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

Abstract

A content output device has a detection unit, a content acquisition unit, and an output unit. The detection unit detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation in a vehicle. The content acquisition unit acquires a content group including a plurality of pieces of content for audio guidance in order to notify occupants in the vehicle of the occurrence of a predetermined situation. The output unit outputs, among the content included in the content group, content corresponding to the number of occurrences of the predetermined situation in a vehicle.

Description

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

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique that can be used in outputting content for audio guidance.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is a known technique for outputting audio guidance content to notify a vehicle occupant of a vehicle of the occurrence of a predetermined situation.

[0003] Specifically, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for outputting a warning sound included in a danger point table when approaching a danger point.

[0004] JP 2013-101083 A

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 does not particularly disclose a viewpoint of outputting content for voice guidance to a user while taking into consideration the number of times a predetermined situation occurs to the user. Therefore, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it may impose an unnecessary mental burden on a user who uses a voice guidance system for a vehicle.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its main object is to provide a content output device that can reduce the mental burden on users who use voice guidance for vehicles.

[0007] The invention described in the claims is a content output device that has a detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation in a vehicle, a content acquisition unit that acquires a content group that includes multiple contents for audio guidance to notify occupants of the vehicle of the occurrence of the predetermined situation, and an output unit that outputs each content included in the content group according to the number of times the predetermined situation has occurred in the vehicle.

[0008] The claimed invention is a content output method that detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation in a vehicle, acquires a content group including multiple contents for audio guidance to notify the vehicle occupants of the occurrence of the predetermined situation, and outputs content from among the contents included in the content group according to the number of times the predetermined situation has occurred in the vehicle.

[0009] The invention described in the claims is a program executed by a content output device equipped with a computer, which causes the computer to function as a detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation in a vehicle, a content acquisition unit that acquires a content group including multiple contents for audio guidance to notify occupants of the vehicle of the occurrence of the predetermined situation, and an output unit that outputs content from each content included in the content group according to the number of times the predetermined situation has occurred in the vehicle.

[0010] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments and is not to be limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a content output device includes a detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation in a vehicle, a content acquisition unit that acquires a content group including multiple contents for audio guidance to notify occupants of the vehicle of the occurrence of the predetermined situation, and an output unit that outputs each content included in the content group according to the number of times the predetermined situation has occurred in the vehicle.

[0012] The content output device includes a detection unit, a content acquisition unit, and an output unit. The detection unit detects that a predetermined situation has occurred in a vehicle. The content acquisition unit acquires a content group including multiple pieces of content for voice guidance to notify passengers of the vehicle of the occurrence of the predetermined situation. The output unit outputs a piece of content from the content group that corresponds to the number of times the predetermined situation has occurred in the vehicle. This reduces the mental burden on a user using vehicle voice guidance.

[0013] In one aspect of the above content output device, the output unit outputs a first content included in the content group when the number of times the specified situation occurs is equal to or less than a specified threshold, and outputs a second content included in the content group and which is a simplified version of the first content when the number of times the specified situation occurs exceeds the specified threshold.

[0014] In one aspect of the above content output device, when the number of occurrences of the specified situation exceeds a specified threshold, the output unit outputs a first content included in the content group with a first probability, and outputs a second content included in the content group and which is a simplified version of the first content with a second probability higher than the first probability.

[0015] In one aspect of the content output device, the predetermined situation is a situation in which rerouting is required.

[0016] In one aspect of the content output device, the predetermined situation is a situation in which a traffic jam may be encountered.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, a content output method includes detecting the occurrence of a predetermined situation in a vehicle, acquiring a content group including a plurality of voice guidance contents for informing a vehicle occupant of the occurrence of the predetermined situation, and outputting a content from the content group according to the number of occurrences of the predetermined situation in the vehicle, thereby reducing the mental burden on a user who uses voice guidance for the vehicle.

