Information provision system, information provision method, and information provision program

Abstract

To reproduce a plurality of voices on the basis of a user's position information and provide information by voice.SOLUTION: An information provision system comprises: a position acquisition unit that acquires position information that indicates a user position where a user stays; a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of data information including voice information that represents a voice, range information that is associated with the voice information and represents a predetermined range on a map, and reproduction information that is associated with the voice information and indicates settings related to the reproduction of voice of the voice information; and a voice reproduction unit that refers to the plurality of pieces of data information and reproduces a voice on the basis of the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit. The voice reproduction unit is capable of executing a reproduction process of reproducing the voice of one piece of voice information associated with one piece of range information, in accordance with one piece of reproduction information associated with one piece of voice information, and capable of executing a reproduction process for one or more pieces of the voice information, when there exists one or more pieces of the range information that represents a range that includes the user position represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , (6) According to another form of the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided that provides information by sound. This information provision system includes: a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's location; a storage unit that stores a plurality of data information, each of which includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the sound; and a sound playback unit that plays a sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The sound playback unit can perform a playback process to play the sound of one of the sound information associated with one of the range information according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information, and can perform the playback process for each of the one or more range information if there is one or more range information representing the range including the user's location represented by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information.In the playback process, the sound playback unit plays the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information, which are the range pieces of information with the highest priority included in the associated playback information, the playback process is executed for one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. If the user enters a position included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being executed, but not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information is the same as the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range, the playback process is not executed for the second range information, and the playback process is continued for the first range information. , (5) According to another form of the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided that provides information by sound. This information provision system includes: a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's location; a storage unit that stores a plurality of data information, each of which includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the sound; and a sound playback unit that plays a sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The sound playback unit can perform a playback process to play the sound of one of the sound information associated with one of the range information according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information, and can perform the playback process for each of the one or more range information if there is one or more range information representing the range including the user's location represented by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and among the two or more range pieces of information there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority included in the associated playback information, the sound playback unit will perform the playback process for one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. If the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range piece of information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range piece of information is the same as the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range piece of information representing the second range, the sound playback unit will not perform the playback process for the second range piece of information, but will continue the playback process for the first range piece of information. , (4) According to another form of the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided that provides information by sound. This information provision system includes: a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's location; a storage unit that stores a plurality of data information, each of which includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the sound; and a sound playback unit that plays a sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The sound playback unit can perform a playback process to play the sound of one of the sound pieces associated with one of the range information according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound pieces, and can perform the playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information if there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's location represented by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information. In the playback process, the sound playback unit plays the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If the user enters a position in the region where the first and second ranges overlap, from a position included in the first range represented by the first range information in which the playback process is being performed, but not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information is the same as the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information which represents the second range, the playback process is not performed for the second range information, and the playback process is continued for the first range information. , , , , , , , , ,

[0005]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing system, an information providing method, and an information providing program.

Background Art

[0002] In the street or in a store, a technology for providing information by voice using a speaker or the like is known. Patent Document 1 describes a technology for reproducing a corresponding voice based on the position information of a user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There has been a demand to reproduce a plurality of sounds based on the position information of a user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms. (1) According to the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided that provides information by sound. This information provision system includes: a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's location; a storage unit that stores a plurality of data information, each of which includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the sound; and a sound playback unit that plays a sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The sound playback unit can perform a playback process to play the sound of one of the sound pieces associated with one of the range information according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound pieces, and can perform the playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information if there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's location represented by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information. In the playback process, the sound playback unit plays the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first and second ranges overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information in which the playback process is being executed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process is stopped for the first range information and the playback process is executed for the second range information. (2) According to another form of the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided that provides information by sound. This information provision system includes: a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's location; a storage unit that stores a plurality of data information, each of which includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the sound; and a sound playback unit that plays a sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The sound playback unit can perform a playback process to play the sound of one of the sound pieces associated with one of the range information according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information, and can perform the playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information if there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's location represented by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and there are two or more priority range pieces of information among the two or more range pieces of information that have the highest priority among the range pieces of information associated with the playback information, the sound playback unit will perform the playback process for one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. If the user enters a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range piece of information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range piece of information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range piece of information representing the second range are the same, the sound playback unit will stop the playback process for the first range piece of information and perform the playback process for the second range piece of information. (3) According to another form of the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided that provides information by sound. This information provision system includes: a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's location; a storage unit that stores a plurality of data information, each of which includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the sound; and a sound playback unit that plays a sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The sound playback unit can perform a playback process to play the sound of one of the sound pieces associated with one of the range information according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound pieces, and can perform the playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information if there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's location represented by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information.In the playback process, the sound playback unit plays the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information, which are the range pieces of information with the highest priority included in the associated playback information, the playback process is executed for one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. If the user enters a position included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being executed, but not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process is stopped for the first range information and the playback process is executed for the second range information. (4) According to another form of the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided that provides information by sound. This information provision system includes: a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's location; a storage unit that stores a plurality of data information, each of which includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the sound; and a sound playback unit that plays a sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The sound playback unit can perform a playback process to play the sound of one of the sound pieces associated with one of the range information according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound pieces, and can perform the playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information if there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's location represented by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information. In the playback process, the sound playback unit plays the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If the user enters a position in the region where the first and second ranges overlap, from a position included in the first range represented by the first range information in which the playback process is being performed, but not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information is the same as the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information which represents the second range, the playback process is not performed for the second range information, and the playback process is continued for the first range information. (5) According to another form of the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided that provides information by sound. This information provision system includes: a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's location; a storage unit that stores a plurality of data information, each of which includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the sound; and a sound playback unit that plays a sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The sound playback unit can perform a playback process to play the sound of one of the sound information associated with one of the range information according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information, and can perform the playback process for each of the one or more range information if there is one or more range information representing the range including the user's location represented by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and among the two or more range pieces of information there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority included in the associated playback information, the sound playback unit will perform the playback process for one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. If the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range piece of information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range piece of information is the same as the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range piece of information representing the second range, the sound playback unit will not perform the playback process for the second range piece of information, but will continue the playback process for the first range piece of information. (6) According to another form of the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided that provides information by sound. This information provision system includes: a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's location; a storage unit that stores a plurality of data information, each of which includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the sound; and a sound playback unit that plays a sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The sound playback unit can perform a playback process to play the sound of one of the sound information associated with one of the range information according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information, and can perform the playback process for each of the one or more range information if there is one or more range information representing the range including the user's location represented by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information.In the playback process, the sound playback unit plays the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information, which are the range pieces of information with the highest priority included in the associated playback information, the playback process is executed for one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. If the user enters a position included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being executed, but not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information is the same as the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range, the playback process is not executed for the second range information, and the playback process is continued for the first range information.

