JP2005148402A - Information notification system and program for information notification method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an operator from having a sense of incompatibility because of occurrence of a voiceless state when character information is voiced and outputted. <P>SOLUTION: A system has an introduction part processing means of performing introduction part processing consisting of language analysis of an introduction part of character information consisting of the introduction part and a body part and the generation of voice data, a reproduction time calculation processing means of calculating the reproduction time needed to reproduce voice data of the introduction part, and a body part processing means of performing body part processing consisting of language analysis by divided sections of the body part and the generation of the voice data. The body part processing is carried out by the sections while made to correspond to the reproduction time of the voice data of the introduction part, so the operator never has the sense of incompatibility due to the occurrence of a voiceless state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information notification system and an information notification method program.

  Conventionally, in a navigation device, for example, a current position of a vehicle, that is, a current position, is detected by GPS (Global Positioning System), and a rotation angular velocity of a vehicle detected by a gyro sensor, that is, based on a turning angle, The direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle direction is detected, map data is read from the data recording unit, a map screen is formed on the display unit, and the current location, a map around the current location, and the vehicle direction are displayed on the map screen. It is displayed. Therefore, the driver who is an operator can drive the vehicle according to the current location displayed on the map screen, the map around the current location, and the direction of the vehicle.

  Further, when the driver inputs a destination and sets search conditions, a route from the departure point to the destination represented by the current location is searched based on the search conditions. The searched route, that is, the searched route is displayed together with the current location and the destination on the map screen. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the displayed search route. When the driver inputs a departure point different from the current location, a route from the input departure point to the destination is searched.

  By the way, in a navigation apparatus, for example, news data can be received from an information center, and news voice output can be performed by a voice output unit provided in the navigation apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).

  In addition, in a navigation device that can receive character information such as news and perform voice output, a voice synthesizer and a speaker are provided in the voice output unit, and a voice output control unit is provided in the voice synthesizer. A speech synthesis function unit, a sound driver, and the like are provided. Then, the voice output control unit divides the character information, the voice synthesis function unit performs language analysis, generation of voice data, and the like, the sound driver reproduces the voice data, and the speaker operates to operate the character. Read information.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the conventional speech output control unit, and FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the operations of the conventional speech synthesis function unit and sound driver.

  For example, when the text information is text news, as shown in FIG. 2, the text news is composed of a headline and a news text.

  In the speech synthesis function unit, processing such as language analysis and generation of speech data is performed, and generally, the number of characters that can be processed at one time is limited. Even when the number of characters is not limited, the time required to generate the voice data increases as the number of characters in the character news increases.

  Therefore, the maximum number of characters that can be processed at one time (hereinafter referred to as “the maximum number that can be collectively processed”) (for example, 128 [characters]) is set in the speech synthesis function unit, and the character news is transmitted in the communication unit. When received, the voice output control unit has a text i (character string consisting of a character string having a number of characters smaller than the maximum number that can be processed at one time and a number of characters that does not feel uncomfortable even if it is divided. 1, 2), N).

  When the text news including the headline and the text i is transmitted to the speech synthesis function unit, the speech synthesis function unit first performs language analysis on the headline at timing t0. In the linguistic analysis, the speech synthesis function unit specifies the part of speech of each word constituting the heading character string, determines the reading of each word corresponding to the part of speech, and adds a phonetic character to which an accent symbol or the like is added. Create a column. Subsequently, the voice synthesis function unit generates a voice data by analyzing the phonetic character string and transmits the voice data to the voice output control unit. The voice output control unit is transmitted from the voice synthesis function unit. Transfer audio data to the sound driver. Then, the sound driver operates the speaker at timing t1 to reproduce the transferred audio data and reads the headline.

  When the transfer of the voice data for the headline is completed, the voice synthesis function unit performs language analysis on the body 1 at the timing t1, generates voice data and transfers the voice data to the sound driver. The audio data transferred in step 1 is reproduced, and the text 1 is read out. Further, the speech synthesis function unit performs language analysis on the text 2 at the timing t3, generates speech data and transfers it to the sound driver, and the sound driver reproduces the transferred speech data and reads the text 2 aloud. .

Thereafter, by repeating the above-described processing for the body 3 to the body N, it is possible to perform audio output for the headline and the body i.
JP 2003-121187 A

  However, in the conventional navigation device, the time required for language analysis and voice data generation depends on the performance of the voice synthesis function unit. A considerably long blank time, that is, a blank time is formed before the reproduction is started, and a silent state is formed in the blank time, which makes the driver feel uncomfortable.

  In general, since the number of characters in the headline is small, the analysis time indicating the time required for performing the language analysis, the generation time indicating the time required for generating the voice data, and the time required for reproducing the voice data are set. The reproduction time represented is short, for example, the generation time is several tens of milliseconds and the reproduction time is 2 to 3 seconds, whereas the number of characters in the text i is large, so the analysis time, generation time, and reproduction time Are long, for example, the generation time is 5 to 10 seconds and the reproduction time is several tens of seconds.

  Therefore, after the reproduction of the audio data for the headline is completed at the timing t2, the time until the reproduction of the audio data for the body 1 is started at the timing t3 is the blank time τ1, and the silent state is present at the blank time τ1. It is formed. In addition, the blank time τ1 becomes longer as the number of characters in the main body i increases.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional navigation device and provides an information notification system and information that does not give the operator a sense of incongruity when a silent state is formed when performing voice output of character information. An object is to provide a program of a notification method.

  For this purpose, in the information notification system of the present invention, the introduction unit processing means for performing the introduction unit processing including language analysis and generation of voice data for the introduction unit of the character information including the introduction unit and the main body unit, and the introduction A playback time calculation processing means for calculating a playback time required for playing back audio data for the unit, and for each section divided for the main body based on a processing variable set corresponding to the playback time. Main body processing means for performing main body processing consisting of language analysis and generation of voice data.

  In another information notification system of the present invention, the processing variable is a timing at which the main body processing for the first section of the main body starts.

  In still another information notification system of the present invention, the timing for starting the main body processing is set based on the reproduction time and the main body processing time required for performing the main body processing.

  In still another information notification system of the present invention, the processing variable is the number of characters in the character string of the first section of the main body.

  In still another information notification system according to the present invention, the number of characters of the character string of the first section is calculated based on an appropriate main body processing time assumed to correspond to the reproduction time.

