Control device, control method, and program
By controlling the device to modify the travel plan according to the specific time the user arrives at the destination, the problem of not taking into account the arrival time in the prior art is solved, the efficiency and accuracy of the plan are improved, and the business response pressure is reduced.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022012393
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-01-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-01-28
AI Technical Summary
The prior art does not take into account the specific time the user arrives at the destination when creating a travel plan, resulting in insufficient planning efficiency and accuracy.
A first plan including one or more destinations and a preliminary time for the user to arrive at each destination is obtained by the control device, and a second plan that is adapted is created based on whether the user can arrive at the destination at a specified time.
Improves the efficiency and accuracy of travel plans to create, ensures flexibility of plans and user convenience, while reducing the response pressure of the business at the destination.
Smart Images

Figure 0007669946000005 
Figure 0007669946000006 
Figure 0007669946000007
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for creating a travel plan for a user to visit a destination. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a navigation ECU inputs a schedule related to a departure point where charging was performed, intermediate stops along the way, and a destination where charging will be performed, calculates a travel distance from the departure point where charging was performed to the destination where charging will be performed based on the positions of the departure point, intermediate stops, and destination, and sets a target battery capacity at each position during traveling based on the calculated distance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-007969 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] Conventional technology does not take into account the time at which a user checks in at a destination, and there is room for improvement in the technology for creating travel plans.
[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for creating a movement plan. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] A control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: The device includes a control unit that acquires a first plan including one or more destinations and a first time at which a user checks in to each of the destinations, and creates a second plan by modifying the first plan depending on whether the destinations can accommodate the user at the first time.
[0007] A control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A computer-implemented control method, comprising: The method includes obtaining a first plan including one or more destinations and a first time at which a user checks in to each of the destinations, and creating a second plan by modifying the first plan depending on whether the destinations can accommodate the user at the first time.
[0008] A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: On the computer, The system executes an operation including obtaining a first plan including one or more destinations and a first time at which a user checks in to each of the destinations, and creating a second plan by modifying the first plan depending on whether the destinations can accommodate the user at the first time. Effect of the Invention
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a technique for generating a movement plan is improved. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0012] An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The system 1 includes a control device 20, a first terminal device 30, a vehicle 40, and a second terminal device 50. The control device 20, the first terminal device 30, the vehicle 40, and the second terminal device 50 are communicatively connected to a network 60 including, for example, the Internet. For simplicity, FIG. 1 shows one each of the first terminal device 30, the vehicle 40, and the second terminal device 50, but there may be a plurality of first terminal devices 30, the vehicle 40, and the second terminal device 50.
[0013] The control device 20 is installed in a facility such as a data center, etc. The control device 20 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system.
[0014] The first terminal device 30 is held by a user who visits the destination. The first terminal device 30 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, or a PC. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer.
[0015] The vehicle 40 may be, for example, an automobile, but is not limited to this, and may be any vehicle. The automobile may be, for example, a gasoline automobile, an electric automobile, a hybrid automobile, a plug-in hybrid automobile, or a fuel cell automobile, but is not limited to these. The vehicle 40 may be driven by a driver, or may be automated at any level. The level of automation may be, for example, any of levels 1 to 5 in the level classification of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The vehicle 40 may be a vehicle dedicated to MaaS (Mobility as a Service). The vehicle 40 can move a user toward a destination with the user on board.
[0016] The second terminal device 50 is held by an employee of a business operator at each destination. For example, if the destination is a restaurant, the second terminal device 50 may be held by an employee of the restaurant. The second terminal device 50 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, or a PC.
[0017] Network 60 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or a combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 60 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. The wireless network may be, for example, an ad-hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.
[0018] First, an overview of the present embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The control device 20 acquires a first plan including one or more destinations and a first time when a user checks in to each of the destinations, and creates a second plan by modifying the first plan depending on whether the destinations can accept the user at the first time.
[0019] A destination is any place that the user intends to visit. Examples of destinations include outdoor facilities such as rafting venues or beaches, food and beverage facilities such as restaurants, accommodation facilities such as hotels or inns, commercial facilities such as shopping malls, event venues such as concert venues, and public facilities such as parks. The first plan and the second plan include one or more destinations and a first time when the user checks in to each of the destinations, as described below. The first plan and the second plan may include information indicating a route on a map from the user's home address or current location to the destination. The route may include a route using roads and public transportation traveled by the vehicle 40.
[0020] Checking in includes the user actually visiting the destination. The first time of check-in may be a reservation made with a business operator at the destination for the user to visit the destination and receive a service from the business operator. The second plan is at least a partial modification of the first plan.
[0021] According to this embodiment, the control device 20 can automatically create a second plan by modifying the first plan depending on whether the destination can actually accept the user according to the first plan. Even if a situation occurs in which the destination cannot accept the user, the plan is automatically modified, improving the convenience of creating a travel plan for the user. Also, for the business operator at the destination, the problem of having to respond after the user has arrived at the destination can be reduced, making it easier to flexibly respond to changes in reservation times, etc. Therefore, the technology for creating a travel plan can be improved by taking into account the time of check-in.
[0022] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25.
[0024] The control unit 21 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC. The control unit 21 controls the operation of the entire control device 20.
[0025] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the control device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store a system program, an application program, a database, map information, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 22 may be updatable with information acquired from the network 60 via the communication unit 23, for example.
[0026] The communication unit 23 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 60. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited to these, and may correspond to any communication standard.
[0027] The input unit 24 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integral with a display, or a microphone. The input unit 24 accepts an operation to input data used for the operation of the control device 20. The input unit 24 may be connected to the control device 20 as an external input device instead of being provided in the control device 20. As a connection method, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used. "USB" is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. "HDMI (registered trademark)" is an abbreviation for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.
