TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an on-vehicle device, a voice information providing
system and a speech rate adjusting method.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Techniques of adjusting the length and volume of voice depending on the running speed
of a motorcycle are proposed (see, for instance, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No.
2002-140800 (paragraphs 0026 through 0031 and elsewhere)).
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0003] However, volume adjustment depending on the running speed makes it difficult for
the user to sense variations in volume and to be securely alerted because the voice
information itself may fluctuate in volume and sounds in the environment including
road noise and the running noise and horn sounds of other vehicles also vary.
[0004] An object of the present invention, attempted in view of the problems noted above,
is to provide an on-vehicle device, a voice information providing system and a speech
rate adjusting method that can securely alert the user.
[0005] In order to solve the problems, the invention is configured as described below.
[0006] An on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention is provided with speech rate determining
means that determines a speech rate when reproducing speech from received speech voice
information data, and speech signal generating means that generates speech signals
based on that speech voice information data at the designated speech rate determined
by the speech rate determining means.
[0007] The on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention may as well be as follows in addition
to the on-vehicle device described above. Namely in that case, speech rate determining
means, in reproducing speech from speech voice information data, uses a prescribed
reference speech rate as the speech rate when the speech voice information data are
not prescribed data of high urgency or uses a higher rate than the reference speech
rate as the speech rate when the speech voice information data are prescribed data
of high urgency.
[0008] The on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention may as well be as follows in addition
to any of the on-vehicle devices described above. Namely in that case, the speech
rate determining means, in reproducing speech from speech voice information data,
determines the speech rate depending on the speed of the vehicle at the point of time.
[0009] The on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention may as well be as follows in addition
to any of the on-vehicle devices described above. Namely in that case, reference speech
rate setting means sets a reference speech rate depending on the action of a user
upon input means, the speech rate determining means determines the speech rate on
the basis of the reference speech rate and a designated speech rate value set in the
speech voice information data, and the speech signal generating means generates speech
signals based on the speech voice information data at the speech rate determined by
the speech rate determining means.
[0010] The on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention may as well be as follows in addition
to any of the on-vehicle devices described above. Namely in that case, the speech
rate determining means determines the speech rate on the basis of the reference speech
rate and a prescribed table in which the designated speech rates are set.
[0011] The on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention may as well be as follows in addition
to any of the on-vehicle devices described above. Namely in that case, the speech
rate determining means uses as the speech rate a value adjusted with reference to
the designated speech rate value by a value corresponding to the reference speech
rate value.
[0012] The on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention may as well be as follows in addition
to any of the on-vehicle devices described above. Namely in that case, the speech
rate determining means uses as the speech rate a value adjusted with reference to
the reference speech rate by a value corresponding to the designated speech rate value.
[0013] The on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention may as well be as follows in addition
to any of the on-vehicle devices described above. Namely in that case, the speech
rate determining means determines the speech rate on the basis of the reference speech
rate, the designated speech rate value and the speed of the vehicle.
[0014] The on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention may as well be as follows in addition
to any of the on-vehicle devices described above. Namely in that case, the speech
rate determining means determines the speech rate depending on the distance between
a position depending on geographical position information added to the voice information
data and the current position.
[0015] The on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention may as well be as follows in addition
to any of the on-vehicle devices described above. Namely in that case, receiving means
receives the speech voice information data from a roadside unit. The speech rate determining
means, when the receiving means receives the speech voice information data, determines
the speech rate at that point of time, and the speech signal generating means generates
speech signals based on the speech voice information data at the speech rate determined
by the speech rate determining means.
[0016] The on-vehicle device pertaining to the invention may as well be as follows in addition
to any of the on-vehicle devices described above. Namely in that case, speech volume
determining means determines the speech volume depending on the speech rate. The speech
signal generating means generates speech signals based on speech voice information
data at that speech rate and in the speech volume determined by the speech volume
determining means.
[0017] A voice information providing system pertaining to the invention is provided with
any of the on-vehicle devices described above and a server which transmits speech
voice information data to the on-vehicle device via a roadside unit.
[0018] A speech rate adjusting method pertaining to the invention is provided with a step
of determining a speech rate when reproducing speech from speech voice information
data with an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a step of generating speech
signals based on the speech voice information data at the determined speech rate.