[0006] (1) According to the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided that provides information by sound. This information provision system includes: a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's location; a storage unit that stores a plurality of data information, each of which includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the sound; and a sound playback unit that plays a sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. The sound playback unit can perform a playback process that plays the sound of one of the sound pieces associated with one of the range information according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information, and can perform the playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information that represent the range including the user's location represented by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit. According to this information supply system, the sound playback unit plays sound information associated with each of several predetermined areas on a map, according to the playback information, based on the user's location information. Therefore, multiple sounds can be played according to their respective playback information. (2) In the above-described information provision system, the playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, and the sound playback unit may, in the playback process, play the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. In this configuration, the sound playback unit reproduces sounds with higher priority at a higher volume than sounds with lower priority. Therefore, sounds with higher priority are easier to hear. (3) In the above-described information provision system, if there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user position represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and if there are two or more priority range pieces of information among the two or more range pieces of information that have the highest priority included in the associated playback information, the sound playback unit may perform the playback process for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. In this configuration, the sound playback unit plays only one sound, even if there are multiple sounds with the highest priority corresponding to a certain range. Therefore, sounds with higher priority are easier to hear. (4) In the above-described information provision system, if the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback processing is being performed and is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the sound playback unit may stop the playback processing for the first range information and execute the playback processing for the second range information. In this configuration, the playback of sound information corresponding to the previously entered area is stopped, and sound information corresponding to the later entered area is played. Therefore, the sound information associated with the area the user has entered is easier to hear. (5) In the above-described information provision system, if the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback processing is being performed and is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the sound playback unit may not perform the playback processing for the second range information and may continue the playback processing for the first range information. In this configuration, the playback of sound information corresponding to the range information of the previously entered area continues. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the playback of sound from being interrupted midway. (6) In the above-described information provision system, the playback information includes sound source information indicating the location of the sound source of the sound information, and attenuation information indicating the relationship between the sound source distance, which is the distance of the user's position from the sound source, and the volume of the sound information. The attenuation information may indicate that the volume of the sound information is changed according to the user's position, by indicating that the sound information is played at a lower volume as the sound source distance increases, or it may indicate that the sound information is played at a constant volume regardless of the change in sound source distance, if the volume of the sound information is not changed according to the user's position. In this configuration, the volume of the sound information changes according to the relationship between the user's position and the sound source's position, allowing information to be provided to the user while giving them a sense of presence. (7) In the information provision system of the above form, the attenuation information includes first attenuation information to be applied to the portion of the sound information whose frequency is above a predetermined threshold frequency, and second attenuation information to be applied to the portion of the sound information whose frequency is below the threshold frequency, and the degree of attenuation of the volume indicated by the first attenuation information may be greater than the degree of attenuation of the volume indicated by the second attenuation information. In this configuration, the high-frequency portion of the sound information is reproduced with a greater degree of attenuation than the low-frequency portion, allowing information to be delivered to the user while giving them a sense of presence. (8) In the above-described information provision system, the system includes an audio playback device attached to the user's head, the playback information includes sound source information indicating the location of the sound source which is the source of the sound, and the audio playback unit may, in the playback process, play back sound in the audio playback device that has undergone stereophonic processing on the sound information according to the user's position and the location of the sound source. This format allows information to be delivered to users while giving them a sense of presence. (9) In the above-described information provision system, the position acquisition unit acquires movement history information indicating the user's movement history, and the sound playback unit, in the playback process, may use the movement history information to determine whether the user has entered the range from the direction indicated when the playback information indicates that the sound information should be played only when the user enters the range from a predetermined direction, and may play the sound from the sound information only when it is determined that the user has entered the range from the direction indicated. This format allows information to be provided based on the user's movement history. (10) In the above-described information provision system, the sound playback unit does not need to perform the playback process for the third range information if the user re-enters the range represented by the third range information within a predetermined time after the user has left the range represented by the third range information included in the data information on which the playback process is being performed. This configuration, for example, can suppress the repeated playback of the same audio when moving around the boundaries of a range. (11) In the above-described information provision system, the sound playback unit may continue the playback process with respect to the third range information for a predetermined period of time from the time the user leaves the range represented by the third range information, which is the range information included in the data information on which the playback process is being performed. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to continuously hear the sound even when moving around the boundary of the range. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the information provision system. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of information provision processing. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of sound playback processing. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of data information. [Figure 5]This is a diagram showing an example of the range represented by the range information. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing the movement of the user in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing an example of the attenuation information. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing another example of the attenuation information. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing yet another example of the attenuation information.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] A. First Embodiment: FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information providing system 100 according to this embodiment. The information providing system 100 provides information for guidance and explanation to the user by voice according to the user's position. In this embodiment, an example in which the information providing system 100 provides information about tourist spots to a user touring a tourist destination will be described. The information providing system 100 includes a processing device 110, a server 120, and a voice playback device 130.