[0028] The output unit 25 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for liquid crystal display. "EL" is an abbreviation for electro luminescence. The output unit 25 outputs data obtained by the operation of the control device 20. The output unit 25 may be connected to the control device 20 as an external output device instead of being provided in the control device 20. As a connection method, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.
[0029] The functions of the control device 20 are realized by executing a control program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the control device 20 are realized by software. The control program causes a computer to execute the operations of the control device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the control device 20. That is, the computer functions as the control device 20 by executing the operations of the control device 20 in accordance with the control program.
[0030] The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The program may be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM on which the program is stored. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program may be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transferring the program from the server to another computer. The program may be provided as a program product.
[0031] A computer temporarily stores a program stored in a portable medium or transferred from a server in a main storage device. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor and executes processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing according to the program. The computer may execute processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer. Processing may be executed by a so-called ASP-type service that realizes functions only by execution instructions and result acquisition without transferring a program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. Programs include information used for processing by a computer and equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct command to a computer but has the property of defining computer processing falls under " equivalent to a program.
[0032] A part or all of the functions of the control device 20 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 21. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the control device 20 may be realized by hardware.
[0033] The configuration of the first terminal device 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034] The first terminal device 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, an input unit , an output unit 35, and a positioning unit .
[0035] The control unit 31 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 31 executes processes related to the operation of the first terminal device 30 while controlling each part of the first terminal device 30.
[0036] The storage unit 32 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit 32 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 32 stores information used in the operation of the first terminal device 30 and information obtained by the operation of the first terminal device 30.
[0037] The communication unit 33 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G standard, or 5G standard, an interface compatible with short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a LAN interface. "LTE" is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th generation. "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th generation. The communication unit 33 receives information used in the operation of the first terminal device 30, and transmits information obtained by the operation of the first terminal device 30.
[0038] The input unit 34 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integral with a display, or a microphone. The input unit 34 accepts an operation for inputting information used in the operation of the first terminal device 30. The input unit 34 may be connected to the first terminal device 30 as an external input device instead of being provided in the first terminal device 30. As a connection method, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.
[0039] The output unit 35 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display, a speaker, or a vibration motor. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 35 outputs information obtained by the operation of the first terminal device 30. The output unit 35 may be connected to the first terminal device 30 as an external output device instead of being provided in the first terminal device 30. As a connection method, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.
[0040] The positioning unit 36 includes at least one GNSS receiver. "GNSS" is an abbreviation for global navigation satellite system. GNSS includes, for example, at least one of GPS, QZSS, GLONASS, and Galileo. "GPS" is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. "QZSS" is an abbreviation for Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. QZSS satellites are called quasi-zenith satellites. "GLONASS" is an abbreviation for Global Navigation Satellite System. The positioning unit 36 measures the position of the first terminal device 30.
[0041] The functions of the first terminal device 30 are realized by executing a terminal program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the control unit 31. That is, the functions of the first terminal device 30 are realized by software. The terminal program causes a computer to execute the operations of the first terminal device 30, thereby causing the computer to function as the first terminal device 30. That is, the computer functions as the first terminal device 30 by executing the operations of the first terminal device 30 in accordance with the terminal program.
[0042] A part or all of the functions of the first terminal device 30 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 31. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the first terminal device 30 may be realized by hardware.
[0043] The configuration of the second terminal device 50 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0044] The second terminal device 50 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, an input unit 54, and an output unit 55.
[0045] The control unit 51 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 51 executes processes related to the operation of the second terminal device 50 while controlling each unit of the second terminal device 50.
[0046] The storage unit 52 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit 52 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 52 stores information used in the operation of the second terminal device 50 and information obtained by the operation of the second terminal device 50.
[0047] The communication unit 53 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G standard, or 5G standard, an interface compatible with short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a LAN interface. "LTE" is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th generation. "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th generation. The communication unit 53 receives information used in the operation of the second terminal device 50, and transmits information obtained by the operation of the second terminal device 50.
[0048] The input unit 54 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrally provided with a display, or a microphone. The input unit 54 accepts an operation for inputting information used in the operation of the second terminal device 50. The input unit 54 may be connected to the second terminal device 50 as an external input device instead of being provided in the second terminal device 50. As a connection method, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.
[0049] The output unit 55 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display, a speaker, or a vibration motor. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 55 outputs information obtained by the operation of the second terminal device 50. The output unit 55 may be connected to the second terminal device 50 as an external output device instead of being provided in the second terminal device 50. As a connection method, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.
[0050] The functions of the second terminal device 50 are realized by executing a terminal program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the control unit 51. That is, the functions of the second terminal device 50 are realized by software. The terminal program causes a computer to execute the operations of the second terminal device 50, thereby causing the computer to function as the second terminal device 50. That is, the computer functions as the second terminal device 50 by executing the operations of the second terminal device 50 in accordance with the terminal program.
[0051] A part or all of the functions of the second terminal device 50 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 51. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the second terminal device 50 may be realized by hardware.
[0052] The configuration of a vehicle 40 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0053] The vehicle 40 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a communication unit 43, an input unit 44, an output unit 45, and a positioning unit 46. The vehicle 40 further includes various sensors. The various sensors, the control unit 41, the storage unit 42, the communication unit 43, the input unit 44, the output unit 45, and the positioning unit 46 may be communicatively connected to an in-vehicle network such as a controller area network (CAN).
[0054] The control unit 41 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA. The dedicated circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC. The control unit 41 may include one or more ECUs (Electronic Control Units). The control unit 41 controls the operation of the entire vehicle 40 while controlling each part of the vehicle 40.
[0055] The storage unit 42 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, but not limited to, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 42 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 42 stores any information used in the operation of the vehicle 40. For example, the storage unit 42 may store a system program, an application program, a database, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 42 may be updatable with information acquired from the network 60 via the communication unit 43, for example.
