Information providing device, information providing method, and information providing program

Abstract

To provide an information providing device and the like that can provide guidance information to be provided in an easier-to-understand manner, even if guidance is provided mainly by voice or sound.SOLUTION: An information providing device acquires, in search of a route, information on a destination, and information on corresponding features having the attribute meeting the preference of a person who receives guidance and present within a predetermined range from the position of the destination (steps S25, S27), and on the basis of the acquired information on the destination and information on the corresponding features, provides guidance of the destination associated with the corresponding features by voice.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to the technical fields of an information providing device, an information providing method, and an information providing program. More specifically, the present application relates to the technical fields of an information providing device and an information providing method for providing information on the movement of a moving body such as a vehicle, and a program for the information providing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in addition to the navigation devices that are mounted on mobile bodies and that provide information on the movement of the above-mentioned mobile bodies, there has been active research and development into navigation systems that utilize portable terminal devices such as smartphones.

[0003] In this case, when using the portable terminal device, due to limitations on the size of the display provided thereon, guidance using sounds including voice guidance becomes important. An example of a document disclosing prior art that addresses this background is Patent Document 1 listed below. The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to output information about the vicinity of a set destination point by voice, allowing the user to confirm whether the destination is the intended point. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4822575 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, in guidance that mainly uses guidance voice as described above, compared to conventional guidance that also uses images, it is required that the guidance recipient be given information on the location of a guidance point, such as a destination, in a way that is easier to understand (or easier to imagine), but this point is not taken into consideration in the prior art disclosed in the above Patent Document 1. Therefore, this prior art cannot meet the above demand.

[0006] Therefore, the present application has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned demand, and one example of its objective is to provide an information providing device, an information providing method, and a program for the information providing device that can provide guidance information that should be provided in a more understandable manner, even if the guidance is mainly by voice or sound. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 comprises an acquisition means for acquiring, when a plurality of candidate locations are searched for as candidates for guide locations when guiding a user along a route, a plurality of corresponding feature information indicating corresponding features that have attributes in line with the user's preferences and are located within a predetermined range from the position of each of the candidate locations during the search, and a provision means for determining, during the search, the guide location from among the plurality of candidate locations based on each of the acquired corresponding feature information, and providing the user with guidance information for the determined guide location by sound, wherein the guide location is configured to be selected and determined by the user.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 7 comprises an acquisition means for, when a plurality of candidate locations are searched for as candidates for guide locations when guiding a user along a route, acquiring, during the search, a plurality of pieces of corresponding feature information indicating corresponding features to which the user has traveled in the past and which are located within a predetermined range from the position of each of the candidate locations; and a provision means for, during the search, determining the guide location from among the plurality of candidate locations based on each of the acquired corresponding feature information, and providing guidance information for the determined guide location to the user by sound, wherein the guide location is configured to be selected and determined by the user.

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 8 is an information provision method executed in an information provision device equipped with an acquisition means and a provision means, and includes: an acquisition step in which, when a plurality of candidate locations are searched for as candidates for guide locations when guiding a user along a route, the acquisition means acquires, during the search, a plurality of pieces of corresponding feature information indicating corresponding features that have attributes in line with the user's preferences and are located within a predetermined range from the position of each of the candidate locations; and a provision step in which, during the search, the provision means determines the guide location from among the plurality of candidate locations based on each of the acquired corresponding feature information, and provides the user with guidance information for the determined guide location by sound via the provision means, wherein the guide location is configured to be selected and determined by the user.

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 9 is an information provision program that causes a computer to function as: an acquisition means that, when a plurality of candidate locations are searched for as candidates for guide locations when guiding a user along a route, acquires, during the search, a plurality of pieces of corresponding feature information that indicate corresponding features that have attributes that match the user's preferences and that are located within a predetermined range from the location of each of the candidate locations; and a provision means that, during the search, determines the guide location from among the plurality of candidate locations based on each of the acquired corresponding feature information, and provides the user with guidance information for the determined guide location by sound, wherein the guide location is configured to be selected and determined by the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are block diagrams showing the general configuration of a terminal device, etc., according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the terminal device, FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the general configuration of a server, and FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating the contents of personal data according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an overall navigation process according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing details of a navigation process according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information providing device according to the embodiment.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing device S according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 1 and a providing unit 2.