  In the program of the information notification method of the present invention, the computer performs introduction part processing means for performing introduction part processing consisting of language analysis and generation of voice data for the introduction part of the character information comprising the introduction part and the main body part, A reproduction time calculation processing means for calculating a reproduction time required for reproducing the audio data for the introduction unit, and a section divided for the main body unit based on a processing variable set corresponding to the reproduction time. Each of these functions as a main body processing means for performing main body processing consisting of language analysis and generation of voice data.

  According to the present invention, since the main body process is performed for each divided section of the main body based on the processing variable set corresponding to the reproduction time of the audio data for the introduction section, a silent state is formed. As a result, the operator does not feel uncomfortable.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes an information terminal, for example, a navigation device as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle. The navigation device 14 is a GPS sensor 15 as a current location detection unit for detecting the current location, map data, road data, search. It functions as a computer based on basic information of the navigation device 14 such as data, that is, a data recording unit 16 as an information recording unit in which various information is recorded in addition to navigation data, various programs, data, etc. Based on the input information, a navigation processing unit 17 that performs various arithmetic processing such as navigation processing, a direction sensor 18 as a direction detection unit that detects the direction of the host vehicle, and a predetermined driver's operation by a driver. Is displayed on a screen (not shown) as a first input unit for inputting A display unit 35 serving as a first output unit for performing various displays using images and notifying the driver, a voice input unit 36 serving as a second input unit for performing predetermined inputs using voice, and voice output And a voice output unit 37 as a second output unit for notifying the driver of predetermined information by performing a communication unit 38 as a transmission / reception unit functioning as a communication terminal. The navigation processing unit 17 includes an operation unit 34, the display part 35, the audio | voice input part 36, the audio | voice output part 37, and the communication part 38 are connected. The navigation processor 17 is also connected with a vehicle speed sensor 41 as a vehicle speed detector.

  The GPS sensor 15 detects the current location on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by an artificial satellite, and also detects the time.

  In the present embodiment, the GPS sensor 15 is used as the current position detection unit, but a distance sensor, a steering sensor, an altimeter, etc. (not shown) may be used alone or in combination instead of the GPS sensor 15. The distance sensor detects a distance between predetermined points on the road, and calculates a distance based on a rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) or by integrating acceleration twice. The steering sensor detects a rudder angle, and uses, for example, an optical rotation sensor, a rotation resistance sensor, an angle sensor attached to a wheel, or the like attached to a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown). can do.

  Further, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like can be used as the direction sensor 18. As the gyro sensor, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used, and the gyro sensor detects the vehicle direction by integrating the turning angle. The geomagnetic sensor detects the direction of the vehicle by measuring the geomagnetism.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a database including data files such as a map data file, an intersection data file, a node data file, a road data file, a search data file, and a facility data file, and each data file includes a navigation device 14. Navigation data about is recorded. The data recording unit 16 also records data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37.

  For example, the map data file contains map data for displaying a map, the intersection data file contains intersection data related to each intersection, the node data file contains node data related to node points, and the road data file contains road data related to roads. The search data file includes search data for searching for routes, and the facility data file stores facility data relating to various facilities. The road condition is determined by the intersection data, node data, road data, search data, etc. Road condition data representing is constructed.

  In the intersection data, the name of the intersection, the shape of the intersection, the main facility adjacent to the intersection, the name of the main place ahead of the intersection, the approach road representing the road entering the intersection, the exit road representing the road exiting from the intersection, etc. Is included. In addition, the node data includes data representing an actual road branch point (including an intersection, a T-junction, and the like), a node point, a link between node points that connect the node points, and the like.

  The road data includes the width, slope, cant, bank, road surface condition, number of road lanes, places where the number of lanes decreases, places where the width becomes narrow, etc. , Radius of curvature, intersections, T-shaped roads, corner entrances, road attributes, downhill roads, uphill roads, etc., road types, national roads, prefectural roads, narrow streets, highways, urban highways Data representing expressways and toll roads such as roads and toll roads are included. Further, the road data includes data indicating level crossings, highway entrance and exit roads (rampways), highway / toll road tollgates, and the like. The facility data includes data representing facilities such as name, address, telephone number, and facility guidance for facilities such as hotels, gas stations, parking lots, sightseeing spots, and department stores in each region.

  The navigation processing unit 17 is an arithmetic device that controls the entire navigation device 14 and a CPU 31 as a control device, and a first recording medium used as a working memory when the CPU 31 performs various arithmetic processes. As a second recording medium on which various programs for searching for a route to a destination, route guidance, etc. are recorded in addition to a RAM 32 such as DRAM, SRAM, MRAM, FeRAM, etc., and a control program. The ROM 33 includes a flash memory (not shown) as a third recording medium used for recording various data, programs, and the like. A semiconductor memory, a magnetic core or the like is used as an internal storage device such as the RAM 32, ROM 33, flash memory or the like. An MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 31 as the arithmetic device and the control device.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a magnetic disk (not shown) such as a hard disk or a flexible disk as a fourth recording medium arranged as an external storage device for recording the various data. A head (not shown) such as a read / write head for reading or writing the data is provided. Similarly, the data recording unit 16 includes a magnetic tape, a magnetic drum, a CD, an MD, a DVD, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, an optical card, and the like as a fifth recording medium disposed as an external storage device. You can also

  By the way, various programs can be recorded in the ROM 33 and various data can be recorded in the data recording unit 16, but the programs, data, and the like can also be recorded on a hard disk or the like. In this case, the program, data, etc. can be read from a hard disk or the like and written to the flash memory. Therefore, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging the hard disk or the like. Further, when an automatic transmission control device is mounted to control an automatic transmission (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, the control program, data, etc. for the automatic transmission control device are also stored in the hard disk or the like. Can be recorded. Further, the program, data, etc. can be received via the communication unit 38 and written to the flash memory.

  The operation unit 34 is operated by the driver to correct the current location at the start of traveling, to input a departure point and a destination, to input a passing point, and to activate the communication unit 38. A keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a light pen, a remote control device for remote control, a joystick, etc., which are arranged independently of the display unit 35, can be used. Further, as the operation unit 34, a predetermined input operation is performed by touching or clicking an image operation unit such as various keys, switches, and buttons displayed as images on the screen formed in the display unit 35. Can do.