[0009] The server 120 has a storage unit 20. The storage unit 20 stores a plurality of data information. The data information is information including sound information representing sound, range information representing a predetermined range on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound of the sound information. In this embodiment, the playback information includes the priority of the playback of the sound information. The higher the priority, the higher the priority of playback. It is preferable that the priorities of the respective playback information associated with a plurality of sound information associated with range information representing the same range are different.

[0010] The voice playback device 130 is a portable device that outputs the sound represented by the signal received from the processing device 11%. In this embodiment, the voice playback device 130 is a device worn on the user's head and is an earphone. The user is assumed to wear the voice playback device 130 on the ear and tour the tourist destination.

[0011] The processing unit 110 comprises a position acquisition unit 10 and a sound playback unit 30. The processing unit 110 consists of a central processing unit (CPU), a microcomputer composed of RAM and ROM, and the functions of each of these parts are realized by the microcomputer executing a pre-installed program. However, some or all of the functions of each of these parts may be realized by hardware circuits. In this embodiment, the processing unit 110 is a smartphone owned by the user. The processing unit 110 is assumed to have application software installed to provide the user with information about tourist destinations. The user can receive information about tourist destinations from the information provision system 100 by running the application software. The user is assumed to carry the processing unit 110 with them when visiting tourist destinations.

[0012] The position acquisition unit 10 acquires position information indicating the user's current location. The position acquisition unit 10 acquires position information detected by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), such as GPS (Global Positioning System). In this embodiment, the position acquisition unit 10 acquires position information from a GPS antenna (not shown) provided by the processing unit 110.

[0013] The sound playback unit 30 can perform sound playback processing, which involves playing back the sound of one sound piece associated with one range piece of sound information according to one playback piece associated with that sound piece of sound information. Furthermore, if there is one or more range pieces of sound information that include the user position represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 10, the sound playback unit 30 can perform sound playback processing for each of the one or more range pieces of sound information. In this embodiment, the sound playback unit 30 plays back the sound of the sound information to be played back at a higher volume than the sound of the sound information with a lower priority included in the playback information associated with the sound information, based on the sound of the sound information to be played back.

[0014] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of information provision processing. Information provision processing is the process by which the information provision system 100 provides information to the user through sound. This process is repeatedly executed while the information provision system 100 is operating. First, the position acquisition unit 10 acquires position information in step S100. This process is also called the "position acquisition process".

[0015] Next, in step S110, the sound playback unit 30 plays sound by referring to a plurality of data information stored in the storage unit 20 based on the position information acquired in step S100. This process is also called the "sound playback process". The processing unit 110 may also acquire data information including range information representing a range A1 including the position around the user's position from the storage unit 20 in advance and store it in the storage area of ​​the processing unit 110. This process is also called the "information preparation process".

[0016] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of sound playback processing. Sound playback processing is a series of processes in which the sound playback unit 30 plays sound in step S110 shown in Figure 2. First, in step S200, the sound playback unit 30 determines whether the user's position falls within the range represented by the range information contained in any of the data information stored in the storage unit 20. If the user's position falls within either range, the sound playback unit 30 proceeds to the process in step S210. On the other hand, if the user's position does not fall within any range, the sound playback unit 30 terminates the sound playback processing.

[0017] In step S210, the sound playback unit 30 plays the sound of one sound information associated with one range information according to one playback information associated with one sound information. This process is also called "playback processing". That is, if there is one or more range information that represents the range including the user position represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 10, playback processing is performed for each of the one or more range information. The sound playback unit 30 may stop playing the sound information if the user position is no longer included in the range represented by the range information associated with the sound information that was being played.