[0018] 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 detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation in a vehicle, a content acquisition unit that acquires a content group including multiple pieces of content for audio guidance to notify the vehicle occupants of the occurrence of the predetermined situation, and an output unit that outputs, from each piece of content included in the content group, a piece of content corresponding to the number of times the predetermined situation has occurred in the vehicle. By executing this program on a computer, the content output device described above can be realized. This program can be stored in a storage medium and used.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] [System Configuration] (Overall Configuration) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an audio output system according to an embodiment. The audio output system 1 according to this embodiment includes an audio output device 100 and a server device 200. The audio output device 100 is mounted in a vehicle Ve. The server device 200 communicates with a plurality of audio output devices 100 mounted in a plurality of vehicles Ve.

[0021] The audio output device 100 basically performs route search processing, route guidance processing, and the like for a user who is a passenger in a vehicle Ve. For example, when a destination or the like is input by the user, the audio output device 100 transmits an upload signal S1 including location 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] (Audio Output Device) The audio output device 100 travels with the vehicle Ve and provides route guidance primarily through audio so that the vehicle Ve travels along the guidance route. Note that "route guidance primarily through audio" refers to route guidance that allows the user to understand the information necessary to drive the vehicle Ve along the guidance route at least through audio alone, and does not exclude the audio output device 100 providing auxiliary display such as a map of the area around the current location. In this embodiment, the audio output device 100 outputs various driving-related information by audio, such as at least points on the route where guidance is required (also referred to as "guidance points"). Herein, guidance points include, 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 guidance route. The audio output device 100 provides audio guidance regarding the guidance points, such as the distance from the vehicle Ve to the next guidance point and the direction of travel at the guidance point. Hereinafter, audio guidance regarding the guidance route will also be referred to as "route audio guidance."

[0024] The audio output device 100 is attached, for example, to the upper part of the windshield or on the dashboard of the vehicle Ve. The audio output device 100 may also be incorporated into the vehicle Ve.

[0025] 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 exterior camera 119, and an interior camera 120. The elements within the audio output device 100 are connected to each other via a bus line 110.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The storage unit 112 is configured with various types of memory, such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and non-volatile memory (including a hard disk drive, 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.

[0028] The storage unit 112 also stores a map database (hereinafter, the database will be referred to as "DB") 4. The map DB 4 stores various data necessary for route guidance. The map DB 4 stores, for example, road data that represents a road network using a combination of nodes and links, and facility data that indicates facilities that are candidates for destinations, stop-off points, or landmarks. The map DB 4 may be updated based on map information that the communication unit 111 receives from a map management server under the control of the control unit 114.

[0029] The input unit 113 is a button, a touch panel, a remote controller, etc. that the user operates. The display unit 116 is a display or the like that displays information under the control of the control unit 114. The microphone 117 collects sounds inside the vehicle Ve, particularly sounds uttered by the driver. The speaker 118 outputs audio for route guidance to the driver, etc.

[0030] 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, radar, ultrasonic sensor, infrared sensor, or 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 thereof. Note that the sensor group 115 may include any sensor that allows the control unit 114 to directly or indirectly (i.e., by performing estimation processing) derive the position of the vehicle Ve from the output of the sensor group 115.

[0031] The exterior camera 119 is a camera that captures images of the outside of the vehicle Ve. The exterior camera 119 may be only a front camera that captures images in front of the vehicle, or may include a rear camera that captures images behind the vehicle in addition to a front camera, or may be an omnidirectional camera that can capture images of the entire periphery of the vehicle Ve. On the other hand, the interior camera 120 is a camera that captures images inside the vehicle Ve, and is installed in a position that can capture images of at least the area around the driver's seat.

[0032] The control unit 114 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc., 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 in the sensor group 115. Furthermore, when a destination is specified via the input unit 113 or the microphone 117, the control unit 114 generates route information indicating a guidance route to the destination, and provides route guidance based on the route information, the estimated position information of the vehicle Ve, and the map DB 4. In this case, the control unit 114 outputs route voice guidance from the speaker 118. Furthermore, the control unit 114 controls the display unit 116 to display information about the music being played, video content, a map of the area around the current location, etc.

