JP2004078100A - Voice output control system and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To not only provide sufficient information for a user but also quickly inform the user of call incoming even when call incoming to a mobile phone in the middle of output of a synthesized voice. <P>SOLUTION: When a call comes to a mobile phone 6 in the middle of output of a synthesized voice from a speaker 15 in a voice output control system 1, a reading speed is increased to output the synthesized voice from the speaker 15. Thus interruption of output of the synthesized voice is avoided to provide sufficient information for the user, and the reading speed is changed before and after call incoming to the mobile phone 6 to inform the user of call incoming to the mobile phone 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an audio output control system mounted on a vehicle or the like, for example, for synthesizing and outputting audio for guiding a route, and a computer program executed by an audio output control device.
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, there is provided a voice synthesizing apparatus which synthesizes voice for the purpose of providing some information to a user, such as voice for guiding a route or voice for reading an email received from an email server. In this case, when connected to, for example, a car navigation device, the speech synthesis device acquires a traveling state of the vehicle from the car navigation device, and synthesizes a voice for guiding a route according to the acquired traveling state of the vehicle. By the way, there is a case where a mobile phone receives an incoming call while a synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer is being output.
[0003]
In such a case, if the mobile phone is connected to the voice synthesizer, the output of the synthesized voice is temporarily interrupted to output a ring tone for notifying that the mobile phone has arrived, Alternatively, after the output of the synthesized speech is completed, a ring tone for notifying that the mobile phone has arrived is output, and by performing such an operation, the fact that the mobile phone has arrived is received. Was notified to the user.
[0004]
However, in the configuration in which the output of the synthesized speech is temporarily interrupted and the ring tone is output, there is a problem that sufficient information cannot be provided to the user. In the configuration in which the ring tone is output after the completion, there is a problem that the user cannot be immediately notified that the mobile phone has arrived.
[0005]
On the other hand, some recent car navigation devices have a function of synthesizing and outputting a voice for guiding an action when passing through an intersection such as "Please turn right at the next intersection". . By the way, before the vehicle reaches the intersection, the user must perform necessary operations such as changing lanes or decelerating to properly pass the intersection, but from the current position to the intersection Can be performed at an appropriate timing so as to appropriately pass through the intersection.
[0006]
In this case, the user can check the approximate distance from the current position to the intersection by looking at the map displayed on the display, but depending on driving conditions, the user may be able to see the map. In some cases, the distance from the current position to the intersection cannot be confirmed.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object is to allow a user to receive a synthesized voice from a voice output unit while receiving a synthesized voice from a voice output unit. Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio output control system and a computer program which can provide sufficient information to the user and can promptly notify the user that the telephone means has arrived.
[0008]
A second object is to output a voice for guiding an action when passing through an intersection, and to provide the user with a distance from the current position to the intersection even when the user cannot see the map. To provide a sound output control system and a computer program capable of appropriately notifying the user.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the voice output control system described in claim 1, the voice reading speed determining means determines that the telephone means arrives while the voice reading speed control means outputs the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing means from the voice output means. , To determine the reading speed. Thus, even when the telephone means arrives while the synthesized voice is being output from the voice output means, the output of the synthesized voice is temporarily performed by increasing the reading speed and outputting the synthesized voice. It is possible to provide the user with sufficient information by avoiding interruption of the telephone means, and by changing the reading speed before and after the telephone means arrives, the user can be quickly notified that the telephone means has arrived. Can be notified.
[0010]
According to the voice output control system according to the second aspect, when the telephone means receives a signal while the voice reading speed control means outputs the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis means from the voice output means, the ring tone output means However, since the output of a ring tone for audibly notifying that the telephone means has arrived is prohibited, the reading speed is increased and the synthesized voice is output. Can be heard properly.
[0011]
According to the voice output control system described in claim 3, if the incoming call of the telephone means is continued when the reading speed control means completes the output of the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis means, the ring tone output means Outputs a ringtone, so that the output of the synthesized voice is completed and the ringtone is output, so that the user can be properly notified of the arrival.