[0018] Figure 4 shows an example of data information. The first data information, Di1, contains range information representing range A1, sound information representing sound S1, and playback information including a priority of 100. Sound S1 is an audio commentary for a temple. The second data information, Di2, contains range information representing range A2, sound information representing sound S2, and playback information including a priority of 60. Sound S2 is the sound of a temple bell. The third data information, Di3, contains range information representing range A3, sound information representing sound S3, and playback information including a priority of 40. Sound S3 is the sound of festival music. The fourth data information, Di4, contains range information representing range A4, sound information representing sound S4, and playback information including a priority of 100. Sound S4 is an audio commentary for a shrine.

[0019] Figure 5 shows an example of the ranges represented by range information. Range A3 includes ranges A1 and A2, and overlaps with a portion of range A4. Range A2 includes range A1, and overlaps with a portion of range A4. Ranges A1 and A4 each overlap in some parts.

[0020] In the following, the information provision process will be explained using the example of a user moving along arrow D1 shown in Figure 5. The user moves from point P1 to point P2. Point P1 is a location where the user's position is not included in any of the range information contained in the data information stored in the storage unit 20. Point P2 is a location that indicates a temple and is included in ranges A1, A2, and A3.

[0021] First, the sound playback unit 30 plays sound S3 when the user enters area A3. Next, when the user enters area A2, the sound playback unit 30 plays sound S2 in addition to sound S3. The sound playback unit 30 plays sound S2 at a louder volume than sound S3. Furthermore, when the user enters area A1, the sound playback unit 30 plays sound S1 in addition to sound S3 and sound S2. The sound playback unit 30 plays sound S1 at a louder volume than sound S2. Also, since the user does not enter area A4, the sound playback unit 30 does not play sound S4.

[0022] According to the information supply system of this embodiment described above, the sound playback unit 30 outputs sound information associated with each of a predetermined range on the map, according to the playback information, based on the user's location information. Therefore, multiple sounds can be output according to their respective playback information.

[0023] Furthermore, the sound playback unit 30 plays sounds with higher priority at a higher volume than sounds with lower priority. Therefore, sounds with higher priority are easier to hear.

[0024] B. Second Embodiment: The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, when there are two or more playback information items with the highest priority (hereinafter referred to as "priority range information") among the playback information associated with each of the range information items including the user's position, the sound information associated with one of the priority range information items is played back. The configuration of the information provision system 100 in the second embodiment is the same as that of the information provision system 100 in the first embodiment, so a description of the configuration of the information provision system 100 will be omitted.

[0025] In this embodiment, if there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 10, and if there are two or more priority range pieces of information, the sound playback unit 30 will perform playback processing for one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. Furthermore, if the user enters a position that is included in the range represented by the range information on which playback processing is being performed (hereinafter also referred to as "first range information") but not in another range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information is the same as the priority included in the playback information associated with the range information representing another range (hereinafter also referred to as "second range information"), the sound playback unit 30 will stop playback processing for the first range information and perform playback processing for the second range information.

[0026] Figure 6 shows the user's movement in the second embodiment. Below, the information provision process will be explained using the case where the user moves along arrow D2 shown in Figure 6 as an example. The user moves from point P3 to point P4. Point P3 is a location where the user's position is not included in any of the range information contained in the data information stored in the storage unit 20. Point P4 is a location that indicates the shrine and is included in ranges A1, A2, A3, and A4.

[0027] Area OA is the area where ranges A1, A2, A3, and A4 overlap. Therefore, when the user's position is included in Area OA, there are four pieces of data information containing range information representing the range including the user's position: the first data information Di1, the second data information Di2, the third data information Di3, and the fourth data information Di4. Of the priorities contained in the playback information contained in these data pieces, the highest priority is 100. That is, there are two pieces of data information containing priority range information: the first data information Di1 and the fourth data information Di4. Therefore, when the user's position is included in Area OA, the sound playback unit 30 plays either sound S1 from the sound information contained in the first data information Di1 or sound S4 from the sound information contained in the fourth data information Di4.

[0028] First, the sound playback unit 30 plays sound S4 when the user enters range A4. Next, when the user enters range A3, it plays sound S3 in addition to sound S4. The sound playback unit 30 plays sound S3 at a lower volume than sound S2. Next, when the user enters range A2, the sound playback unit 30 plays sound S2 in addition to sounds S4 and S3. The sound playback unit 30 plays sound S2 at a lower volume than sound S3. Furthermore, when the user enters range A1, it does not play sound S4, but plays sound S1. That is, it plays sounds S1, S2, and S3. The sound playback unit 30 plays sound S1 at a higher volume than sound S2.

[0029] According to the information supply system of the second embodiment described above, the sound playback unit 30 outputs only one sound, even if there are multiple sounds with the highest priority corresponding to a certain area of ​​audio output. Therefore, sounds with higher priority are easier to hear.

[0030] Furthermore, the sound playback unit 30 stops playing sound S4, which corresponds to the range information of the previously entered range A4, and plays sound S1, which corresponds to the range information of the subsequently entered range A1. As a result, sound S1, which is associated with the range A1 that the user entered, is easier to hear.

[0031] C. Third Embodiment: The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in the playback process, the volume is changed according to the distance between the user's position and the sound source. The configuration of the information provision system 100 in the third embodiment is the same as that of the information provision system 100 in the first embodiment, so a description of the configuration of the information provision system 100 will be omitted.

