Information providing device, information providing method and program

Abstract

To provide an information providing device, information providing method and information providing program that can perform appropriate information providing or responding for each of moving bodies when installed in different moving bodies.SOLUTION: An information providing device according to the present invention is the information providing device that may be installed in a plurality of moving bodies, and comprises: a movement related information acquisition unit that acquires movement related information serving as information on a movement of one moving body and to be stored in association with the one moving body; a moving body-identifying information acquiring unit that acquires moving body-identifying information serving as information useful for identifying the moving body having the information providing device currently installed; an information output unit that outputs provision information based on the movement related information associated with the one moving body when the one moving body is identified based on the moving body-identifying information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device, and more particularly to an information providing device, an information providing method, and a program that, when mounted on a mobile body, provides information to a passenger of the mobile body. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an agent terminal has been proposed that authenticates individuals who use a vehicle and responds to the individuals using agent data corresponding to each individual (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4664524 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The agent terminal described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above is capable of providing responses that are tailored to each individual by associating it with each individual who uses the vehicle and learning their preferences, etc. However, when the agent terminal can be installed in multiple different vehicles, one example of a problem is that it is difficult to provide an appropriate response for each vehicle.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide an information provision device, an information provision method, and an information provision program that, when mounted on a moving body, can provide information or respond in a manner appropriate to each moving body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is an information providing device that can be mounted on multiple moving bodies, characterized in that it has a movement-related information acquisition unit that acquires movement-related information, which is information related to the movement of one moving body and is information stored in association with the one moving body, a moving body identification information acquisition unit that acquires moving body identification information, which is information that contributes to identifying the moving body on which the information providing device is currently mounted, and an information output unit that outputs provided information based on the movement-related information associated with the one moving body when the one moving body is identified based on the moving body identification information.

[0007] The invention described in claim 7 is an information providing method for providing information using an information providing device that can be mounted on a plurality of moving bodies, the method comprising: a step in which the information providing device acquires movement-related information, which is information relating to the movement of one moving body and is stored in association with the one moving body; The method is characterized by comprising the steps of: the information providing device acquiring mobile unit identification information, which is information that helps to identify the mobile unit on which the information providing device is currently installed; and the information providing device outputting provided information based on the movement-related information associated with the one mobile unit when the one mobile unit is identified based on the mobile unit identification information.

[0008] Furthermore, the invention described in claim 8 is a program that causes an information providing device that can be mounted on multiple moving bodies to execute the steps of acquiring movement-related information, which is information regarding the movement of one moving body and is stored in association with the one moving body; acquiring moving body identification information, which is information that helps identify the moving body on which the information providing device is currently mounted; and, when the one moving body is identified based on the moving body identification information, outputting provided information based on the movement-related information associated with the one moving body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a system including an agent terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an agent terminal in the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server in the system of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle information table. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle information table. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an operation routine for realizing a system including an agent terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an operation routine for realizing a system including an agent terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an operation routine for realizing a system including an agent terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an operation routine for realizing a system including an agent terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle information table. [Figure 9B] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle information table. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an operation routine for realizing a system including an agent terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an operation routine for realizing a system including an agent terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Example]

[0010] [1. System configuration and operation] An information provision system 100 including an agent terminal 10 as an information provision device and an information provision method according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows the information provision system 100 including the agent terminal 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the agent terminal 10 is, for example, a terminal having the functionality of a smart speaker.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the information providing system 100 includes an agent terminal 10 and a server S (an example of a "server device"). Fig. 1 shows a case where the agent terminal is mounted on an automobile M, which is an example of a mobile object.

[0012] The in-vehicle device VE is an in-vehicle device such as a car stereo installed in the automobile M. Each in-vehicle device VE has a unique device identifier (hereinafter also referred to as an in-vehicle device ID). The unique device identifier may be, for example, a MAC address. In the following explanation, the in-vehicle device VE is assumed to be permanently installed in the automobile M. Therefore, the device identifier of the in-vehicle device VE is assumed to be the same as the identifier of the automobile M itself. The user terminal MT is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone brought by a user who is in the automobile M.

[0013] The agent terminal 10 and the server S are capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from each other via a network (communication path) using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. The server S is also capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from other servers DS, such as agent servers capable of processing reservations for facilities like hotels, via the network using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. The network can be constructed, for example, by internet communication including wireless communication such as a mobile communication network, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and wired communication.

[0014] The agent terminal 10 can be communicably connected to the in-vehicle device VE and the user terminal MT via wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wired communication.

[0015] 2 shows the configuration of the agent terminal 10. For example, the agent terminal 10 is a device in which a mass storage device 23, a control unit 25, an input unit 27, an output unit 29, a data communication unit 31, and a driving information generation unit 33 cooperate with each other via a system bus 21.

[0016] The mass storage device 23 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive, SSD (solid state drive), flash memory, etc., and stores various programs such as an operating system and terminal software. Note that the various programs may be obtained, for example, from another server device or the like via a network, or may be recorded on a recording medium and read via various drive devices. In other words, the various programs stored in the mass storage device 23 (including a program for executing processing in the agent terminal 10, which will be described later) can be transmitted via a network, or can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and transferred.

[0017] The control unit 25 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 25A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 25B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 25C, etc., and functions as a computer. The CPU 25A reads and executes various programs stored in the ROM 25B and the large-capacity storage device 23, thereby realizing various functions.

[0018] The input unit 27 is a voice input device such as a microphone provided in the agent terminal 10. The control unit 25 can generate voice information based on the voice input from the input unit 27. The input unit may also include an input device such as a touch panel or a stylus pen.

[0019] The output unit 29 serving as an information output unit is an audio output device such as a speaker provided in the agent terminal 10. The output unit 29 may also include a display provided in the agent terminal 10, for example.

[0020] The output unit 29 can output audio based on the data transmitted from the server device S. In addition, if the output unit 29 includes a display, the output unit 29 can also display an image based on the data transmitted from the server device S.

[0021] The data communication unit 31 is connected to the above-mentioned network, and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices such as the server S. The data communication unit 31 can communicate with the in-vehicle device VE and the user terminal MT by wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) as described above, or by wired communication.

[0022] For example, the agent terminal 10 can communicate with the in-vehicle device VE of the automobile M in which the agent terminal 10 is currently installed via the data communication unit 31, and acquire the device identifier of the in-vehicle device VE. As described above, the device identifier of the in-vehicle device VE can be seen as the identifier of the automobile M in which the in-vehicle device VE is installed. Therefore, by communicating with the in-vehicle device VE via the data communication unit 31, the agent terminal 10 can obtain information that helps to identify the automobile M in which the agent terminal 10 is currently installed.

[0023] Furthermore, the agent terminal 10 is capable of transmitting to the server S voice information generated by the control unit 25 in response to voice input from the input unit 27 .

[0024] The agent terminal 10 can communicate with the user terminal MT and use the user terminal MT as a substitute for the input unit 27 or the output unit 29 .