[0019] The present invention makes it possible to securely alert the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a voice information providing
system pertaining to Embodiment 1 for the invention;
FIG. 2 is a flow chart describing actions of an on-vehicle device in Embodiment 1
at the time of receiving voice information data;
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a speech rate adjusting method in Embodiment 1;
FIG. 4 shows reference speech rates in the on-vehicle device and the relationship
between designated speech rates from roadside units and actual speech rates in Embodiment
2;
FIG. 5 shows reference speech rates in the on-vehicle device and the relationship
between designated speech rates from roadside units and actual speech rates in Embodiment
3;
FIG. 6 shows reference speech rates in the on-vehicle device and the relationship
between designated speech rates from roadside units and actual speech rates in Embodiment
4; and
FIG. 7 shows reference speech rates in the on-vehicle device and the relationship
between designated speech rates from roadside units and actual speech rates in Embodiment
5.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0021] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to
drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a voice information providing
system pertaining to Embodiment 1 for the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an on-vehicle
device 1, representing an embodiment of the invention with respect to an on-vehicle
device, is a device to be mounted on a vehicle. The on-vehicle device 1 in Embodiment
1 is an on-vehicle navigation device. Roadside units 2, installed beside, above or
underneath a road on which the vehicle runs, is a device which provides the motor
traffic of the road with various voice information data by push distribution of a
short-range communication formula. The voice information data provided by the roadside
units 2 include traffic information, road information regarding cautions to be taken
regarding the road and the like, and area information on the vicinities. A server
3 is a device which is connected to the roadside units 2 by wired or wireless communication
lines and transmits voice information data via the roadside units 2.
[0023] In the on-vehicle device 1, a radio communication unit 11 is a radio communication
circuit which communicates with radio communication units 31 of the roadside units
2 by a prescribed radio communication formula. The radio communication unit 11 can
use a DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), optical beacon and the like as its
radio communication formula. A direction sensor 12 is a sensor that detects the direction
of the vehicle and outputs it as directional data. A gyro-sensor 13 is a sensor that
detects the angular speed of the direction of the vehicle and outputs it as angular
speed data. A vehicle speed sensor 14 is a sensor that detects the speed of the vehicle
and outputs it as vehicle speed data. A GPS receiver 15 is a receiver that receives
electric waves from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and outputs current
position data including latitudinal information and longitudinal information. A map
database 16 is a recording medium that stores map data for use in vehicle navigation
and road data for use in route searching. As the map database 16, an optical disk
and its driver, a hard disk drive or the like is used. A calculation procession unit
17 is a calculation procession circuit that executes, among other functions, generation
of image data and/or speech data for use in route searching and navigation on the
basis of road data in the map database 16 and the outputs of the sensors 12 through
14 and the GPS receiver 15.
[0024] An input unit 18, positioned as part of a user interface, is a section that includes
an electronic part outputting information corresponding to the quantity of its manipulation.
The input unit 18 is used for setting the destination of navigation and other purposes.
As the input unit 18, a button switch, a touch panel system, a voice input system
or the like is used. A display unit 19, positioned as part of a user interface, is
a section that displays information provided by the roadside units 2 in addition to
maps, road information, guide information and so forth. As the display unit 19, a
thin display such as a liquid crystal display is used. A voice output unit 20, positioned
as part of a user interface, includes a D/A converter, an amplifier, a loudspeaker
and the like, and is a section that outputs voices matching speech data on information
provided by the roadside units 2 in addition to road information, guide information
and so forth. A control unit 21 is a section that controls other units on the basis
of information from the radio communication unit 11, the input unit 18, the sensors
12 through 14, the GPS receiver 15 and so forth.
[0025] Incidentally, the calculation procession unit 17 and the control unit 21 may either
be configured of respectively dedicated integrated circuits or be realized by having
programs executed by a processor.
[0026] In each roadside unit 2, the radio communication unit 31 is a radio communication
circuit that communicates with the radio communication unit 11 of the on-vehicle device
1 by a prescribed radio communication formula. A data communication unit 32 is a communication
device that communicates with the server 3 via a telephone line, a leased line, a
computer network or the like. A communication processing unit 33 is a processing unit
that transmits voice information data received by the data communication unit 32 to
the on-vehicle device 1 via the radio communication units 31. Incidentally, the communication
processing unit 33 may either be configured of a dedicated integrated circuit or be
realized by having a program executed by a processor.
[0027] In the server 3, a data communication unit 41 is a communication device that communicates
with the roadside units 2. A data storage unit 42 is a recording medium that stores
area data 51 including area information and road information data 52 including road
information on the vicinities. As the data storage unit 42, an optical disk and its
driver, a hard disk drive or the like is used. A communication processing unit 43
is a processing unit that reads voice information data such as road information out
of the data storage unit 42, transmits them to the roadside units 2 via the data communication
unit 41, and transmits voice information data from the roadside units 2 to the on-vehicle
device 1. Incidentally, the communication processing unit 43 may either be configured
of a dedicated integrated circuit or be realized by having a program executed by a
processor.