[0056] The communication unit 43 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a mobile communication standard such as 4G or 5G, a wired LAN standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard. For example, an in-vehicle communication device such as a DCM (Data Communication Module) may function as the communication unit 43. The communication unit 43 receives information used for the operation of the vehicle 40 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the vehicle 40.
[0057] The input unit 44 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integral with a display, or a microphone. The input unit 44 accepts an operation to input information used for the operation of the vehicle 40. The input unit 44 may be connected to the vehicle 40 as an external input device instead of being provided in the vehicle 40. As a connection method, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.
[0058] The output unit 45 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 45 outputs information obtained by the operation of the vehicle 40. The output unit 45 may be connected to the vehicle 40 as an external output device instead of being provided in the vehicle 40. As a connection method, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.
[0059] The positioning unit 46 includes at least one GNSS receiver. "GNSS" is an abbreviation for global navigation satellite system. The GNSS includes at least one of GPS, QZSS, BeiDou, GLONASS, and Galileo, for example. Satellites of the QZSS are called quasi-zenith satellites. The positioning unit 46 measures the position of the vehicle 40.
[0060] The functions of vehicle 40 are realized by executing an arbitrary vehicle program in a processor serving as control unit 41. That is, the functions of vehicle 40 are realized by software. The vehicle program causes a computer to execute the operations of vehicle 40, thereby causing the computer to function as vehicle 40. That is, the computer functions as vehicle 40 by executing the operations of vehicle 40 in accordance with the vehicle program.
[0061] A part or all of the functions of the vehicle 40 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 41. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the vehicle 40 may be realized by hardware.
[0062] The operation of the control device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the following, the control device 20 transmits and receives information to and from external devices via the communication unit 23 and the network 60. In the following, it is assumed that the user is in a vehicle and heading to a destination.
[0063] In step S100, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 acquires a first plan including one or more destinations and a first time when the user checks in to each of the destinations.
[0064] The first plan may be acquired by any method. For example, the control unit 21 communicates with an external device such as a business operator at each destination that the user has made a reservation to visit, or a server of a travel agency, etc. The control unit 21 may acquire the first plan by receiving information indicating the destination that the user has made a reservation for and the first time from the external device, and creating the first plan based on the information. In this case, the user may input a preference for the destination and the first time via the first terminal device 30 or the vehicle 40, and the first terminal device 30 or the vehicle 40 may transmit the input information to the external device.
[0065] The first time and the destination may be freely set by the user. The control unit 21 may determine a route to each destination using an arbitrary route search method based on information indicating the user's home address or current location, and create the first plan. The control unit 21 stores the acquired first plan in the storage unit 22.
[0066] Table 1 below is a diagram showing an example of the first plan. Table 1 shows only the outbound part of the user's travel plan as an example, but the first plan may include the return trip and may span multiple days. In the storage unit 22, destinations to be visited by the user and the first time at which the user checks in to each of the destinations are associated with each other and stored as the first plan. In the first plan shown in Table 1, the user checks in to the rafting venue at 11:00, spends time at the rafting venue, then checks in to restaurant A at 13:00 and spends time at restaurant A. After that, the user checks in to the pottery experience venue at 15:00, spends time at the pottery experience venue, then checks in to a hotel at 19:00 and stays at the hotel.
[0067] [Table 1]
[0068] In step S101, the control unit 21 estimates the user's expected time of arrival at the destination based on location information indicating the user's location, and determines whether the user can be accepted at the destination at the first time based on whether the difference between the estimated arrival time and the first time is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
[0069] If it is determined that the user cannot be accommodated at the destination at the first time (step S101: NO), the process of the control unit 21 proceeds to step S102. If it is determined that the user can be accommodated at the destination at the first time (step S101: YES), the process of the control unit 21 ends.
[0070] Any method may be adopted to acquire the location information. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 communicates with the first terminal device 30 held by the user, receives information indicating the location of the first terminal device 30 measured by the positioning unit 36 of the first terminal device 30, and acquires the information as location information indicating the user's location. Without being limited to this, the control unit 21 may receive information indicating the location of the vehicle 40 measured by the positioning unit 46 of the vehicle 40 in which the user is riding, and acquire the information as location information indicating the user's location.
[0071] The control unit 21 calculates the estimated time of arrival of the user at the destination based on the user's location information. Any method may be used to calculate the estimated time of arrival. The control unit 21 judges whether the difference between the calculated estimated time of arrival and the first time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be set freely and may be set for each destination. For example, in the first plan of Table 1, if the restaurant allows customers to be up to 15 minutes late, the predetermined value may be set to 15 minutes. If it is determined that the difference between the calculated estimated time of arrival and the first time is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control unit 21 judges that the user cannot be accepted at the destination at the first time. In this way, the control unit 21 judges whether the user can be accepted at the destination at the first time.
[0072] When the control unit 21 calculates the expected arrival time of the user at the destination, the control unit 21 may transmit information indicating the calculation result to the second terminal device 50. This allows employees of the business operator at the destination to know the specific expected arrival time of the user and to make preparations with ample time to spare.
[0073] Without being limited thereto, any method may be used to determine whether the destination can accept the user at the first time. For example, the control unit 21 may acquire information indicating whether the destination is ready, and based on the information, determine whether the destination can accept the user at the first time. The information indicating whether the destination is ready includes the preparation status for providing services at the destination, the availability of parking lots at the destination, the attendance status of employees at the destination, and the like. Any method may be adopted to acquire the information. For example, the control unit 21 may acquire the information by communicating with the second terminal device 50 and receiving the information from the second terminal device 50. In this case, an employee of the business operator at the destination inputs to the second terminal device 50 whether the business operator is ready to accept the user, and the input information is transmitted from the second terminal device 50 to the control device 20.