[0025] The driving information generation unit 33, which serves as a travel-related information acquisition unit or a mobile object information acquisition unit, includes, for example, a positioning device such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) device, an acceleration sensor, and a gyro sensor, and is capable of generating driving-related information, which is information related to the driving of the automobile M. The positioning device included in the driving information generation unit 33 may be any device capable of identifying the position of the agent terminal 10 and therefore the automobile M, and may be, for example, another positioning device, such as a device capable of identifying the position based on a nearby base station of a mobile phone network. The driving information generation unit 33 is capable of generating driving-related information including positioning information, travel speed information, or acceleration information capable of identifying the position of the agent terminal 10. The driving-related information may include information related to driving operation. To obtain the information related to the driving operation, the driving information generation unit 33 may be capable of detecting the operation of the steering wheel, accelerator, or brake of the automobile M by, for example, communicating with equipment installed in the automobile M.

[0026] The agent terminal 10 can transmit the driving-related information generated by the driving information generating unit 33 to other devices including the server S via the data communication unit 31.

[0027] 3 shows the configuration of the server S. For example, the server S is a device in which a data communication unit 43, a mass storage device 45, and a control unit 47 cooperate with each other via a system bus 41.

[0028] The data communication unit 43 is connected to the above-mentioned network and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices such as the agent terminal 10 and other servers DS. The data communication unit 43 is capable of receiving driving-related information including location identification information that can identify the location of the agent terminal 10 from the agent terminal 10. The data communication unit is also capable of receiving voice information from the agent terminal 10 that is generated based on voice input to the input unit of the agent terminal 10.

[0029] The mass storage device 45 is configured by, for example, a hard disk drive and an SSD (solid state drive), and stores various programs such as an operating system and server software.

[0030] The mass storage device 45 also stores vehicle information including the device identifiers of the on-board devices VE of one or more automobiles M on which the agent terminal 10 is installed, and the vehicle models, inspection dates, driving data, etc. of each of the one or more automobiles M that are linked (associated) with each of the device identifiers of the on-board devices VE. The mass storage device 45 also stores setting information including the tone and voice of the voice that will be emitted from the agent terminal 10 when it is installed in the automobile M, based on the voice information transmitted from the server S.

[0031] The vehicle information is stored in a vehicle information database (indicated as vehicle information DB in the drawing) 45A in the mass storage device 45. The setting information is stored in a setting information database (indicated as setting information DB in the drawing) 45B in the mass storage device 45.

[0032] A map information database (shown as map information DB in the drawing) 45C, which stores map information including road maps, is also included in the large-capacity storage device 45. The map information in the map information database 45C is a database that contains information equivalent to the map information used in, for example, a navigation device.

[0033] The control unit 47 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 47A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 47B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 47C, etc., and functions as a computer. The CPU 47A reads and executes various programs stored in the ROM 47B and the large-capacity storage device 45, thereby realizing various functions.

[0034] In this embodiment, a conversational AI application program is stored in the mass storage device 45 or the ROM 47. Therefore, the control unit 47 can execute the stored conversational AI application program and behave as an AI conversational robot.

[0035] Specifically, for example, the control unit 47 may interpret the content of voice information transmitted from the agent terminal and generate a response voice if the voice information is a question. Furthermore, the control unit 47 may generate a voice to be spoken under predetermined conditions regardless of whether a question has been asked. In generating this response or voice, the control unit 47 uses a database including the vehicle information database 45B and the map information database 45C as a knowledge base. In other words, the control unit 47 can function as a conversational robot using the vehicle information database 45B and the map information database 45C as its knowledge base.

[0036] The agent terminal 10 of this embodiment can use only the information in the vehicle information database 45B that is linked to the automobile M in which the agent terminal 10 is currently installed.

[0037] The mass storage device 45 may include, as a knowledge base, a database other than the vehicle information database 45B and the map information database 45C. Also, a database in another server DS communicably connected to the server S may be used as a knowledge base.

[0038] When the control unit 47 interprets the contents of the voice information transmitted from the agent terminal 10, if the voice is a command of some kind, it may perform a function in accordance with that command.

[0039] In this embodiment, a car navigation program is stored in the mass storage device 45 or the ROM 47. Therefore, the control unit 47 can execute the stored car navigation program and function as a car navigation device. For example, when the voice information transmitted from the agent terminal 10 is a command requesting a car navigation function, the control unit 47 may provide the car navigation function using the car navigation program and the map information database 45C.

[0040] 4A shows an example of a setting information table TB1 stored in the setting information database 45A. A setting information table TB1 is created for each agent terminal 10. The ID of the agent terminal 10 is written in the upper left corner of the setting information table TB1.

[0041] In the setting information table TB1, the device identifiers of the registered in-vehicle devices VE are listed under the column of in-vehicle device ID. The column of voice tone describes the voice tone when the agent terminal 10 is mounted in the automobile M equipped with the specific in-vehicle device. Furthermore, the column of tone of voice describes the voice tone when the agent terminal 10 is mounted in the automobile M equipped with the specific in-vehicle device.

[0042] When the control unit 47 of the server S functions as the AI ​​conversation robot, conversational voice is generated based on the tone of voice and speech pattern associated with the device identifier of the in-vehicle device VE and stored in the setting information table TB1.

[0043] The information on tone of voice and speech tone included in this setting information table TB1 can be set and saved by the user when the agent terminal 10 is installed in an automobile M in which the agent terminal 10 has not yet been registered, i.e., when the agent terminal 10 is installed in an automobile M for the first time. The content of this setting can be input through the input unit 27 of the agent terminal 10 or through a portable terminal MT capable of communicating with the agent terminal 10. The input setting content can be sent to the server S and saved in the setting information database 45A.

[0044] 4B shows an example of a vehicle information table TB2 stored in the vehicle information database 45B. A vehicle information table TB2 is created for each agent terminal 10. The ID of the agent terminal 10 is written in the upper left corner of the vehicle information table TB2.

[0045] In the vehicle information table TB2, the device identifiers of the registered on-vehicle devices VE are listed under the column of on-vehicle device ID. In the column of vehicle type, for example, vehicle data including vehicle information such as the model of the automobile M in which each on-vehicle device VE is installed, maintenance and inspection data including maintenance and inspection information such as the date of vehicle inspection of the automobile M, and driving data including the driving history of the automobile M are recorded.

[0046] In addition to or instead of the model of the automobile M, the vehicle information may include information such as the type of fuel used by the automobile M, the number of passengers that can ride, whether the steering wheel is right-hand or left-hand, and the size of the vehicle. Furthermore, the maintenance and inspection information for the automobile M may include information such as the oil change date or the wiper change date.

[0047] The vehicle information included in this vehicle information table TB2 can be input and saved by the user when the agent terminal 10 is installed in an automobile M that has not yet been registered, for example, an automobile M in which the agent terminal 10 is installed for the first time. This vehicle information can be input through the input unit 27 of the agent terminal 10 or through a mobile terminal MT that can communicate with the agent terminal 10. The input vehicle information can be sent to the server S and saved in the vehicle information database 45B.