[0032] The playback information in this embodiment includes sound source information indicating the location of the sound source of the sound information, and attenuation information indicating the relationship between the user's position from the sound source (hereinafter also referred to as "sound source distance") and the volume of the sound information.

[0033] Figures 7, 8, and 9 show examples of attenuation information. In the graphs in Figures 7, 8, and 9, the horizontal axis represents the distance from the sound source to the user's position, and the vertical axis represents the volume. The attenuation information shown in Figure 7 indicates that the volume of the sound information is kept constant regardless of the user's position. The attenuation information shown in Figures 8 and 9 indicates that the volume of the sound information decreases as the user moves away from the sound source, i.e., as the distance from the sound source increases. The attenuation information shown in Figure 8 indicates that the volume attenuates more gradually than the attenuation information shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment, the playback information contained in the first data information Di1 and the fourth data information Di4, which include sound information representing the narration, includes the attenuation information shown in Figure 7. The playback information contained in the second data information Di2 and the third data information Di3, which include sound information representing ambient sounds, each includes the attenuation information shown in Figures 8 and 9. As a result, the sound playback unit 30 can play the narration at a constant volume regardless of the user's position, and play ambient sounds at a volume corresponding to the distance from the sound source. Furthermore, the sound playback unit 30 can reproduce sound information at a volume corresponding to the distance from the sound source, using different attenuation levels for each sound piece.

[0034] According to the information supply system of the third embodiment described above, the volume of the sound information changes according to the relationship between the user's position and the sound source, so that information can be provided to the user while giving them a sense of presence.

[0035] D. Other embodiments: (D1) In the embodiment described above, the data information is stored in the server 120. However, the data information may also be stored in the information provision system 100. That is, the information provision system 100 may include a storage unit 20.

[0036] (D2) In the above-described embodiment, the audio playback device 130 may include a sound playback unit 30. Alternatively, the audio playback device 130 may include a position acquisition unit 10.

[0037] (D3) In the embodiment described above, the sound playback unit 30 may output sound to the sound playback device 130 that has undergone stereophonic processing on sound information according to the user position and the sound source. In this case, the playback information includes sound source information indicating the position of the sound source which is the source of the sound of the associated sound information. The position acquisition unit 10 may also acquire face direction information indicating the direction the user's face is facing. For example, the sound playback unit 30 calculates the azimuth angle between the user position and the sound source, with true north being 0 degrees, and generates stereophonic sound according to the relative angle between the azimuth angle between the two points and the face direction.

[0038] (D4) In the embodiment described above, the range information may include information in the height direction. In this case, the position acquisition unit 10 acquires the user's position as position information, for example, from an altitude sensor.

[0039] (D5) In the embodiments described above, the playback information may include information indicating whether or not to repeatedly play the associated sound information. If the playback information indicates repeated playback, the sound playback unit 30 repeatedly plays the sound of the sound information if the range of the range information to which the playback information is associated includes the user's position. Furthermore, the playback information only needs to include information indicating settings for the playback of the sound of the associated sound information, and does not need to include priority. For example, the playback information may only include sound source information.

[0040] (D6) In the embodiment described above, the playback information may include playing the sound of the sound information only when the user enters the range of the range information associated with the sound information associated with the playback information from a predetermined direction. In this case, the position acquisition unit 10 acquires movement history information indicating the user's movement history. If the playback information indicates that the sound of the sound information will be played only when the user enters the range of the range information associated with the sound information associated with the playback information from a predetermined specific direction, the sound playback unit 30 uses the movement history information to determine whether the user entered that range from a specific direction. The sound playback unit 30 plays the sound of the sound information only when it determines that the user entered that range from a specific direction. With this configuration, information corresponding to the user's movement history can be provided.

[0041] (D7) In the above-described embodiment, the sound playback unit 30 may refrain from performing playback processing for range information if the user re-enters the range represented by range information within a predetermined time after leaving the range represented by range information for which playback processing is being performed. In this configuration, for example, when moving around the boundary of a certain range, it is possible to suppress the repeated playback of sound information associated with range information representing that range.

[0042] (D8) In the above-described embodiment, the sound playback unit 30 may continue playback processing for the range information for a predetermined period of time from the moment the user leaves the range information that is being played back. In this configuration, for example, even when moving around the boundary of a certain range, the sound of the sound information associated with the range information representing that range can be heard continuously without interruption.

[0043] (D9) In the second embodiment described above, if the priority of the range information representing range A4, which was previously processed for playback, is the same as the priority of the range information representing range A1, which was entered later, the sound playback unit 30 stops playback processing for the range information of range A4, which was entered earlier, and prioritizes playback processing for the range information of range A1, which was entered later. Alternatively, the sound playback unit 30 may continue playback processing for the range information of range A4, which was entered earlier, and may not perform playback processing for the range information of range A1, which was entered later. That is, if a user enters a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which playback processing is being performed, but is not included in the second range, and the priority of the playback information associated with the first range information is the same as the priority of the playback associated with the second range information representing the second range, the playback processing for the second range information is not performed, and playback processing for the first range information is continued. With this configuration, the output of sound information corresponding to the range information of the previously entered range is continued. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the playback of sound from being interrupted midway. In addition, the information provision system 100 may be configured to allow the user to choose whether to prioritize the playback processing of range information for the range entered earlier or the playback processing of range information for the range entered later. For example, the processing unit 110 may include a selection unit that the user can choose from.