[0074] For example, if the destination is a restaurant, the information that the employee inputs to the second terminal device 50 may include the arrival status of ingredients, the availability of parking lots near the destination, the attendance status of employees, etc. For example, if ingredients for cooking suddenly become unavailable, if an employee at the destination suddenly becomes unable to come to work, if parking lots near the destination are full, etc., the second terminal device 50 transmits information indicating that the destination is not ready to go to the control device 20. The control unit 21 of the control device 20 that receives this information can determine that the destination cannot accept the user at the first time.
[0075] When the user comes within a predetermined distance from the destination, the control unit 21 may determine whether the destination can accept the user at the first time. This improves the accuracy of the determination as to whether the destination can accept the user. Any method may be adopted to determine that the user has come within the predetermined distance from the destination. For example, the control unit 21 communicates with the first terminal device 30 or the vehicle 40 and receives location information of the user. The control unit 21 may determine that the user has come within the predetermined distance from the destination based on the received information indicating the location.
[0076] Without being limited thereto, for example, the control unit 21 may communicate with a camera installed around the destination and receive an image captured by the camera. The control unit 21 may determine that the user has come within a predetermined distance from the destination when it determines by any image analysis technology that the user or the vehicle 40 is captured in the image.
[0077] The control unit 21 may determine whether or not some or all of the destinations included in the first plan can accommodate the user at the first time. The control unit 21 may make this determination only for any destinations previously set by the user. Thereby, for example, when the user wishes not to stop at any destination if he or she cannot check in to the destination at the first time, the control unit 21 does not make this determination. This reduces the burden on the control unit 21.
[0078] In step S102, the control unit 21 creates a second plan.
[0079] As a first specific example, the control unit 21 determines a second time by correcting the first time, and creates a second plan including the determined second time. In this case, any method may be adopted for determining the second time. For example, the control unit 21 may communicate with the second terminal device 50, receive information indicating the free time for reservations from the second terminal device 50, and determine the free time as the second time. In this case, the control device 20 inquires of the second terminal device 50 about the free time for reservations. The second terminal device 50 displays a screen for inquiring about the free time for reservations via the output unit 55. An employee of the business operator at the destination inputs the free time into the second terminal device 50, and the second terminal device 50 transmits information indicating the free time to the control device 20. In this way, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 can receive information indicating the free time for reservations. Without being limited to this, the control unit 21 may receive information indicating the free time for reservations from any external device that manages the user's reservations to the destination, determine the free time as the second time, and create the second plan. The control unit 21 may determine, as the second time, a free time until the time when the user checks in to the next scheduled destination.
[0080] The control unit 21 may determine, as the second time, a free time whose time difference from the estimated arrival time calculated in step S101 or the first time is less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be set arbitrarily. For example, if the destination is a dining facility such as a restaurant, the predetermined value may be set to one hour. This makes it possible to reduce the psychological burden on the user caused by a major change in plans without determining a time that is too far from the first time as the second time.
[0081] Table 2 shows an example of the second plan according to this specific example. Referring to Table 2, it can be seen that the control unit 21 determines that the destination restaurant A cannot accept the user, and changes the first time from the first time of 13:00 in Table 1 to the second time of 14:00.
[0082] [Table 2]
[0083] When creating the second plan, the control unit 21 may contact the destination for which the second time has been determined to request a change to the reservation time. For example, when creating the second plan of Table 2 above, the control unit 21 may communicate with the second terminal device 50 of an employee of restaurant A and transmit a request to change the reservation time to the second time.
[0084] The control unit 21 may determine a plurality of second times by correcting the first times for a plurality of destinations included in the second plan. For example, the control unit 21 may determine that the user is not accepted at Restaurant A, which is a destination in Table 1. In this case, the control unit 21 may communicate with the second terminal device 50 of the employee of each of the businesses of Restaurant A and the pottery experience venue, which is the destination after Restaurant A, to obtain information indicating the available time for reservations for each destination, and may correct the first times for both Restaurant A and the pottery experience venue to determine the second time.
[0085] In this example, assume that the free time for restaurant reservations is 15:00, and the free time for pottery experience class reservations is 17:00. In this case, an example of the second plan created by control unit 21 is shown in Table 3 below. Referring to Table 3, it can be seen that control unit 21 determines that restaurant A, which is the destination, cannot accept the user, and changes the first time for restaurant A from 13:00 to the second time of 15:00, and also changes the first time for the pottery experience venue from 15:00 to the second time of 17:00.
[0086] [Table 3]
[0087] When the estimated arrival time calculated in step S101 is earlier than the first time and the time difference between the estimated arrival time and the first time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 21 may determine an available reservation time earlier than the first time as the second time. When there is no available reservation time earlier than the first time at the destination, the control unit 21 may determine an alternative destination as shown in a second specific example described later. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may notify the user of places around the destination where the user can stop by until the first time.
[0088] Specifically, the control unit 21 transmits information indicating an arbitrary place, such as a park or a tourist spot, within a predetermined distance from the destination to the first terminal device 30 or the vehicle 40 of the user. The information is output via the output unit 25 of the first terminal device 30 or the vehicle 40, thereby notifying the user of the location. This enables the user to effectively use time until the first time even if the user arrives in the vicinity of the destination early.
[0089] The control unit 21 may determine the second time after inquiring of the user as to whether or not the first time can be corrected. Specifically, the control unit 21 communicates with the first terminal device 30 or the vehicle 40, and sends an inquiry to the first terminal device 30 or the vehicle 40 as to whether or not the first time can be corrected. The control unit 31 of the first terminal device 30 can display the inquiry on the output unit 35. Alternatively, the control unit 41 of the vehicle 40 can display the inquiry on the output unit 45. In response to this, when the user inputs permission to correct the first time via the input unit 34 or the input unit 44, information indicating the user's response is transmitted to the control device 20. When the control unit 21 of the control device 20 receives the information, it can determine the second time.