[0012]
According to the voice output control system described in claim 4, when the telephone means receives a signal while the voice reading speed control means is outputting the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis means from the voice output means, the ring tone output means becomes Since the ring tone for audibly informing that the telephone means has arrived is output by lowering the output level of the ring tone from a predetermined level, the reading speed is increased and the synthesized voice is output. By lowering the output level from the predetermined level, the user can appropriately hear the synthesized voice in the same manner as in the above-described second aspect.
[0013]
According to the voice output control system described in claim 5, if the incoming call of the telephone means continues when the reading speed control means completes the output of the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis means, the ring tone output means 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the output of the ring tone is performed by returning the output level of the ring tone to a predetermined level, thereby completing the output of the synthesized voice and returning the output level of the ring tone to the predetermined level. In the same manner as that described above, it is possible to appropriately notify the user of the incoming call.
[0014]
According to the voice output control system described in claim 6, when the telephone means receives a signal while the voice reading speed control means outputs the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis means from the voice output means, the incoming call display means, Since the incoming call display information for visually notifying that the telephone means has arrived is displayed, the user can not only change the reading speed before and after receiving the incoming call but also display the incoming call display information. Can be properly notified that the call has arrived.
[0015]
According to the voice output control system described in claim 7, the read-aloud speed determining means determines that the read-aloud speed is to be increased, and then the read-aloud speed control section speeds up the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing section. If the incoming call of the telephone means is interrupted during the output from the voice output means, it is determined that the reading speed is restored. Thus, by changing the reading speed before and after the incoming call of the telephone means is stopped, it is possible to promptly notify the user that the incoming call of the telephone means has been stopped.
[0016]
According to the audio output control system described in claim 8, the reading speed determining unit determines the reading speed based on the random number generated by the random number generation unit, so that the degree of increasing the reading speed is random, The user can be prevented from feeling bored.
[0017]
According to the voice output control system of the ninth aspect, the voice synthesizing unit synthesizes the voice for guiding the route, so that the route information can be provided to the user, and the route information is being provided. Thus, even if the telephone means arrives, the user can be immediately notified that the telephone means has arrived.
[0018]
According to the voice output control system according to the tenth aspect, the voice synthesizing unit synthesizes a voice reading out the e-mail received from the e-mail server, so that the user can obtain information of the content described in the e-mail. Even if the telephone means arrives while the information described in the e-mail is being provided, the user can be immediately notified that the telephone means has arrived.
[0019]
According to the audio output control system according to the eleventh aspect, the reading speed determining unit guides the action when passing through the intersection according to the distance from the current position detected by the distance detecting unit to the intersection. Determine the reading speed of the voice. Therefore, even when the user cannot see the map when outputting the voice guiding the action when passing through the intersection, for example, when the distance from the current position to the intersection is relatively large, the reading aloud is performed. By reducing the speed, while increasing the reading speed when the distance from the current position to the intersection is relatively small, the difference in reading speed allows the user to appropriately adjust the distance from the current position to the intersection. Can be informed.
[0020]
According to the voice output control system according to the twelfth aspect, the control means determines the reading speed of the voice for guiding the action when passing through the intersection in units of sentences, so that the reading speed is changed in the middle of the sentence. , It is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.
[0021]
According to the computer program described in claim 13, when the computer program is installed in the voice output control device and executed, it is determined whether or not telephone means arrives while the synthesized voice is being output. And a procedure for increasing the reading speed when the synthesized voice is output when it is determined that the telephone means has arrived while the synthesized voice is being output. Therefore, the same operation and effect as those described in claim 1 can be obtained. That is, even when the telephone means arrives while the synthesized speech is being output from the sound output means, sufficient information can be provided to the user, and the telephone means has arrived at the user. Can be promptly notified.
