Information processing device

Abstract

To easily change the contents of dialog between a user and an information processing device.SOLUTION: A control unit of an information processing device installed in a vehicle receives, from a predetermined server device via wireless communication, updated information for updating definition information that associates the contents of speech by a user of the vehicle instructing a predetermined device in the vehicle to execute a predetermined function with a response to the speech. The control unit of the information processing device then updates the definition information based on the updated information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information output system. In the information output system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a user's utterance is acquired, and the content of the acquired user's utterance is recognized. In the information output system, a question is output to the user, and a process of outputting a response to the content of the user's utterance in response to the question is executed. And in the information output system, a degree of certainty of the user is derived based on the content of the user's utterance in response to the question, and guidance information to be output to the user is determined based on the derived degree of certainty.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to easily change the content of a dialogue between a user and an information processing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus mounted on a vehicle, receiving, by wireless communication, update information for updating definition information that associates the content of an utterance instructing a predetermined apparatus in the vehicle to execute a predetermined function by a user of the vehicle with a response to the utterance from a predetermined server apparatus; updating the definition information based on the update information; and includes a control unit that executes the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] This disclosure makes it possible to easily change the content of the interaction between the user and the information processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of the update system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the functional configuration of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a table structure for device information. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a table structure for definition information. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the processes performed by the control unit of the in-vehicle device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of information processing in the update system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Let's consider a scenario where a vehicle user instructs a specific device in the vehicle to perform a predetermined function by speaking to the information processing device. In this case, a dialogue takes place between the user and the information processing device as the information processing device responds to the user's speech. However, there may be cases where it is desired to change the content of the information processing device's response to the user's speech.

[0009] Therefore, the control unit of the information processing device relating to this disclosure receives update information for updating definition information from a predetermined server device via wireless communication. Here, the definition information is information that associates the content of an utterance made by a user instructing a predetermined device to execute a predetermined function with the response to that utterance. The control unit of the information processing device updates the definition information based on the update information.

[0010] In this way, the information processing device receives update information from a designated server device via wireless communication. Therefore, compared to cases where update information is input to the information processing device without using wireless communication (for example, using physical media), the information processing device can acquire update information more easily. As a result, it becomes possible to easily change the content of the dialogue between the user and the information processing device.

[0011] The following describes specific embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in these embodiments are not intended to limit the technical scope of this disclosure to those unless otherwise specified.

[0012] <Embodiment> (System Overview) The update system 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the update system 1. The update system 1 consists of an in-vehicle device 100 and a server 200. In the update system 1, the in-vehicle device 100 and the server 200 are interconnected by a network N1. The network N1 may be, for example, a wide area network (WAN), such as the internet, or a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone network.

[0013] (In-vehicle device) The in-vehicle device 100 is a device installed in the vehicle 10. The user makes an utterance (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "specific utterance") to the in-vehicle device 100 instructing the specific device installed in the vehicle 10 to perform a specific function. The in-vehicle device 100 then responds to the specific utterance. As a response to the specific utterance, the in-vehicle device 100 responds, for example, regarding the execution of a specific function by the specific device. In this way, the in-vehicle device 100 interacts with the user. The content of the response may, for example, inform the user whether or not the specific function can be executed.

[0014] In this case, it may be necessary to change the content of the dialogue between the user and the in-vehicle device 100. Changing the content of the dialogue between the user and the in-vehicle device 100 may include, for example, changing the content of the response to a specific utterance. It may also include adding a new response to a specific utterance. Furthermore, changing the content of the dialogue between the user and the in-vehicle device 100 may include deleting at least a portion of the response to a specific utterance.

[0015] The in-vehicle device 100 receives update information from the server 200 via the network N1 in order to change the content of the dialogue between the user and the in-vehicle device 100. Here, the update information is information for updating the definition information. The definition information is information that associates the content of an utterance made by the user instructing a predetermined device to perform a predetermined function with the response to that utterance. The in-vehicle device 100 interacts with the user based on the association between the content of the utterance and the response in the definition information. The predetermined device is a device installed in the vehicle 10. Details of the definition information and the method by which the in-vehicle device 100 updates the definition information will be described later.