[0090] As a second specific example, the control unit 21 determines an alternative destination, which is a destination different from the destination, and creates a second plan including the determined alternative destination. In this case, any method may be adopted for determining the alternative destination. For example, the control unit 21 first identifies other destinations within a predetermined distance from the destination determined to be unable to accept the user, and communicates with each of the second terminal devices 50 used by employees of the business operators of the identified destinations. The predetermined distance may be set freely. The control unit 21 receives information indicating available time for reservations from the second terminal device 50. The control unit 21 can determine, among the identified destinations, a destination that has available time at the same time as the first time or with a time difference less than a predetermined value as an alternative destination, and create a second plan.
[0091] The control unit 21 may determine, as the alternative destination, a destination of the same type as the destination included in the first plan. The type of destination may be a type according to business form, such as an outdoor facility such as a rafting venue or a beach, an eating and drinking facility such as a restaurant, or an accommodation facility such as a hotel or an inn. The type of destination may be classified according to the age of visitors, the average usage fee per unit time, etc. If the destination included in the first plan is an eating and drinking facility such as a restaurant, the control unit 21 determines, as the alternative destination, a destination that is an eating and drinking facility among destinations that have free time. This reduces the psychological burden on the user caused by a major change in the contents of the schedule from the original plan, making it easier for the user to accept the alternative destination.
[0092] Table 4 is a table showing an example of the second plan according to this specific example. Referring to Table 4, it can be seen that the control unit 21 has determined that the destination restaurant A in Table 1 cannot accept the user, and has changed the destination from restaurant A to restaurant B.
[0093] [Table 4]
[0094] When creating the second plan, the control unit 21 may contact the alternative destination in the second plan to make a new reservation, and may also contact the destination in the first plan to cancel the reservation. For example, when creating the second plan in Table 4 above, the control unit 21 may communicate with the second terminal device 50 of an employee of restaurant B to send a message to make a new reservation, and may also communicate with the second terminal device 50 of an employee of restaurant A in Table 1 above to send a message to cancel the reservation.
[0095] The control unit 21 may change the multiple destinations included in the second plan to determine multiple alternative destinations. For example, when restaurant B is determined as an alternative destination for restaurant A in Table 4 above, if there is a destination that is closer to restaurant B than the pottery experience venue and has available reservation time, the control unit 21 may further determine the destination as an alternative destination for the pottery experience venue.
[0096] The control unit 21 may inquire of the user as to whether the destination can be changed and then determine an alternative destination. Specifically, the control unit 21 communicates with the first terminal device 30 or the vehicle 40 in the same manner as in the first specific example, transmits an inquiry as to whether the destination can be changed, and receives information indicating the user's response thereto from the first terminal device 30 or the vehicle 40. When the control unit 21 receives the information, it can determine an alternative destination.
[0097] The control unit 21 may determine an alternative destination according to a user's preference. The user's preference may be set in advance. For example, assume that the user desires an outdoor facility as a type of destination. When determining an alternative destination to a rafting venue as a destination, the control unit 21 may obtain information indicating available reservation times for outdoor facilities such as a fishing venue, and determine an outdoor facility with available reservation times as the alternative destination.
[0098] The control unit 21 may determine an alternative destination using a learning model that has learned the user's preferences for destinations. In this case, any method may be adopted to acquire the learning model. For example, the control unit 21 may generate a learning model that learns the user's preferences by any machine learning method based on the user's past answers to inquiries about whether the destination can be changed.
[0099] If there is no destination with available reservation time, the control unit 21 may determine an arbitrary place such as a park where a user can stop by without making a reservation as an alternative destination.
[0100] When the estimated arrival time calculated in step S101 is earlier than the first time and the time difference between the estimated arrival time and the first time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 21 may determine whether there is free time for reservations at another destination different from the destination at the estimated arrival time. The control unit 21 may decide to add a new destination based on the result of the determination. Specifically, the control unit 21 transmits an inquiry about whether there is free time for reservations at the estimated arrival time to the second terminal device 50 held by an employee of the business operator at the other destination within a predetermined distance from the destination. The control unit 51 of the second terminal device 50 can display the inquiry on the output unit 55. In response to this, when the employee inputs a response that there is free time for reservations via the input unit 54, the control unit 51 transmits information indicating the employee's response to the control device 20. When the control unit 21 of the control device 20 receives the information, it may decide to add a new destination. As a result, even if the user arrives at the destination of the first plan before the first time, the user can additionally visit the other destination, so that the user can use his or her time effectively.
[0101] The first and second specific examples may be combined and implemented. In this case, the control unit 21 creates a second plan when it is determined to correct the first time or change the destination for any destination included in the first plan.
[0102] In this way, the control unit 21 estimates the expected time of arrival at the user's destination based on location information indicating the user's location, and creates a second plan that modifies the first plan based on whether the difference between the expected arrival time and the first time is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
[0103] The control unit 21 stores the created second plan in the storage unit 22.
[0104] As shown in steps S100 to S102, the control unit 21 acquires a first plan including one or more destinations and a first time at which the user checks in to each of the destinations, and creates a second plan by modifying the first plan depending on whether the destination can accommodate the user at the first time.
[0105] In step S103, the control unit 21 notifies the user of the created second schedule, after which the processing of the control unit 21 ends.
[0106] Specifically, the control unit 21 transmits information indicating the second plan to the first terminal device 30 of the user. The control unit 31 of the first terminal device 30 receives the information and can notify the user of the second plan by voice or screen display via the output unit 35. Without being limited to this, the control unit 31 may transmit information indicating the second plan to the vehicle 40 in which the user is riding. The control unit 41 of the vehicle 40 can notify the user of the second plan by voice or screen display via the output unit 45. In addition, the control unit 41 may control each part of the vehicle 40, and the vehicle 40 may perform automatic driving according to the second plan.