[0022]
According to the computer program described in claim 14, when the computer program is installed in the audio output control device and executed, a procedure for detecting a distance from a current position to an intersection, and an intersection based on the detected current position, And determining a reading speed at which a voice for guiding an action when passing through the intersection is output in accordance with the distance up to the intersection. The same operation and effect as described above can be obtained. That is, it is possible to appropriately notify the user of the distance from the current position to the intersection.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an audio output control system configured to be mountable on a vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the audio output control system as a functional block diagram. The voice output control system 1 includes a voice output control device 3 having a control unit 2 (voice synthesis means, voice reading speed determining means, voice reading speed control means in the present invention), and a display 4 (incoming call display means in the present invention). It comprises a car navigation device 5 (distance detecting means in the present invention), a mobile phone 6 (telephone means, ringtone output means in the present invention) and the like. The control unit 2 controls the overall operation of the voice output control device 3 by executing a control program (computer program in the present invention), and includes a voice synthesis module, a voice reading speed determination module, and a voice reading It is configured to execute a speed control module.
[0024]
More specifically, when the control unit 2 acquires the traveling state of the vehicle from the car navigation device 5, the control unit 2 executes a voice synthesis module and synthesizes a voice for guiding a route according to the acquired traveling state of the vehicle.
[0025]
In response to the incoming of the mobile phone 6, the control unit 2 receives an incoming call detection signal indicating that the mobile phone 6 has been received from the mobile phone 6 through the car navigation device 5 or receives the incoming call of the mobile phone 6. When the mobile phone 6 receives an incoming call stop detection signal indicating that the incoming call of the mobile phone 6 has been stopped through the car navigation device 5 in response to the stoppage of the mobile phone 6, the reading speed determining module is executed, and Determine the speed.
[0026]
In addition to this, the control unit 2 receives from the hands-free microphone 7 a sound collection detection signal indicating that the hands-free microphone 7 is collecting sound emitted from the user, or receives a signal from the wiper control device 8. A wiper operation detection signal indicating that the wiper is operating is input, a headlight lighting detection signal indicating that the headlight is turned on is input from the headlight control device 9, and a vehicle speed is detected from the vehicle speed sensor 10. Vehicle speed signal, an audio device operation detection signal indicating that the audio device 11 is operating from the audio device 11, or a predetermined operation detection indicating that a predetermined operation has been performed from the setting switch 12. Also when a signal is input, the reading speed determination module is executed to determine the reading speed. At this time, the control unit 2 can also determine the reading speed based on the random number input from the random number generation device 13 (the random number generation unit in the present invention).
[0027]
Then, the control unit 2 executes the read-aloud speed control module, and outputs the synthesized speech synthesized by executing the voice synthesizing module to the amplifier 14 at the read-aloud speed determined by executing the read-aloud speed determining module.
When the audio is input from the control unit 2, the amplifier 14 amplifies the input audio and outputs the amplified audio to a speaker 15 (audio output unit in the present invention). When input, the input voice is output to the outside.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 2 shows a process executed by the control unit 2 as a flowchart, and FIGS. 3 and 5 show a flow of a series of processes as a time chart. Here, the control unit 2 acquires the traveling state of the vehicle from the car navigation device 5, synthesizes a voice for guiding a route according to the acquired traveling state of the vehicle, and outputs the synthesized voice. The description will be made on the assumption that the signal is output from the speaker 15 through the amplifier 14.
[0029]
The control unit 2 synthesizes the voice for guiding the route, and in a state where the synthesized voice is output from the speaker 15 through the amplifier 14, whether or not the incoming call detection signal is input from the mobile phone 6 through the car navigation device 5. By monitoring whether or not the mobile phone 6 has received a call (step S1).
[0030]
Here, upon receiving an incoming call detection signal from the mobile phone 6 through the car navigation device 5 and detecting that the mobile phone 6 has received an incoming call ("YES" in step S1), the control unit 2 executes the sound reading speed determination module. Then, it is determined to increase the reading speed, and as shown in FIG. 3, the reading speed is increased and the synthesized voice is output from the speaker 15 (step S2).