[0014] In this configuration, the acquisition means 1 acquires guidance location information indicating a guidance location for which guidance information should be provided, and corresponding feature information indicating a corresponding feature that has attributes in line with the preferences of the person receiving the guidance information and is located within a predetermined range from the location of the guidance location.

[0015] When providing the guidance information to the recipient, the providing means 2 provides the guidance information of the guidance location associated with the corresponding feature by sound based on the guidance location information and corresponding feature information acquired by the acquiring means 1.

[0016] As described above, according to the operation of the information providing device S of the embodiment, when providing guidance information to a recipient, the guidance information for the guidance location associated with the corresponding feature is provided by sound based on the acquired guidance location information and corresponding feature information. Therefore, even when providing guidance information by sound, the guidance information for the guidance location can be provided in an easy-to-understand manner in relation to the corresponding feature having attributes that suit the preferences of the recipient. Note that "guidance" in this embodiment does not include, for example, guidance along a route itself (provision of information such as "turn left" or "turn right" during guidance), but includes guidance (provision) of information about points or facilities that could be the destination or intermediate points of that guidance. [Example]

[0017] Next, specific examples corresponding to the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. The examples described below are examples in which the present invention is applied to route guidance using sound (voice) in a navigation system consisting of a terminal device and a server connected to each other via a network such as the Internet so that data can be exchanged between them.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the navigation system of the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the terminal device etc. of the embodiment, Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall navigation processing of the embodiment, and Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the details of the navigation processing. In Fig. 3, the same component numbers as those of the information providing device S according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 are used for the components of the embodiment corresponding to the components of the information providing device S.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation system SS of the embodiment includes one or more terminal devices T1, T2, T3, ..., Tn (n is a natural number), each of which is used in the vehicle by a vehicle occupant (more specifically, the driver or passenger of the vehicle), a server SV, and a network NW, such as the Internet, that connects the terminal devices T1, T2, T3, ..., Tn, and the server SV so that data can be exchanged. In the following description, when describing a configuration common to the terminal devices T1 to Tn, these will be collectively referred to as a "terminal device T." In this case, the terminal device T is specifically realized as, for example, a so-called smartphone or a tablet-type terminal device. In the following description, the embodiment will be described assuming that the occupant using the terminal device T is aboard a vehicle, which is an example of a moving object.

[0020] In this configuration, each terminal device T independently exchanges various data with the server SV via the network NW, and provides travel-related information to passengers using each terminal device T. The data exchanged at this time includes search data for searching for a route the vehicle should travel, route data indicating the searched route, and guidance data for providing guidance after the vehicle has started traveling along the route.

[0021] Here, due to limitations on the size of the display provided on the terminal device T, limitations on the processing load, or to avoid staring at the screen, the navigation system SS mainly uses voice or sound to search for the route and provide the passenger with travel-related information. Therefore, the search data exchanged between each terminal device T and the server SV includes destination voice data and response voice data of the embodiment transmitted from each terminal device T to the server SV, and inquiry voice data and destination confirmation voice data of the embodiment transmitted from the server SV to each terminal device T. The destination voice data of the embodiment is voice data equivalent to the destination voice uttered by the passenger using the terminal device T, indicating the destination of the travel. Meanwhile, the inquiry voice data of the embodiment is voice data equivalent to the inquiry voice (audio inquiry by automated voice for confirming the destination) transmitted from the server SV when the server SV is unable to determine a destination sufficient for searching the route based solely on the content of the destination voice equivalent to the destination voice data. Furthermore, the response voice data of the embodiment is voice data equivalent to the passenger's response to the inquiry voice. Furthermore, the destination confirmation voice data in the embodiment is voice data for confirming the point or the like to be finally used as the destination of the route.

[0022] On the other hand, since voice or sound is mainly used to provide guidance regarding the above-mentioned movement, the guidance data transmitted from the server SV to each terminal device T includes voice data for providing guidance by voice or sound. In the following description, the voice data for providing guidance will be simply referred to as "guidance voice data."

[0023] Next, the configuration and operation of each terminal device T and server SV will be described with reference to FIG. 3. First, as shown in FIG. 3(a), each terminal device T of the embodiment includes an interface 5, a processing unit 6 including a CPU, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., a memory 7 including a volatile area and a non-volatile area, an operation unit 8 including a touch panel and operation buttons, etc., a speaker 9, a sensor unit 10 including a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor and / or an autonomous sensor, etc., a display 11 including a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc., and a microphone 12. The processing unit 6 also includes a route search unit 6a and a guidance voice output control unit 6b. In this case, the route setting unit 6a and the guidance voice output control unit 6b may each be realized by a hardware logic circuit including the CPU, etc. constituting the processing unit 6, or may be realized in software by the CPU, etc. reading and executing a program corresponding to a flowchart showing the processing of the terminal device T in the navigation processing of the embodiment described below.

