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

Abstract

To perform voice route guidance in an easy-to-understand manner for a user.SOLUTION: In a voice output device, a storage section stores priority predetermined for each type of mark, with respect to the marks used in voice guidance at guidance points. A voice generation section determines a mark to be used for voice guidance at the guidance point on the basis of the priority for each of the guidance points included in a guide route of a mobile body, and generates guidance voice using the determined mark. A voice output section outputs the generated guidance voice at an utterance point where the guidance voice for the guidance point is to be uttered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to voice-based route guidance.

Background Art

[0002] Navigation devices that mainly provide route guidance to a destination by voice are known. For example, in Patent Document 1, as the distance from the current location to the destination is smaller, the spread of the sound field is increased, and the sound output from the speaker is localized so that the sound can be heard from the direction of the destination with respect to the user's head, thereby notifying the approximate distance and azimuth from the current location to the destination. A voice navigation system is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In voice-based route guidance, various landmarks are used to correctly convey the guidance points to the user. In order to provide guidance that is easy for the user to understand, it is desirable to preferentially use landmarks that can uniquely identify the guidance points.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide an audio output device capable of performing voice-based route guidance in a manner that is easy for the user to understand.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The invention described in the claim is an audio output device comprising: a storage unit that stores a predetermined priority order for each type of marker used for audio guidance at a guidance point; an audio guidance generation unit that determines a marker to be used for audio guidance at each guidance point included in the guidance route of a moving body based on the priority order and generates an audio guidance voice using the determined marker; and an audio output unit that outputs the generated audio guidance voice at a speaking point where an audio guidance voice is spoken with respect to the guidance point, wherein when the audio guidance generation unit uses time or distance as a marker, it uses time when the distance from the current position of the moving body to the guidance point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and uses distance otherwise.

[0007] Furthermore, the invention described in the claim is a voice output method performed by a computer, wherein, based on a predetermined priority order for each type of marker used for voice guidance at a guidance point, the computer determines the marker to be used for voice guidance at each guidance point included in the guidance route of a moving object, generates guidance voice using the determined marker, outputs the generated guidance voice at a speaking point where the guidance voice is spoken with respect to the guidance point, and when the guidance voice uses time or distance as a marker, it uses time when the distance from the current position of the moving object to the guidance point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and uses distance otherwise.

[0008] Furthermore, the invention described in the claim is a program which, based on a predetermined priority order for each type of marker used for voice guidance at a guidance point, determines a marker to be used for voice guidance at each guidance point included in the guidance route of a moving object, generates guidance voice using the determined marker, and causes a computer to execute a process to output the generated guidance voice at a speaking point where the guidance voice is spoken with respect to the guidance point, wherein, when the guidance voice uses time or distance as a marker, it uses time when the distance from the current position of the moving object to the guidance point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and uses distance otherwise. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] An example configuration of the voice guidance system according to the first embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] An example of the general configuration of a voice guidance system is shown. [Figure 3] Examples of markers used for voice guidance in the first voice guidance method are shown below. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates an example of audio guidance for a specific location. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of the route guidance process using the first voice guidance method. [Figure 6] The second voice guidance method shows examples of markers used for voice guidance. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of the route guidance process using the second voice guidance method. [Figure 8] This example shows how to provide directions when there are no specific, high-priority landmarks at the destination. [Figure 9] This is an example of the configuration of the voice guidance system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] An example of a general configuration of a server device is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voice output device includes: a storage unit that stores a predetermined priority order for each type of marker used for voice guidance at a guidance point; a guidance voice generation unit that determines the marker to be used for voice guidance at each guidance point included in the guidance route of a moving object based on the priority order and generates guidance voice using the determined marker; and a voice output unit that outputs the generated guidance voice at a speaking point where guidance voice is spoken with respect to the guidance point.

[0011] In the above-described voice output device, the memory unit stores a predetermined priority order for each type of landmark used for voice guidance at guidance points. The voice generation unit determines the landmark to be used for voice guidance at each guidance point included in the guidance route of the moving object, based on the priority order, and generates guidance voice using the determined landmark. The voice output unit outputs the generated guidance voice at the speaking point where the guidance voice is spoken regarding the guidance point. This makes it possible to provide user-friendly guidance using high-priority landmarks in voice-based route guidance.

