0012] In another aspect of the above voice output device, when a guidance request is received from a user while the moving body is in an accuracy-decreasing section, the voice guidance unit outputs voice guidance regarding all guidance points that exist in the accuracy-decreasing section. In this aspect, the user can check the voice guidance again.

[0013] Another aspect of the above audio output device includes a display unit that displays guidance information regarding all guidance points that exist in the accuracy-decreasing section before the moving body enters the accuracy-decreasing section. In this aspect, the user can visually confirm the guidance points in the tunnel.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the audio output method executed by the audio output device includes an acquisition step of acquiring a guide route including guide points to a destination, and an audio guidance step of outputting audio guidance regarding all guide points present in an accuracy reduction section, which is a section in which the positioning accuracy of the current position decreases, before the mobile body enters the accuracy reduction section. This makes it possible to provide guidance regarding guide points inside a tunnel.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by a computer causes the computer to function as an acquisition means for acquiring a guide route including guide points to a destination, and as a voice guidance means for outputting voice guidance regarding all guide points present in an accuracy-decreasing section, which is a section in which the positioning accuracy of the current position is reduced, before the moving object enters the section. By executing this program on a computer, the above-mentioned voice output device can be realized. This program can be stored in a storage medium and handled. EXAMPLES

[0016] First and second preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. <First Example>

[0017] [System Configuration] (Overall composition) 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an audio output system according to a first embodiment. The audio output system 1 according to the present 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] (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".

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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 112.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The configuration of the audio output device 100 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and various modifications may be made to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. For example, instead of the map DB4 being stored in the storage unit 112, 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 be electrically connected to an audio output unit configured separately from the audio output device 100 or by a known communication means, thereby outputting audio from the audio output unit. 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 by wire or wirelessly, thereby causing 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).

[0032] (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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] [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 acquires output content using text data corresponding to the trigger condition and transmits the 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] [Guidance method in areas where positioning accuracy is reduced] Next, a guidance method in a section with reduced positioning accuracy will be described. Before a vehicle Ve equipped with the audio output device 100 enters a section with reduced positioning accuracy, the audio output device 100 outputs all information on guidance points in the section with reduced positioning accuracy in advance. A section with reduced positioning accuracy is a section in which the positioning accuracy of the current position of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "own vehicle position") decreases, and examples of such a section include a section in a tunnel where the reception level of a GPS (Global Positioning System) decreases, a section where it is difficult to measure using a group of sensors such as an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor, and a section where communication failure with a base station occurs. Examples of guidance points include branching points such as a junction (JCT). In the following description, a typical example will be described in which the section with reduced positioning accuracy is a tunnel.

[0040] Specifically, when the vehicle Ve enters a tunnel during route guidance, the voice output device 100 cannot receive satellite signals from GPS satellites and cannot update the vehicle's position. Therefore, if there are multiple guidance points inside the tunnel, the voice output device 100 cannot know whether the vehicle Ve has passed each guidance point, and it is difficult to output guidance at the guidance output point. The "guidance output point" is a point where voice guidance regarding the next guidance point should be output, and is usually set to a point where the distance to the next guidance point is less than a predetermined distance.

[0041] Therefore, before the vehicle Ve enters the tunnel, the voice output device 100 outputs all the guide points in the tunnel in advance. This enables the voice output device 100 to provide guidance on the guide points in the tunnel as well. Furthermore, when the user makes a request for information on the guide points (hereinafter referred to as a "guide request") while the vehicle Ve is traveling in the tunnel, the voice output device 100 again outputs all the guide points in the tunnel in voice.

[0042] (Display example) The guide point output by the audio output device 100 may be displayed on a screen instead of being output as audio. For example, an application for linking with the audio output device 100 may be implemented in a portable terminal such as a smartphone, and the guide point may be displayed on the display screen of the portable terminal.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows an example of a screen display of guidance in a section with reduced positioning accuracy. That is, before the vehicle Ve enters a tunnel, the voice output device 100 causes the mobile terminal to execute a display as shown in Fig. 4. In a screen display example 30 of guidance in a section with reduced positioning accuracy shown in Fig. 4, guide point information 31 and arrival schedule information 32 are displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal.