[0048] The driving history may also include, for example, the history of the departure points, arrival points, and stopover points of the automobile M, the driving route of the automobile M, the driving speed, and the acceleration. The information included in the driving history may be generated, for example, based on driving-related information transmitted from the agent terminal 10 when the agent terminal 10 is mounted on the automobile M, and map information stored in the map information database 45C. Note that the driving data may be constantly updated while the agent terminal 10 is mounted on the automobile M.

[0049] [2. Control Routine] The following describes a control routine for realizing the method of the first embodiment and a system including the agent terminal 10 and the server S. The dashed lines in the routine diagrams used in the following description schematically show how notifications, data, etc. are sent and received between the agent terminal 10 and the server S.

[0050] [2-1. Driving data recording routine] 5 shows a driving data recording routine R1 that is executed by the agent terminal 10 and the server S when the user brings the agent terminal 10 into the automobile M, that is, when the agent terminal 10 is installed in the automobile M. The routine executed by the agent terminal 10 is shown as R1A, and the routine executed by the server S is shown as R1B.

[0051] For example, the routine R1A and the routine R1B can be started when the agent terminal 10 and the server S are started, respectively, and then repeatedly executed.

[0052] When the control unit 25 of the agent terminal 10 (hereinafter, in the description of the routine, simply referred to as "the agent terminal 10") starts routine R1A, it first determines in step S11A whether the accessory power supply (hereinafter, referred to as the ACC power supply) of the automobile M in which it is installed is on (step S11A). This determination may be made by the agent terminal 10 attempting to establish communication with the in-vehicle device VE. That is, if communication is established, it is determined that the in-vehicle device VE is powered on and the ACC power supply is on. Conversely, if communication is not established, it is determined that the in-vehicle device VE is not powered on and the ACC power supply is not on.

[0053] If it is determined in step S11A that the ACC power supply is not on (step S11A: NO), monitoring of the ACC power supply continues. If it is determined in step S11A that the ACC power supply is on (step S11A: YES), the device identifier (vehicle device ID) of the in-vehicle device VE is acquired (step S12A). That is, in S12A, the control unit 25 functions as a moving object identification information acquisition unit. When step S12A is completed, the terminal identifier (terminal ID) of the agent terminal 10 and the acquired in-vehicle device ID of the in-vehicle device VE are transmitted to the server S (step S13A).

[0054] When the control unit 47 of the server S (hereinafter simply referred to as "the server S" in the description of the routine) starts the routine R1B, it first waits for the reception of the terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID of the agent terminal 10 in step S11B (step S11B). Then, in step S12B, it determines whether or not the terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID transmitted in step S13A have been received (step S12B).

[0055] In step S12B, if it is determined that the terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID have not yet been received (step S12B: NO), the process waits for a certain period of time until these IDs are received, and step S12B is executed again.

[0056] In step S12B, if it is determined that the terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID have been received (step S12B: YES), it is determined whether the combination of the received terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID is registered in the setting information database 45A and the vehicle information database 45B (step S13B). This determination can be made based on whether or not there is a table with the received terminal ID assigned to it in the setting information table TB1 in the setting information database 45A and the vehicle information table TB2 in the vehicle information database 45B, and whether or not the received in-vehicle device ID is listed in that table.

[0057] If it is determined in step S13B that the in-vehicle device VE is not registered (step S13B: NO), the server S requests registration information including setting information and vehicle information from the agent terminal 10 (step S14B), and then a server-side information registration subroutine is executed (step S15B). In this server-side information registration subroutine, setting information related to conversational voice such as tone of voice and speech and vehicle information are received from the agent terminal 10, and this information is stored in association with the in-vehicle device ID of the in-vehicle device VE to be registered. In the subsequent processing, information transmitted from the agent is stored in association with the registered in-vehicle device ID stored in step S15B.

[0058] In step S13B, if it is determined that the in-vehicle device VE is registered (step S13B: YES), in the subsequent processing, the information transmitted from the agent terminal 10 is stored in association with the registered in-vehicle device VE.

[0059] After step S13A is completed, the agent terminal 10 determines whether or not it has received a request for registration information transmitted in step S14B on the server S side (step S14A). This determination may be made based on whether or not it has received the request for registration information within a certain period of time after step S13A is completed.

[0060] If it is determined in step S14A that a request for registration information has been received (step S14A: YES), an agent-side information registration subroutine is executed (step S15A). In this agent-side information registration subroutine, input of setting information related to conversation voice such as tone of voice and speech and vehicle information from the user is accepted, and this information is transmitted to the server S. If it is determined in step S14A that a request for registration information has not been received (step S14A: NO), step S16A is executed.

[0061] After the subroutine of step S15B ends, the server S transmits a notification to the agent terminal 10 to start recording the traveling data, and waits for reception of data for recording the traveling data (step S16B).

[0062] After the subroutine of step S15A is completed, the agent terminal 10 determines whether or not it has received a notification to start recording the driving data (step S16A). This determination may be made based on whether or not it has received a notification to start recording the driving data within a certain period of time after the completion of step S15A.

[0063] In step S16A, if it is determined that a notification to start recording of driving data has been received (step S16A: YES), transmission of driving data including, for example, the above-mentioned driving-related information of the agent terminal 10 to the server S is started (step S17A). This transmission of driving data may be performed continuously, or may be performed intermittently or discontinuously at regular or irregular time intervals. In step S16A, the transmitted data is received by the server S and stored in the vehicle information database 45B in association with the in-vehicle device ID.

[0064] In step S16A, if it is determined that a notification to start recording of driving data has not been received (step S16A: NO), step S16A is executed again after a certain period of time.

[0065] After step S17A, in step S18A, it is determined whether the ACC power supply of the automobile M has been turned off. This determination may be made by the agent terminal 10 attempting to establish communication with the in-vehicle device VE. That is, if communication is established, it is determined that the in-vehicle device VE is powered on and the ACC power supply is not turned off. On the other hand, if communication is not established, it is determined that the in-vehicle device VE is powered off and the ACC power supply is turned off.

[0066] In step S18A, if it is determined that the ACC power supply is not turned off (step S8: NO), the transmission of the driving data (step S17A) continues, and step S18A is executed again after a certain time period.

[0067] In step S18A, if it is determined that the ACC power supply has been turned off (step S18A: YES), a data transmission end notification is transmitted to the server S (step S19A), and the routine R1A ends.

[0068] After step S16B is completed, the server S determines whether or not the data transmission end notification transmitted by the agent terminal 10 in step S19A has been received (step S17B). If it is determined in step S17B that the data transmission end notification has not been received (step S17B: NO), the server S continues to wait for reception of the driving data (step S16B), and step S17B is executed again after a certain period of time.

[0069] In step S17B, if it is determined that a data transmission end notification has been received (step S17B: YES), the data reception wait is ended (step S18B), and then the routine R1B ends.

[0070] [2-2. Information registration subroutine] 6 shows the information registration subroutine R2 in the driving data recording routine R1. The routine executed by the agent terminal 10 is shown as R2A, and the routine executed by the server S is shown as R2B.