[0044] (D10) In the third embodiment described above, the attenuation information may include attenuation information to be applied to each of a plurality of predetermined frequency ranges. For example, the attenuation information may include first attenuation information to be applied to the portion of the sound information whose frequency is above a predetermined threshold frequency, and second attenuation information to be applied to the portion of the sound information whose frequency is below the threshold frequency. The degree of volume attenuation indicated by the first attenuation information is greater than the degree of volume attenuation indicated by the second attenuation information. In this configuration, the high-frequency portion of the sound information is reproduced with a greater degree of attenuation than the low-frequency portion, so that the user can feel a sense of presence while the information is provided to the user. The attenuation information may also include information on a band-pass filter (BPF) that attenuates frequencies outside a predetermined range, or a band-elimination filter (BEF) that attenuates frequencies within a predetermined range.

[0045] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10...Position acquisition unit, 20...Storage unit, 30...Sound playback unit, 100...Information provision system, 110...Processing device, 120...Server, 130...Sound playback device

Claims

1. An information provision system that provides information through sound, A location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's current location, A storage unit for storing multiple data information, wherein each of the multiple data information includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings related to the playback of the sound of the sound information, The system includes a sound playback unit that plays sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, The sound reproduction unit is A playback process can be performed in which the sound of one of the sound information associated with one of the range information is played back according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information. If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, the playback process can be performed for each of the one or more range pieces of information. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The sound reproduction unit is In the playback process, the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, is played at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. An information provision system that, when the user enters a location that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, stops the playback process for the first range information and executes the playback process for the second range information.

2. An information provision system that provides information through sound, A location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's current location, A storage unit for storing multiple data information, wherein each of the multiple data information includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings related to the playback of the sound of the sound information, The system includes a sound playback unit that plays sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, The sound reproduction unit is A playback process can be performed in which the sound of one of the sound information associated with one of the range information is played back according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information. If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, the playback process can be performed for each of the one or more range pieces of information. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The sound reproduction unit is If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, then the playback process is performed for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. An information provision system that, when the user enters a location that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, stops the playback process for the first range information and executes the playback process for the second range information.

3. An information provision system that provides information through sound, A location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's current location, A storage unit for storing multiple data information, wherein each of the multiple data information includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings related to the playback of the sound of the sound information, The system includes a sound playback unit that plays sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, The sound reproduction unit is A playback process can be performed in which the sound of one of the sound information associated with one of the range information is played back according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information. If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, the playback process can be performed for each of the one or more range pieces of information. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The sound reproduction unit is In the playback process, the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, is played at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, then the playback process is performed for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. An information provision system that, when the user enters a location that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, stops the playback process for the first range information and executes the playback process for the second range information.

4. An information provision system that provides information through sound, A location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's current location, A storage unit for storing multiple data information, wherein each of the multiple data information includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings related to the playback of the sound of the sound information, The system includes a sound playback unit that plays sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, The sound reproduction unit is A playback process can be performed in which the sound of one of the sound information associated with one of the range information is played back according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information. If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, the playback process can be performed for each of the one or more range pieces of information. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The sound reproduction unit is In the playback process, the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, is played at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. An information provision system in which, when the user enters a location that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process is not performed for the second range information, and the playback process is continued for the first range information.

5. An information provision system that provides information through sound, A location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's current location, A storage unit for storing multiple data information, wherein each of the multiple data information includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings related to the playback of the sound of the sound information, The system includes a sound playback unit that plays sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, The sound reproduction unit is A playback process can be performed in which the sound of one of the sound information associated with one of the range information is played back according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information. If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, the playback process can be performed for each of the one or more range pieces of information. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The sound reproduction unit is If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, then the playback process is performed for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. An information provision system in which, when the user enters a location that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process is not performed for the second range information, and the playback process is continued for the first range information.

6. An information provision system that provides information through sound, A location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the user's current location, A storage unit for storing multiple data information, wherein each of the multiple data information includes sound information representing a sound, range information associated with the sound information and representing a predetermined range on a map, and playback information associated with the sound information and indicating settings related to the playback of the sound of the sound information, The system includes a sound playback unit that plays sound by referring to the plurality of data information based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, The sound reproduction unit is A playback process can be performed in which the sound of one of the sound information associated with one of the range information is played back according to one of the playback information associated with the one of the sound information. If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, the playback process can be performed for each of the one or more range pieces of information. The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The sound reproduction unit is In the playback process, the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, is played at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, then the playback process is performed for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. An information provision system in which, when the user enters a location that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process is not performed for the second range information, and the playback process is continued for the first range information.