[0028] Voice information provided to the on-vehicle device 1 includes area information and
road information, which is stored into the data storage unit 42 as the area data 51,
the road information data 52 and so forth. These sets of data are converted into text
data for TTS (Text To Speech) use. The area data 51 are voice information data including
area information on the vicinities, and the road information data 52 are voice information
data including traffic information and cautioning information. The traffic information
includes VICS information and congestion information. The cautioning information is
information for arousing attention regarding prescribed positions of roads in the
communication area of each roadside unit 2. For instance, cautioning voice information
may include "Fallen rocks on road 1 km ahead" or "A car in trouble 2 km ahead".
[0029] Next, the actions of devices in this system will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart
describing actions of the on-vehicle device in Embodiment 1 at the time of receiving
voice information data.
[0030] The communication processing unit 43 of the server 3 periodically reads out voice
information data stored in the data storage unit 42 as the area data 51 or the road
information data 52, and transmits them to the roadside units 2 via the data communication
unit 41. The communication processing unit 33 of each roadside unit 2, when receiving
such voice information data via the data communication unit 32, sends them out to
a communication area via the radio communication units 31.
[0031] The radio communication unit 11 of the on-vehicle device 1, monitoring the state
of reception of voice information data sent out from the roadside units 2 (step S1),
receives voice information data sent out from a roadside unit 2 when the on-vehicle
device 1 (namely the vehicle) enters the communication area of that roadside unit
2. The radio communication unit 11 supplies the received voice information data to
the control unit 21.
[0032] The control unit 21, when the voice information data are received and supplied, acquires
vehicle speed data at the time from the vehicle speed sensor 14 and identifies the
vehicle speed at the time (step S2).
[0033] Next, the control unit 21 determines the speech rate of the voice information data
on the basis of that vehicle speed (step S3). Then, the higher the vehicle speed,
the higher the control unit 21 sets the speech rate. The control unit 21 may either
calculate the speech rate as a prescribed function of the vehicle speed or derive
a value matching the vehicle speed from a prescribed table.
[0034] Also the control unit 21, when category information such as emergency information
notifying the occurrence of a disaster or the like, cautioning information notifying
the presence of fallen rocks, a car in trouble, dense fog or the like, congestion
information, required time information notifying the lengths of time taken to reach
main geographical points and area information are added to the voice information data,
may determine the speech rate depending on the vehicle speed as described above only
for specific categories of voice information data such as emergency information, cautioning
information and congestion information, with the speech rate fixed for voice information
data for other categories. In that case, category information is added to each set
of voice information data in the server 3, and supplied together with voice information
data from the roadside units 2 to the on-vehicle device 1.
[0035] Also the control unit 21, when the voice information data are text data for TTS use,
may determine whether or not they are cautioning information on the basis of words
and sentences in the text data and determine the speech rate depending on the vehicle
speed as described above only when the voice information is cautioning information
and keep a fixed speech rate in all other cases.
[0036] Then, the control unit 21 generates speech signals at the determined speech rate
on the basis of the voice information data and outputs them to the voice output unit
20 (step S4). In doing so, the control unit 21 generates digital speech signals from
the text data for TTS use by using, for instance, a speech synthesizing technique.
The voice output unit 20 outputs the voice information as aural speech on the basis
of the speech signals through a loudspeaker or the like, which is not shown, to the
user riding the vehicle.
[0037] As described so far, according to Embodiment 1, in the on-vehicle device 1, the control
unit 21 as speech rate determining means determines the speech rate when reproducing
voice from speech voice information data, and the control unit 21 as speech signal
generating means generates speech signals based on the speech voice information data
at the determined speech rate.
[0038] This enables the speech rate to be varied according to the situation and the user
to be alerted without fail by raising the speech rate when cautioning voice information
is to be given. As the speech rate is fixed at normal times, varying the speech rate
can give a more secure alert than varying the voice volume, and the user can intuitively
know the urgency of the information (and accordingly the situation around the point
requiring caution) even if he is not particularly conscious of it.
[0039] Further according to Embodiment 1 described above, the radio communication unit 11
as receiving means receives speech voice information data from the roadside units
2. The control unit 21, when speech voice information data are received by the radio
communication unit 11, determines the speech rate at the time, and generates speech
signals based on the speech voice information data at the determined speech rate.