[0024] In the above configuration, the interface 5 controls the exchange of data with the server SV via the network NW under the control of the processing unit 6. Meanwhile, the sensor unit 10 uses the above GPS sensor and / or an independent sensor, etc. to generate sensor data indicating the current location, moving speed, moving direction, etc. of the terminal device T (in other words, the current location, moving speed, moving direction, etc. of the passenger using the terminal device T or the vehicle in which the passenger is riding), and outputs the sensor data to the processing unit 6. The microphone 12 collects the voice of the passenger using the terminal device T and the sound inside the vehicle in which the terminal device T is being used, and outputs the collected sound results to the processing unit 6. The collected voice of the passenger includes the destination voice and the answer voice.

[0025] On the other hand, under the control of the processing unit 6, the route search unit 6a transmits the destination voice data (i.e., destination voice data indicating the destination to be reached by the vehicle in which the passenger using the terminal device T is riding), the response voice data, and the sensor data as search data to the server SV via the interface 5 and the network NW. Note that the destination data indicating the destination may be input from the operation unit 8 and transmitted to the server SV together with the sensor data. Thereafter, the route search unit 6a acquires route data indicating the search results for the route from the current position indicated by the sensor data to the destination indicated by the destination voice data or the destination data from the server SV via the network NW and the interface 5.

[0026] Thereafter, the processing unit 6 uses the acquired route data to provide information regarding the movement of the vehicle along the searched route while exchanging the guidance data (including the sensor data and the guidance voice data at that time) with the server SV. At this time, the guidance voice output control unit 6b outputs (emits) guidance voice corresponding to the guidance voice data acquired from the server SV via the network NW and the interface 5 to the passenger via the speaker 9.

[0027] In parallel with this, when an input operation of data necessary for the vehicle guidance in addition to the destination data is performed on the operation unit 8, the operation unit 8 generates an operation signal corresponding to the input operation and transmits it to the processing unit 6. As a result, the processing unit 6 controls the route setting unit 6a and the guidance voice output control unit 6b, and executes processing as the terminal device T among the navigation processing of the embodiment. At this time, the processing unit 6 executes the processing while temporarily or non-volatilely storing data necessary for the processing in the memory 7. In addition, a guidance image or the like as a result of executing the processing is displayed on the display 11.

[0028] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the server SV of the embodiment includes an interface 20, a processing unit 21 including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and a recording unit 22 including a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The processing unit 21 includes a route setting unit 1 and a guidance voice generating unit 2. The route setting unit 1 and the guidance voice generating unit 2 may be realized by a hardware logic circuit including the CPU constituting the processing unit 21, or may be realized by software by the CPU reading and executing a program corresponding to a flowchart showing the processing performed by the server SV in the navigation processing of the embodiment. The route searching unit 1 corresponds to an example of an acquisition unit 1 of the embodiment, and the guidance voice generating unit 2 corresponds to an example of a providing unit 2 of the embodiment. As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3(b), the route searching unit 1 and the guidance voice generating unit 2 constitute an example of an information providing device S of the embodiment.

[0029] In the above configuration, the recording unit 22 non-volatilely stores map data 23a necessary for providing information regarding the movement of each vehicle in which a passenger using each terminal device T connected to the server SV via the network NW is riding, personal data 23b of the embodiment, and navigation data 23 including the inquiry voice data and the guidance voice data, etc. At this time, the map data 23a includes road data and intersection data, etc., which are used for route search and route guidance, respectively.

[0030] On the other hand, the personal data 23b of the embodiment includes hobby and preference data 23ba indicating the hobbies and preferences of the passenger, associated with a user ID for identifying the passenger using each terminal device T, and visit history data 23bb indicating locations that the passenger has visited in the past (i.e., locations that have been destinations in the passenger's travels). As illustrated in the left side of FIG. 3(c), the hobby and preference data 23ba is data in which information indicating the hobbies and preferences of the passenger identified by the user ID is recorded in association with the user ID. The hobby and preference data 23ba may be generated (recorded) for each passenger by a registration operation by the passenger identified by the user ID, or may be generated by collecting and recording phrases frequently used in a social networking service (SNS) used by the passenger.