  As the display unit 35, a display such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or a plasma display can be used, or a hologram device that projects a hologram on a windshield of a vehicle can be used. Then, on the various screens formed on the display unit 35, the vehicle position indicating the current location, a map, a search route, guidance information along the search route, traffic information, etc. are displayed, or a characteristic at the intersection or the search route is displayed. In addition to displaying the distance to the next intersection, the direction of travel at the next intersection, and the like, the operation guide and operation of the image operation unit, operation unit 34, voice input unit 36, etc. Menus, key guidance, FM multiplex broadcast programs, and the like can be displayed.

  The voice input unit 36 includes a microphone (not shown) and the like, and can input necessary information by voice.

  Furthermore, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer (not shown) and a speaker as a voice output device. In the voice output unit 37, general information such as news and weather forecasts, search routes, guidance information, traffic information, etc. The voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer is output. Note that earphones, headphones, or the like may be used as the audio output device instead of the speakers. In addition to the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer, it is also possible to output various sounds, various guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, memory or the like.

  The communication unit 38 arranges various types of information transmitted from a road traffic information center (not shown) such as a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center as a first information provider along the road. A beacon receiver for receiving as a radio wave beacon, an optical beacon, etc. via a radio beacon device, an optical beacon device, etc., an FM receiver for receiving as an FM multiplex broadcast via an FM broadcast station, and the like. Then, the beacon receiver receives traffic information such as traffic jam information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, service area congestion status information, and the FM receiver in addition to the traffic information, the general information Information can be received as FM multiplexed information. The beacon receiver and the FM receiver are unitized and arranged as a VICS receiver, but can be arranged separately.

  The communication unit 38 can also receive various data such as D-GPS information for detecting a detection error of the GPS sensor 15 transmitted from a predetermined base station. Further, the communication unit 38 can receive position information by radio wave beacons, optical beacons, and the like to detect the current location. In this case, the beacon receiver functions as a current location detection unit.

  Furthermore, the communication part 38 can also receive various information such as traffic information and general information from the information center 51 as the second information provider. For this purpose, the communication unit 38 and the information center 51 are connected via a network 43.

  The navigation device 14, the road traffic information center, the information center 51, the network 43, and the like constitute a navigation system, and various types of information are transmitted and received between the communication unit 38 and a communication unit (not shown) of the information center 51.

  In the present embodiment, in order for the communication unit 38 to function as a communication terminal, a communication device such as a mobile phone is built in the communication unit 38 as a module. It is also possible to connect devices and connect the communication device and the communication unit 38. In that case, as a communication device, a mobile phone such as a mobile phone, a car phone, and a PHS, a wireless LAN card, etc. are used, a personal computer, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an electronic notebook, It is possible to use a videophone, game machine or the like having a communication function.

  The network 43 includes a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, a mobile phone network, a telephone network, a public communication network, a dedicated communication network, a communication network such as the Internet, etc. Communication means can be used. Communication means using CS broadcasting, BS broadcasting, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, FM multiplex broadcasting, etc. by a broadcasting satellite can also be used. Furthermore, it is possible to use communication means such as a non-stop automatic toll payment system (ETC) and a narrow area communication system (DSRC) used in an intelligent road traffic system (ITS).

  The information center 51 may be operated by any one of an individual, a company, a group, a local government, a government related organization, or the like, and may be operated by the road traffic information center.

  The information center 51 includes a server 53, a database (DB) 57 serving as an information recording unit connected to the server 53, the communication unit, and the like. Two-way communication is performed, and traffic information, general information, and the like are provided. For this purpose, the server 53 includes a CPU 54, a RAM 55, a ROM 56, and the like as an arithmetic device and a control device, and functions as a computer based on predetermined programs, data, and the like. Further, the same data as various data (including navigation data) recorded in the data recording unit 16 can be recorded in the database 57. In addition to the navigation processing unit 17 and the server 53, the CPUs 31 and 54 can function as a computer. Further, two or more of the navigation processing unit 17, the server 53, and the CPUs 31, 54 can be combined to function as a computer. Further, an MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 54.

  Then, the CPU 54 receives traffic information, general information, etc. transmitted from the road traffic information center, etc., and records them in the database 57 as primary information, or processes the primary information to perform statistical processing, Statistical data constituting historical information representing the history of traffic, traffic jam prediction information for predicting traffic jam conditions, and the like are created, and the statistical data is recorded in the database 57 as secondary information. In the present embodiment, in creating the statistical data, detailed conditions such as date / time, day of the week, weather, various events, seasons, facility information (presence / absence of large facilities such as department stores and supermarkets) are included in the history information. Is added.

  Next, a basic operation of the navigation system having the above configuration will be described.

  First, when the operation unit 34 is operated by the driver and the navigation device 14 is activated, a navigation initialization processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs navigation initialization processing, and the current location and direction detected by the GPS sensor 15. While reading the direction of the vehicle detected by the sensor 18, various data are initialized. Note that the matching processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs matching processing, and the current location is on any road link based on the trajectory of the read current location and the shape and arrangement of each road link constituting the surrounding road. The current location is specified by determining whether the current location is located.

  Subsequently, an information acquisition processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs an information acquisition process, and reads and acquires the navigation data from the data recording unit 16 or receives it from the information center 51 or the like via the communication unit 38. get. When acquiring from the information center 51, the information acquisition processing means downloads the received navigation data to a flash memory, a hard disk or the like. In addition, when the navigation data is acquired via the communication unit 38, the program can also be acquired.

  Then, the display processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs display processing, forms a map screen on the display unit 35, and maps the vehicle position and a map around the vehicle position on the map screen based on navigation data. And the direction of the vehicle is displayed. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the vehicle position, the map around the vehicle position, and the vehicle direction.

  The character information acquisition processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs character information acquisition processing, receives character information, for example, news formed of a character string from the information center 51, that is, character news, and is not shown of the CPU 31. The voice output processing means performs voice output processing, reads the received character news, transmits it to the voice output unit 37, and the voice output unit 37 performs voice output on the character news. As shown in FIG. 2, the text news includes a headline as an introduction part and a news text as a main part.

  Next, the audio output unit 37 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an audio output unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 31 is a CPU, 32 is a RAM, 37 is a voice output unit, 38 is a communication unit, a voice synthesizer 44 and a speaker 45 are provided in the voice output unit 37, and the voice synthesizer 44 is a predetermined unit. It functions as a computer based on the program, data, etc.

  The voice synthesizer 44 includes a voice output control unit 61 as a voice output control processing unit, a voice synthesis function unit 62 as a voice synthesis processing unit, a sound driver 63 as a voice output drive processing unit, and the like. The output control unit 61 is provided with an audio data buffer 64 as a first audio data recording unit, and the sound driver 63 is provided with a DMA transfer buffer 65 as a second audio data recording unit.