[0012] In one embodiment of the above-described audio output device, when the type of landmark is a specific landmark, the priority is set higher for more distinctive landmarks. This ensures that distinctive landmarks are given priority for use in audio guidance. In a preferred example, the priority of landmarks is in the following order: distinctive road shape, traffic light, stop sign, building, and intersection.

[0013] In another embodiment of the above-described voice output device, when the guidance voice generation unit uses time or distance as a landmark, it uses time when the distance from the current position of the moving object to the guidance point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and uses distance when the distance is less than the predetermined value. In this embodiment, voice guidance is provided by using time and distance depending on the distance from the current position of the moving object to the guidance point.

[0014] In another embodiment of the above-described audio output device, the guidance voice generation unit generates guidance voice using the higher-priority marker if there is a marker with a higher priority than the marker present at the guidance point, relative to the current position of the moving object. In this embodiment, voice guidance is provided using the higher-priority marker.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voice output method determines, for each guidance point included in the guidance route of the moving object, a landmark to be used for voice guidance at the guidance point based on a predetermined priority order for each type of landmark for voice guidance at the guidance point, generates a guidance voice using the determined landmark, and outputs the generated guidance voice at the speaking point where the guidance voice for the guidance point is spoken. As a result, in route guidance using voice, it is possible to provide an easy-to-understand guidance to the user using a landmark with a high priority.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the program causes a computer to execute a process of determining, for each guidance point included in the guidance route of the moving object, a landmark to be used for voice guidance at the guidance point based on a predetermined priority order for each type of landmark for voice guidance at the guidance point, generating a guidance voice using the determined landmark, and outputting the generated guidance voice at the speaking point where the guidance voice for the guidance point is spoken. By executing this program on a computer, the above voice output device can be realized. This program can be stored and used in a storage medium.

Example

[0017] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> [System Configuration] FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a voice guidance system according to a first embodiment of the voice output device of the present invention. The voice guidance system includes a vehicle Ve and a voice guidance device 1.

[0018] The voice guidance device 1 moves together with the vehicle Ve and performs route guidance mainly using voice so that the vehicle Ve travels along a route to be guided (also referred to as a "guidance route"). Note that "route guidance mainly using voice" refers to route guidance in which the user can grasp at least only by voice the information necessary for driving the vehicle Ve along the guidance route, and does not exclude the voice guidance device 1 from additionally displaying a map or the like around the current position.

[0019] In this embodiment, the voice guidance device 1 outputs information by voice about at least points on the route where guidance is needed (also called "guidance points"). Here, guidance points include, for example, intersections where the vehicle Ve turns right or left, and other important passing points for the vehicle Ve to travel along the guidance route. The voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance regarding driving at the next guidance point at several points before the next guidance point. The points where this voice guidance is given are also called "speaking points." The voice guidance regarding the guidance route is also called "route voice guidance."

[0020] The voice guidance device 1 may be an in-vehicle unit installed or mounted on the vehicle Ve, or it may be a mobile device such as a smartphone that is brought into the vehicle and used. In yet another example, the voice guidance device 1 may be integrated into the vehicle Ve. The voice guidance device 1 is an example of a voice output device. The vehicle Ve is an example of a mobile body.

[0021] [Device configuration] Figure 2 shows an example of the schematic configuration of the voice guidance device 1. The voice guidance device 1 mainly consists of a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a control unit 14, a sensor group 15, a display unit 16, and an audio output unit 17. Each element within the voice guidance device 1 is interconnected via a bus line 10.

[0022] The communication unit 11 performs data communication with other terminals based on the control of the control unit 14. The communication unit 11 may, for example, receive map data for updating the map DB (DataBase) 4, which will be described later, from a map management server (not shown).

[0023] The storage unit 12 is composed of various types of memory, including RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and non-volatile memory (including hard disk drives, flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 12 stores programs for the voice guidance device 1 to perform predetermined processes. These programs may include application programs for providing route guidance by voice, application programs for playing music, and application programs for outputting content other than music (such as television). The storage unit 12 is also used as working memory for the control unit 14. The programs executed by the voice guidance device 1 may be stored in storage media other than the storage unit 12.