7. An information provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The playback information includes sound source information indicating the location of the sound source of the sound information, and attenuation information indicating the relationship between the sound source distance, which is the distance from the sound source to the user's position, and the volume of the sound information. The aforementioned attenuation information is When indicating that the volume of the sound information is changed according to the user's position, it is indicated that the sound information is played at a lower volume as the distance from the sound source increases. An information provision system that, when it is not indicated that the volume of the sound information will be changed according to the user's position, indicates that the sound information will be played at a constant volume regardless of the change in the sound source distance.

8. The information provision system according to claim 7, The attenuation information includes first attenuation information to be applied to the portion of the sound information whose frequency is above a predetermined threshold frequency, and second attenuation information to be applied to the portion of the sound information whose frequency is below the threshold frequency. An information provision system in which the degree of volume attenuation indicated by the first attenuation information is greater than the degree of volume attenuation indicated by the second attenuation information.

9. An information provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further, The device includes an audio playback device that is attached to the user's head, The playback information includes sound source information indicating the location of the sound source which is the source of the sound information, The sound playback unit is an information provision system that, in the playback process, plays back sound on the sound playback device that has undergone stereophonic processing on the sound information according to the user's position and the sound source's position.

10. An information provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The location acquisition unit acquires movement history information indicating the user's movement history, The sound playback unit, in the playback process, determines whether the user has entered the range from the direction indicated by the playback information, using the movement history information, and plays the sound from the sound information only if it is determined that the user has entered the range from the direction indicated by the playback information.

11. An information provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The sound playback unit is an information provision system in which, if the user re-enters the range represented by the third range information, which is range information included in the data information on which the playback process is being performed, within a predetermined time after the user has left the range represented by the third range information, the playback process will not be performed for the third range information.

12. An information provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The sound playback unit is an information provision system that continues the playback process on the third range information for a predetermined time from the moment the user leaves the range represented by the third range information, which is included in the data information on which the playback process is being performed.

13. A method of providing information using sound, in which a computer carried by a user provides information, A location acquisition step to acquire location information indicating the user's location, Information preparation step of preparing data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information, The sound playback step includes playing a sound based on the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, by referring to the data information. The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, the step is to perform a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, The playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound information associated with one range information according to one playback information associated with one sound information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: The playback process includes a step of playing back the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. Information provision method, which includes the step of stopping the playback process for the first range information and executing the playback process for the second range information when the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range that overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process for the first range information is stopped and the playback process for the second range information is executed.

14. A method of providing information using sound, in which a computer carried by a user provides information, A location acquisition step to acquire location information indicating the user's location, Information preparation step of preparing data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information, The sound playback step includes playing a sound based on the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, by referring to the data information. The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, the step is to perform a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, The playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound information associated with one range information according to one playback information associated with one sound information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user position represented by the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, the step of performing the playback process for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information, Information provision method, which includes the step of stopping the playback process for the first range information and executing the playback process for the second range information when the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range that overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process for the first range information is stopped and the playback process for the second range information is executed.

15. A method of providing information using sound, in which a computer carried by a user provides information, A location acquisition step to acquire location information indicating the user's location, Information preparation step of preparing data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information, The sound playback step includes playing a sound based on the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, by referring to the data information. The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, the step is to perform a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, The playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound information associated with one range information according to one playback information associated with one sound information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: The playback process includes a step of playing back the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user position represented by the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, the step of performing the playback process for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information, Information provision method, which includes the step of stopping the playback process for the first range information and executing the playback process for the second range information when the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range that overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process for the first range information is stopped and the playback process for the second range information is executed.

16. A method of providing information using sound, in which a computer carried by a user provides information, A location acquisition step to acquire location information indicating the user's location, Information preparation step of preparing data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information, The sound playback step includes playing a sound based on the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, by referring to the data information. The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, the step is to perform a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, The playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound information associated with one range information according to one playback information associated with one sound information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: The playback process includes a step of playing back the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. An information provision method comprising the step of not performing the playback process for the second range information and continuing the playback process for the first range information if the user enters a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and if the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process for the second range information is not performed, and the playback process for the first range information is continued.

17. A method of providing information using sound, in which a computer carried by a user provides information, A location acquisition step to acquire location information indicating the user's location, Information preparation step of preparing data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information, The sound playback step includes playing a sound based on the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, by referring to the data information. The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, the step is to perform a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, The playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound information associated with one range information according to one playback information associated with one sound information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user position represented by the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, the step of performing the playback process for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information, An information provision method comprising the step of not performing the playback process for the second range information and continuing the playback process for the first range information if the user enters a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and if the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process for the second range information is not performed, and the playback process for the first range information is continued.

18. A method of providing information using sound, in which a computer carried by a user provides information, A location acquisition step to acquire location information indicating the user's location, Information preparation step of preparing data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information, The sound playback step includes playing a sound based on the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, by referring to the data information. The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: If there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, the step is to perform a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, The playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound information associated with one range information according to one playback information associated with one sound information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound reproduction process is: The playback process includes a step of playing back the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user position represented by the position information acquired in the position acquisition step, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, the step of performing the playback process for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information, An information provision method comprising the step of not performing the playback process for the second range information and continuing the playback process for the first range information if the user enters a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range which overlaps with a part of the first range, and if the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the playback process for the second range information is not performed, and the playback process for the first range information is continued.