[0071] When the agent terminal 10 starts the routine R2A, it first waits for the input of registration information including vehicle information and setting information (step S21A). This may be done, for example, by prompting the user to input the registration information including the vehicle information and setting information using audio or images via the output unit 29 of the agent terminal 10, and then accepting the input via the input unit 27. In this case, instead of the input unit 27, the input may be made via a portable terminal MT that can communicate with the agent terminal 10.

[0072] After step S21A is completed, it is determined whether the input of the registration information has been completed (step S22A). This determination may be made based on whether a certain time has passed or whether the user has indicated their intention to terminate the input of the registration information via the input unit 27 or the mobile terminal MT. If it is determined in step S22A that the input has not been completed (step S22A: NO), the waiting for the input of the registration information (step S21A) continues, and step S22A is executed again after a certain time has elapsed.

[0073] The vehicle information input in steps 21A and 22A may include, for example, the vehicle inspection date and vehicle model included in the above-described table TB1, as well as vehicle specifications, vehicle size, type of fuel used, passenger capacity, whether the handle is left or right, etc. That is, in steps 21A and 22A, the control unit 25 functions as a mobile object information acquisition unit.

[0074] Furthermore, the setting information input in steps 21A and 22A is voice setting information that includes at least one of the tone of voice and the speech tone of the voice output from the output unit of the agent terminal 10, which are included in table TB2. That is, in steps 21A and 22A, the control unit 25 also functions as a voice setting information receiving unit.

[0075] In step S22A, if it is determined that the input has been completed (step S22A: YES), the accepted registration information is sent to the server S (step S23A), and the routine R2A ends.

[0076] When the server device S starts the routine R2B, it first waits for the reception of registration information from the agent terminal 10 (step S21B). After that, the server device S determines whether or not the registration information has been received from the agent terminal 10 (step S22B). If it is determined in step S22B that the registration information has not been received (step S22B: NO), the process continues to wait for reception of the registration information (step S21B), and step S22B is executed again after a certain period of time.

[0077] When the server device S determines in step S22B that the registration information has been received (step S22B: YES), it associates the received registration information with the in-vehicle device ID received in step S12B of routine R1B, and stores the setting information in the setting information database 43A and the vehicle information in the vehicle information database 43B (step S23B). After step S23B is executed, routine R2B ends.

[0078] [2-3. Conversation Routine] 7 and 8 show a conversation routine R3 that is executed by the agent terminal 10 and the server S when the server S converses with the user via the agent terminal 10 when the user brings the agent terminal 10 into the automobile M, that is, when the agent terminal 10 is installed in the automobile M. The routine executed by the agent terminal 10 is indicated as R3A, and the routine executed by the server S is indicated as R3B.

[0079] For example, the routine R3A and the routine R3B can be started when the agent terminal 10 and the server S are started, respectively, and then repeatedly executed.

[0080] When the agent terminal 10 starts routine R3A, it first determines in step S31A whether the ACC power supply of the automobile M in which it is installed is on (step S31A). This determination may be made by the agent terminal 10 attempting to establish communication with the in-vehicle device VE. That is, if communication is established, it is determined that the in-vehicle device VE is powered on and the ACC power supply is on. On the other hand, if communication is not established, it is determined that the in-vehicle device VE is not powered on and the ACC power supply is not on.

[0081] In step S31A, if it is determined that the ACC power supply is not on (step S31A: NO), step S31A is executed again after a certain time has elapsed. In step S31A, if it is determined that the ACC power supply is on (step S31A: YES), the in-vehicle device ID of the in-vehicle device VE is acquired (step S32A). When step S32A is completed, the terminal identifier (terminal ID) of the agent terminal 10 and the acquired in-vehicle device ID of the in-vehicle device VE are transmitted to the server S (step S33A).

[0082] When the server S starts the routine R3B, it first waits in step S31B to receive the terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID of the agent terminal 10. Then, in step S32B, it determines whether or not the terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID transmitted in step S33A have been received (step S32B).

[0083] In step S32B, if it is determined that the terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID have not yet been received (step S32B: NO), the process waits for a certain period of time until these IDs are received, and step S32B is executed again.

[0084] In step S32B, if it is determined that the terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID have been received (step S32B: YES), it is determined whether the combination of the received terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID is registered in the setting information database 45A or the vehicle information database 45B (step S33B). This determination can be made based on whether or not there is a table in the setting information table TB1 in the setting information database 45A or the vehicle information table TB2 in the vehicle information database 45B to which the received terminal ID is assigned, and whether or not the received in-vehicle device ID is listed in that table.

[0085] If it is determined in step S33B that the in-vehicle device VE is not registered (step S33B: NO), the routine R3B ends. If the server S determines in step S33B that the in-vehicle device VE is registered (step S33B: YES), the server S transmits a conversation standby notice to the agent 10 and starts conversation standby (step S34B). In this conversation standby state, the server S waits for reception of voice data from the agent terminal 10. Also, in this conversation standby state, the server S performs speech processing as necessary depending on the situation, for example, based on the driving data received by routine R1.

[0086] When step S33A is completed, the agent terminal 10 determines in step S34A whether or not it has received the conversation waiting notification transmitted from the server S in step S33B. This determination can be made based on whether or not it has received the conversation waiting notification within a predetermined time after the completion of step S33A, i.e., after transmitting the terminal ID and the in-vehicle device ID to the server S.

[0087] If the agent terminal 10 determines in step S34A that a conversation waiting notification has not been received (step S34A: NO), it determines that the in-vehicle device ID of the in-vehicle device VE has not been registered in the server S, and terminates routine R3A. As described above, routine R3A is repeatedly executed. Therefore, if, for example, the above-described information registration subroutine R2 is executed during the repeated execution of routine R3A and the in-vehicle device ID of the in-vehicle device VE is registered, the determinations in steps S33B and S34A may change.

[0088] When the agent terminal 10 determines in step S34A that it has received a conversation standby notification (step S34A: YES), it starts conversation standby (step S35A). In this conversation standby state, the agent terminal 10 maintains a state of accepting voice input via the input unit 27 or the mobile terminal MT. Also, in this conversation standby state, the agent terminal 10 waits to receive voice information from the server device S.

[0089] After entering the conversation standby state, the agent terminal 10 determines whether or not there has been voice input via the input unit 27 or the portable terminal MT (step S36A). If the agent terminal 10 determines in step S36A that there has been voice input (step S36A: YES), it converts the input voice into data and transmits it to the server S (step S37A).

[0090] After determining in step S36A that no voice input has been made (step S36A: NO) or executing step S37A, the agent terminal 10 determines in step S38A whether or not voice data has been received from the server S. This determination may be made based on whether or not voice data has been received from the server S within a certain time period after the determination in step S36A or execution of step S37A.

[0091] When the agent terminal 10 determines in step S38A that it has received the voice data (step S38A: YES), it generates voice based on the voice data and outputs the voice as information to be provided via the output unit 29 or the portable terminal MT (step S39A). The voice may be output from a built-in speaker of the agent terminal 10, or may be output from a communication-connected in-vehicle device VE such as a car stereo.