[0044] The guide point information 31 is information on each guide point in the tunnel. The guide point information 31 includes the direction of travel at each guide point, the name of each guide point, and the direction guidance at each guide point. The guide point information 31 is displayed in order from the guide point closest to the entrance of the tunnel. In the example of FIG. 4, the first guide point that the vehicle Ve passes through in the tunnel is "XX1JCT", the next guide point that the vehicle passes through is "XX2JCT", and the next guide point that the vehicle passes through is "XX3JCT". If there are multiple guide points in the tunnel and all of the guide point information 31 cannot be displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal, the user may scroll the display screen to display the guide point information 31 that is not displayed at that time.

[0045] Furthermore, while the vehicle Ve is traveling through the tunnel, the guide point information 31 is not updated. Therefore, regardless of whether the vehicle Ve has passed a guide point in the tunnel or not, all guide points in the tunnel are displayed on the display screen of the portable terminal until the vehicle Ve exits the tunnel.

[0046] The arrival schedule information 32 includes the remaining distance from the vehicle's position to the destination and the estimated time of arrival at the destination. Since the voice output device 100 cannot update the vehicle's position inside a tunnel, the arrival schedule information 32 displays information before entering the tunnel.

[0047] (Processing flow) Fig. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the process performed in the audio output device. This process is realized by the control unit 114 shown in Fig. 2 executing a program prepared in advance. This process is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals during route guidance by the audio output device 100.

[0048] First, the control unit 114 determines whether or not the vehicle Ve, in which the audio output device 100 is mounted, has reached a guidance output point based on the vehicle position and map information (step S11). If the vehicle Ve has reached the guidance output point (step S11: Yes), the control unit 114 performs route guidance (step S12).

[0049] On the other hand, if the vehicle Ve has not reached the guide point (step S11: No), or if the process of step S12 is completed, the control unit 114 determines whether the vehicle Ve has reached the destination based on the vehicle position of the vehicle Ve and the information of the preset guide route (step S13). If the vehicle Ve has reached the destination (step S13: Yes), the control unit 114 ends the process.

[0050] On the other hand, if the vehicle Ve has not reached the destination (step S13: No), the control unit 114 determines whether the vehicle Ve will enter a tunnel based on the vehicle position and map information (step S14). If the vehicle Ve will not enter a tunnel (step S14: No), the process returns to step S11 and continues. If the vehicle Ve will enter a tunnel (step S14: Yes), the control unit 114 outputs voice guidance for all guidance points in the tunnel (step S15).

[0051] Next, the control unit 114 judges whether or not a guidance request has been made by the user while the vehicle Ve is traveling in the tunnel (step S16). If a guidance request has been made by the user (step S16: Yes), the process returns to step 15, and the control unit 114 again outputs voice guidance for all guidance points in the tunnel. On the other hand, if there is no guidance request from the user (step S16: No), the control unit 114 judges whether or not the vehicle Ve has left the tunnel based on the GPS reception level and the like (step S17). If the vehicle Ve has not left the tunnel (step S17: No), the process returns to step S16 and continues. If the vehicle Ve has left the tunnel (step S17: Yes), the process returns to step S11 and continues.

[0052] Thus, according to the first embodiment, before the vehicle Ve enters a section with reduced positioning accuracy such as a tunnel, audio guidance is provided for all guide points within the section with reduced positioning accuracy. Therefore, the user can hear audio guidance for guide points within the section with reduced positioning accuracy in advance. Even after the vehicle Ve enters a section with reduced positioning accuracy, the user can repeatedly hear guidance for guide points within the section with reduced positioning accuracy by making a guidance request. Therefore, appropriate route guidance can be provided even when the vehicle Ve enters a section with reduced positioning accuracy.