[0016] The in-vehicle device 100 includes a computer having a processor 110, a main memory unit 120, an auxiliary storage unit 130, a communication interface (communication I / F) 140, and a speakerphone 150. The processor 110 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The main memory unit 120 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The auxiliary storage unit 130 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). Also, the auxiliary storage unit 130 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a disk recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk. Further, the auxiliary storage unit 130 may be a removable medium (portable storage medium). Here, examples of the removable medium include a USB memory or an SD card. The communication I / F 140 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication. The speakerphone 150 is a device having a microphone and a speaker. The speakerphone 150 acquires the speech of the user and outputs voice to the user.

[0017] In the in-vehicle device 100, an operating system (OS), various programs, and various information tables, etc. are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 130. Also, in the in-vehicle device 100, the processor 110 loads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 130 into the main memory unit 120 and executes it, whereby various functions as described later can be realized. However, some or all of the functions in the in-vehicle device 100 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. Note that the in-vehicle device 100 does not necessarily have to be realized by a single physical configuration, and may be constituted by a plurality of computers that cooperate with each other.

[0018] (Server) Server 200 is a server that distributes update information. Server 200 is configured to include a computer, similar to in-vehicle device 100. Server 200 receives from in-vehicle device 100 information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "confirmation information") for checking whether it is necessary to update the definition information held by in-vehicle device 100 via network N1. The confirmation information includes, for example, information indicating the version of the definition information held by in-vehicle device 100.

[0019] When the version of the definition information held by in-vehicle device 100 is not the latest version, Server 200 transmits update information via network N1. Thereby, in-vehicle device 100 can update the definition information to the latest version. Here, the update information is, for example, differential data between the old version of the definition information and the latest version of the definition information. Also, the update information may be the latest version of the definition information itself. In this case, in-vehicle device 100 rewrites the held old version of the definition information with the received latest version of the definition information.

[0020] (Functional Configuration) Next, the functional configuration of in-vehicle device 100 that constitutes update system 1 will be described based on FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the functional configuration of in-vehicle device 100. In-vehicle device 100 is configured to include a control unit 101, a communication unit 102, an interaction unit 103, a device information database 104 (device information DB 104), and a definition information database 105 (definition information DB 105).

[0021] Control unit 101 has a function of performing arithmetic processing for controlling in-vehicle device 100. The control unit 101 can be implemented by the processor 110 in the in-vehicle device 100. The communication unit 102 has the function of connecting the in-vehicle device 100 to the network N1. The communication unit 102 can be implemented by the communication I / F 140 in the in-vehicle device 100. The dialogue unit 103 has the function of acquiring user utterances and outputting voice to the user. The dialogue unit 103 can be implemented by the speakerphone 150 of the in-vehicle device 100.

[0022] The device information DB104 has the function of storing device information. The device information DB104 can be implemented by the auxiliary storage unit 130 in the in-vehicle device 100. Here, the device information is information indicating the device installed in the vehicle 10 and the functions that the device can perform. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the table configuration of the device information. As shown in Figure 3, the device information has a device ID field and a function ID field.

[0023] The Device ID field stores an identifier (Device ID) for identifying a device installed in the vehicle 10. For example, the Device ID field stores the Device ID of a car navigation system, air conditioner, or electronic control unit (ECU) installed in the vehicle 10. The Function ID field stores an identifier (Function ID) for identifying the function that the device corresponding to the Device ID stored in the Device ID field can perform.

[0024] The definition information DB105 has the function of holding definition information. The definition information DB105 can be implemented by the auxiliary storage unit 130 in the in-vehicle device 100. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the table structure of the definition information. As shown in Figure 4, the definition information has a device ID field, a function ID field, and a response field.

[0025] The Device ID field contains the Device ID. The Function ID field contains the Function ID of the function performed by the Device ID indicated in the Device ID field.

[0026] The response field stores information indicating the content of the response to a specific utterance (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "response information"). The response field stores response information when the device indicated by the device ID stored in the device ID field is capable of performing the function indicated by the function ID stored in the function ID field. The response field also stores response information when the device indicated by the device ID stored in the device ID field is not capable of performing the function indicated by the function ID stored in the function ID field. Furthermore, the response field may store different response information for each function performed by each device. In addition, the response information stored in the response field may contain information with the content of multiple response patterns. In this case, the control unit 101 selects the content of the response from the multiple response patterns included in the response information.