[0040] As this causes, when voice information is received in the area of a roadside unit
2, the speech to be uttered at a speed matching the running speed of a vehicle 100
at the time, as shown in FIG. 3, the user can be alerted as much more powerfully as
the vehicle is running faster and accordingly alerted without fail. For instance,
the user can be caused to sense greater urgency by raising the speech rate correspondingly
higher for a vehicle, among vehicles approaching a geographical point deserving caution,
expected to reach the point sooner. Further by determining the speech rate according
only to the vehicle speed, no information for designating the speech rate needs to
be supplied from any roadside unit 2 to the on-vehicle device 1, the data in the server
3 and data to be transmitted by the roadside units 2 can be reduced, resulting in
a corresponding saving in system costs.
[0041] Further in Embodiment 1, when reproducing speech from speech voice information data,
the control unit 21 judges the level of urgency based on the category of the speech
voice information data and words in the data among other factors and, if the speech
voice information data do not involve urgency of a high level, uses the reference
speech rate as the speech rate or, speech voice information data do involve urgency
of a high level, sets a higher rate than the reference speech rate as the speech rate.
[0042] In this way, by raising the speech rate only for voice information of a high urgency
level, the user can be alerted more strongly against the voice information of the
high urgency level.
Embodiment 2
[0043] In a voice information providing system pertaining to Embodiment 2 of the present
invention, a designated speech rate value is supplied together with voice information
data from the server 3 to the on-vehicle device 1, and the speech rate is determined
on the basis of a reference speech rate set by the user in the on-vehicle device 1
and that designated speech rate. Thus, the speech rate can be controlled both on the
roadside units 2 side and on the on-vehicle device 1 side. Further in Embodiment 2,
the speech rate is determined on the basis of the sum of the reference speech rate
value and the designated speech rate value.
[0044] The hardware configurations of the on-vehicle device 1, the roadside units 2 and
the server 3 in Embodiment 2 are substantially the same as those in Embodiment 1 (FIG.
1). However, each device executes the processing describe below.
[0045] The actions of each device in this system will be described.
[0046] In Embodiment 2, the control unit 21 of the on-vehicle device 1 while causing an
image or characters to urge an inputting action to be displayed on the display unit
19 by controlling a user interface comprising the input unit 18 and the display unit
19, sets and stores a reference speech rate depending on the user's action on the
input unit 18. The data of this reference speech rate value are stored in the control
unit 21 or a recording medium such as a flash memory not shown. Incidentally, the
reference speech rate will be a prescribed default value until one is set anew by
an action of the user.
[0047] On the other hand, the data storage unit 42 of the server 3 stores, together with
speech voice information data, a designated speech rate value designating the speech
rate at the time of uttering the speech voice information data. The communication
processing unit 43 of the server 3, when transmitting speech voice information data
to the data communication unit 41 and the roadside units 2, also transmits the designated
speech rate together.
[0048] The radio communication unit 11 of the on-vehicle device 1, when it receives the
designated speech rate together with the speech voice information data, supplies them
to the control unit 21.
[0049] The control unit 21, when it receives the speech voice information data and the designated
speech rate value, determines the speech rate on the basis of the preset reference
speech rate value and the designated speech rate value. In Embodiment 2, the control
unit 21 determines the speech rate on the basis of the sum of the reference speech
rate value and the designated speech rate value.
[0050] Here, by way of example, the reference speech rate value is supposed to be an integer
out of 1 to 5. For the reference speech rate, 3 is the default (namely, the initial
value in a state in which the user has not yet set any value), 1 is the minimum speech
rate and 5 is the maximum speech rate. The designated speech rate is supposed to be
an integer out of 1 to 5 for example. Regarding the designated speech rate, the closer
it is to 1, the lower the speech rate is designated, and the closer it is to 5, the
higher the speech rate is designated. The control unit 21 determines a speech rate
out of the reference speech rate values and the designated speech rate values of 1
to 5. Incidentally, though it is supposed here that the value of the speech rate is
an integer out of 1 to 5, at the time of speech synthesis it is converted into or
interpreted to be, as appropriate, the number of characters uttered, the number of
words uttered or the like per unit time corresponding to that integer.
[0051] FIG. 4 shows reference speech rate values in the on-vehicle device 1 and the relationship
between designated speech rate values from roadside units 2 and actual speech rates
in Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, the control unit 21 calculates the sums of reference
speech rates and designated speech rates as shown in FIG. 4, and uses such sums as
the values of speech rates. However, where the sum of a reference speech rate value
and a designated speech rate value surpasses the upper limit of a speech rate (5 here),
that upper limit (5 here) is supposed to be the value of the speech rate. Incidentally,
the table shown in FIG. 4 may either be built into the control unit 21 or stored in
advance into a recording medium not shown for subsequent reference by the control
unit 21.