[0031]
More specifically, the control unit 2 determines the voice reading speed to be, for example, “5 tones / sec” before the mobile phone 6 receives a call, and outputs the synthesized voice at the voice reading speed of “5 tones / sec”. If so, after the mobile phone 6 receives a call, the reading speed is determined to be increased to, for example, “8 tones / second”, and the synthesized voice is output at the reading speed of “8 tones / second”.
[0032]
At this time, the control unit 2 outputs a ringtone output prohibition signal to the mobile phone 6 through the car navigation device 5, thereby prohibiting the output of the ringtone from the mobile phone 6 (step S3) and displaying the incoming call. By outputting the signal to the car navigation device 5, as shown in FIG. 4, character information (for example, "incoming call") indicating that the mobile phone 6 has arrived (incoming call display information in the present invention) is displayed on the car navigation device. 5 is displayed on the display 4 (step S4). In this case, instead of displaying the character information, graphic information such as an icon of the mobile phone may be displayed to indicate that the mobile phone 6 has received an incoming call. Both may be displayed.
[0033]
Next, after increasing the reading speed in this way, the control unit 2 monitors whether or not the output of the synthesized voice has been completed (step S5), and receives a call termination detection signal from the mobile phone 6 through the car navigation device 5. By monitoring whether or not is input, it is monitored whether or not the incoming call of the mobile phone 6 is stopped (step S6).
[0034]
Here, when the output of the synthesized voice is completed before the incoming call of the mobile phone 6 is stopped (“YES” in step S5), the control unit 2 transmits the ringtone output signal through the car navigation device 5. By outputting to the telephone 6, a ringtone is output from the mobile telephone 6 (step S7).
[0035]
On the other hand, when the incoming of the mobile phone 6 is stopped before the output of the synthesized voice is completed (“YES” in step S6), the control unit 2 executes the read-aloud speed determining module to reduce the read-aloud speed. It is determined to return to the original, the reading speed is restored, and the synthesized voice is output from the speaker 15 (step S8).
[0036]
More specifically, the control unit 2 determines the reading speed to, for example, “8 tones / sec” after the mobile phone 6 receives a call, and outputs the synthesized voice at “8 tones / sec”. If there is, after the output of the voice is completed, it is determined that the reading speed is returned to, for example, “5 tones / second”, and the synthesized voice is output at the original “5 tones / second”. At this time, the control unit 2 deletes, for example, the character information "incoming call" displayed on the display 4 of the car navigation device 5 (step S9).
[0037]
By the way, the above is configured to prohibit the output of the ring tone from the mobile phone 6 when the mobile phone 6 receives a call, and to output the ring tone from the mobile phone 6 when the output of the synthesized voice is completed. As shown in FIG. 5, when the mobile phone 6 receives a call, a ring tone is output from the mobile phone 6 with the output level of the ring tone lowered from a predetermined level, and the output of the synthesized voice is performed. May be configured to output the ringtone from the mobile phone 6 after returning the output level of the ringtone to a predetermined level.
[0038]
In the above description, when the mobile phone 6 receives a call, the character information indicating that the mobile phone 6 has received is displayed on the display 4 of the car navigation device 5. It is not necessary to always display such character information. Further, the voice synthesized by the voice output control device 3 is not limited to the voice for guiding the route, but may be the voice for reading the e-mail received from the e-mail server.
[0039]
By the way, when the control unit 2 acquires the distance from the current position to the intersection from the car navigation device 5 as the traveling state of the vehicle separately from the above-described series of processing, the control unit 2 performs the processing described below. That is, when the control unit 2 obtains the distance from the current position to the intersection from the car navigation device 5 as the traveling state of the vehicle, the control unit 2 executes the reading speed determining module, and obtains the distance from the obtained current position to the intersection. , The speed of reading the voice that guides the action when passing through the intersection is determined.