[0092] After determining that no voice data was received in step S38A (step S38A: NO) or executing step S39A, the agent terminal 10 determines whether the ACC power supply of the automobile M has been turned off (step S310A). This determination may be made by the agent terminal 10 attempting to establish communication with the in-vehicle device VE. That is, if communication is established, it is determined that the in-vehicle device VE is powered on and the ACC power supply is not turned off. On the other hand, if communication is not established, it is determined that the in-vehicle device VE is powered off and the ACC power supply is turned off.

[0093] In step S310A, if it is determined that the ACC power is not turned off (step S310A: NO), the conversation standby state is maintained and S36A is executed again.

[0094] In step S310A, if it is determined that the ACC power supply has been turned off (step S310A: YES), a conversation standby end notification is transmitted to the server S (step S311A), and the routine R3A ends.

[0095] After step S34B ends and the server device S enters a conversation standby state, in step S35B, the server device S determines whether or not voice data has been received from the agent terminal 10. If the server device S determines in step S35B that voice information has been received (step S35B: YES), it analyzes the voice data and determines whether or not a reply is required (step S36B).

[0096] This determination is made, for example, based on whether the content of the voice is a conversation between passengers in the automobile M. For example, if the content of voice 1 is in the form of a question, but there is immediately another voice that answers the question, it may be determined that the content of the voice is a conversation between passengers in the automobile M, and that a reply is not necessary. Also, for example, if the content of voice 1 is in the form of a question, and there is no other voice for a certain period of time, it may be determined that the voice is a question from a passenger in the automobile M to the server S, and that a reply is necessary.

[0097] When determining in step S35B that no voice information has been received, the server device S determines whether or not a speech condition has occurred (step S37B). This determination can be made, for example, based on driving-related information transmitted from the agent 10. For example, when an abnormality in the moving object M, such as dangerous driving, is detected based on the driving-related information, it is determined that a speech condition has occurred. When the speech condition has occurred, advice regarding driving operations may be generated based on the driving-related information.

[0098] When the server device S determines in step S36B that a reply is required (step S36B: YES) or determines in step S37B that a speech condition has occurred (step S37B: YES), it generates voice data and transmits it to the agent terminal 10 (step S38B).

[0099] This voice data is generated based on the analysis in the determination in step S36 or based on the utterance conditions in step S37B. Furthermore, this voice data can be generated based on the vehicle information database 45B and the map information database 45C, which are knowledge bases.

[0100] For example, advice on driving operations generated based on the above-described driving-related information may be generated as provided information and transmitted as voice data. The voice data may be generated based on at least one of the tone of voice and the speech pattern stored in table TB1 in association with the in-vehicle device ID of the in-vehicle device VE.

[0101] The server device S determines that no response is necessary in step S36B (step S36B), determines that the condition for speaking has not occurred in step 37B (step S37B), or, upon completion of step 38B, determines whether a conversation waiting end notification has been received from the agent terminal 10 (step S39B).

[0102] In step S39B, if it is determined that the conversation standby end notification has not been received (step S39B: NO), the conversation standby state is maintained and step S35B is executed again. In step S39B, if it is determined that the conversation standby end notification has been received, the conversation standby state is released and routine R3B ends.

[0103] The conversations that take place in the above conversation routine include the following: For example, when a user asks, "When is the next vehicle inspection?", a response is generated in the server S, and "It's on XX month XX day of this year" is output from the agent terminal 10. Also, when a user asks, "How many kilometers left until my destination?", the server S accesses the map information database 45C to generate a response, and the agent terminal 10 outputs, "XX kilometers left."

[0104] Also, when a user commands, "Make a reservation at my usual restaurant for next Saturday night," server S accesses another server DS to generate a response, and the agent terminal 10 outputs, "Reservations are available at XX o'clock. Would you like to make a reservation?"

[0105] Also, when the user asks, "Where did you go for fun at the end of last month?", the server S accesses the vehicle information database 45B to generate a response, and the agent terminal 10 outputs, "We went to XX amusement park at the end of last month."

[0106] Also, when the user expresses their current feelings by saying "I'm hungry," server S determines what the user's favorite food is based on the history of restaurants they have visited in the past. For example, if server S determines that the user's favorite food is ramen, it will output a message saying, "There is a famous ramen restaurant 1 km away. Would you like to set it as a stopover?"

[0107] As described above, in the system 100 including the agent terminal 10 of this embodiment, various information is managed in association with the in-vehicle device ID of the in-vehicle device VE, which is information that can identify the automobile M. Therefore, the agent terminal 10 can provide information based on the information stored in association with the in-vehicle device ID in which the agent terminal 10 is installed.

[0108] Specifically, the agent terminal 10 can provide, for example, information based on the driving history of the vehicle in which the agent terminal 10 is installed, in the form of voice based on the settings made for that vehicle. Therefore, even if the agent terminal 10 can be installed in a plurality of different automobiles M, it is possible to provide information suited to each of the automobiles M. [Example]

[0109] [1. System configuration and operation] An information providing system 100 including an agent terminal 10 as an information providing device and an information providing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the second embodiment, the overall configuration of the system 100 and the configurations of the agent terminal 10 and the server S are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0110] 9A shows an example of a setting information table TB3 stored in the setting information database 45A. A setting information table TB3 is created for each agent terminal 10. The ID of the agent terminal 10 is written in the upper left corner of the setting information table TB3.

[0111] Unlike the setting information table TB1 of Example 1 (see Figure 4A), in the setting information table TB3, under the vehicle identifier column, the vehicle identifiers set for each automobile M are listed in the form of nicknames such as "Bill" and "Jennifer."

[0112] The in-vehicle device IDs of the in-vehicle devices VE are listed under the in-vehicle device ID column. The voice tone column lists the voice tone when the agent terminal 10 is mounted in the automobile M given a specific identifier (nickname). The tone of voice column lists the voice tone when the agent terminal 10 is mounted in the automobile M given a specific identifier (nickname). That is, in the second embodiment, the vehicle identifier (nickname) is associated with the in-vehicle device ID, the voice tone, and the tone of voice.

[0113] When the control unit 47 of the server S functions as an AI conversational robot as described in Example 1, conversational voice is generated based on the tone of voice and speech pattern associated with the vehicle identifier (nickname) and entered in the setting information table TB3.

[0114] The information on tone of voice and speech tone included in this setting information table TB3 can be set and saved by the user when the agent terminal 10 is installed in an automobile M in which the agent terminal 10 has not yet been registered, i.e., when the agent terminal 10 is installed in an automobile M for the first time. The content of this setting can be input through the input unit 27 of the agent terminal 10 or through a portable terminal MT capable of communicating with the agent terminal 10. The input setting content can be sent to the server S and saved in the setting information database 45A.