[0052] Having determined the speech rate value in this way, the control unit 21 executes
speech synthesis at a speech rate corresponding to that speech rate value, and supplies
speech signals to the voice output unit 20. The voice output unit 20 outputs speech
corresponding to those speech signals.
[0053] As described so far, according to this Embodiment 2, the on-vehicle device 1 determines
the speech rate when reproducing speech from speech voice information data, and generates
speech signals based on the speech voice information data at the determined speech
rate.
[0054] Further according to this Embodiment 2, in the on-vehicle device 1, the control unit
21 as reference speech rate setting means sets the reference speech rate value depending
on the user's action on the input unit 18 as input means. Then, the control unit 21
determines the speech rate on the basis of the reference speech rate value and the
designated speech rate value, and generates speech signals based on the speech voice
information data at the determined speech rate. In particular in Embodiment 2, the
control unit 21 determines the speech rate on the basis of the sum of the reference
speech rate value and the designated speech rate value.
[0055] This enables the speech rate to be varied as the situation requires and, in the case
of alerting voice information, the user to be securely alerted by a raise in speech
rate. As the speech rate is fixed at normal times, varying the speech rate can give
a more secure alert than varying the voice volume.
[0056] Especially, as the speech rate of voice information is determined on the basis of
a reference speech rate value set by the user and the speech rate of voice information
is also determined on the basis of a designated speech rate value instructed by a
roadside unit 2 and the server 3, the voice information can be uttered as speech at
a speed easy to hear for the user and in accordance with the instruction of the roadside
unit 2.
Embodiment 3
[0057] In a voice information providing system in Embodiment 3 of the present invention,
a designated speech rate value is supplied from the server 3 to the on-vehicle device
1 together with voice information data, and the on-vehicle device 1 determines the
speech rate on the basis of a reference speech rate value set by the user and its
designated speech rate value. Thus, the speech rate can be controlled both on the
roadside unit 2 side and on the on-vehicle device 1 side. Further in Embodiment 3,
the speech rate takes on a value adjusted with reference to the designated speech
rate value from a roadside unit 2 by a value corresponding to the reference speech
rate value set by the on-vehicle device 1.
[0058] The hardware configurations of the on-vehicle device 1, the roadside units 2 and
the server 3 in Embodiment 3 are substantially the same as those in Embodiment 1 (FIG.
1). However, each device executes the processing describe below.
[0059] The actions of each device in this system will be described. Incidentally, as the
actions of the server 3 and the roadside units 2 are similar to those in Embodiment
2, their description will be dispensed with.
[0060] The control unit 21 of the on-vehicle device 1, when it receives speech voice information
data and the designated speech rate value, determines the speech rate on the basis
of that designated speech rate value and a preset reference speech rate value. In
Embodiment 3, priority is given to designated speech rates from the roadside units
2 in determining the speech rate value. The control unit 21 determines as the speech
rate a value adjusted with reference to the designated speech rate value by a value
corresponding to the reference speech rate value.
[0061] FIG. 5 shows reference speech rate values in the on-vehicle device 1 and the relationship
between designated speech rate values from the roadside units 2 and actual speech
rates in Embodiment 3.
[0062] For instance, where the user has never set the reference speech rate value on the
on-vehicle device 1 side and the default prevails, the speech rate value at normal
times will be 3, and the designated speech rate value from a roadside unit 2 (e.g.
5) will be the speech rate value as it is. On the other hand, where the user has set
the reference speech rate value on the on-vehicle device 1 side, the average of the
designated speech rate value from the roadside unit 2 and the reference speech rate
value is used as the speech rate value. If the average is not an integer, the below-decimal
fraction is so rounded as to bring it close to the designated speech rate value from
the roadside unit 2.
[0063] The table shown in FIG. 5 may either be built into the control unit 21 or stored
in advance into a recording medium not shown for subsequent reference by the control
unit 21.
[0064] Having determined the speech rate value in this way, the control unit 21 executes
speech synthesis at a speech rate corresponding to that speech rate value, and supplies
speech signals to the voice output unit 20. The voice output unit 20 outputs speech
corresponding to those speech signals.
[0065] As described so far, according to this Embodiment 3, the on-vehicle device 1 determines
the speech rate when reproducing speech from speech voice information data, and generates
speech signals based on the speech voice information data at the determined speech
rate.
[0066] Further according to this Embodiment 3, in the on-vehicle device 1, the control unit
21 sets the reference speech rate value depending on the user's action on the input
unit 18. Then, the control unit 21 determines the speech rate value on the basis of
the reference speech rate value and the designated speech rate value, and generates
speech signals based on the speech voice information data at the determined speech
rate value. In particular in Embodiment 3, the control unit 21 determines as the speech
rate a value adjusted with reference to the designated speech rate value by a value
corresponding to the reference speech rate value.