  In this embodiment, the audio data buffer 64 is arranged in the audio output control unit 61 and the DMA transfer buffer 65 is arranged in the sound driver 63. However, the audio data buffer 64 is arranged in the audio output control unit. The DMA transfer buffer 65 can be provided independently of the sound driver 63 independently of the sound driver 61. In the present embodiment, the speech synthesizer 44 is arranged in the speech output unit 37, but the CPU 31 can also have the function of the speech synthesizer 44. In this case, the CPU 31 is provided with voice output control processing means, voice synthesis processing means, and voice output drive processing means.

  By the way, in the speech synthesis function unit 62, processing such as language analysis and generation of speech data is performed, and generally, the number of characters that can be processed at one time is limited. Even when the number of characters is not limited, the time required to generate the voice data increases as the number of characters in the character news increases.

  Therefore, the maximum number (for example, 128 [characters]) that can be collectively processed is set in the voice synthesis function unit 62, and the division processing unit (not shown) of the voice output control unit 61 performs division processing and is received by the communication unit 38. The news body is read, and the news body is composed of a character string having a character number that is less than the maximum number of characters that can be batch processed and that does not feel strange even when divided, for example, a body i (i = 1, 2,... N). N is an integer of 2 or more.

  In this case, a section of text news is constituted by the headline and each body i. Subsequently, the voice output control unit 61 transmits the text news including the headline and the text i to the voice synthesis function unit 62. Each body i is preferably composed of one or more sentences.

  In addition, the speech synthesis function unit 62 performs speech synthesis processing, performs language analysis for each section for the headline and each body i, identifies the part of speech of each word constituting the character string of each section, and supports the part of speech Thus, the phonetic character string with the accent symbol added is created while determining the reading of each word. Further, the speech synthesis function unit 62 generates speech data by analyzing the phonetic character string and transmits the speech data to the speech output control unit 61. The speech output control unit 61 receives the speech synthesis function unit 62 from the speech synthesis function unit 62. The transmitted audio data is transferred to the sound driver 63.

  Further, the sound driver 63 performs an audio output driving process, reproduces the transferred audio data, operates the speaker 45, and sequentially reads out the headline and the text i.

  Next, an operation when the navigation system is used as an information notification system will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when acquiring the character news in the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram when transmitting the character news in the information center according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows this operation | movement.

  First, in the navigation device 14 (FIG. 1), when the driver operates the operation unit 34 to request acquisition of character news, the character information acquisition processing means of the CPU 31 performs character information acquisition processing, and the information center 51 Send a request to confirm the existence of text news. In the information center 51, the character information provision processing means (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs character information provision processing, determines whether or not a character news presence / absence confirmation request has been received, and receives the presence / absence confirmation request. The presence / absence is transmitted to the navigation device 14.

  Subsequently, in the navigation device 14, when the character information acquisition processing means of the CPU 31 receives the presence / absence of character news from the information center 51, it determines whether there is new character news. A reception request for the text news group is sent to 51. In the information center 51, the character information provision processing unit of the CPU 54 determines whether or not a character news group reception request has been received, and transmits the character news group to the navigation device 14 when receiving the character news group reception request. .

  In the navigation device 14, when the character information acquisition processing unit of the CPU 31 receives the character news group, the character news group is recorded in the RAM 32 and stored. If necessary, the display processing means of the CPU 31 performs display processing, forms a text news display screen on the display unit 35, and displays each text news of the text news group in a list format on the text news display screen. To do.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 5 will be described.
Step S1: A request for confirming presence / absence of text news is transmitted.
Step S2: It is determined whether there is a new text news. If there is new text news, the process proceeds to step S3, and if not, the process ends.
Step S3: A character news group reception request is transmitted.
Step S4: The character news group is received.
Step S5: The character news group is saved and the process is terminated.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described.
Step S11: It is determined whether or not a text news presence / absence confirmation request has been received. If a text news presence / absence confirmation request is received, the process proceeds to step S12. If not received, the process ends.
Step S12: The presence / absence of text news is transmitted.
Step S13: It is determined whether or not a character news group reception request has been received. If a reception request for the text news group has been received, the process proceeds to step S14, and if not received, the process ends.
Step S14: The character news group is transmitted and the process is terminated.

  Next, the operation of the audio output unit 37 will be described. In this case, the voice output processing means of the CPU 31 reads each character news of the character news group recorded in the RAM 32 and transmits it to the voice synthesizer 44 (FIG. 4).

  FIG. 7 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the audio output unit in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the audio output unit in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a third flowchart showing the operation of the audio output unit in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the interrupt processing means in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Is a first time chart showing operations of the speech synthesis function unit and the sound driver in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an operation of the speech synthesis function unit and the sound driver in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the 2nd time chart which shows.

  First, when the character news is received from the CPU 31 (FIG. 4), the division processing means of the voice output control unit 61 divides the news body of the character news with a number of characters smaller than the maximum number that can be collectively processed. However, it is divided into a plurality of body texts i composed of character strings of the number of characters without any sense of incongruity, and character news composed of headings and body text i is transmitted to the speech synthesis function unit 62.

  Subsequently, an introduction unit processing unit (not shown) of the speech synthesis function unit 62 performs an introduction unit process, and a language analysis processing unit of the introduction unit processing unit selects a headline of the text news to be read out, and performs language analysis at timing t10. The processing is started, the language analysis is performed on the headline, the language analysis process is terminated at timing t11, and the generation processing unit of the introduction unit processing unit starts the generation process, and based on the result of the language analysis, Is generated and sent to the audio output control unit 61, and the generation process ends at timing t12. Along with this, a recording processing unit (not shown) of the audio output control unit 61 performs a recording process and records audio data about the heading in the audio data buffer 64.

  By the way, the audio data recorded in the audio data buffer 64 is read out and transferred to the sound driver 63, and at the timing when the sound driver 63 starts reproducing the audio data, When text processing means (not shown) starts text processing as body processing consisting of language analysis, voice data generation, etc., similar to the language analysis, voice data generation, etc., for the text 1 representing the first text. Since the data amount of the headline is very small, the reproduction of the audio data is completed in a short time, whereas the data amount of the main body 1 is large, so it takes a considerable time until the main body processing is completed. The blank time becomes longer.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to shorten the blank time, the timing at which the text processing is started is adjusted, and the text processing is started before the reproduction of the audio data for the heading is started. ing.