19. An information provision program that provides information through sound, A location acquisition function that obtains location information indicating the user's current location, An information acquisition function that acquires data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information. Based on the acquired location information, the computer implements a sound playback function that plays sound by referring to the data information, The aforementioned sound playback function is A function that, when there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position represented by the acquired position information, performs a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, wherein the playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound piece associated with one of the range pieces of information according to one playback piece associated with the one sound piece of information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound playback function is The playback process includes a process of playing back the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. An information provision program that includes a process to stop the playback process for the first range information and to execute the playback process for the second range information when the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being executed, but is not included in the second range that overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, and the program to stop the playback process for the first range information and to execute the playback process for the second range information.

20. An information provision program that provides information through sound, A location acquisition function that obtains location information indicating the user's current location, An information acquisition function that acquires data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information. Based on the acquired location information, the computer implements a sound playback function that plays sound by referring to the data information, The aforementioned sound playback function is A function that, when there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position represented by the acquired position information, performs a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, wherein the playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound piece associated with one of the range pieces of information according to one playback piece associated with the one sound piece of information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound playback function is If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the acquired location information, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, the process includes executing the playback process for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. An information provision program that includes a process to stop the playback process for the first range information and to execute the playback process for the second range information when the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being executed, but is not included in the second range that overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, and the program to stop the playback process for the first range information and to execute the playback process for the second range information.

21. An information provision program that provides information through sound, A location acquisition function that obtains location information indicating the user's current location, An information acquisition function that acquires data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information. Based on the acquired location information, the computer implements a sound playback function that plays sound by referring to the data information, The aforementioned sound playback function is A function that, when there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position represented by the acquired position information, performs a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, wherein the playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound piece associated with one of the range pieces of information according to one playback piece associated with the one sound piece of information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound playback function is The playback process includes a process of playing back the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the acquired location information, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, the process includes executing the playback process for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. An information provision program that includes a process to stop the playback process for the first range information and to execute the playback process for the second range information when the user enters a position that is included in the region where the first range and the second range overlap, from a position that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being executed, but is not included in the second range that overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, and the program to stop the playback process for the first range information and to execute the playback process for the second range information.

22. An information provision program that provides information through sound, A location acquisition function that obtains location information indicating the user's current location, An information acquisition function that acquires data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information. Based on the acquired location information, the computer implements a sound playback function that plays sound by referring to the data information, The aforementioned sound playback function is A function that, when there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position represented by the acquired position information, performs a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, wherein the playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound piece associated with one of the range pieces of information according to one playback piece associated with the one sound piece of information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound playback function is The playback process includes a process of playing back the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. An information provision program that includes a process in which, when the user enters a location that is included in the region where the first and second ranges overlap, from a location that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range that overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the program does not perform the playback process for the second range information and continues the playback process for the first range information.

23. An information provision program that provides information through sound, A location acquisition function that obtains location information indicating the user's current location, An information acquisition function that acquires data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information. Based on the acquired location information, the computer implements a sound playback function that plays sound by referring to the data information, The aforementioned sound playback function is A function that, when there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position represented by the acquired position information, performs a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, wherein the playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound piece associated with one of the range pieces of information according to one playback piece associated with the one sound piece of information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound playback function is If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the acquired location information, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, the process includes executing the playback process for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. An information provision program that includes a process in which, when the user enters a location that is included in the region where the first and second ranges overlap, from a location that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range that overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the program does not perform the playback process for the second range information and continues the playback process for the first range information.

24. An information provision program that provides information through sound, A location acquisition function that obtains location information indicating the user's current location, An information acquisition function that acquires data information including sound information representing a sound, range information representing a predetermined area on a map associated with the sound information, and playback information indicating settings related to the playback of the sound associated with the sound information. Based on the acquired location information, the computer implements a sound playback function that plays sound by referring to the data information, The aforementioned sound playback function is A function that, when there is one or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position represented by the acquired position information, performs a playback process for each of the one or more range pieces of information, wherein the playback process is a process of playing back the sound of one sound piece associated with one of the range pieces of information according to one playback piece associated with the one sound piece of information, The playback information includes the priority of playback of the sound information, The aforementioned sound playback function is The playback process includes a process of playing back the sound of the sound information associated with the first playback information, which is the playback information, at a volume greater than the sound of the sound information associated with the second playback information, which is the playback information, which includes a priority lower than the priority included in the first playback information. If there are two or more range pieces of information representing the range including the user's position as represented by the acquired location information, and among the two or more range pieces of information, there are two or more priority range pieces of information which are the range pieces with the highest priority that the associated playback information includes, the process includes executing the playback process for any one of the two or more priority range pieces of information. An information provision program that includes a process in which, when the user enters a location that is included in the region where the first and second ranges overlap, from a location that is included in the first range represented by the first range information on which the playback process is being performed, but is not included in the second range that overlaps with a part of the first range, and the priority included in the playback information associated with the first range information and the priority included in the playback information associated with the second range information representing the second range are the same, the program does not perform the playback process for the second range information and continues the playback process for the first range information.

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