[0024] Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores the map DB (DataBase) 4. The map DB 4 records various data necessary for route guidance. The map DB 4 is a database that includes, for example, road data representing the road network using combinations of nodes and links, and facility data indicating facilities that can be candidates for destinations, stops, or landmarks. The map DB 4 may be updated based on map information received by the communication unit 11 from the map management server, based on the control of the control unit 14.

[0025] The input unit 13 includes buttons, a touch panel, a remote controller, an audio input device, etc., for user operation. The display unit 16 is a display, etc., that displays information based on the control of the control unit 14. The audio output unit 17 is a speaker, etc., that outputs sound based on the control of the control unit 14.

[0026] The sensor group 15 includes an external sensor 18 and an internal sensor 19. The external sensor 18 is one or more sensors for recognizing the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve, such as a camera, lidar, radar, ultrasonic sensor, infrared sensor, or sonar. The internal sensor 19 is a sensor for positioning the vehicle Ve, such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, gyro sensor, IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), vehicle speed sensor, or a combination thereof. The sensor group 15 only needs to have sensors from which the control unit 14 can directly or indirectly derive the position of the vehicle Ve from the output of the sensor group 15 (i.e., by performing estimation processing).

[0027] The control unit 14 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and other components, and controls the entire voice guidance device 1. For example, the control unit 14 estimates the position of the vehicle Ve (including the direction of travel) based on the output of one or more sensors of the sensor group 15. Furthermore, when a destination is specified by the input unit 13, the control unit 14 generates route information indicating the guidance route to that destination, and provides route guidance based on this route information, the estimated vehicle Ve position information, and the map DB4. In this case, the control unit 14 controls the voice output unit 17 to output voice guidance. The control unit 14 also controls the display unit 16 to display information such as the music being played, video content, or a map of the area around the current location. The control unit 14 is an example of a speech point determination unit and a guidance voice generation unit.

[0028] Furthermore, the processing performed by the control unit 14 is not limited to being implemented by software through a program, but may also be implemented by any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Also, the processing performed by the control unit 14 may be implemented using a user-programmable integrated circuit, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or a microcontroller. In this case, the program that the control unit 14 performs in this embodiment may be implemented using this integrated circuit. Thus, the control unit 14 may be implemented using hardware other than a processor.

[0029] The configuration of the voice guidance device 1 shown in Figure 2 is an example, and various modifications may be made to the configuration shown in Figure 2. For example, instead of the storage unit 12 storing the map DB4, the control unit 14 may receive information necessary for route guidance from a map management server (not shown) via the communication unit 11. In another example, instead of the voice guidance device 1 having a voice output unit 17, the voice guidance device 1 may be configured separately from the voice guidance device 1 and connected electrically or by known communication means to the voice output unit 17 to perform voice output. In this case, the voice output unit 17 may be a speaker installed in the vehicle Ve. In yet another example, the voice guidance device 1 does not need to have a display unit 16. In this case, the voice guidance device 1 does not need to perform any control related to the display, and may be connected electrically to a display unit installed in the vehicle Ve, etc., by wired or wireless means to cause the display unit to perform a predetermined display. Similarly, instead of having a sensor group 15, the voice guidance device 1 may acquire information output by sensors installed on the vehicle Ve based on a communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0030] [Voice guidance method] Next, we will explain in detail how to provide voice guidance using the voice guidance device 1. (First method of voice guidance) (1) Voice guidance method First, let's explain the first voice guidance method. In the first voice guidance method, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance using the same type of marker for each guidance point along the guidance route. For example, if voice guidance is provided at three speaking points before a certain guidance point, one type of marker will be used consistently for all three instances. In addition, if voice guidance is provided at three speaking points before a certain guidance point, a total of four voice guidance sessions will be held, including the final voice guidance at that guidance point.