For this purpose, a reproduction time calculation processing unit (not shown) of the speech synthesis function unit 62 performs a reproduction time calculation process, selects a text news headline to be read out, and reproduces voice data about the headline. A necessary time, that is, a reproduction time T1 is calculated. In this case, if the header data size is W0, the number of bytes of one sample (usually 2 [bytes]) is Dsm, and the sampling frequency is fsm (22000 [Hz] in this embodiment), the playback time T1 is
T1 = (W0 / Dsm) / fsm
become.

  Subsequently, the speech synthesis function unit 62 selects the text 1 of the text news to be read out, and the text processing time calculation processing means (not shown) of the speech synthesis function unit 62 performs text processing time calculation processing, and the text for the text 1 A main body processing time required for processing, that is, a text processing time T2 is calculated.

  Then, a text processing start time setting processing unit (not shown) of the voice synthesis function unit 62 performs a text processing start time setting process, and starts transferring voice data for the heading from the voice output control unit 61 to the sound driver 63. Based on the timing tx, a preceding time τ for starting the text processing ahead of the transfer of the audio data for the heading is calculated in correspondence with the reproduction time T1, and the text processing is performed based on the preceding time τ. Is calculated as a processing variable.

In this case, the preceding time τ does not give the driver a sense of incongruity in the silent state that is formed after the reproduction of the audio data for the headline is finished and the reproduction of the audio data for the body 1 is started. Is set as follows. That is, when the time required to transfer the voice data for the headline, that is, the transfer time is T3 and the time when the silent state does not give the driver a sense of incongruity is set as the blank time T4, the preceding time τ is
τ = T2− (T1 + T3 + T4)
become. The transfer time T3 can be calculated based on the amount of audio data. However, since the transfer time T3 is generally short, it can be set to a constant value or approximate to zero (0).

  Subsequently, an interrupt processing unit (not shown) of the voice output control unit 61 performs an interrupt process, and at a predetermined timing t13, the preceding time τ is added to the time measured by the interrupt timer built in the voice synthesizer 44. Set, start timer interrupt, and start counting the interrupt timer.

  On the other hand, the text processing means starts text processing at the timing t13. The language analysis processing means of the text processing means starts the language analysis processing at timing t13, performs language analysis on the text 1, ends the language analysis processing at timing t14, and generates the text processing means of the text processing means. Then, the generation process is started, and based on the result of the language analysis, the voice data for the body 1 is generated and sent to the voice output control unit 61, and the generation process is terminated at timing t15. Along with this, the recording processing means of the audio output control unit 61 performs a recording process and records the audio data for the body 1 in the audio data buffer 64.

  By the way, when the preceding time τ elapses while the text processing is being performed and the time measurement of the interrupt timer ends at the timing tx, the transfer processing means of the interrupt processing means starts the transfer process, Audio data for the headline is read from the data buffer 64, transferred to the sound driver 63, and recorded in the DMA transfer buffer 65. When the transfer time T3 elapses from the timing tx, the transfer processing means ends the transfer processing at the timing ty, and the reproduction processing means of the interrupt processing means starts the reproduction processing. To play the audio data for the headline. Subsequently, the reproduction time T1 has elapsed from the timing ty, and the reproduction processing means ends the reproduction processing at the timing tz. Accordingly, the interrupt processing means ends the interrupt process and stops the timer interrupt.

  Subsequently, transfer processing means (not shown) of the audio output control unit 61 starts transfer processing, reads audio data for the body 1 from the audio data buffer 64 at timing t15, transfers it to the sound driver 63, and DMA transfer buffer. Record in 65. Then, when the transfer processing unit finishes the transfer process at timing t16, the reproduction processing unit (not shown) of the audio output control unit 61 starts the reproduction process, operates the speaker 45, and reproduces the audio data for the text 1. To do.

  In this case, there is a silent state for the blank time T4 from the end of the reproduction process for the headline at timing tz to the start of the reproduction process for body 1 at timing t16.

  Subsequently, the text processing means selects the remainder of the text divided at the timing t16 in order from the text 2, and starts text processing for the text m (m = 2, 3,..., N). The language analysis processing means of the text processing means performs language analysis on the text m, and the generation processing means of the text processing means generates voice data for the text m and sends it to the voice output control unit 61. Along with this, the recording processing means records the audio data for the text m in the audio data buffer 64.

  Subsequently, the transfer processing unit determines whether there is audio data being reproduced. If there is no audio data being reproduced, the transfer processing unit reads audio data for the body m from the audio data buffer 64 and transfers it to the sound driver 63. And recorded in the DMA transfer buffer 65. Then, the reproduction processing means activates the speaker 45 by the sound driver 63 and reproduces audio data for the text m.

  Next, the audio output control unit 61 determines whether or not the audio data for all of the divided text i has been reproduced, and when the audio data for all of the divided text i is reproduced, the next character It is determined whether or not there is news, and if there is no next character news, the process is terminated.

Next, the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 9 will be described.
Step S21: Divide the news body.
Step S22: Select the headline of the text news to be read out.
Step S23: Perform language analysis on the headline.
Step S24: Create audio data for the headline.
Step S25: Record audio data for the headline in the audio data buffer 64.
Step S26 The reproduction time T1 for the headline is calculated.
Step S27 Select the text 1 of the text news to be read out.
Step S28 A text processing time calculation process is performed.
Step S29: Timing t13 for starting the text processing is calculated.
Step S30 The preceding time τ is set to the time measured by the interrupt timer.
Step S31: Start a timer interrupt and start counting the interrupt timer.
Step S32 The body process is started.
Step S33: Perform language analysis on the main body 1.
Step S34: Generate voice data for the main text 1.
Step S35 The audio data for the body 1 is recorded in the audio data buffer 64.
Step S36: Stop the timer interrupt.
Step S37 The audio data for the body 1 is reproduced.
Step S38: The remainder of the divided text is selected in order from the text 2.
Step S39: Perform language analysis on the body m.
Step S40: Generate voice data for the text m.
Step S41 Audio data for the body m is recorded in the audio data buffer 64.
Step S42 Wait until there is no audio data being reproduced.
Step S43 The audio data for the text m is reproduced.
Step S44: It is determined whether the audio data for all of the divided body i has been reproduced. If the audio data for all the divided text i has been reproduced, the process proceeds to step S45, and if not reproduced, the process returns to step S38.
Step S45: It is determined whether there is a next character news. If there is a next character news, the process returns to step S21, and if not, the process ends.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 10 will be described.
Step S51: Transfer the voice data for the headline.
Step S52: Audio data for the headline is reproduced and the process returns.