[0107] As described above, the control device 20 is provided with a control unit 21 that acquires a first plan including one or more destinations and a first time at which a user checks in to each of the destinations, and creates a second plan that modifies the first plan depending on whether the destinations can accommodate the user at the first time.
[0108] According to this embodiment, a travel plan can be created taking into consideration the time when the user actually checks in to the destination. Since the second plan can be automatically created by modifying the first plan, the user does not have to take the trouble of canceling or changing the plan due to an unexpected event. Therefore, the technology for creating travel plans can be improved.
[0109] As described above, the control unit 21 estimates the expected time of arrival at the user's destination based on location information indicating the user's location, and creates a second plan by modifying the first plan based on whether the difference between the expected arrival time and the first time is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
[0110] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the user can be accepted at the destination according to the first plan based on the actual current location of the user, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination, thereby improving the technology for creating a travel plan.
[0111] As described above, the control unit 21 creates the second schedule including the second time obtained by correcting the first time.
[0112] According to this embodiment, even if the check-in time at the destination is changed from the originally scheduled time, the second plan can be flexibly created. This allows the user to create a plan and travel with peace of mind without worrying too much about time. This improves the technology for creating travel plans.
[0113] As described above, the control unit 21 determines an alternative destination that is a destination different from the destination, and creates a second plan that includes the determined alternative destination.
[0114] According to this embodiment, even if the destination is changed from the originally planned location, the second plan can be flexibly created. This reduces the psychological burden on the user when the plan changes drastically. Therefore, the technology for creating a travel plan can be improved.
[0115] Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the control device 20 are distributed to multiple computers that can communicate with each other is also possible.
[0116] Second embodiment As a second embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit 21 may acquire weather information indicating the weather at the destination, and determine whether the destination can accept the user at the first time based on the weather information. In the second embodiment, the configurations of the system 1 and each device are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.
[0117] The operation of the control unit 21 of the control device 20 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. This operation corresponds to the control method according to the present embodiment.
[0118] Step S200 in FIG. 7 is similar to step S100 in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0119] In step S201, the control unit 21 acquires weather information indicating the climate of the destination, and determines whether or not the destination can accept the user at the first time based on the weather information.
[0120] If it is determined that the user cannot be accommodated at the destination at the first time (step S201: NO), the process of the control unit 21 proceeds to step S202. If it is determined that the user can be accommodated at the destination included in the first plan at the first time (step S201: YES), the process of the control unit 21 ends.
[0121] The climate information includes the current or future weather, temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and other climate at the destination. The climate information may include weather warnings or advisories. Any method may be used to acquire the climate information. For example, the control unit 21 may acquire the weather information by receiving it from a server device such as a weather observation center. Without being limited to this, the control unit 21 may communicate with the second terminal device 50 and acquire information indicating the climate of the destination input by an employee of the business of the destination as the climate information. The control unit 21 may communicate with a sensor such as a thermometer / hygrometer installed around the destination and acquire the results measured by the sensor as the climate information.
[0122] The weather conditions under which the control unit 21 determines that the user cannot be accepted at the destination may be set arbitrarily. For example, when the destination is an outdoor facility such as a rafting venue or a beach, weather such as thunder or rain may be set as the weather conditions under which the control unit 21 determines that the user cannot be accepted. For example, the destination is a beach, and the weather information indicates thunderstorm weather. In this case, the control unit 21 determines that the user cannot be accepted at the destination at the first time. Without being limited thereto, the control unit 21 may determine that the user cannot be accepted at the destination at the first time when the acquired weather information indicates any weather warning or advisory, or when the values of temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, etc. are outside the range of a predetermined threshold value, etc.
[0123] In step S202, the control unit 21 creates a second plan.
[0124] As a first specific example, the control unit 21 determines a second time by correcting the first time, and creates a second plan including the determined second time. Any method may be adopted to determine the second time. In this specific example, the control unit 21 may acquire information indicating an available time for a reservation, and determine a time during the available time for a reservation when the weather at the destination is suitable for accepting the user as the second time. In this case, the control unit 21 may acquire information indicating an available time for a reservation by a method similar to that of the first specific example of the first embodiment.
[0125] The weather conditions that can accept the user at the destination may be set according to the destination. For example, if the destination is an outdoor facility such as a rafting venue or a beach, the weather conditions that can accept the user at the destination include sunny or cloudy weather. If the destination is an indoor food and beverage facility such as a restaurant, or an indoor commercial facility, all weather conditions may be set as the weather conditions that can accept the user at the destination.
[0126] As a second specific example, the control unit 21 determines an alternative destination, which is a destination different from the destination, and creates a second plan including the determined alternative destination. In this specific example, the control unit 21 determines the alternative destination based on weather information. The control unit 21 acquires information indicating the available time for reservations, and identifies a destination that has available time at the same time as the first time or with a time difference less than a predetermined value, and the weather during the available time indicated by the weather information is one that can accommodate the user. The control unit 21 may determine the identified destination as the alternative destination. In this case, the control unit 21 may acquire the information indicating the available time for reservations by a method similar to that of the first specific example of the first embodiment.
[0127] The control unit 21 stores the created second plan in the storage unit 22.
[0128] Step S203 in FIG. 7 is similar to step S103 in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0129] According to this embodiment, even if the user is unable to visit the destination due to the weather at the destination, a second plan can be automatically created. This allows the user to create plans and travel with peace of mind without worrying too much about the weather at the destination. This improves the technology for creating travel plans.
[0130] Third embodiment As a third embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit 21 may acquire traffic information indicating traffic conditions on a route to the destination, and determine whether the destination can accept the user at the first time based on the traffic information. In the third embodiment, the configurations of the system 1 and each device are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.