[0031] Figure 3 shows examples of landmarks used in the first voice guidance method. In voice guidance, landmarks are used to correctly convey the guidance location to the user using only voice. The landmarks used for guidance can be classified into two types: concrete landmarks and conceptual landmarks. As shown in Figure 3, concrete landmarks include traffic lights, intersections, stop signs, distinctive road shapes, buildings, and landmarks. Note that "distinctive road shapes" refer to T-junctions, Y-junctions, five-way intersections, etc., excluding ordinary crossroads. On the other hand, conceptual landmarks include distance and time.

[0032] In the first voice guidance method, the voice guidance device 1 uses either a concrete landmark or a conceptual landmark consistently for each guidance point. Figure 4 illustrates an example of voice guidance for a certain guidance point. In the example in Figure 4, vehicle Ve is traveling on the guidance route R. On this guidance route R, the next guidance point is Px, and the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance that the vehicle should turn right at the next guidance point Px. In the example in Figure 4, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance at speaking point P1 200m before guidance point Px, speaking point P2 100m before, speaking point P3 30m before, and guidance point Px.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 4, traffic lights SIG1 to SIG3 are located at each intersection between the vehicle Ve's current position and the next guidance point Px. Therefore, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance using the traffic lights as specific landmarks at each speaking point P1 to P3. For example, at speaking point P1, the voice guidance device 1 says, "Turn right at the third traffic light," and at speaking point P2, it says, "Turn right at the second traffic light." Furthermore, at speaking point P3, the voice guidance device 1 says, "Turn right at the next traffic light," and at guidance point Px, it says, "Turn right at this traffic light."

[0034] If, for example, traffic lights SIG1 to SIG3 are not present in the example in Figure 4, the voice guidance device 1 can provide voice guidance using specific landmarks such as intersections. For example, at speaking point P1, the voice guidance device 1 would say, "Turn right at the third intersection," at speaking point P2, "Turn right at the second intersection," at speaking point P3, "Turn right at the next intersection," and at guidance point Px, "Turn right at this intersection."

[0035] Furthermore, even if there are no traffic lights or intersections between the utterance point Px and the next guidance point, if there are buildings or landmarks, the voice guidance device 1 will provide voice guidance using specific landmarks such as buildings or landmarks at each utterance point. In the above example, only traffic lights or intersections are used, but different specific landmarks may be used in combination. For example, the voice guidance device 1 may provide voice guidance using a landmark at utterance point P1, voice guidance using an intersection at utterance point P2, and voice guidance using an intersection at utterance point P3 and guidance point Px. In other words, it is sufficient that the landmarks used for multiple voice guidances related to a single guidance point Px are unified to specific landmarks.

[0036] On the other hand, if there are no specific landmarks between the vehicle Ve's current location and the next guidance point Px, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance using conceptual landmarks such as distance and time. For example, at speaking point P1, the voice guidance device 1 says, "Turn right 200m ahead," at speaking point P2, it says, "Turn right 100m ahead," and at speaking point P3, it says, "Turn right 30m ahead."

[0037] In this way, by using specific or conceptual landmarks consistently at multiple utterance points related to a single guidance point, it becomes possible to provide guidance that is easy for users to understand even through audio alone.

[0038] (2) Route guidance processing Figure 5 is a flowchart of the route guidance process using the first voice guidance method. This process is achieved by the control unit 14 shown in Figure 2 executing a pre-prepared program. It is assumed that when the flowchart in Figure 5 is executed, the route search to the destination specified by the user has already been performed and the guidance route has been set.

[0039] First, the control unit 14 determines the next guidance point based on the set guidance route and the current position of the vehicle Ve (step S11). Next, the control unit 14 determines the point at which to speak up to the next guidance point (step S12). For example, as described above, the control unit 14 determines the point at which to speak up to a predetermined distance from the next guidance point (200m before, 100m before, 30m before).

[0040] Next, the control unit 14 refers to the map DB4 and searches for specific landmarks between each utterance point determined in step S12 and the next guidance point (step S13). If there is a specific landmark between at least one utterance point and the next guidance point (step S13: Yes), the control unit 14 generates and outputs guidance audio using the specific landmark found in the search (step S15). On the other hand, if there are no specific landmarks at any of the utterance points (step S13: No), the control unit 14 generates and outputs voice guidance using conceptual landmarks (step S16). In this way, voice guidance using either specific landmarks or conceptual landmarks is provided consistently at each utterance point up to the next guidance point.