[0053] <Second Example> Next, a description will be given of an audio output device 100 according to a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the configurations of the audio output device 100 and the server device 200 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0054] As described above, the voice output device 100 cannot update the vehicle position while the vehicle Ve is traveling in a section with reduced positioning accuracy. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the user makes a guidance request, the voice output device 100 outputs all guidance points in the section with reduced positioning accuracy, including guidance points that have already been passed.

[0055] In contrast, in the second embodiment, the voice output device 100 updates the vehicle position based on the user's speech while the vehicle Ve is traveling in a section where positioning accuracy is reduced. This enables the voice output device 100 to output a guide point ahead of the vehicle position.

[0056] Specifically, the voice output device 100 according to the second embodiment outputs all information about guide points in a section with reduced positioning accuracy by voice before the vehicle Ve equipped with the voice output device 100 enters the section with reduced positioning accuracy. Then, when the vehicle Ve passes a guide point in the section with reduced positioning accuracy, the user speaks that the vehicle Ve has passed the guide point, and notifies the voice output device 100. The voice output device 100 updates the vehicle position based on the user's speech. Also, when the user makes a guidance request, the voice output device 100 outputs all guide points ahead of the vehicle position by voice.

[0057] For example, assume that there is a tunnel on the guidance route from the vehicle position to the destination, and that the tunnel has three guidance points, "XX1JCT", "XX2JCT", and "XX3JCT", as shown in FIG. 4. First, the voice output device 100 outputs all the guidance points in the tunnel in advance by voice before the vehicle Ve enters the tunnel. Then, when the vehicle Ve passes the first guidance point "XX1JCT" while traveling in the tunnel, the user utters "I passed XX1JCT" to the voice output device 100. Then, the voice output device 100 updates the vehicle position to "XX1JCT" based on the user's utterance. Note that instead of updating the vehicle position to "XX1JCT", the voice output device 100 may update the vehicle position to a position slightly ahead of "XX1JCT" or a predetermined position between "XX1JCT" and "XX2JCT". Thereafter, when the user makes a guidance request, the voice output device 100 outputs by voice the guidance points ("XX2JCT" and "XX3JCT") ahead of the updated vehicle position.

[0058] Thereafter, when the vehicle Ve passes the next guide point "XX2JCT", the user speaks to the voice output device 100, "I passed XX2JCT." Then, the voice output device 100 updates the vehicle position to "XX2JCT" based on the user's utterance. In this way, every time the user speaks that he or she has passed a guide point, the voice output device 100 updates the vehicle position of the vehicle Ve based on the user's utterance. This makes it possible to update the vehicle position and provide appropriate route guidance even in a section where positioning accuracy is reduced, such as a tunnel.

[0059] The guide point output by the voice output device 100 according to the second embodiment is not limited to being output as voice, and may be displayed on a screen of a portable terminal such as a smartphone. In this case, when the voice output device 100 updates the vehicle position of the vehicle Ve based on the user's speech, the voice output device 100 may display a vehicle position mark at a position corresponding to the updated vehicle position.

[0060] Furthermore, when the voice output device 100 according to the second embodiment updates the vehicle position based on the user's speech, the voice output device 100 may output voice guidance for the next guide point of the updated vehicle position or all guide points ahead of the updated vehicle position, regardless of the presence or absence of a guidance request from the user. For example, if the user utters "I have passed XX1 JCT," the voice output device 100 updates the vehicle position and outputs voice guidance such as "The next guide point is XX2 JCT."