[0031] On the other hand, as illustrated on the right side of Fig. 3(c), the visit history data 23bb is data in which the locations and names of points that were destinations (i.e., visited places) in the past movements of the passenger identified by the user ID and information indicating, for example, the date and time when the destination was reached are recorded in association with the user ID. In this case, a suitable method for generating (recording) the visit history data 23bb is, for example, to record the information indicating the destination for each passenger identified by the user ID each time the passenger makes a movement in the past, thereby generating the visit history data 23bb.

[0032] On the other hand, the interface 20 controls the exchange of data with each terminal device T via the network NW under the control of the processing unit 21. Furthermore, under the control of the processing unit 21, the route setting unit 1 uses navigation data 23 based on the destination voice data and the sensor data acquired from any of the terminal devices T to search for the route to the destination indicated by the destination voice data, and transmits the route data indicating the search results to the terminal device T that has transmitted the destination voice data and the sensor data. As a result, the terminal device T is guided along the route based on the route data.

[0033] During the guidance, the guidance voice generating unit 2 generates the guidance voice data in accordance with the timing of guidance on the route, and transmits the generated guidance voice data to the terminal device T used by the passenger of the vehicle to be guided via the interface 20 and the network NW. As a result, a guidance voice corresponding to the guidance voice data is output (emitted as sound) to the passenger via the speaker 9 of the terminal device T.

[0034] Next, the navigation process of the embodiment executed in the navigation system of the embodiment having the above-described configuration and functions will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

[0035] The navigation process of the embodiment is initiated, for example, when a guidance instruction operation, such as a guidance instruction operation for providing guidance (i.e., route guidance) for travel along the route of the target vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as the "target vehicle"), is performed on the operation unit 8 of a terminal device T of the embodiment used by a passenger in a target vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as the "target vehicle") for which travel information is to be provided. In the following description, the terminal device T will be referred to as the "target terminal device T" as appropriate. As shown in the corresponding flowchart in its entirety in FIG. 4, when the guidance instruction operation is performed on the operation unit 8 of the target terminal device T, the route search unit 6a of the processing unit 6 of the target terminal device T exchanges the search data, including the destination voice data, the inquiry voice data, the response voice data, the destination confirmation voice data, and the sensor data, as well as the route data, with the route search unit 1 of the server SV, thereby searching for a route along which the target vehicle should travel (step S1). At this time, the route search unit 1 of the server SV is constantly waiting for the transmission of the search data from any of the terminal devices T currently connected to the server SV via the network NW. When the search data is transmitted from the target terminal device T, the route search unit 1 performs a route search based on the destination voice data etc. included in the search data, and transmits the route data and destination confirmation voice data as the search results to the target terminal device T via the network NW (step S10). The route search of the embodiment including the above steps S1 and S10 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

[0036] Thereafter, when guidance for movement along the route is started by, for example, an operation to start movement on the operation unit 8 of the target terminal device T, the processing unit 6 of the target terminal device T and the processing unit 21 of the server SV start providing guidance along the route searched in steps S1 and S10 while exchanging the guidance data including the sensor data at that time via the network NW (steps S2, S11).

[0037] Meanwhile, during the route guidance started in step S11 (i.e., while the vehicle carrying the passenger using the target terminal device T is moving), the guidance voice generation unit 2 of the server SV monitors whether there is a guidance point (e.g., an intersection where you should turn on the route) on the set route (step S12). If there is no guidance point during the monitoring in step S12 (step S12: NO), the processing unit 21 proceeds to step S14, which will be described later. On the other hand, if there is a guidance point during the monitoring in step S12 (step S12: YES), the guidance voice generation unit 2 then generates guidance voice data having the content to be guided about the guidance point (e.g., "Turn left at the next XX intersection") at the timing when guidance about the guidance point should be given by voice, and transmits the generated guidance voice data to the target terminal device T via the network NW (step S13).

[0038] Thereafter, the processing unit 21 determines whether or not to terminate the route guidance as the navigation processing of the embodiment due to reasons such as the target vehicle having reached its destination (step S14). If the determination in step S14 is that the route guidance should not be terminated (step S14: NO), the processing unit 21 returns to step S12 and continues to provide route guidance. On the other hand, if the determination in step S14 is that the route guidance should be terminated (step S14: YES), the processing unit 21 terminates the route guidance as is.