[0041] Next, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the vehicle Ve has arrived at the destination (step S17). If the vehicle Ve has not arrived at the destination (step S17: No), the process returns to step S11, and steps S11 to S16 are repeated for the next guidance point. On the other hand, if the vehicle Ve has arrived at the destination (step S17: Yes), the route guidance process ends.

[0042] (3) Variant In the example above, the voice guidance device 1, in step S14 of Figure 5, will provide voice guidance using a specific landmark if there is a specific landmark between at least one of the multiple utterance points up to the next guidance point and the next guidance point. In this case, for utterance points where no specific landmark is found between the utterance point and the next guidance point, the voice guidance device 1 may provide voice guidance using a specific landmark used at a later utterance point. For example, if there is a first utterance point 100m before a certain guidance point and a second utterance point 30m before it, and there is no specific landmark between the first and second utterance points, but there is a specific landmark (let's call it landmark X) between the second utterance point and the next guidance point, the voice guidance device 1 may provide voice guidance using landmark X at both the first and second guidance points.

[0043] Alternatively, the voice guidance device 1 may provide voice guidance using concrete landmarks if a predetermined number or all of the multiple utterance points to the next guidance point are found between the utterance point and the next guidance point, and otherwise provide voice guidance using conceptual landmarks.

[0044] Furthermore, in step S14 of Figure 5, instead of determining whether or not there are specific landmarks, the voice guidance device 1 may determine whether the current location of vehicle Ve is in an urban area or a suburban area. Typically, there are many specific landmarks in urban areas, but few in suburban areas. The voice guidance device 1 may then provide voice guidance using specific landmarks if the current location of vehicle Ve is in an urban area, and provide voice guidance using conceptual landmarks if the current location of vehicle Ve is in a suburban area.

[0045] (Second voice guidance method) (1) Voice guidance method Next, the second voice guidance method will be described. In the second voice guidance method, the voice guidance device 1 determines which landmark to use for each guidance point on the guidance route based on a predetermined priority order for each type of landmark, and provides voice guidance at each speaking point.

[0046] Figure 6 shows an example of markers used in the second voice guidance method. In the second voice guidance method, as in the first voice guidance method, markers are used to guide users to the correct location using only voice. The markers used for guidance can be classified into two types: concrete markers and conceptual markers. In the second voice guidance method, as shown in Figure 6, the priority order of each marker, both concrete and conceptual, is predetermined.

[0047] In the example in Figure 6, the priority order for specific landmarks is, in order: distinctive road shape, traffic lights, stop signs, buildings, and intersections. This priority is predetermined based on what drivers generally consider to be the easiest landmarks to recognize. In other words, the rarer, more unique, and unusual a landmark is given a higher priority. As mentioned above, "distinctive road shape" refers to T-junctions, Y-junctions, five-way intersections, etc., excluding ordinary crossroads.

[0048] The priority of conceptual landmarks is determined based on the distance between the vehicle Ve's current position and the next guide point. When the next guide point is far from the vehicle Ve's current position, the priority of landmarks is time, then distance. On the other hand, when the next guide point is close to the vehicle Ve's current position, the priority of landmarks is distance, then time. This is because, from a general human perspective, when the distance to a guide point is far, it is easier to recognize the positional relationship with the guide point when it is expressed in terms of time, and when the distance to a guide point is close, it is easier to recognize the positional relationship with the guide point when it is expressed in terms of distance.

[0049] Thus, in the second voice guidance method, when the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using specific landmarks for the next guidance point, it selects specific landmarks based on a predetermined priority order, such as characteristic road shapes, traffic lights, etc., as shown in Figure 6. For example, if there is both a characteristic road shape and a traffic light between a given speaking point and the next guidance point, the voice guidance device 1 provides voice guidance using the characteristic road shape based on the priority order in Figure 6.

[0050] Furthermore, in the second voice guidance method, when the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using conceptual landmarks for the next guidance point, it provides guidance in order of priority according to the distance to the next guidance point, as shown in Figure 6. Specifically, if the distance to the next guidance point is greater than a predetermined distance, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using time, such as "Turn right in about 5 minutes." If the distance to the next guidance point is closer than a predetermined distance, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using distance, such as "Turn right in about 200m."