[0033] The processing performed by the control unit 114 is not limited to being realized by software programs, but may be realized by any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. The processing performed by the control unit 114 may also be realized by a user-programmable integrated circuit, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or a microcomputer. In this case, the program executed by the control unit 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.

[0034] 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 storing the map DB 4 in the memory 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 via 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 related to 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, thereby causing the display unit to display a predetermined message. Similarly, instead of including the sensor group 115, the audio output device 100 may acquire information output by sensors provided in the vehicle Ve from the vehicle Ve based on a communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0035] (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 subsequently transmitted by the audio output device 100. The server device 200 then transmits the generated control signal S2 to the audio output device 100.

[0036] 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. The provision of information to the user is primarily push-type information provision initiated by the server device 200 side when triggered by the vehicle Ve entering a predetermined driving situation. Furthermore, the dialogue with the user is basically pull-type dialogue initiated by a question or inquiry from the user. However, the dialogue with the user may also be initiated by push-type content provision.

[0037] 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 within the server device 200 are connected to each other via a bus line 210.

[0038] 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 configured with various types of memory such as RAM, ROM, and non-volatile memory (including a hard disk drive, flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 212 stores programs for the server device 200 to execute predetermined processes. The storage unit 212 also includes a map DB4.

[0039] The control unit 214 includes a CPU, a GPU, etc., and controls the entire server device 200. The control unit 214 also operates together with the audio output device 100 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 212, and performs 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. The control unit 214 then transmits the generated control signal S2 to the audio output device 100 via the communication unit 211.

[0040] [Push-Type Content Provision] Next, push-type content provision will be described. Push-type content provision refers to the audio output device 100 audibly outputting content related to a driving situation of the vehicle Ve when the vehicle Ve is in a predetermined driving situation. Specifically, the audio output device 100 acquires driving situation information indicating the driving situation 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 situation information received from the audio output device 100 installed in 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 audibly outputs the output content received from the server device 200. In this way, content corresponding to the driving situation of the vehicle Ve is audibly output to the user.

[0041] 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 around the position of the vehicle Ve (including speed limits and congestion information), the current time, the destination, etc. The driving situation information may also include any of audio acquired by the microphone 117, images captured by the exterior camera 119, and images captured by the interior camera 120. The driving situation information may also include information received from the server device 200 via the communication unit 111.

[0042] [Processing Related to Content Output] Next, processing related to content output will be described.

[0043] (Specific Example 1) When route guidance is started in a vehicle Ve, the server device 200 acquires a guidance route (hereinafter also referred to as route MR) for guiding the vehicle Ve from its current location to its destination based on the map DB4 stored in the memory unit 212 and the driving status information of the vehicle Ve received by the communication unit 211.

[0044] The server device 200 determines whether the travel route of the vehicle Ve has deviated from the route MR based on driving status information of the vehicle Ve obtained after route guidance has started in the vehicle Ve.

[0045] If the server device 200 determines that the vehicle Ve's driving route has not deviated from the route MR, it acquires content for voice guidance corresponding to the vehicle Ve's current location on the route MR, and performs processing to output the acquired content to the audio output device 100.

[0046] When the server device 200 determines that the vehicle Ve's travel route has deviated from the route MR, the server device 200 performs processing related to acquiring a route MS different from the route MR (hereinafter also referred to as rerouting) for guiding the vehicle Ve from its current location to its destination. That is, when the server device 200 determines that the vehicle Ve's travel route has deviated from the route MR, the server device 200 detects that a situation requiring rerouting has occurred in the vehicle Ve. Furthermore, when the server device 200 determines that the vehicle Ve's travel route has deviated from the route MR, the server device 200 acquires a content group CGA including multiple contents for voice guidance to notify the user that a situation requiring rerouting has occurred in the vehicle Ve. The content group CGA includes, for example, a script SCA corresponding to multiple sentences such as "You have deviated from the current travel route. We will search for another travel route."; a script SCB corresponding to multiple sentences such as "You have deviated from the current travel route. We will reroute."; and a script SCC corresponding to a single sentence such as "We will reroute." That is, the script SCB corresponds to a simplified version of the script SCA. The script SCC corresponds to a simplified version of the script SCB.