[0131] The operation of the control unit 21 of the control device 20 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. This operation corresponds to the control method according to the present embodiment.
[0132] Step S300 in FIG. 8 is similar to step S100 in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0133] In step S301, the control unit 21 acquires traffic information indicating traffic conditions on a route to the destination, and determines whether or not the destination can accept the user at a first time based on the traffic information.
[0134] If it is determined that the user cannot be accommodated at the destination at the first time (step S301: NO), the process of the control unit 21 proceeds to step S302. If it is determined that the user can be accommodated at the destination included in the first plan at the first time (step S301: YES), the process of the control unit 21 ends.
[0135] The traffic information includes the current or future degree of congestion on roads on the route to the destination, the presence or absence of restrictions such as road closures, and the operation status of public transportation such as trains and buses. The degree of congestion may be indicated in stages such as "large," "medium," and "small." Any method may be adopted to acquire the traffic information. For example, the control unit 21 may acquire the traffic information by receiving it from a server device such as a traffic information center. Without being limited to this, the control unit 21 may acquire information received from a plurality of vehicles moving around the destination as the traffic information. For example, the control unit 21 may receive information indicating the moving speed of each vehicle moving on the route to the destination, and acquire traffic information indicating that the degree of congestion on the route is "large" or "medium" when the average value of the moving speed is less than a predetermined value.
[0136] The traffic conditions under which the control unit 21 determines that the destination cannot accept the user may be set arbitrarily. For example, the traffic conditions under which the control unit 21 determines that the destination cannot accept the user may be set as follows: the degree of congestion on the roads on the route is "high", the roads on the route are closed, the operation of trains as public transportation on the route is stopped, etc.
[0137] In step S302, the control unit 21 creates a second plan.
[0138] As a first specific example, the control unit 21 determines a second time by correcting the first time, and creates a second plan including the determined second time. Any method may be adopted to determine the second time. In this specific example, the control unit 21 may acquire information indicating the available time for the reservation, and determine the time, which is available for the reservation and at which the traffic conditions on the route to the destination are such that the user can be accommodated, as the second time. In this case, the control unit 21 may acquire information indicating the available time for the reservation by a method similar to that of the first specific example of the first embodiment. When the traffic conditions indicate the degree of congestion, the control unit 21 may determine the time at which the congestion is predicted to be resolved as the second time based on past records. The control unit 21 may receive information indicating the time at which the congestion is predicted to be resolved from the second terminal device 50, and determine the time as the second time.
[0139] The traffic conditions under which the user can be accommodated at the destination may be set arbitrarily. For example, a case where the degree of congestion on the roads along the route is "medium" or "light" or a case where there are no restrictions on the route may be set as the traffic conditions under which the user can be accommodated at the destination.
[0140] As a second specific example, the control unit 21 determines an alternative destination, which is a destination different from the destination, and creates a second plan including the determined alternative destination. In this specific example, the control unit 21 determines the alternative destination based on traffic information. The control unit 21 acquires information indicating the available time for reservations, and identifies a destination that has an available time at the same time as the first time or with a time difference less than a predetermined value, and the traffic conditions during the available time indicated by the traffic information are such that the user can be accommodated. The control unit 21 may determine the identified destination as the alternative destination. In this case, the control unit 21 may acquire the information indicating the available time for reservations by a method similar to that of the first specific example of the first embodiment.
[0141] For example, the control unit 21 may acquire the user's location information from the first terminal device 30 or the vehicle 40, and determine, as the alternative destination, a destination where the degree of congestion on the route from the user's current location is "light." The control unit 21 may determine, as the alternative destination, a destination where there is no road closure on the route from the user's current location.
[0142] The control unit 21 stores the created second plan in the storage unit 22.
[0143] Step S303 in FIG. 8 is similar to step S103 in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0144] According to this embodiment, the second plan can be flexibly created according to the traffic conditions on the route to the destination. This reduces the psychological burden on the user when the plan changes significantly due to the traffic conditions. Therefore, the technology for creating a travel plan can be improved.
[0145] (Fourth embodiment) As a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, congestion information indicating the degree of congestion at the destination may be acquired, and based on the congestion information, it may be determined whether the destination can accept the user at the first time. In the fourth embodiment, the configurations of the system 1 and each device are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.
[0146] The operation of the control unit 21 of the control device 20 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. This operation corresponds to the control method according to the present embodiment.
[0147] Step S400 in FIG. 9 is similar to step S100 in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0148] In step S401, the control unit 21 acquires congestion information indicating the degree of congestion at the destination, and determines whether the destination can accept the user at the first time based on the congestion information.
[0149] If it is determined that the user cannot be accommodated at the destination at the first time (step S401: NO), the process of the control unit 21 proceeds to step S402. If it is determined that the user can be accommodated at the destination included in the first plan at the first time (step S401: YES), the process of the control unit 21 ends.
[0150] The congestion information includes the current or future degree of congestion at the destination. For example, if the destination is an entertainment facility such as an amusement park, the degree of congestion may be indicated in stages such as "large," "medium," and "small" depending on the degree of congestion at the entertainment facility. Any method may be adopted to acquire the congestion information. For example, the control unit 21 communicates with a camera installed at the destination that captures the situation at the destination via the communication unit 23, and receives an image captured by the camera. The control unit 21 can acquire the congestion information by analyzing the received image using any image processing technology and determining the degree of congestion. Without being limited to this, the control unit 21 may communicate with the second terminal device 50 and acquire information indicating the degree of congestion at the destination input by an employee of the business operator of the destination as the congestion information.