  Incidentally, for example, the preceding time τ may take a negative value because the reproduction time T1 is long or the text processing time T2 is short. In this case, as shown in FIG. τ is set to zero, interrupt processing is not performed, and the text processing means starts text processing at a predetermined timing t13. The language analysis processing means of the text processing means starts the language analysis processing at timing t13, performs language analysis on the text 1, ends the language analysis processing at timing t14, and generates the text processing means of the text processing means. Then, the generation process is started, and based on the result of the language analysis, the voice data for the body 1 is generated and sent to the voice output control unit 61, and the generation process is terminated at timing t15. Along with this, the recording processing means performs recording processing, records the audio data for the body 1 in the audio data buffer 64, and the standby processing means (not shown) of the audio output control unit 61 performs standby processing, The driver 63 is put on standby.

  Subsequently, when a predetermined waiting time T5 elapses from the timing t15, the transfer processing means reads the audio data for the body 1 from the audio data buffer 64 at the timing t16, transfers it to the sound driver 63, and transfers it to the DMA transfer buffer 65. Record. Then, when the transfer processing means finishes the transfer process at timing t17, the reproduction processing means operates the speaker 45 by the sound driver 63 to reproduce the audio data for the text 1.

  On the other hand, at the timing t <b> 13, the transfer processing means reads the audio data for the heading from the audio data buffer 64, transfers it to the sound driver 63, and records it in the DMA transfer buffer 65. Then, the transfer time T3 elapses from the timing t13, the transfer processing means ends the transfer processing at the timing ty, the reproduction processing means operates the speaker 45 by the sound driver 63, and the audio data about the headline is obtained. Reproduce. Subsequently, the reproduction time T1 elapses from the timing ty, and the reproduction processing means ends the reproduction processing at the timing tz.

  In this case, since the generation process for the text 1 is completed at a timing t15 before the timing tz when the reproduction process for the headline is completed, the audio data for the text 1 is transferred until a predetermined waiting time T5 elapses. It is made to wait.

  Also, the silent state is set for the blank time T4 from the timing tz at which the reproduction processing for the headline ends to the timing t17 at which the reproduction processing for the body 1 is started.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the preceding time τ is calculated based on the reproduction time T1 for the headline and the text processing time T2 for the text 1, and the timing for starting the text processing for the text 1 is adjusted. Then, before the audio data for the headline is transferred and reproduced, the text processing for the text 1 is started. Therefore, after the reproduction process for the headline is completed, the reproduction process for the main text 1 is started after an appropriate blank time T4, so that the operator feels uncomfortable by forming a silent state. There is nothing.

  Next, a subroutine for the text processing time calculation process in step S28 in FIG. 7 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a subroutine for text processing time calculation processing in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a language analysis time table in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the production | generation time table in 1st Embodiment of this.

  First, the language analysis time calculation processing means of the text processing time calculation processing means performs language analysis time calculation processing, and the language analysis time shown in FIG. 14 of the RAM (not shown) built in the speech synthesizer 44 (FIG. 4). With reference to the table, the language analysis time Tan corresponding to the number of characters in the character string of the body 1 is calculated. In this case, since the language analysis time Tan is not represented by a linear function in the language analysis time table, the language analysis time Tan is calculated by performing the following interpolation.

For example, when the number of characters H1 of the character string of the body 1 is 50 [characters], the language analysis time table is located between 32 [characters] and 64 [characters], so that 32 [characters] and 64 [characters] are located. If the number of characters in the middle of the character] is the reference character number Hb, the reference character number Hb is
Hb = (32 + 64) / 2
= 48
When the language analysis time intermediate between the language analysis time 300 [ms] corresponding to 32 [characters] and the language analysis time 600 [ms] corresponding to 64 [characters] is defined as the reference language analysis time Tans, Language analysis time Tans is
Tans = (300 + 600) / 2
= 450 [ms]
It is. Accordingly, the language analysis time Tan based on the ratio of the number of characters H1 to the reference number of characters Hb.
Tan = (H1 / Hb) · Tans
= (50/48) x 450
≈ 469 [ms]
Can be calculated.

Further, the language analysis time Tan can be calculated without using the language analysis time table. In this case, for example, when the language analysis time Tan is proportional to the number of characters, and the language analysis time per [character] is 15 [ms], the language analysis time Tan is
Tan = 15 × 50
= 750 [ms]
become.

  Subsequently, the generation time calculation processing means of the text processing time calculation processing means performs generation time calculation processing, refers to the generation time table shown in FIG. A generation time Tdt corresponding to the number of characters of the character string is calculated. In this case, since the generation time Tdt is not represented by a linear function in the generation time table, the generation time Tdt is calculated by performing the following interpolation.

For example, when the number of characters H1 of the character string of the text 1 is 50 [characters], it is located between 32 [characters] and 64 [characters] in the generation time table. ], If the number of characters in between is the reference character number Hb, the reference character number Hb is
Hb = (32 + 64) / 2
= 48
If the intermediate generation time between the generation time 700 [ms] corresponding to 32 [characters] and the generation time 1400 [ms] corresponding to 64 [characters] is the reference generation time Tdts, the reference generation time Tdts is ,
Tdts = (700 + 1400) / 2
= 1050 [ms]
It is. Therefore, the generation time Tdt based on the ratio of the number of characters H1 to the reference number of characters Hb.
Tdt = (H1 / Hb) · Tdts
= (50/48) x 1050
≈ 1094 [ms]
Can be calculated.

Further, the generation time Tdt can be calculated without using the generation time table. In this case, for example, if the generation time Tdt is proportional to the number of characters, and the generation time per [character] is 30 [ms], the generation time Tdt is
Tdt = 30 × 50
= 1500 [ms]
become.

  Subsequently, the transfer time calculation processing means of the text processing time calculation processing means performs a transfer time calculation process, refers to a transfer time table (not shown) of the RAM built in the speech synthesizer 44, and reads the character string of the text 1 The transfer time Tfd corresponding to the number of characters is calculated.

  Since the transfer time Tfd is generally short, it can be set to a constant value or approximate to zero.