[0047] The server device 200 performs processing to select one piece of content for voice guidance from among a plurality of contents included in the content group CGA, according to the number of occurrences of situations requiring rerouting in the vehicle Ve, and output the selected piece of content to the audio output device 100. When such processing is performed, it is sufficient if, for example, information capable of identifying the number of times the rerouting processing has been performed for each vehicle Ve or for each user is stored in advance in the storage unit 212. Alternatively, when the processing described above is performed, it is sufficient if, for example, information capable of identifying the number of times each script included in the content group CGA has been output for each vehicle Ve or for each user is stored in advance in the storage unit 212. That is, in the processing related to content selection and output in this specific example, the number of times each piece of content (script) included in the content group CGA has been output can be used instead of the number of times a situation requiring rerouting has occurred.

[0048] For example, if the number of occurrences of situations requiring rerouting is 10 or less, the server device 200 selects a script SCA from each script included in the content group CGA and performs processing to output the selected script SCA to the audio output device 100. Then, according to this processing, a voice message saying "You have deviated from the current driving route. An alternative driving route will be searched for" is output to the user from the speaker 118 of the vehicle Ve.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, when the number of occurrences of situations requiring rerouting is 11 or more and 50 or less, the server device 200 selects a script SCB from the scripts included in the content group CGA and performs processing to output the selected script SCB to the audio output device 100. Then, according to this processing, a voice message saying "You have deviated from the current driving route. Rerouting will be performed" is output to the user from the speaker 118 of the vehicle Ve.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, if the number of occurrences of situations requiring rerouting is 51 or more, the server device 200 selects a script SCC from each script included in the content group CGA and performs processing to output the selected script SCC to the audio output device 100. Then, according to this processing, a voice saying "Rerouting will be performed" is output to the user from the speaker 118 of the vehicle Ve.

[0051] According to the above-described process, the server device 200 can acquire a content group including multiple pieces of content for audio guidance to notify passengers of the vehicle Ve of the occurrence of a situation requiring a reroute. Furthermore, according to the above-described process, the server device 200 can output, from each piece of content included in the content group, a piece of content corresponding to the number of times a situation requiring a reroute has occurred in the vehicle Ve. Furthermore, according to the above-described process, the server device 200 can output a first piece of content included in the content group CGA when the number of times a situation requiring a reroute has occurred is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and can output a second piece of content included in the content group CGA that is a simplified version of the first piece of content when the number of times a situation requiring a reroute has occurred exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0052] (Specific Example 2) The server device 200 determines whether or not a traffic jam has occurred on the travel route of the vehicle Ve, based on traffic information included in the driving condition information of the vehicle Ve.

[0053] When the server device 200 determines that there is no traffic congestion on the route of the vehicle Ve, it acquires content for voice guidance corresponding to the current location of the vehicle Ve and performs processing to output the acquired content to the audio output device 100.

[0054] When the server device 200 determines that a traffic jam has occurred on the route of the vehicle Ve, it detects that a situation has arisen in which the vehicle Ve may encounter a traffic jam. Furthermore, when the server device 200 determines that a traffic jam has occurred on the route of the vehicle Ve, it acquires a content group CGB containing multiple contents for audio guidance to notify the user that a situation has arisen in which the vehicle Ve may encounter a traffic jam. The content group CGB includes, for example, a script SCD corresponding to multiple sentences such as "There is a 400-meter traffic jam two kilometers ahead on this road. It will take about five minutes to pass through the traffic jam," a script SCE corresponding to one sentence such as "There is a 400-meter traffic jam two kilometers ahead. It will take five minutes to pass through," and a script SCF corresponding to one sentence such as "There is a 400-meter, five-minute traffic jam two kilometers ahead." In other words, the script SCE corresponds to a simplified version of the script SCD. Furthermore, the script SCF corresponds to a simplified version of the script SCE. According to this specific example, for example, the non-numeric parts of each script SCD, SCE, and SCF are included in the content group CGB as standard phrases, and the numerical parts of each script are made to change according to the driving situation information.