[0067] This enables the speech rate to be varied as the situation requires and, in the case
of alerting voice information, the user to be securely alerted by a raise in speech
rate. As the speech rate is fixed at normal times, varying the speech rate can give
a more secure alert than varying the voice volume. Further, as the speech rate is
determined mainly on the basis of a reference speech rate value, the voice information
can be uttered as speech at a speed depending on a speed instructed by a roadside
unit 2, the speech rate can be controlled on the roadside unit 2 side depending on
the content of the voice information.
Embodiment 4
[0068] In a voice information providing system in Embodiment 4 of the present invention,
a designated speech rate value is supplied from the server 3 to the on-vehicle device
1 together with voice information data, and the on-vehicle device 1 determines the
speech rate value on the basis of a reference speech rate value set by the user and
its designated speech rate value. Thus, the speech rate can be controlled both on
the roadside unit 2 side and on the on-vehicle device 1 side. Further in Embodiment
4, the speech rate takes on a value adjusted with reference to the designated speech
rate value from a roadside unit 2 by a value corresponding to the reference speech
rate value set by the on-vehicle device 1.
[0069] The hardware configurations of the on-vehicle device 1, the roadside units 2 and
the server 3 in Embodiment 4 are substantially the same as those in Embodiment 1 (FIG.
1). However, each device executes the processing describe below.
[0070] The actions of each device in this system will be described. Incidentally, as the
actions of the server 3 and the roadside units 2 are similar to those in Embodiment
2, their description will be dispensed with.
[0071] The control unit 21 of the on-vehicle device 1, when it receives speech voice information
data and the designated speech rate value, determines the speech rate on the basis
of that designated speech rate value and a preset reference speech rate value. In
Embodiment 4, priority is given to the reference speech rate value from the on-vehicle
device 1 in determining the speech rate value. The control unit 21 determines as the
speech rate a value adjusted with reference to the reference speech rate value by
a value corresponding to the designated speech rate value.
[0072] FIG. 6 shows reference speech rate values in the on-vehicle device 1 and the relationship
between designated speech rate values from the roadside units 2 and actual speech
rates in Embodiment 4.
[0073] For instance, where the user has never set the reference speech rate value on the
on-vehicle device 1 side and the default prevails, the speech rate value at normal
times will be 3, and the designated speech rate value from a roadside unit 2 (e.g.
5) will be the speech rate value as it is. On the other hand, where the user has set
the reference speech rate value on the on-vehicle device 1 side, the average of the
designated speech rate value from the roadside unit 2 and the reference speech rate
value is used as the speech rate value. If the average is not an integer, the below-decimal
fraction is so rounded as to bring it close to the designated speech rate value set
by the on-vehicle device 1.
[0074] The table shown in FIG. 6 may either be built into the control unit 21 or stored
in advance into a recording medium not shown for subsequent reference by the control
unit 21.
[0075] Having determined the speech rate value in this way, the control unit 21 executes
speech synthesis at a speech rate corresponding to that speech rate value, and supplies
speech signals to the voice output unit 20. The voice output unit 20 outputs speech
corresponding to those speech signals.
[0076] As described so far, according to this Embodiment 4, the on-vehicle device 1 determines
the speech rate when reproducing speech from speech voice information data, and generates
speech signals based on the speech voice information data at the determined speech
rate.
[0077] The control unit 21 sets the reference speech rate depending on the user's action
on the input unit 18. Then, the control unit 21 determines the speech rate value on
the basis of the reference speech rate value and the designated speech rate value,
and generates speech signals based on the speech voice information data at the determined
speech rate value. In particular in Embodiment 4, the control unit 21 determines as
the speech rate value a value adjusted with reference to the reference speech rate
value by a value corresponding to the designated speech rate value.
[0078] This enables the speech rate to be varied as the situation requires and, in the case
of alerting voice information, the user to be securely alerted by a raise in speech
rate. As the speech rate is fixed at normal times, varying the speech rate can give
a more secure alert than varying the voice volume. Further, as the speech rate is
determined mainly on the basis of a reference speech rate value, the voice information
can be uttered as speech at a speed easy to hear for the user.