Next, the summation processing means of the text processing time calculation processing means performs summation processing, and the text processing time T2
T2 = Tan + Tdt + Tfd
Is calculated.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S28-1: The language analysis time Tan for the text 1 is calculated.
Step S28-2: The generation time Tdt for the text 1 is calculated.
Step S28-3: The audio data transfer time Tfd for the body 1 is calculated.
Step S28-4: Calculate the text processing time T2 and return.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol, and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure. .

  16 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the audio output unit in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the audio output unit in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a first time chart showing operations of the speech synthesis function unit and sound driver in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a speech synthesis function unit and sound driver in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a 2nd time chart which shows this operation | movement.

  First, when the character news is received from the CPU 31 (FIG. 4) as the arithmetic device and the control device, the voice output control unit 61 as the voice output control processing means sends the character news to the voice synthesis function unit 62 as the voice synthesis processing means. Send.

  Subsequently, the introduction unit processing unit of the speech synthesis function unit 62 performs introduction unit processing, and the language analysis processing unit of the introduction unit processing unit selects a headline as an introduction unit of the text news to be read, and timing t20 Starts the language analysis process, performs the language analysis on the headline, ends the language analysis process at timing t21, and the generation processing unit of the introduction unit processing unit starts the generation process, based on the result of the language analysis. Then, the audio data for the headline is generated and sent to the audio output control unit 61, and the generation process ends at timing t22. Along with this, the recording processing means of the audio output control unit 61 performs a recording process, and records the audio data about the heading in the audio data buffer 64 as the first audio data recording unit.

  Next, the playback time calculation processing means of the speech synthesis function unit 62 performs playback time calculation processing, selects a headline of the text news to be read out as a speech output target, and calculates a playback time T11 for the headline.

  Then, the division processing means (not shown) of the speech synthesis function unit 62 performs division processing, selects the news body as the main body of the text news to be read, and then the head division position setting processing means of the division processing means When the head division position setting process is performed and the news body of the text news is divided into a plurality of body texts j (j = 1, 2,..., M−1, m, m + 1,..., M), the playback time Corresponding to T11, the body 1 is divided from the news body at an ideal head division position so that the body processing time T12 as an appropriate proper main body processing time is formed. M is an integer of 2 or more.

  Subsequently, a subsequent division processing unit (not shown) of the division processing unit performs a subsequent division process, and divides the remainder of the news body into an appropriate number and an appropriate number. In this way, the news text can be divided into a plurality of texts j. In dividing the remainder of the news body, a predetermined value, for example, the maximum batch processable number (for example, 128 [character]) set in the speech synthesis function unit 62 in the first embodiment is used. can do. Also, by using the same method as the start division position setting process, the division position is set based on the playback time for the current body m and the body processing time for the next body m + 1, and the body m is divided from the rest of the news body. be able to. Each section is constituted by the heading and each body text j.

  Next, the transfer processing means of the audio output control unit 61 starts the transfer process, reads the audio data for the heading from the audio data buffer 64, transfers it to the sound driver 63 as the audio output drive processing means, and the sound driver 63. Is recorded in the DMA transfer buffer 65 as the second audio data recording unit. Then, at timing t23, the transfer processing unit ends the transfer process, and the reproduction processing unit of the audio output control unit 61 starts the reproduction process, operates the speaker 45 by the sound driver 63, and outputs the audio data about the heading. Reproduce. Subsequently, the reproduction time T11 elapses from the timing t23, and the reproduction processing means ends the reproduction processing at the timing td.

  On the other hand, the text processing unit as the main body processing unit of the speech synthesis function unit 62 performs the text processing as the main body processing, selects the text j sequentially from the text 1, and starts text processing on the text j. . Then, the language analysis processing means of the text processing means starts language analysis processing, performs language analysis on the text j, ends the language analysis processing, and the generation processing means of the text processing means starts generation processing. Based on the result of the language analysis, voice data for the body text j is generated and sent to the voice output control unit 61, and the generation process is terminated. Along with this, the recording processing means of the audio output control unit 61 records audio data for the text j in the audio data buffer 64.

  Subsequently, the transfer processing means of the audio output control unit 61 reads the audio data for the text j from the audio data buffer 64, transfers it to the sound driver 63, and records it in the DMA transfer buffer 65. When the transfer processing unit finishes the transfer process, the reproduction processing unit of the audio output control unit 61 starts the reproduction process, operates the speaker 45 by the sound driver 63, and reproduces the audio data of the text j. .

  Next, the audio output control unit 61 determines whether or not the audio data for all of the divided text j is reproduced, and when the audio data for all of the divided text j is reproduced, the next character It is determined whether or not there is news. If there is no next character news, the process is terminated.

  In this case, there is a silent state for the blank time T14 from the timing td when the reproduction processing for the headline ends to the timing te when the reproduction processing for the body 1 is started.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, when the reproduction time T11 for the headline becomes longer, the number of characters in the character string of the body 1 is increased correspondingly, and the body processing time T12 is extended.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the playback time T11 for the headline is calculated, the number of characters in the character string of the text 1 is determined in correspondence with the playback time T11, and the text 1 is divided from the news text. After the reproduction process for the headline is finished, the reproduction process for the main text 1 is started after an appropriate blank time T14, which makes the operator feel uncomfortable by forming a silent state. There is no.

Next, the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17 will be described.
Step S61: Select the headline of the text news to be read out.
Step S62: Perform language analysis on the headline.
Step S63 Create voice data for the headline.
Step S64: Record audio data for the headline in the audio data buffer 64.
Step S65 The reproduction time T11 for the headline is calculated.
Step S66: Select the news text of the text news to be read out.
Step S67 A head division position setting process is performed.
Step S68: The remainder of the news text is divided at an appropriate location.
Step S69 The audio data for the headline is reproduced.
Step S70: Select the text j from the text 1 in order.
Step S71: Text analysis is performed on the text j.
Step S72: Create voice data for the text j.
Step S73: Record audio data for the body text j in the audio data buffer 64.
Step S74 Wait for the text being reproduced to disappear.
Step S75 The audio data for the text j is reproduced.
Step S76: It is determined whether the audio data for all of the divided body text j has been reproduced. If the audio data for all of the divided text j has been reproduced, the process proceeds to step S77, and if not reproduced, the process returns to step S70.
Step S77: It is determined whether there is a next character news. If there is a next character news, the process returns to step S61, and if not, the process ends.