[0027] In this embodiment, common definition information is used between the in-vehicle device 100 and other in-vehicle devices 100 (in-vehicle devices 100 installed in vehicles other than the in-vehicle device 100 installed in vehicle 10). Here, it is possible that the same device is not installed in vehicle 10 and other vehicles. Therefore, in the definition information, the device ID of a device not installed in vehicle 10 may be stored in the device ID field. Also, even if the same device is installed in vehicle 10 and other vehicles, the configuration of the functions that the device can execute may differ. As an example of a case where the configuration of executable functions differs even if the same device is installed, it is assumed that the execution of functions may be restricted. Therefore, in the definition information, the function ID of a function that the device indicated by the device ID stored in the device ID field cannot execute may be stored in the function ID field. In addition, the device information may differ for each vehicle.

[0028] Thus, there are cases where the function indicated by the device ID corresponding to the function ID in the definition information cannot be executed in vehicle 10 because the device indicated by that device ID is not installed in vehicle 10. Also, there are cases where the function indicated by the device ID in the definition information cannot be executed in vehicle 10 because the device is not configured to execute the function indicated by that function ID. Therefore, the definition information stores response information for two cases: whether each device can execute each function, regardless of whether each device installed in vehicle 10 can actually execute each function.

[0029] The control unit 101 acquires a specific utterance from the user via the dialogue unit 103. Based on the acquired specific utterance, the control unit 101 identifies a specific device and a specific function. Based on the device information held in the device information DB 104, the control unit 101 determines whether the specific device is capable of performing a specific function in the vehicle 10. Specifically, the control unit 101 determines whether the specific device is capable of performing a specific function based on whether the device ID field and function ID field in the device information DB 104 contain a device ID indicating the specific device and a function ID indicating the specific function. The control unit 101 generates specific information indicating whether the specific device is capable of performing a specific function.

[0030] The control unit 101 obtains response information for a specific utterance from the definition information held in the definition information DB 105. Specifically, the control unit 101 obtains the device ID indicating a specific device, the function ID indicating a specific function, and specific information. Then, based on the device ID indicating the specific device, the function ID indicating the specific function, and the specific information, the control unit 101 obtains the response information stored in the response field.

[0031] The control unit 101 outputs a response to a specific utterance to the user by outputting audio via the dialogue unit 103 based on the acquired response information. Here, the response field in the definition information held in the definition information DB 105 stores different response information depending on whether the vehicle 10 can or cannot execute a specific function by a specific device.

[0032] Therefore, if it is possible for a specific device to perform a specific function in the vehicle 10, response information is stored to indicate, for example, that the execution of the specific function will begin. If it is not possible for the specific device to perform a specific function in the vehicle 10, response information is stored to indicate, for example, that the execution of the specific function is not possible. In this way, the control unit 101 provides different responses depending on whether it is possible or impossible for the specific device to perform a specific function in the vehicle 10.

[0033] The control unit 101 determines, based on specific information, whether or not a specific device can perform a specific function. If the control unit 101 determines that the specific device can perform the specific function, it outputs execution information. The execution information is the information that causes the specific device to perform the specific function. The control unit 101 transmits the execution information to the specific device via the vehicle network of the vehicle 10. In this way, the control unit 101 causes the specific device to perform the specific function.

[0034] The control unit 101 updates the definition information. Specifically, the control unit 101 transmits confirmation information to the server 200 via the communication unit 102. For example, the control unit 101 transmits confirmation information to the server 200 when the in-vehicle device 100 is started up. The control unit 101 may also transmit confirmation information to the server 200 at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is, for example, when a predetermined cycle has arrived, or when the user performs an operation to update the definition information.

[0035] The control unit 101 receives update information from the server 200 via the communication unit 102. Here, the server 200 receives the latest version of the definition information held in the definition information DB 105. If the version is not the correct one, update information is sent to the in-vehicle device 100. The control unit 101 updates the definition information based on the received update information.