[0061] Fig. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the process performed in the audio output device according to the second embodiment. This process is realized by the control unit 114 shown in Fig. 2 executing a program prepared in advance. This process is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals during route guidance by the audio output device 100. The processes in steps S11 to S15 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0062] While the vehicle Ve is traveling in the tunnel, the control unit 114 determines whether the user has passed the guide point (step S16). If the user has said that he or she has passed the guide point (step S16: Yes), the control unit 114 updates the vehicle position to the position of the guide point that was passed or a position further ahead (step S17). On the other hand, if the user has not said that he or she has passed the guide point (step S16: No), or if the process of step S17 has ended, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0063] Next, the control unit 114 judges whether or not a guidance request has been received from the user (step S18). If a guidance request has been received from the user (step S18: Yes), the control unit 114 outputs voice guidance for guidance points beyond the updated vehicle position (step S19). On the other hand, if there is no guidance request from the user (step S18: No), or if the processing of step S19 is completed, the control unit 114 judges whether or not the vehicle Ve has left the tunnel based on the GPS reception level and the like (step S20). If the vehicle Ve has not left the tunnel (step S20: No), the processing returns to step S16 and continues. If the vehicle Ve has left the tunnel (step S20: Yes), the processing returns to step S11 and continues.

[0064] In this way, in the second embodiment, after the vehicle Ve enters an area where the positioning accuracy is reduced, such as a tunnel, the vehicle position of the vehicle Ve is updated based on the user's speech. This makes it possible to provide appropriate route guidance even in an area where the positioning accuracy is reduced.

[0065] [Variations] Next, a description will be given of preferred modifications of the above-mentioned second embodiment. Note that the following modifications may be applied to the above-mentioned embodiment in any combination.

[0066] (Variation 1) In the second embodiment, the voice output device 100 requires the user to speak in order to update the vehicle position in the section with reduced positioning accuracy, but the user does not necessarily speak that the guide point has been passed. Therefore, the voice output device 100 may request the user to speak when the guide point has been passed before the vehicle Ve enters the section with reduced positioning accuracy. For example, the voice output device 100 may output a voice such as "Please let me know when you have passed the guide point in the tunnel" before the vehicle Ve enters a tunnel.

[0067] (Variation 2) Furthermore, the audio output device 100 may predict the timing when the vehicle Ve passes a guide point in the section with reduced positioning accuracy, and may confirm with the user whether or not the guide point has been passed each time. For example, the audio output device 100 may predict the time when the vehicle Ve passes each guide point in a tunnel based on the current time and the speed of the vehicle Ve. Then, the audio output device 100 may output a voice such as "Did you pass point XX?" around the predicted time, to prompt the user to speak when the guide point has been passed.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer readable media and can be 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)).

[0069] 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]

[0070] 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 acquisition unit that acquires a guide route including guide points to a destination; a voice guidance unit that outputs voice guidance regarding all guide points existing in an accuracy reduction section, which is a section where the positioning accuracy of the current position is reduced, before the moving object enters the accuracy reduction section; Equipped with A voice output device characterized in that, when a guidance request is received from a user while a moving body is in the accuracy-decreasing section, the voice guidance unit outputs voice guidance regarding all guidance points within the section.

2. The audio output device according to claim 1 , further comprising a display unit that displays, before a moving body enters the accuracy-deteriorating section, guidance information relating to all guide points that exist within the section.

3. An audio output method executed by an audio output device, comprising: An acquisition step of acquiring a guide route including a guide point to a destination; a voice guidance step of outputting voice guidance regarding all guide points existing in an accuracy reduction section, which is a section where the positioning accuracy of the current position is reduced, before the moving object enters the accuracy reduction section; Equipped with A voice output method characterized in that, when a guidance request is received from a user when a moving body is in the accuracy-decreasing section, the voice guidance step outputs voice guidance regarding all guidance points within the section.

4. An acquisition means for acquiring a guide route including guide points to a destination; a voice guidance means for outputting voice guidance regarding all guide points existing within an accuracy decreasing section, which is a section in which the positioning accuracy of the current position decreases, before the moving object enters the accuracy decreasing section; The computer functions as A program characterized in that, when a guidance request is received from a user while a moving body is in the accuracy-decreasing section, the voice guidance means outputs voice guidance regarding all guidance points within the section.

5. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 4.

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