[0040]
Specifically, with reference to FIG. 6, when the traveling position of the vehicle is the position indicated by “P” in FIG. 6, that is, when the distance to the intersection X is relatively large, For example, the sound reading speed is determined so as to output a synthesized voice of "Please turn right at the next intersection" for, for example, 4 seconds, while the traveling position of the vehicle is the position indicated by "Q" in FIG. That is, when the distance to the intersection X is relatively small, the sound reading speed is determined so that the above-described synthesized voice "Please turn right at the next intersection" is output for, for example, two seconds. In this case, the control unit 2 determines the reading speed of the synthesized speech in units of a sentence, that is, does not change the reading speed in the middle of a sentence.
[0041]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the voice output control system 1, when the mobile phone 6 receives an incoming call while the synthesized voice is being output from the speaker 15, the reading speed is increased, and the reading speed is increased. Since the sound is output from the speaker 15, it is possible to avoid temporarily interrupting the output of the synthesized sound, to provide sufficient information to the user, and to receive the incoming call from the mobile phone 6 in this manner. By changing the sound reading speed before and after the call, it is possible to promptly notify the user that the mobile phone 6 has received an incoming call.
[0042]
When the mobile phone 6 receives a signal while the synthesized voice is being output from the speaker 15, the reading speed is increased as described above, the output of the ring tone from the mobile phone 6 is prohibited, or the incoming call is received from the mobile phone 6. Since the sound is output with the output level of the ring tone lowered from a predetermined level, the reading speed is increased and the synthesized voice is output, but the user can appropriately hear the synthesized voice.
[0043]
If the incoming of the mobile phone 6 is continued at the time when the output of the synthesized voice is completed, the mobile phone 6 outputs a ring tone, or the mobile phone 6 outputs the ring tone to a predetermined level. Since it is configured to output the information to the user, it is possible to appropriately notify the user that the call has been received.
[0044]
Further, when the mobile phone 6 receives a signal while the synthesized voice is being output from the speaker 15, the character information indicating that the mobile phone 6 has received is displayed on the display 4 of the car navigation device 5. By displaying the information, it is possible to promptly notify the user that the mobile phone 6 has received a call.
[0045]
If the incoming of the mobile phone 6 is stopped while the reading speed is increased and the synthesized voice is output from the speaker 15, the reading speed is restored, the reading speed is restored, and the synthesized voice is output from the speaker 15. Since the output is configured to be performed, by changing the sound reading speed before and after the incoming call of the mobile phone 6 is stopped, it is possible to promptly notify the user that the incoming call of the mobile phone 6 has been stopped.
[0046]
In addition, since the reading speed is determined based on the random number generated by the random number generation device 13, the user can be prevented from feeling bored by increasing the reading speed at random.
[0047]
Furthermore, the voice output control system 1 is configured to determine the reading speed of the voice that guides the action when passing through the intersection according to the distance from the current position to the intersection. When outputting a voice guiding the action of the user, even when the user cannot see the map, for example, when the distance from the current position to the intersection is relatively large, the reading speed is reduced, By increasing the reading speed when the distance from the current position to the intersection is relatively small, it is possible to appropriately notify the user of the distance from the current position to the intersection due to the difference in reading speed.
[0048]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows.
The telephone means is not limited to a mobile phone, but may be an in-vehicle phone.
In addition to the mobile phone, a configuration may be adopted in which a dedicated device that outputs a ringtone when the mobile phone receives a call is installed.
The control program executed by the control unit is not limited to the program stored from the beginning (for example, from the stage of commercialization). It may be transferred from a recording medium such as a card and installed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart. FIG. 3 is a time chart. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display. FIG. Diagram schematically showing the relationship between the distance from the intersection to the intersection and the reading speed [Description of reference numerals]
In the drawings, 1 is a voice output control system, 2 is a control unit (voice synthesis means, reading speed determination means, reading speed control means), 3 is a voice output control device, 4 is a display (incoming display means), 5 is a car navigation system. A device (distance detection means), 6 is a mobile phone (telephone means, ringtone output means), 13 is a random number generation device (random number generation means), and 15 is a speaker (sound output means).