[0039] On the other hand, the guidance voice output control unit 6b of the target terminal device T waits for the transmission of the guidance voice data from the server SV (step S3) after the guidance is started in the above step 2. If the guidance voice data is not transmitted during the waiting in step S3 (step S3: NO), the processing unit 6 of the target terminal device T proceeds to step S5, which will be described later.

[0040] On the other hand, if the guidance voice data is received from the server SV during the standby of step S3 (step S3: YES), the guidance voice output control unit 6b of the target terminal device T outputs (emits) a guidance voice corresponding to the received guidance voice data via the speaker 9 (step S4). Thereafter, the processing unit 6 of the target terminal device T determines whether or not to terminate the route guidance as the navigation processing of the embodiment, for example, for the same reason as in step S14 above (step S5). If the determination in step S5 is that the route guidance should not be terminated (step S5: NO), the processing unit 6 returns to step S3 above and continues to provide route guidance. On the other hand, if the determination in step S5 is that the route guidance should be terminated (step S5: NO), the processing unit 6 terminates the route guidance as is.

[0041] Next, the route search of the embodiment (see steps S1 and S10 in FIG. 4) executed by the target terminal device T and server SV will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0042] As shown in the corresponding flowchart in Figure 5, in the route search of this embodiment, when a passenger speaks the name of a destination and the like along with an indication that the route search should be performed on the target terminal device T, the destination voice is detected by the microphone 12, and further, destination voice data corresponding to the destination voice is generated by the route search unit 6a of the target terminal device T. Thereafter, the generated destination voice data is transmitted to the server SV via the network NW together with sensor data corresponding to that time (step S15). Here, an example of the destination voice is a voice including the name of the destination, such as "XX Stadium." Furthermore, in Figure 5, the destination voice data and the sensor data are collectively referred to as "destination voice data, etc."

[0043] Meanwhile, the server SV waits for the transmission of the destination voice data and the like from the target terminal device T as the route search of step S10 in Fig. 4 (step S25, step S25: NO). If the destination voice data and the like are transmitted from the target terminal device T during the wait of step S25 (step S25: YES), the route search unit 1 of the server SV determines whether or not the destination indicated by the destination voice data received in step S25, for example, the name of the destination, can be determined as the destination for the route search (step S26). More specifically, the route search unit 1 refers to, for example, map data 23a and the like, and determines whether or not the name of the destination indicated by the destination voice data received in step S25 is unique (i.e., a name that will not be confused with other facilities, etc.). If it is determined in step S26 that the destination indicated by the destination voice data can be confirmed as the destination of the route search (step S26: YES), the route search unit 1 refers to the map data 23a, etc. and the sensor data received in step S25, and searches for a route from the current position of the target terminal device T to the confirmed destination using, for example, a conventional method (step S30). Then, the route search unit 1 generates route data indicating the searched route and destination confirmation voice data confirming the point currently used as the destination of the route, and transmits these to the target terminal device T via the network NW (step S31). Thereafter, the server SV proceeds to step S11 shown in FIG. 4.

[0044] On the other hand, if the determination in step S26 is that the destination name indicated by the destination voice data alone cannot be determined as the destination for the route search (i.e., for example, if only the name "XX Stadium" is given, there are multiple candidate destinations; step S26: NO), the route search unit 1 refers to the personal data 23b corresponding to the passenger using the target terminal device T and searches for at least one of the following as the corresponding feature in the embodiment: facilities having attributes indicated by the hobby and preference data 23ba corresponding to the passenger that are located near each of the multiple candidate destinations (i.e., within a predetermined distance from each of the multiple candidate destinations; the same applies below); or destinations (visited places) near each of the multiple candidate destinations that are indicated by the visit history data 23bb corresponding to the passenger (step S27). Note that the passenger using the target terminal device T was identified in the server SV as the passenger using the target terminal device T when the target terminal device T was connected to the server SV. Thereafter, the guidance voice generating unit 2 of the server SV generates the inquiry voice data including the corresponding feature searched in step S27, and transmits it to the target terminal device T via the network NW (step S28).