[0055] The server device 200 performs processing to select one piece of content for voice guidance from among a plurality of contents included in the content group CGB, according to the number of occurrences of situations in which the vehicle Ve may encounter traffic jams, and output the selected piece of content to the audio output device 100. When performing such processing, it is sufficient if, for example, information that can identify the number of times each script included in the content group CGB is output for each vehicle Ve or for each user is stored in advance in the storage unit 212. That is, in the processing related to content selection and output in this specific example, the number of times each piece of content (script) included in the content group CGB is output can be used instead of the number of times a situation in which traffic jams may occur.

[0056] For example, if the number of occurrences of situations where traffic congestion may occur is 10 or less, the server device 200 selects a script SCD from each script included in the content group CGB and performs processing to output the selected script SCD to the audio output device 100. According to this processing, a voice saying "There is a 400-meter-long traffic jam 2 kilometers ahead on this road. It will take about 5 minutes to get through the traffic jam" is output to the user from the speaker 118 of the vehicle Ve.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, when the number of occurrences of situations where traffic congestion may occur is 11 or more and 50 or less, the server device 200 selects a script SCE from each script included in the content group CGB and performs processing to output the selected script SCE to the audio output device 100. Then, according to this processing, a voice saying "There is a 400-meter traffic jam 2 kilometers ahead, it will take 5 minutes to pass through" is output to the user from the speaker 118 of the vehicle Ve.

[0058] Furthermore, for example, if the number of occurrences of situations where traffic congestion may occur is 51 or more, the server device 200 selects a script SCF from each script included in the content group CGB and performs processing to output the selected script SCF to the audio output device 100. Then, according to this processing, a voice saying "There is a 400-meter, 5-minute traffic jam 2 kilometers ahead" is output to the user from the speaker 118 of the vehicle Ve.

[0059] According to the above-described process, the server device 200 can acquire a content group including multiple pieces of audio guidance content for informing passengers of the vehicle Ve of the occurrence of a situation in which the vehicle Ve may encounter a traffic jam. Furthermore, according to the above-described process, the server device 200 can output, from each piece of content included in the content group, a piece of content corresponding to the number of times the situation in which the vehicle Ve may encounter a traffic jam has occurred. Furthermore, according to the above-described process, the server device 200 can output a first piece of content included in the content group CGB when the number of times the situation in which the vehicle Ve may encounter a traffic jam has occurred is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and can output a second piece of content included in the content group CGB and which is a simplified version of the first piece of content when the number of times the situation in which the vehicle Ve may encounter a traffic jam has occurred exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0060] The processing described above as a specific example can be applied in substantially the same manner to various situations occurring in the vehicle Ve. In other words, the processing described above as a specific example can be applied to the occurrence of a predetermined situation in the vehicle Ve.

[0061] (Processing Flow) Next, a description will be given of the processing performed in the server device 200. Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed in the server device.

[0062] First, the control unit 214 of the server device 200 detects that a predetermined situation has occurred in the vehicle Ve based on the driving situation information of the vehicle Ve received from the audio output device 100 (step S11).

[0063] Next, the control unit 214 acquires a content group including a plurality of contents for audio guidance to notify the user of the occurrence of the predetermined situation detected in step S11 (step S12).

[0064] Next, the control unit 214 selects one content from the plurality of contents for voice guidance included in the content group acquired in step S12 according to the number of occurrences of the specified situation detected in step S11 (step S13).

[0065] Finally, the control unit 214 performs processing to output the one piece of content selected in step S13 from the communication unit 211 to the audio output device 100 (step S14), and then ends the series of processing shown in Fig. 4. Through this processing, audio is output to the user to notify the user of the occurrence of a predetermined situation.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the control unit 214 functions as a detection unit and a content acquisition unit. Also, according to this embodiment, the communication unit 211 and the control unit 214 function as an output unit.