[0051] In this way, by determining which concrete and conceptual landmarks to use according to a predetermined priority order and providing voice guidance accordingly, it becomes possible to provide guidance that is easier for users to understand.

[0052] (2) Route guidance processing Figure 7 is a flowchart of the route guidance process using the second voice guidance method. This process is realized by the control unit 14 shown in Figure 2 executing a pre-prepared program. The basic flow of the route guidance process using the second voice guidance method is the same as that of the route guidance process using the first voice guidance method shown in Figure 5. Specifically, steps S21 to S24 are the same as steps S11 to S14 in Figure 5, and step S27 is the same as step S17 in Figure 5.

[0053] In step S25, the control unit 14 selects one specific landmark from the specific landmarks found through the search according to the priority order illustrated in Figure 6, generates and outputs guidance voice using that specific landmark (step S25). In step S26, the control unit 14 compares the distance between the current position of vehicle Ve and the next guidance point with a predetermined distance, generates voice guidance using time if the next guidance point is farther than the predetermined distance, and generates and outputs voice guidance using distance if the next guidance point is less than the predetermined distance. In this way, at each utterance point up to the next guidance point, voice guidance is provided using a specific landmark or a conceptual landmark selected according to a predetermined priority order.

[0054] (3) Variant When providing voice guidance using specific landmarks with the second voice guidance method, there may be cases where there are no high-priority specific landmarks such as distinctive road shapes or traffic lights at the guidance point. In this case, if there is a higher-priority specific landmark before the guidance point on the guidance route, the voice guidance device 1 may use that specific landmark to provide guidance.

[0055] Figure 8 shows an example of guidance when there are no specific landmarks with higher priority at the guidance point. In the example in Figure 8(A), vehicle Ve is traveling along the guidance route R, and the third intersection is the guidance point Px. Intersections P1 and P2 exist before guidance point Px, but neither intersection has traffic lights. In this case, since there are no specific landmarks with higher priority than the intersections, the voice guidance device 1 uses intersections P1 and P2, which are before guidance point Px, to provide guidance. For example, the voice guidance device 1 will say, "Turn right at the third intersection."

[0056] In the example in Figure 8(B), vehicle Ve is traveling along the guided route R, and the third intersection is the guided point Px. There is no traffic light at guided point Px, but there are intersections P1 and P2 before guided point Px, and intersection P2 has a traffic light. In this case, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using the traffic light with a higher priority than the intersection, namely the traffic light at intersection P2, which is before guided point Px. For example, at speaking point P1, instead of saying, "Turn right at the third intersection," the voice guidance device 1 will say, "Turn right after passing the traffic light."

[0057] In the example in Figure 8(C), vehicle Ve is traveling along the guidance route R, and the third intersection is the guidance point Px. There are no traffic lights at guidance point Px, but there are intersections P1 and P2 before guidance point Px, and traffic lights are present at intersections P1 and P2. In this case, the voice guidance device 1 provides guidance using traffic lights with higher priority than the intersections, namely the traffic lights at intersections P1 and P2 before guidance point Px. For example, at speaking point P1, instead of saying, "Turn right at the third intersection," the voice guidance device 1 will say, "Turn right after passing two traffic lights."

[0058] <Second Example> Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the voice guidance system according to the second embodiment. The voice guidance system according to the second embodiment mainly comprises a vehicle Ve, a voice guidance device 1A, and a server device 2. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are appropriately denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0059] The voice guidance device 1A has the same configuration as the voice guidance device 1 described in the first embodiment above (see Figure 2). In the second embodiment, since the server device 2 performs route search processing and route guidance processing based on the map DB4, the voice guidance device 1A does not need to have the map DB4. When the input unit 13 detects input from the user specifying a destination, etc., the voice guidance device 1A transmits an upload signal "S1" to the server device 2, which includes the location information of the vehicle Ve output by the sensor group 15 and information about the specified destination.