[0045] Here, the inquiry voice corresponding to the inquiry voice data generated and transmitted in step S28 may be, for example, "Is it the XX Stadium near XX Temple? Or is it the XX Stadium near △△ Shrine?" if the corresponding feature is a facility that is located near the plurality of candidate sites among facilities having an attribute (for example, an attribute of "shrines and temples") indicated by the hobby and preference data 23ba corresponding to the passenger. Also, if the corresponding feature is a destination (visited location) near the plurality of candidate sites among past destinations (visited locations) indicated by the visit history data 23bb corresponding to the passenger, the inquiry voice may be, for example, "Is it the XX Stadium near XX Park that we visited in XX month last year? Or is it the XX Stadium near XX Temple that we visited in XX month this year?"

[0046] On the other hand, after transmitting the destination voice data etc. in step S15, the route search unit 6a of the target terminal device T monitors whether the inquiry voice data has been transmitted from the server SV (step S16). In the monitoring of step S16, if the inquiry voice data is not transmitted within a preset monitoring time after the transmission of the destination voice data (i.e., if the determination in step S26 above is that the destination indicated by the destination voice data has been confirmed as the destination of the route search (see step S26: YES); step S16: NO), the route search unit 6a proceeds to step S19, which will be described later. On the other hand, in the monitoring of step S16, if the inquiry voice data has been transmitted within the preset monitoring time (step S16: YES), the guidance voice output control unit 6b of the target terminal device T outputs (emits) an inquiry voice corresponding to the inquiry voice data via the speaker 9 (step S17). Then, the microphone 12 detects the passenger's response voice in response to the inquiry voice, and the route search unit 6a generates response voice data corresponding to the response voice (step S18). The response voice detected at this time includes a more detailed (or more specific) destination name, etc., as a response to the inquiry voice. Thereafter, the route search unit 6a transmits the response voice data to the server SV via the network NW (step S18).

[0047] Next, the guidance voice generating unit 2 of the server SV that sent the inquiry voice data in step S28 above waits for the transmission of reply voice data from the target terminal device T (step S29. Step S29: NO). Then, when the reply voice data is sent (see step S18. Step S29: YES), the route searching unit 1 returns to step S26 above to re-confirm the destination of the route search using the destination name, etc. indicated by the reply voice data, and repeats the above-mentioned processing. Here, when the destination name, etc. indicated by the reply voice data cannot be confirmed as the destination of the route search (step S26: NO), the processing of steps S27 to S29 above is executed again to acquire a more specific destination name, etc.

[0048] Meanwhile, the route search unit 6a of the target terminal device T that transmitted the answer voice data in step S18 monitors whether the route data and the destination confirmation voice data have been transmitted from the server SV in response to the answer voice data (step S19; step S19: NO). If the route data and the destination confirmation voice data have been transmitted during the monitoring in step S19 (step S19: YES), the guidance voice output control unit 6b of the target terminal device T outputs (emits) a destination confirmation voice corresponding to the received destination confirmation voice data, including the corresponding feature (see step S27) and the name of the destination, to the passenger via the speaker 9 (step S20). In this case, the destination confirmation voice may be, for example, "We're heading to the XX Stadium near XX Temple." The target terminal device T then proceeds to step S2 shown in FIG. 4.

[0049] As described above, according to the navigation processing of the embodiment, when providing information regarding the movement of a passenger using the target terminal device T, destination information associated with a corresponding feature is output (sounded) by voice based on the acquired destination voice data and personal data 23b, so that even when guidance is by voice, the passenger can easily imagine the location of the destination, the route to the destination, or surrounding information in relation to the corresponding feature having attributes that match the passenger's preferences (see Figure 3(c)). Furthermore, it is easy to recognize whether the set destination is the location intended by the passenger.

[0050] In addition, if a destination confirmation voice including the name of the associated corresponding feature (see step S27 in Figure 5) is output (emitted), even if the guidance is by voice, the destination etc. can be more clearly guided in relation to the corresponding feature.

[0051] Furthermore, even if the associated corresponding feature (see step S27 in Figure 5) is a past destination (place visited), the passenger can easily imagine the location of the destination, the route to the destination, or surrounding information in a more understandable manner in relation to the destination (place visited).

[0052] The inquiry voice (see step S28 in FIG. 5) and the destination confirmation voice (see step S31 in FIG. 5) may be configured to also output the positional relationship between the corresponding feature and the destination (for example, the mutual distance, or the distance and the direction of the destination as seen from the corresponding feature, etc.) in voice output. In this case, even in the case of voice guidance, the passenger can more easily imagine the location of the destination, the route to the destination, and surrounding information in relation to the corresponding feature.