[0115] 9B shows an example of a vehicle information table TB4 stored in the vehicle information database 45B. Unlike the setting information table TB2 (see FIG. 4B) of the first embodiment, in the setting information table TB4, the vehicle identifiers set for each automobile M are listed in the form of nicknames such as "Bill" and "Jennifer" under the vehicle identifier column. A vehicle information table TB4 is created for each agent terminal 10. The ID of the agent terminal 10 is written in the upper left corner of the vehicle information table TB4.

[0116] In the vehicle information table TB4, the device identifiers of the registered on-vehicle devices VE are listed under the column of on-vehicle device ID. In the column of vehicle type, for example, vehicle data including vehicle information such as the vehicle model of the automobile M in which each on-vehicle device VE is installed, maintenance and inspection data including maintenance and inspection information such as the inspection date of the automobile M, and driving data including the driving history of the automobile M are recorded. That is, in the second embodiment, the on-vehicle device ID, vehicle data, maintenance and inspection data, and driving data are linked to the vehicle identifier (nickname).

[0117] In addition to or instead of the model of the automobile M, the vehicle information may include information such as the type of fuel used by the automobile M, the number of passengers that can ride, whether the steering wheel is right-hand or left-hand, and the size of the vehicle. Furthermore, the maintenance and inspection information for the automobile M may include information such as the oil change date or the wiper change date.

[0118] The vehicle information included in this vehicle information table TB4 can be input and saved by the user when the agent terminal 10 is installed in an automobile M that has not yet been registered, i.e., an automobile M in which the agent terminal 10 is installed for the first time. This vehicle information can be input through the input unit 27 of the agent terminal 10 or through a mobile terminal MT that can communicate with the agent terminal 10. The input vehicle information can be sent to the server S and saved in the vehicle information database 45B.

[0119] The driving history may also include a history of the departure points, arrival points, and stopover points of the automobile M, the driving route of the automobile M, the driving speed, and the acceleration. The information included in the driving history may be generated, for example, based on driving-related information transmitted from the agent terminal 10 when the agent terminal 10 is mounted on the automobile M, and map information stored in the map information database 45C. Note that the driving data may be constantly updated while the agent terminal 10 is mounted on the automobile M.

[0120] [2. Control Routine] The following describes a control routine for realizing the method of the second embodiment and a system including the agent terminal 10 and the server S. Note that the driving data recording routine and conversation routine are the same as those in the first embodiment, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0121] In the second embodiment, when registering information, the user inputs a vehicle identifier in addition to the registration information of the first embodiment, and this is registered in the database of the server S. Then, the registration information is stored in association with the vehicle identifier (nickname).

[0122] [2-1. Information registration subroutine] 10 shows the information registration subroutine R4 in the second embodiment. The routine executed by the agent terminal 10 is shown as R4A, and the routine executed by the server S is shown as R4B.

[0123] When the agent terminal 10 starts the routine R4A, it first waits for a selection between new information registration or vehicle replacement (step S41A). This may be done, for example, by prompting the user by voice or image via the output unit 29 of the agent terminal 10 to select whether to register new information or to replace the vehicle by transferring the vehicle identifier (nickname) and the information linked to the identifier to the new automobile M (on-vehicle device VE) currently occupied, and then accepting the selection via the input unit 27.

[0124] At this time, instead of using the input unit 27, the input may be performed via a portable terminal MT that can communicate with the agent terminal 10.

[0125] When step S41A is completed, the agent terminal 10 determines whether or not vehicle replacement is required (step S42A). This determination is made based on whether or not vehicle replacement is selected in step S41A.

[0126] When the agent terminal 10 determines in step S42A that it is a vehicle swap (step S42A: YES), it transmits a vehicle swap processing start notification to the server S (step S43A) and starts a vehicle swap subroutine (step S44A). When the subroutine of step S44A ends, the routine R4A ends.

[0127] In the vehicle replacement subroutine, the agent terminal 10 transmits from the server S to the agent terminal 10 a set of one or more vehicle identifiers stored for the agent terminal 10 and vehicle information linked to the one or more identifiers.

[0128] Then, the user selects a vehicle identifier, which is a nickname that the user wants to transfer to the new vehicle M that the user is currently riding in, and the selection result is sent to the server S. The server S deletes the information unique to the vehicle M (on-vehicle device VE) that has been linked to the selected vehicle identifier, and transfers the other information (vehicle information and setting information that is not unique to the vehicle M) to the vehicle M that the user is currently riding in, i.e., the vehicle M in which the agent terminal 10 is currently installed.

[0129] When the agent terminal 10 determines in step S42A that the vehicle is not being replaced (step S42A: NO), it starts new information registration processing and waits for input of a vehicle identifier and registration information (step S45A). This may be done, for example, by prompting the user to input registration information including a nickname, vehicle information, and setting information using audio or images via the output unit 29 of the agent terminal 10, and accepting the input via the input unit 27. In this case, input may be made via a portable terminal MT that can communicate with the agent terminal 10, instead of via the input unit 27.

[0130] That is, in step S45A, an identifier of 1 is assigned to the automobile M in which the agent terminal 10 is currently mounted. In other words, in step S45A, the control unit 25 of the agent terminal 10 functions as an assignment receiving unit.

[0131] After step S45A is completed, the agent terminal 10 determines whether the input of the vehicle identifier and registration information is completed (step S46A). This determination may be made based on whether a certain time has passed or whether the user has indicated their intention to complete the input of the registration information via the input unit 27 or the portable terminal MT. If it is determined in step S46A that the input is not completed (step S46A: NO), the agent terminal 10 continues to wait for the input of the vehicle identifier and registration information (step S45A), and step S46A is executed again after a certain time has elapsed.

[0132] In step S46A, if it is determined that the input has been completed (step S46A: YES), the accepted vehicle identifier and registration information are transmitted to the server S (step S47A), and the routine R4A ends.

[0133] When the server device S starts the routine R4B, it first waits for reception of information from the agent terminal 10 (step S41B). Thereafter, the server device S determines whether or not a vehicle exchange processing start notification has been received from the agent terminal 10 (step S42B). This determination may be made based on whether or not the vehicle exchange processing notification is received within a certain period of time.

[0134] If it is determined in step S42B that a vehicle exchange process start notification has been received (step S42: YES), the vehicle exchange subroutine is started (step S43B).

[0135] When the server S determines in step S42B that the vehicle replacement process start notification has not been received (step S42B: NO), it starts the new information registration process and determines whether or not the vehicle identifier and registration information have been received from the agent terminal 10 (step S44B). This determination may be made based on whether or not the vehicle identifier and registration information are received within a certain period of time.

[0136] If the server S determines in step S44B that the vehicle identifier and registration information have been received, it stores the received registration information and the vehicle device ID of the vehicle device VE in which the agent terminal 10 is currently installed, linking them to the received vehicle identifier (step S45B), and then routine R4B ends.

[0137] If the server S determines in step S44B that the vehicle identifier and registration information have not been received, it temporarily suspends the new information registration process and executes step S42B again.