Embodiment 5
[0079] In a voice information providing system in Embodiment 5 of the present invention,
a designated speech rate value is supplied from the server 3 to the on-vehicle device
1 together with voice information data, and the on-vehicle device 1 determines the
speech rate on the basis of a reference speech rate value set by the user and its
designated speech rate value. Thus, the speech rate can be controlled both on the
roadside unit 2 side and on the on-vehicle device 1 side. Further in Embodiment 5,
the speech rate takes on a value corresponding to an intermediate value between the
reference speech rate value set by the on-vehicle device 1 and the designated speech
rate value from a roadside unit 2.
[0080] The hardware configurations of the on-vehicle device 1, the roadside units 2 and
the server 3 in Embodiment 5 are substantially the same as those in Embodiment 1 (FIG.
1). However, each device executes the processing describe below.
[0081] The actions of each device in this system will be described. Incidentally, as the
actions of the server 3 and the roadside units 2 are similar to those in Embodiment
2, their description will be dispensed with.
[0082] The control unit 21 of the on-vehicle device 1, when it receives speech voice information
data and a designated speech rate value, determines the speech rate on the basis of
the designated speech rate value and a preset reference speech rate value. In Embodiment
5, the control unit 21 uses as the speech rate value designating the speech rate of
voice information an intermediate value between the reference speech rate value and
the designated speech rate value.
[0083] FIG. 7 shows reference speech rate values in the on-vehicle device 1 and the relationship
between designated speech rate values from roadside units and actual speech rate values
in Embodiment 5. In Embodiment 5, the speech rate value takes on an intermediate value
between the designated speech rate value from a roadside unit 2 and the reference
speech rate value of the on-vehicle device 1. If the designated speech rate value
and the reference speech rate value are the same, that value is determined as the
speech rate value. If the intermediate value is not an integer, the below-decimal
fraction is rounded to make the value an integer.
[0084] The table shown in FIG. 7 may either be built into the control unit 21 or stored
in advance into a recording medium not shown for subsequent reference by the control
unit 21.
[0085] Having determined the speech rate value in this way, the control unit 21 executes
speech synthesis at a speech rate corresponding to that speech rate value, and supplies
speech signals to the voice output unit 20. The voice output unit 20 outputs speech
corresponding to those speech signals.
[0086] As described so far, according to this Embodiment 5, the on-vehicle device 1 determines
the speech rate when reproducing speech from speech voice information data, and generates
speech signals based on the speech voice information data at the determined speech
rate.
[0087] Further according to this Embodiment 5, in the on-vehicle device 1, the control unit
21 sets the reference speech rate depending on the user's action on the input unit
18. Then, the control unit 21 determines the speech rate value on the basis of the
reference speech rate value and the designated speech rate value, and generates speech
signals based on the speech voice information data at the determined speech rate value.
In particular in Embodiment 5, the control unit 21 determines as the speech rate based
on an intermediate value between the reference speech rate value and the designated
speech rate value.
[0088] This enables the speech rate to be varied as the situation requires and, in the case
of alerting voice information, the user to be securely alerted by a raise in speech
rate. As the speech rate is fixed at normal times, varying the speech rate can give
a more secure alert than varying the voice volume.
[0089] Especially, as the speech rate of voice information is determined on the basis of
a reference speech rate value set by the user and at the same time on the basis of
designated speech rates instructed by a roadside unit 2 and the server 3, the voice
information can be uttered as speech at a speed easy for the user to hear and depending
on a speed instructed from the roadside unit 2 side.
[0090] Incidentally, though the embodiments so far described above represent appropriate
examples of the invention, the invention is not limited to these modes, but can be
modified or altered in various ways within the extent of not deviating from the essentials
of the invention.
[0091] For instance, though the speech rates of voice information supplied from the roadside
units 2 is controlled in each embodiment, the speech rates of other voice information
items occurring in vehicle navigation such as guide information may also be controlled
in the same way. In that case, data including voice information data are stored into
the on-vehicle device 1 in advance.
[0092] Further, whereas the speech rate is controlled on the basis of the vehicle speed
in Embodiment 1 and in Embodiments 2 through 5 it is controlled on the basis of the
reference speech rate value set by the on-vehicle device 1 and designated speech rate
values designated by the roadside units 2, control of the speech rate based on the
vehicle speed may as well be added to speech rate control by the on-vehicle device
1 in each of Embodiments 2 through 5. In that case, the speech rate determined by
the on-vehicle device 1 in each of Embodiments 2 through 5 above may be increased
or decreased according to the values of vehicle speed data.
[0093] While the on-vehicle device in each of the embodiments of the invention is supposed
to be a navigation device, it may as well be realized as a device having no navigating
function. For instance, it may be a radio broadcast receiver, an audio device of one
kind or another, or a device dedicated to one of these functions. Or it may be realized
as a device connectable to a navigation device, and various functions in the navigation
device, including that of the voice output unit 20, may be used as appropriate.