[0060] The server device 2 generates route information indicating the guided route that vehicle Ve should take, based on the upload signal S1, which includes the destination, received from the voice guidance device 1A. Then, the server device 2 uses the generated route information and the location information of vehicle Ve included in the upload signal S1 received from the voice guidance device 1A to execute route guidance processing according to the first voice guidance method shown in Figure 5 or the second voice guidance method shown in Figure 7. In steps S15 and S16 in Figure 5 and steps S25 and S26 in Figure 7, the server device 2 transmits the generated guidance voice as a control signal S2 to the voice guidance device 1A, causing the voice guidance device 1A to output the voice. In this way, voice guidance according to the first or second voice guidance method is executed.

[0061] Figure 10 shows an example of the schematic configuration of server device 2. Server device 2 mainly consists of a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 24. Each element within server device 2 is interconnected via a bus line 20.

[0062] The communication unit 21 performs data communication with external devices such as the voice guidance device 1A based on the control of the control unit 24. The storage unit 22 is composed of various types of memory, including RAM, ROM, and non-volatile memory (including hard disk drives, flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 22 stores programs for the server device 2 to perform predetermined processing. The storage unit 22 also includes the map DB 4. The control unit 24 includes a CPU, GPU, etc., and controls the entire server device 2. The control unit 24 also executes the route guidance processing shown in Figure 5 or Figure 7 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 22.

[0063] Thus, even when the server device 2 substantially controls the voice guidance device 1A for route guidance, the voice guidance system can perform voice guidance using specific or conceptual markers based on the first or second voice guidance method, similar to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the server device 2 is an example of a voice output device.

[0064] In each of the embodiments described above, the program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer-readable medium and supplied to a control unit, which is a computer. Non-transitory computer-readable medium includes various types of tangible storage medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable medium include magnetic storage medium (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage medium (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R / W, and semiconductor memory (e.g., mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory)).

[0065] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present invention can be made that are understandable to those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention naturally includes the full disclosure, including the claims, and various modifications and alterations that those skilled in the art could make in accordance with the technical idea. Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned patent documents and other references is incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1. Voice guidance device 2 Server devices 4 Map Database 11, 21 Communications Department 12, 22 Storage section 13 Input section 14, 24 Control Unit 15 Sensor Groups 16 Display 17 Audio output section

Claims

1. Regarding the markers used for voice guidance at the guidance points, a memory unit stores a predetermined priority order for each type of marker, A voice guidance generation unit determines, based on the priority order, the markers to be used for voice guidance at each guidance point included in the guidance route of the mobile object, and generates guidance voice using the determined markers. A voice output unit outputs the generated voice guidance at a speaking point where voice guidance is spoken regarding the aforementioned guidance point. Equipped with, The aforementioned voice guidance generation unit is a voice output device that, when using time or distance as a landmark, uses time when the distance from the current position of the moving object to the guidance point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and distance otherwise.

2. The audio output device according to claim 1, wherein, when the type of marker is a specific marker, the priority is set higher for more distinctive markers.

3. The audio output device according to claim 2, in which order of priority is characteristic road shape, traffic lights, stop signs, buildings, and intersections.

4. The voice output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the voice guidance generation unit generates voice guidance using the higher-priority marker when there is a marker with a higher priority than the marker present at the guidance point, relative to the current position of the moving object.

5. A method of outputting audio by a computer, Based on a predetermined priority order for each type of marker used for audio guidance at each marker included in the guidance route of the mobile device, the system determines which marker to use for audio guidance at that marker, and generates audio guidance using the determined marker. At the speaking point where guidance voice is spoken regarding the aforementioned guidance point, the generated guidance voice is output. The aforementioned voice output method uses time or distance as a landmark when the voice guidance uses time when the distance from the current position of the moving object to the guidance point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and distance otherwise.

6. Based on a predetermined priority order for each type of marker used for audio guidance at each marker included in the guidance route of the mobile device, the system determines which marker to use for audio guidance at that marker, and generates audio guidance using the determined marker. At the speaking point where guidance voice is spoken with respect to the aforementioned guidance point, the computer is made to execute a process to output the generated guidance voice. The aforementioned guidance voice is a program that, when using time or distance as a landmark, uses time when the distance from the current position of the moving object to the guidance point is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and uses distance otherwise.

7. A storage medium characterized by storing the program described in claim 6.

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