[0138] [2-2. Vehicle switching subroutine] 11 shows the vehicle shunting subroutine R5 in the second embodiment. The routine executed by the agent terminal 10 is shown as R5A, and the routine executed by the server S is shown as R5B.

[0139] As described above, in the vehicle replacement subroutine, the agent terminal 10 transmits from the server S to the agent terminal 10 a set of one or more vehicle identifiers (nicknames) stored for the agent terminal 10 and vehicle information linked to the one or more vehicle identifiers. The user then selects a vehicle identifier, which is a nickname that the user wishes to transfer to the new automobile M that the user is currently riding in, and the selection result is transmitted to the server S. The server S deletes, from the selected vehicle identifier, information unique to the automobile M (on-vehicle device VE) that has been linked up until now, and transfers the other information (vehicle information and setting information that is not unique to the automobile M) to the automobile M that the user is currently riding in, i.e., the automobile M in which the agent terminal 10 is currently installed.

[0140] When the routine R5A starts, the agent terminal 10 waits for reception of a vehicle identifier and registration information linked thereto (step S51A).

[0141] When routine R5B is started, server S sends one or more sets of vehicle identifiers and registration information contained in tables TB3 and TB4 corresponding to the terminal ID of the agent terminal 10 in server S and waits to receive one vehicle identifier selected by the user at the agent terminal 10 (step S51B).

[0142] After executing step S51A, the agent terminal 10 determines whether or not the vehicle identifier and registration information have been received (step S52A). If there is no vehicle identifier stored for the agent terminal 10, a message to that effect is transmitted to the agent terminal 10, and this is regarded as having transmitted the set of the vehicle identifier and registration information.

[0143] When the agent terminal 10 determines in step S52A that it has received a vehicle identifier, etc. (step S52A: YES), it waits for the selection and input of one nickname from the one or more received vehicle identifiers (step S53A). That is, in step S53A, the control unit 25 of the agent terminal 10 functions as an assignment receiving unit that receives the change assignment.

[0144] This may be done, for example, by having the output unit 29 of the agent terminal 10 prompt the user by voice or image to select and input a vehicle identifier, which is the nickname that the user wishes to transfer to the unregistered vehicle M that the user is currently riding in, and then accepting the selection input via the input unit 27.

[0145] At this time, instead of using the input unit 27, the input may be performed via a portable terminal MT that can communicate with the agent terminal 10.

[0146] If the agent terminal 10 determines in step S52A that the vehicle identifier and the like have not been received (step S52A: NO), it executes step S52A again after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0147] After step S53A is completed, the agent terminal 10 determines whether the vehicle identifier selection input has been completed (step S54A). This determination may be made based on whether a certain period of time has passed or whether the user has indicated their intention to complete the registration information input via the input unit 27 or the portable terminal MT. If it is determined in step S54A that the selection input has not been completed (step S54A: NO), the agent terminal 10 continues to wait for the vehicle identifier selection input (step S53A), and step S54A is executed again after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0148] If it is determined in step S54A that the selection input has been completed (step S54A: YES), the agent terminal 10 transmits the selected vehicle identifier to the server and waits for an inquiry from the server (step S55A).

[0149] If the server S determines in step S52B that the selected vehicle identifier has not been received (step S52B: NO), it executes step S52B again after a certain time. If the server S determines in step S52B that the selected vehicle identifier has been received (step S52B: YES), it deletes the vehicle-specific information that is specific or unique to the currently registered automobile M from the registration information linked to the selected vehicle identifier, and queries the agent terminal 10 for vehicle-specific information of the automobile M to be newly registered (step S53B).

[0150] For example, the vehicle-specific information to be deleted includes at least one of information depending on the characteristics of the automobile M and information regarding the maintenance of the automobile M. Furthermore, the information depending on the characteristics of the automobile M includes information regarding the physical characteristics of the automobile M. This information regarding physical characteristics may include, for example, the vehicle model, vehicle specifications, vehicle size, type of fuel used, passenger capacity, whether the handle is left or right, etc. Furthermore, the information regarding the maintenance of the automobile M may include the scheduled dates for maintenance such as oil changes and part replacements for the automobile M, or the date of vehicle inspection.

[0151] Furthermore, the information deleted in step S53B may include driving data that depends on the characteristics of the automobile M and is not suitable for the new automobile M. Specifically, for example, if automobile M is changed from a gasoline-powered vehicle to an electric vehicle, gas stations included in the stopovers are deleted; if the vehicle is changed from a compact vehicle to a large vehicle, roads that are prohibited for large vehicles included in the route are deleted; if the vehicle becomes taller, the usage history of parking lots with height restrictions is deleted. In this way, by deleting information that is not suitable for the new vehicle, facilities that were previously frequently used but that cannot be used by the new automobile M can be prevented from being recommended via the agent terminal.

[0152] After step S55A is completed, the agent terminal 10 determines whether or not an inquiry has been received from the server S (step S56A). If the agent terminal 10 determines in step S56A that an inquiry has not been received (step S56A: NO), it executes step S56A again after a certain period of time.

[0153] When the agent terminal 10 determines in step S56A that it has received an inquiry (step S56A: YES), it waits for input of vehicle-specific information (step S57A). This may be done, for example, by prompting the user to input vehicle-specific information of the unregistered automobile M currently in use by voice or image via the output unit 29 of the agent terminal 10, and accepting the input via the input unit 27.

[0154] At this time, instead of using the input unit 27, the input may be performed via a portable terminal MT that can communicate with the agent terminal 10.

[0155] After step S57A is completed, the agent terminal 10 determines whether the vehicle identifier selection input has been completed (step S58A). This determination may be made based on whether a certain period of time has passed or whether the user has indicated their intention to complete the registration information input via the input unit 27 or the portable terminal MT. If it is determined in step S58A that the selection input has not been completed (step S58A: NO), the agent terminal 10 continues to wait for the vehicle identifier selection input (step S57A), and step S58A is executed again after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0156] As described above, the vehicle-specific information input in steps S57A and S58A may include, in addition to the vehicle inspection date and vehicle model included in the above-described table TB3, vehicle specifications, vehicle size, type of fuel used, passenger capacity, whether the handle is left or right, etc. That is, in steps S57A and S58A, the control unit 25 functions as a mobile object information acquisition unit.

[0157] Furthermore, the setting information input in steps 57A and 58A is voice setting information that includes at least one of the tone of voice and the speech tone of the voice output from the output unit of the agent terminal 10, which are included in table TB4. That is, in steps 57A and 58A, the control unit 25 also functions as a voice setting information receiving unit.

[0158] In step S58A, if it is determined that the selection input has been completed (step S58A: YES), the agent terminal 10 transmits the input vehicle-specific information to the server S (step S59A), and the routine R5A ends.

[0159] After step S53B is completed, the server S determines whether or not vehicle-specific information has been received from the agent terminal 10 (step S54B). If the server S determines in step S54B that vehicle-specific information has not been received (step S54B: NO), the server S executes step S54B again after a certain period of time. If the server S determines in step S54B that vehicle-specific information has been received (step S54B: YES), the server S associates the received vehicle-specific information with the vehicle identifier received in step S52B, i.e., the nickname selected by the user, and stores the information (step S55B), and the routine R5B ends.