[0067] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a predetermined situation occurs in the vehicle Ve, content for voice guidance can be output according to the number of occurrences of the predetermined situation. Therefore, according to this embodiment, for example, to a user who is unfamiliar with the occurrence of predetermined situations, voice guidance can be provided that carefully or clearly explains the occurrence of the predetermined situation. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, for example, to a user who is accustomed to the occurrence of predetermined situations, voice guidance can be provided that concisely explains the occurrence of the predetermined situation. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the mental burden on a user who uses voice guidance for a vehicle can be reduced.

[0068] According to this embodiment, for example, when the control unit 114 functions as a detection unit, the communication unit 111 or the control unit 114 functions as a content acquisition unit, and the speaker 118 functions as an output unit, processing that is substantially the same as the series of processing shown in Figure 4 can be performed in the audio output device 100.

[0069] [Modifications] Preferred modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described below. For simplicity, specific descriptions of parts to which the above-described processes can be applied will be omitted as appropriate.

[0070] For example, when the number of occurrences of situations requiring rerouting is 11 or more and 50 or less, the server device 200 may select the script SCB included in the content group CGA with a probability of P% and select the script SCA included in the content group CGA with a probability of Q%. In such a case, the server device 200 may set the probabilities so as to satisfy the conditions P+Q=100 and P>Q. Specifically, the server device 200 may set the value of P to 95 and the value of Q to 5, for example.

[0071] Furthermore, for example, when the number of occurrences of situations requiring rerouting is 51 or more, the server device 200 may select the script SCC included in the content group CGA with a probability of K%, the script SCB included in the content group CGA with a probability of L%, and the script SCA included in the content group CGA with a probability of M%. In such a case, the server device 200 may set the probabilities so as to satisfy the conditions K+L+M=100 and K>L>M. Specifically, the server device 200 may set the value of K to 95, the value of L to 4, and the value of M to 1, for example.

[0072] According to the processing of the modified example described above, when the number of occurrences of a specified situation exceeds a specified threshold, the server device 200 can output a first content included in a content group for notifying the user of the occurrence of the specified situation with a first probability, and output a second content included in the content group and which is a simplified version of the first content with a second probability higher than the first probability.

[0073] In the above-described embodiments, the program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media and supplied to a control unit, such as a computer. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, programmable ROMs (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), flash ROMs, and random access memories (RAMs)).

[0074] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications within the scope of the present invention that would be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that would be possible for those skilled in the art based on the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical ideas. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above-cited patent documents and other documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0075] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Audio output device 200 Server device 111, 211 Communication unit 112, 212 Storage unit 113 Input unit 114, 214 Control unit 115 Sensor group 116 Display unit 117 Microphone 118 Speaker 119 Exterior camera 120 Interior camera

Claims

1. A content output device having: a detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation in a vehicle; a content acquisition unit that acquires a content group including multiple contents for audio guidance to notify occupants of the vehicle of the occurrence of the predetermined situation; and an output unit that outputs content from each content included in the content group according to the number of times the predetermined situation has occurred in the vehicle.

2. The content output device of claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs a first content included in the content group when the number of times the specified situation occurs is equal to or less than a specified threshold, and outputs a second content included in the content group and which is a simplified version of the first content when the number of times the specified situation occurs exceeds the specified threshold.

3. A content output device as described in claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs a first content included in the content group with a first probability when the number of occurrences of the specified situation exceeds a specified threshold, and outputs a second content included in the content group and which is a simplified version of the first content with a second probability higher than the first probability.

4. A content output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined situation is a situation requiring rerouting.

5. A content output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined situation is a situation in which traffic congestion may be encountered.

6. A content output method for detecting the occurrence of a predetermined situation in a vehicle, acquiring a content group including a plurality of contents for audio guidance to notify the passengers of the vehicle of the occurrence of the predetermined situation, and outputting a content from among the contents included in the content group according to the number of times the predetermined situation has occurred in the vehicle.

7. A program executed by a content output device equipped with a computer, the program causing the computer to function as: a detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined situation in a vehicle; a content acquisition unit that acquires a content group including multiple contents for audio guidance to notify passengers of the occurrence of the predetermined situation; and an output unit that outputs content from each content included in the content group according to the number of times the predetermined situation has occurred in the vehicle.

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

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