  Next, a subroutine for the division head position setting process in step S67 of FIG. 16 will be described.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a subroutine for starting division position setting processing in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a first character number calculation table in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd character number calculation table in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

In this case, the optimum processing time calculation processing means of the head division position setting processing means performs optimum processing time calculation processing, reads the reproduction time T11, and based on the reproduction time T11, the optimum body text processing time for the body 1 T12 is calculated. In this case, an optimal space time T14 that does not give the driver a sense of incongruity is set when the text processing for the text 1 is performed while the audio data for the headline is being reproduced, and the text processing time T12 is set.
T12 = T11 + T14
Is calculated.

  Subsequently, the character number calculation processing means of the head division position setting processing means performs a character number calculation process, and a first character number calculation table shown in FIG. 21 of the RAM built in the speech synthesizer 44 (FIG. 4), Then, referring to the second character count calculation table shown in FIG. 22, the number of characters suitable for text processing at the text processing time T12 is calculated as a processing variable. The first and second character count calculation tables are substantially the same as the language analysis time table and the generation time table in the first embodiment, and therefore the language analysis time table and the generation time table are used. Can do.

Here, when the text processing time T12 is 5 [s] and the space time T14 is 1 [s], the language analysis time Tan for the text 1 takes a value between 600 and 1500 [ms], When the main text 1 is to be divided from the news text so that the generation time Tdt takes a value between 1400 and 2750 [ms], in the first character count calculation table, an intermediate value between 600 [ms] and 1500 [ms]. The reference language analysis time Tans representing the language analysis time of
Tans = (600 + 1500) / 2
= 1050 [ms] and the reference character number Hb corresponding to the reference language analysis time Tans is
Hb = (64 + 128) / 2
= 96 [characters]
become.

Therefore, when the number of characters of the body 1 is H1 [character], the language analysis time Tan is based on the ratio of the number of characters H1 to the reference number of characters Hb.
Tan = (H1 / Hb) · Tans
= (H1 / 96) x 1050 (1)
become.

Further, when the number of characters of the character string of body 1 is H1 [characters], in the second character number calculation table, the reference generation time Tdts representing the generation time intermediate between 1400 [ms] and 2750 [ms] is
Tdts = (1400 + 2750) / 2
= 2075 [ms]
The reference character number Hb corresponding to the reference generation time Tdts is
Hb = (64 + 128) / 2
= 96 [characters]
become.

Therefore, when the number of characters of the body 1 is H1 [character], the generation time Tdt is based on the ratio of the number of characters H1 to the reference number of characters Hb.
Tdt = (H1 / Hb) · Tdts
= (H1 / 96) x 2075 (2)
become.

The text processing time T12 is
T12 = T11 + T14
Therefore, the playback time T11 is
T11 = T12-T14
= 5-1
= 4 [s]
become. The reproduction time T11 is approximately T11 = Tan + Tdt
So
Tan + Tdt = 4 [s] (3)
From the expressions (1) to (3), the language analysis time Tan is
Tan = 0.81 [s]
And the generation time Tdt is
Tdt = 3.19 [s]
become. And the number of characters H1 is
H1 ≒ 74 [characters]
become.

  In this case, the reproduction time T11 is approximately represented by the sum of the language analysis time Tan and the generation time Tdt, and the transfer time Tfd is approximately zero, but the language analysis time Tan, the generation time Tdt, and the transfer time. It can also be expressed as the sum of Tfd. In this case, the transfer time Tfd can be expressed as a variable with respect to the number of characters in the character string or as a constant value.

  Subsequently, the language analysis processing means of the head division position setting processing means performs language analysis processing, performs language analysis on the news text, and divides the text 1 from the news text.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S67-1: The optimum text processing time T12 for the text 1 is calculated.
Step S67-2: The number of characters suitable for text processing is calculated as a processing variable.
Step S67-3: Perform language analysis on the news text.
Step S67-4: Divide the body 1 from the news body and return.

  In each embodiment, an example in which the navigation device 14 performs audio output using the speaker 45 has been described. However, in other embodiments, a mobile phone such as a mobile phone, a PHS, or a portable computer, In portable terminal devices such as personal portable information terminals and electronic notebooks, it is possible to output sound using earphones, headphones, or the like.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the navigation system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the conventional audio | voice output control part. It is a time chart which shows the operation | movement of the conventional speech synthesis function part and a sound driver. It is a block diagram explaining the audio | voice output part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of acquiring a character news in the navigation apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of transmitting a text news in the information center in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows operation | movement of the audio | voice output part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows operation | movement of the audio | voice output part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the audio | voice output part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the interruption process means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st time chart which shows the operation | movement of the speech synthesis function part and sound driver in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd time chart which shows the operation | movement of the speech synthesis function part and sound driver in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the text processing time calculation process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the language analysis time table in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the production | generation time table in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows operation | movement of the audio | voice output part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows operation | movement of the audio | voice output part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st time chart which shows the operation | movement of the speech synthesis function part and sound driver in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd time chart which shows the operation | movement of the speech synthesis function part and sound driver in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the head division | segmentation position setting process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st character number calculation table in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd character number calculation table in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

14 navigation device 17 navigation processing unit 43 network 44 speech synthesis device 51 information center 62 speech synthesis function unit

Claims (6)

  Of the character information consisting of the introduction part and the main part, introduction part processing means for performing introduction part processing consisting of linguistic analysis and generation of voice data for the introduction part, and necessary for reproducing the voice data for the introduction part A main part comprising: a reproduction time calculation processing means for calculating a reproduction time; and language analysis and generation of audio data for each divided section of the main part based on a processing variable set corresponding to the reproduction time An information notification system comprising main body processing means for performing processing.   The information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the processing variable is a timing at which a main body process is started for a first section of the main body.   The information notification system according to claim 2, wherein the timing of starting the main body processing is set based on the reproduction time and the main body processing time required for performing the main body processing.   The information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the processing variable is the number of characters in the character string of the first section of the main body.   The information notification system according to claim 4, wherein the number of characters of the character string of the first section is calculated based on an appropriate main body processing time assumed to correspond to the reproduction time. An introductory processing means for performing an introductory part process comprising linguistic analysis and speech data generation for the introductory part of the character information comprising the introductory part and the main body part, to reproduce the speech data for the introductory part Based on a playback time calculation processing means for calculating a required playback time, and a processing variable set corresponding to the playback time, language analysis and generation of audio data are performed for each divided section of the main body. A program for an information notification method, characterized in that it functions as a body part processing means for performing body part processing.

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