[0160] In the routine R5 of the second embodiment, in step S53B, the vehicle-specific information that is information specific to the vehicle M among the registration information linked to the vehicle identifier is deleted, but the vehicle-specific information may be left invalidated and additional vehicle-specific information for the newly registered vehicle M may be saved. In this case, the invalidated vehicle-specific information is not used as an information source for conversation generation in the conversation routine R3.

[0161] In Example 2, in the conversation routine R3, in step S38B where voice data is generated and transmitted to the agent terminal 10, the voice data is generated based on at least one of the tone of voice and the tone of voice stored in table TB3 in association with the vehicle identifier.

[0162] According to the second embodiment, by registering a vehicle identifier, a nickname can be given to a vehicle. Furthermore, by storing various information linked to the vehicle identifier, the personality of the previous vehicle that the user is familiar with can be transferred to a new vehicle.

[0163] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, by registering the vehicle identifier in the form of a nickname, the user can feel that the vehicle has a more familiar personality. Furthermore, by using the registered nickname as a keyword, it becomes possible to more accurately determine whether the conversation is between passengers in the vehicle or directed to the agent terminal 10, which contributes to improving the accuracy of the agent function.

[0164] For example, if the agent terminal 10 responds to an utterance such as "I hope it will be sunny tomorrow" during a conversation between passengers, the conversation may be interrupted, which may be annoying.

[0165] Therefore, in the above conversation routine R3, it can be determined that no reply is necessary when multiple people are conversing, and even when passengers are conversing with each other, only if a nickname is included before or after the utterance, such as "I hope it's sunny tomorrow, Bill," or "Bill, will it rain again tomorrow?", it can be determined that the utterance is directed at the agent terminal, and a reply is required and voice information can be generated.

[0166] So far, we have described an example in which the user can assign a nickname as a vehicle identifier, but the vehicle identifier may be freely assigned a nickname, or may be selected by the user from multiple pre-set attributes, such as "My Car 1" and "My Car 2." Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the agent terminal 10 stores various information in the large-capacity storage device 45 of the external server S, but it is also possible to provide a storage unit within the agent terminal and store some or all of the various information in that storage unit.

[0167] In the above embodiment, when all of the various information held by the server S is stored in a memory unit within the agent terminal 10, a conversational AI application program, a car navigation program, etc. may be built into the agent terminal 10, and a closed system without connection to the server S may be constructed.

[0168] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in order to identify the automobile M in which the agent 10 is installed, a communication connection is established with the in-vehicle device VE and the in-vehicle device ID is obtained, but instead, a camera may be built into the agent terminal 10, and the model of the automobile M in which the agent 10 is installed may be identified based on the image pattern of the structures inside the vehicle cabin photographed by the camera.

[0169] In the above embodiment, the agent terminal 10 outputs the provided information as voice, but instead of or in addition to this, the provided information may be output as an image. For example, the provided information may be displayed as text on an external head-up display.

[0170] The configurations, routines, display or input modes, etc. of the agent terminal, user terminal, in-vehicle device or server in the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples and can be selected or changed as appropriate depending on the application, etc. For example, each step in the routine may be performed by any of the server, agent terminal, user terminal or in-vehicle device, regardless of the above-mentioned examples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0171] 100 Information Provision System 10 Agent terminal 10 21,41 System Bus 25,47 Control section 23,45 mass storage 33 Driving information generation unit S Server

Claims

1. An information providing device that can be mounted on a plurality of moving bodies, an identification unit that identifies one moving body in which the information providing device is currently installed; an information acquisition unit that acquires, from among the plurality of pieces of information stored in association with each of the plurality of moving bodies, information stored in association with one moving body on which the information providing device is currently mounted, movement-related information including voice setting information relating to the setting of at least one of tone of voice or tone of speech and information relating to the running history of the one moving body; an input information acquisition unit that acquires input information input by a passenger of the one moving body; an information output unit that outputs information about the travel history of the one moving object for a period designated by the input information in a voice that is set in accordance with voice setting information stored in association with the one moving object; An information providing device comprising:

2. The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the travel-related information includes information about a destination, a stopover, or a route during travel of the one mobile object.

3. 3. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the travel-related information further includes information about a driving operation performed on the mobile body while the mobile body is traveling.

4. 4. The information providing device according to claim 3, wherein the information output unit further outputs advice information including advice on driving operations generated based on the travel-related information.

5. The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the identification unit acquires identification information of the mobile body and identifies the mobile body on which the information providing device is currently mounted using the acquired identification information.

6. The information providing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the information acquisition unit acquires information stored in association with the one mobile body from a database in which multiple pieces of voice setting information and multiple pieces of movement-related information associated with each of the multiple mobile bodies are stored.

7. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the input information acquiring unit acquires, as the input information, a voice of a passenger of the one moving body.

8. An information providing device that can be mounted on multiple moving bodies, an identification unit that identifies one moving body in which the information providing device is currently installed; an information acquisition unit that acquires, from among a plurality of pieces of information stored in association with each of the plurality of moving bodies, information stored in association with one moving body in which the information providing device is currently installed, voice setting information relating to at least one of tone of voice and tone of voice; an information output unit that outputs information to be provided to a passenger of the first moving body in a voice that is set in accordance with voice setting information that is associated with the first moving body and stored; An information providing device comprising:

9. An information providing method for providing information using an information providing device that can be mounted on multiple moving bodies, comprising: an identifying step of identifying one moving body in which the information providing device is currently mounted; an information acquisition step of acquiring voice setting information relating to at least one of tone of voice and tone of voice, which is information stored in association with one mobile body in which the information providing device is currently installed, from among the plurality of pieces of information stored in association with each of the plurality of mobile bodies; an information output step of outputting the information to be provided to a passenger of the first moving body in a voice set in accordance with voice setting information stored in association with the first moving body; An information providing method comprising:

10. An information providing device that can be mounted on a plurality of moving bodies, an identifying step of identifying one moving body in which the information providing device is currently mounted; an information acquisition step of acquiring voice setting information relating to at least one of tone of voice and tone of voice, which is information stored in association with one mobile body in which the information providing device is currently installed, from among the plurality of pieces of information stored in association with each of the plurality of mobile bodies; an information output step of outputting the information to be provided to a passenger of the first moving body in a voice set in accordance with voice setting information stored in association with the first moving body; An information providing program characterized by causing the program to execute the above.

11. An information providing device that can be mounted on a plurality of moving bodies, an identifying step of identifying one moving body in which the information providing device is currently mounted; an information acquisition step of acquiring voice setting information relating to at least one of tone of voice and tone of voice, which is information stored in association with one mobile body in which the information providing device is currently installed, from among the plurality of pieces of information stored in association with each of the plurality of mobile bodies; an information output step of outputting the information to be provided to a passenger of the first moving body in a voice set in accordance with voice setting information stored in association with the first moving body; A computer-readable storage medium having a program recorded thereon for executing the above.

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