Claims (14)

Voice synthesis means for synthesizing voice;
A reading speed determining means for determining a reading speed,
A read-aloud speed control unit that outputs the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing unit from the voice output unit at the read-aloud speed determined by the read-aloud speed determining unit,
The read-aloud speed determining unit determines to increase the read-aloud speed when the telephone unit receives a call while the read-aloud speed control unit is outputting the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing unit from the voice output unit. An audio output control system characterized by: The audio output control system according to claim 1,
A ringtone output unit capable of outputting a ringtone for audibly notifying that the telephone unit has received an incoming call,
The ringtone output means prohibits the output of a ringtone when the telephone means receives a signal while the voice reading speed control means outputs the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis means from the voice output means. An audio output control system characterized by: The audio output control system according to claim 2,
The ringtone output unit may output a ringtone when the incoming call of the telephone unit is continued when the reading speed control unit completes outputting the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis unit. Characteristic audio output control system. The audio output control system according to claim 1,
A ringtone output unit capable of changing the output level of the ringtone and outputting a ringtone for audibly notifying that the telephone unit has received a call,
The ring tone output means, when the telephone means receives a signal while the voice reading speed control means is outputting the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis means from the voice output means, the ring tone is output as the ring tone. An audio output control system characterized in that the output level is reduced from a predetermined level and output. The audio output control system according to claim 4,
The ringtone output means, when the incoming call of the telephone means is continued at the time when the reading speed control means completes the output of the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis means, changes the ringtone of the ringtone. An audio output control system for returning an output level to a predetermined level for output. The audio output control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Incoming call display means for displaying incoming call display information for visually notifying that the telephone means has received an incoming call,
The incoming call display means displays incoming call display information when the telephone means receives a signal while the voice reading speed control means is outputting the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis means from the voice output means. An audio output control system characterized by the following. The audio output control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The read-aloud speed determining means determines that the read-aloud speed is to be increased, and then the read-aloud speed control means outputs the synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing means from the voice output means at the read speed increased. The voice output control system according to claim 1, wherein when the incoming call of said telephone means is stopped, the sound reading speed is determined to return to the original speed. The audio output control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A random number generating means for generating a random number,
The voice output control system according to claim 2, wherein said reading speed determining means determines a reading speed based on a random number generated by said random number generating means. The audio output control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The voice output control system, wherein the voice synthesizing unit synthesizes voice for guiding a route. The audio output control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The voice output control system according to claim 1, wherein said voice synthesizing unit synthesizes a voice for reading an e-mail received from an e-mail server. Mounted on the vehicle,
Voice synthesis means for synthesizing voice;
A reading speed determining means for determining a reading speed,
A reading speed control unit that outputs a synthesized voice synthesized by the voice synthesis unit from a voice output unit at a reading speed determined by the reading speed determination unit;
Distance detecting means for detecting the distance from the current position to the intersection,
The reading speed determining unit determines a reading speed of a voice for guiding an action when passing through an intersection, according to a distance from a current position detected by the distance detecting unit to an intersection. Audio output control system. The audio output control system according to claim 11,
The voice output control system, wherein the voice reading speed determining means determines a voice reading speed of a voice for guiding an action when passing through an intersection in units of sentences. For the audio output control device,
A step of determining whether or not the telephone means has arrived while the synthesized speech is being output;
Increasing the reading speed when the synthesized voice is output when it is determined that the telephone means has arrived while the synthesized voice is being output. For the audio output control device,
A procedure for detecting the distance from the current position to the intersection,
Determining a reading speed at which a voice for guiding an action when passing through the intersection is output according to a distance from the detected current position to the intersection.

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