[0036] (flowchart) Next, the processing performed by the control unit 101 in the in-vehicle device 100 in the update system 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the processing performed by the control unit 101. This processing is for outputting a response to a specific utterance. The processing shown in Figure 5 starts when the user makes a specific utterance.

[0037] In the process shown in Figure 5, in S101, a specific device and a specific function are identified based on a specific utterance. Next, in S102, device information is obtained from the device information DB 104. Then, in S103, specific information is generated based on the device information. Next, in S104, definition information is obtained from the definition information DB 105. Finally, in S105, response information is obtained based on the specific information and definition information, and a response to the specific utterance is output based on the response information. As a result, the in-vehicle device 100 can provide the user with a response via the dialogue unit 103, depending on whether or not the specific function can be executed by the specific device in the vehicle 10.

[0038] Next, in S106, a determination is made based on the specific information as to whether the specific device is capable of executing the specific function. If the determination in S106 is positive, execution information is output in S107. As a result, the specific function is executed by the specific device. Then, the process shown in Figure 5 is terminated. If the determination in S106 is negative, the specific device is not capable of executing the specific function. Therefore, no execution information is output, and the process shown in Figure 5 is terminated.

[0039] (Information processing flow) Next, the information processing flow in the update system 1 will be explained based on Figure 6. Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing the information processing flow in the update system 1. Figure 6 shows the information processing flow when the version of the definition information in the definition information DB 105 is not the latest version. Each process performed by the in-vehicle device 100 and the server 200 is performed by the control unit 101 and the control unit in the server 200, respectively.

[0040] In the update system 1, the in-vehicle device 100 transmits confirmation information to the server 200 via the network N1 (S11). In the sequence diagram shown in Figure 6, since the version of the definition information held by the in-vehicle device 100 is not the latest version, the server 200 transmits update information to the in-vehicle device 100 via the network N1 (S12). The in-vehicle device 100 updates the definition information based on the update information received from the server 200 (S13). If the version of the definition information held by the in-vehicle device 100 is the latest version, the server 200 may transmit information to the in-vehicle device 100 indicating that it is not necessary to update the definition information, instead of transmitting update information.

[0041] As explained above, in the update system 1, the in-vehicle device 100 can change the content of the dialogue between the user and the in-vehicle device 100 by updating the definition information with the update information.

[0042] <Other Embodiments> The embodiments described above are merely examples, and this disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from its essence. Furthermore, the processes and means described in this disclosure may be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical inconsistencies arise.

[0043] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by a single device may be divided and executed by multiple devices. Conversely, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is implemented can be flexibly changed.

[0044] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the embodiments above to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium that can be connected to the computer's system bus, or it may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-temporary computer-readable storage medium includes any type of disk, such as magnetic disks (floppy disks or hard disk drives (HDDs), etc.), optical disks (CD-ROMs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs, etc.), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic cards, flash memory, or optical cards, and any other type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Update System 10. Vehicles 100...In-vehicle equipment 101. Control Unit 102. Communications Department 103. Dialogue Department 104...Device information DB 105...Definition information DB 200 Servers

Claims

[Claim 1] An information processing device to be mounted on a vehicle, The information processing device transmits confirmation information via wireless communication to a predetermined server device, which includes confirmation information to determine whether it is necessary to update the definition information that the information processing device holds, the content of an utterance made by the vehicle's user instructing a predetermined device in the vehicle to execute a predetermined function, and the response to the utterance, and confirmation information that includes information indicating the version of the definition information. If the version of the definition information indicated by the information contained in the transmitted confirmation information is not the latest version, update information for updating the definition information transmitted from the predetermined server device is received via wireless communication. Based on the aforementioned update information, update the aforementioned definition information, It includes a control unit that performs the following: The control unit, The process involves obtaining a specific utterance from the user instructing a specific device in the vehicle to execute a specific function, and identifying the specific device and the specific function included in the specific utterance. To acquire device information including the association between first identification information that identifies the predetermined device and second identification information that identifies the predetermined function, Based on whether the first identification information indicating the identified specific device and the second identification information indicating the specific function are included in the acquired device information, specific information is generated indicating whether the specific device is capable of performing the specific function. Based on the definition information and whether or not the specific device indicated by the generated specific information can perform the specific function, a response to the specific utterance is output. To further execute, Information processing device.

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