[0094] Further, while the control unit 21 determines the speech rate on the basis of the
sum of the reference speech rate value and the designated speech rate value in Embodiment
2, the speech rate may as well be determined on the basis of either the average or
the product of the two. Where they are to be averaged, one or the other values may
be weighted as appropriate.
[0095] Further in each of the embodiments, the speech volume or speech tone may be determined
depending on the speech rate determined by the control unit 21 as speech information
determining means. In that case, the control unit 21 generates speech signals based
on speech voice information data at that speech rate and in that speech volume (namely
an amplitude corresponding to that volume), or the control unit 21 may control the
voice output unit 20 and so adjusts the volume of the speech outputted from the voice
output unit 20 as to have that speech volume.
[0096] Further in each of the embodiments, the control unit 21 as speech rate determining
means may as well determine the speech rate depending on the distance between a specific
position corresponding to geographical position information added to the voice information
data and the current position. In that case, the geographical position information
is added to each set of voice information data in the server 3 and supplied from the
roadside units 2 to the on-vehicle device 1 together with the voice information data,
or stored into the on-vehicle device 1 together with voice information data for navigational
use. The current position is identified from current position data obtained by the
GPS receiver 15. The control unit 21 executes the control of the speech rate as in
each of the embodiments when, for instance, the distance between a specific position
and the current position is at or above a prescribed threshold, and otherwise executes
no control of the speech rate. Also, the control unit 21 may increase or decrease
the speech rate depending on the distance between a specific position and the current
position. In that case, it increases the speech rate with a decrease in the distance.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0097] The present invention can be applied to, for instance, on-vehicle navigation devices.
1. An on-vehicle device to be mounted on a vehicle
characterized in that it is provided with:
speech rate determining means that determines a speech rate when reproducing speech
from received speech voice information data, and
speech signal generating means that generates speech signals based on said speech
voice information data at the designated speech rate determined by said speech rate
determining means.
2. The on-vehicle device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said speech rate determining means, in reproducing speech from speech voice information
data, uses a prescribed reference speech rate as the speech rate when the speech voice
information data are not prescribed data of high urgency or uses a higher rate than
said reference speech rate as the speech rate when the speech voice information data
are prescribed data of high urgency.
3. The on-vehicle device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said speech rate determining means, in reproducing speech from speech voice information
data, determines the speech rate depending on the speed of said vehicle at the point
of time.
4. The on-vehicle device according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is further provided with input means that is acted upon by a user and reference
speech rate setting means that sets a reference speech rate depending on the action
of the user upon said input means, wherein
said speech rate determining means determines the speech rate on the basis of said
reference speech rate and a designated speech rate value set in said speech voice
information data, and
said speech signal generating means generates speech signals based on said speech
voice information data at the speech rate determined by said speech rate determining
means.
5. The on-vehicle device according to Claim 4, characterized in that said speech rate determining means determines the speech rate on the basis of said
reference speech rate and a prescribed table in which said designated speech rates
are set.
6. The on-vehicle device according to Claim 4, characterized in that said speech rate determining means uses as the speech rate a value adjusted with
reference to said designated speech rate value by a value corresponding to said reference
speech rate value or a value adjusted with reference to said reference speech rate
by a value corresponding to said designated speech rate value.
7. The on-vehicle device according to Claim 4, characterized in that said speech rate determining means determines the speech rate on the basis of said
reference speech rate, said designated speech rate value and the speed of said vehicle.
8. The on-vehicle device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said speech rate determining means determines the speech rate depending on the distance
between a position according to geographical position information added to said voice
information data and the current position.
9. The on-vehicle device according to Claim 1,
characterized in that it is further provided with receiving means that receives said speech voice information
data from a fixed device, wherein:
said speech rate determining means, when said receiving means receives said speech
voice information data, determines the speech rate at that point of time, and
said speech signal generating means generates speech signals based on said speech
voice information data at the speech rate determined by said speech rate determining
means.
10. The on-vehicle device according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is further provided with determining means for said speech information that determines
a speech volume or a speech tone depending on said speech rate, wherein
said speech signal generating means generates speech signals based on said speech
voice information data at said speech rate and in the speech volume or speech tone
determined by said speech information determining means.
11. A voice information providing system characterized in that it is provided with the on-vehicle device according to Claim 10, and
a server which transmits speech voice information data to said on-vehicle device via
a fixed device.
12. A speech rate adjusting method
characterized in that it is provided with:
a step of determining a speech rate when reproducing speech from speech voice information
data with an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and
a step of generating speech signals based on said speech voice information data at
said determined speech rate.