[0053] In the navigation process of the above-described embodiment, the search for the corresponding feature (see step S27 in FIG. 5) and the generation of the query voice data (see step S28 in FIG. 5) are performed by the processing unit 21 of the server SV. However, in addition to this, the search for the corresponding feature and the generation of the query voice data may be configured to be performed by the target terminal device T. In this case, based on the response voice to the query voice corresponding to the query voice data (i.e., the response voice including a more specific destination name, etc.), the destination and route may then be searched for in cooperation with the server SV.

[0054] Furthermore, the navigation process of the above-described embodiment is applicable not only to vehicle navigation but also to pedestrian navigation. Furthermore, with regard to guidance using personal data 23b, route guidance is not essential, and the process may be used simply to notify the user of the location of a search point.

[0055] Furthermore, in the navigation process of the embodiment, displaying locations on a map is not excluded, but since display is not essential, it is also applicable to smart speakers and the like that do not have a display unit.

[0056] Furthermore, it is also possible to record programs corresponding to the respective flowcharts shown in Figures 4 and 5 on a recording medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk, or obtain them via a network such as the Internet, and read and execute them on a general-purpose microcomputer or the like, thereby causing the microcomputer or the like to function as the processing unit 6 or processing unit 21 according to the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Acquisition method (route search unit) 2. Providing means (guidance voice generating unit) 6, 21 Processing section 6a Route search section 6b Guidance voice output control section 9 Speakers 23b Personal Data 23ba Hobby and Preference Data 23bb visit history data S Information provision device T, T1, T2, T3, Tn terminal equipment SV Server SS Navigation System

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring, when a plurality of candidate locations are searched for during a route search as candidates for locations to be guided when guiding a user along the route, a plurality of pieces of corresponding feature information indicating corresponding features that have attributes in line with the preferences of the user and are located within a predetermined range from the position of each of the candidate locations; a provision means for determining the guide location from among the plurality of candidate locations based on the acquired corresponding feature information during the search, and providing the user with guidance information of the determined guide location by sound; Equipped with The information providing device is characterized in that the guide location is selected and determined by the user.

2. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, The information providing device is characterized in that the guide point is a destination of the route or a stopover point on the route.

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, The information providing device is characterized in that the providing means determines the guide location acquired from the user's response to the presentation of the plurality of candidate locations as the guide location to be used for the route guidance.

4. 4. The information providing device according to claim 1, The information providing device is characterized in that the providing means provides the guidance information including at least the name of the corresponding feature used in determining the guide location by the sound.

5. 5. The information providing device according to claim 1, The information providing device is characterized in that the providing means provides the guidance information by sound, the guidance information including at least directional information indicating the direction of the guidance location as seen from the position of the corresponding feature used to determine the guidance location.

6. 6. The information providing device according to claim 1, The information providing device is characterized in that the providing means provides the guidance information, which includes at least distance information indicating the distance between the corresponding feature used to determine the guidance location and the guidance location, by sound.

7. an acquisition means for acquiring, when a plurality of candidate locations are searched for during a route search, corresponding feature information indicating corresponding features to which the user has traveled in the past and which are located within a predetermined range from the position of each of the candidate locations; a provision means for determining the guide location from among the plurality of candidate locations based on the acquired corresponding feature information during the search, and providing the user with guidance information of the determined guide location by sound; Equipped with The information providing device is characterized in that the guide location is selected and determined by the user.

8. An information providing method executed in an information providing device including an acquisition means and a providing means, an acquisition step of, when a plurality of candidate locations that are candidates for guide locations when guiding a user along a route are searched for during the route search, acquiring, by the acquisition means during the search, a plurality of pieces of corresponding feature information indicating corresponding features that have attributes that match the preferences of the user and that are located within a predetermined range from the position of each of the candidate locations; a provision step of determining, during the search, the guide location from among the plurality of candidate locations based on the acquired corresponding feature information by the provision means, and providing guidance information of the determined guide location to the user by sound by the provision means; Including, The information providing method is characterized in that the guide location is selected and determined by the user.

9. Computer, an acquisition means for acquiring, when a plurality of candidate locations are searched for during a route search, corresponding feature information indicating corresponding features that have attributes in line with the user's preferences and are located within a predetermined range from the location of each of the candidate locations; and a provision means for determining the guide location from among the plurality of candidate locations based on the acquired corresponding feature information during the search, and providing the user with guidance information of the determined guide location by sound; An information providing program that functions as An information providing program, wherein the guide location is selected and determined by the user.

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