[0151] The condition of the degree of congestion at which the control unit 21 determines that the destination cannot accept the user may be set arbitrarily. For example, a "large" degree of congestion at the destination may be set as a degree of congestion at which the control unit 21 determines that the destination cannot accept the user. For example, if the user does not like crowds, a "medium" or "large" degree of congestion at the destination may be set as a degree of congestion at which the control unit 21 determines that the destination cannot accept the user.
[0152] In step S402, the control unit 21 creates a second plan.
[0153] As a first specific example, the control unit 21 determines a second time by correcting the first time, and creates a second plan including the determined second time. Any method may be adopted to determine the second time. In this specific example, the control unit 21 may acquire information indicating the available time for the reservation, and determine the time, which is available for the reservation and at which the degree of congestion at the destination is sufficient to accommodate the user, as the second time. In this case, the control unit 21 may acquire information indicating the available time for the reservation by a method similar to that of the first specific example of the first embodiment. The control unit 21 may determine the time at which the degree of congestion is predicted to decrease as the second time based on past records. The control unit 21 may receive information indicating the time at which the degree of congestion is predicted to decrease from the second terminal device 50, and determine the time as the second time.
[0154] The condition of the degree of congestion at the destination at which the user can be accepted may be set arbitrarily. For example, a case where the degree of congestion at the destination is "low" or where there is no congestion may be set as the degree of congestion at the destination at which the user can be accepted.
[0155] As a second specific example, the control unit 21 determines an alternative destination, which is a destination different from the destination, and creates a second plan including the determined alternative destination. In this specific example, the control unit 21 determines the alternative destination based on congestion information. The control unit 21 acquires information indicating the available time for reservations, and identifies a destination that has available time at the same time as the first time or with a time difference less than a predetermined value, and the degree of congestion of the available time indicated by the congestion information is sufficient to accommodate the user. The control unit 21 may determine the identified destination as the alternative destination. In this case, the control unit 21 may acquire the information indicating the available time for reservations by a method similar to that of the first specific example of the first embodiment.
[0156] The control unit 21 stores the created second plan in the storage unit 22.
[0157] Step S403 in FIG. 9 is similar to step S103 in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0158] According to this embodiment, the second plan can be flexibly created according to the degree of congestion at the destination. This allows the user to create a plan and travel with peace of mind without worrying too much about congestion at the destination. This improves the technology for creating a travel plan.
[0159] In each of the second to fourth embodiments, similar to the first embodiment, the control unit 21 may determine whether or not the user can be accommodated at the first time for some or all of the destinations included in the first plan.
[0160] In the first specific example of each of the second to fourth embodiments, as in the first specific example of the first embodiment, the control unit 21 may determine multiple second times by modifying first times for multiple destinations included in the second plan.
[0161] In the first specific example of each of the second to fourth embodiments, as in the first specific example of the first embodiment, when creating the second plan, the control unit 21 may contact the destination where the second time has been determined to request a correction to the reserved time.
[0162] In the first specific example of each of the second to fourth embodiments, similarly to the first specific example of the first embodiment, the control unit 21 may inquire of the user and then determine the second time.
[0163] In the second specific example of each of the second to fourth embodiments, similarly to the second specific example of the first embodiment, the control unit 21 may determine, as an alternative destination, a destination of the same type as the destination type included in the first plan. The control unit 21 may determine multiple alternative destinations for multiple destinations included in the second plan.
[0164] In the second specific example of each of the second to fourth embodiments, as in the second specific example of the first embodiment, when creating the second plan, the control unit 21 may contact an alternative destination in the second plan to make a new reservation, and may also contact the destination in the first plan to cancel the reservation.
[0165] In the second specific example of each of the second to fourth embodiments, as in the second specific example of the first embodiment, if there is no destination with available reservation time, any place that can be visited without making a reservation, such as a park, may be determined as an alternative destination.
[0166] In the second specific example of each of the second to fourth embodiments, similarly to the second specific example of the first embodiment, the control unit 21 may inquire of the user before deciding on an alternative destination.
[0167] The above-described embodiments may be implemented in combination. For example, the control unit 21 may determine whether the destination can accept the user by using a different method for each destination included in the first plan. [Explanation of symbols]
[0168] 1 System 20 Control device 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 24 Input section 25 Output section 30 First terminal device 31 Control Unit 32 Storage section 33 Communications Department 34 Input section 35 Output section 36 Positioning unit 40 vehicles 41 Control section 42 Storage section 43 Communications Department 44 Input section 45 Output section 46 Positioning unit 50 Second terminal device 51 Control section 52 Storage section 53 Communications Department 54 Input section 55 Output section 60 Network
Claims
1. A control device comprising: a control unit that acquires a first plan including one or more destinations and a first time when a user checks in to each of the destinations, and creates a second plan by modifying the first plan depending on whether the destinations can accept the user at the first time, The control unit estimates an estimated time of arrival of the user at the destination based on location information indicating the user's location, and, if a difference between the estimated arrival time and the first time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the estimated arrival time is earlier than the first time, determines whether there is available reservation time at the destination at a time earlier than the first time, and, if there is available reservation time, determines a second time by correcting the first time to the available reservation time, creates the second plan including the second time, and, if there is no available reservation time, notifies the user of places in the vicinity of the destination that the user can stop by until the first time.
2. The control device according to claim 1 , The control unit determines an alternative destination that is a destination different from the destination, and creates a second plan that includes the determined alternative destination.
3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, The control unit acquires weather information indicating a climate at the destination, and determines whether the user can be accommodated at the destination at the first time based on the weather information.
4. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The control unit acquires traffic information indicating traffic conditions on a route to the destination, and determines whether the user can be accommodated at the destination at the first time based on the traffic information.
5. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The control unit determines whether the destination can accept the user at the first time depending on a degree of congestion at the destination.
6. A computer-implemented control method, comprising: obtaining a first plan including one or more destinations and a first time at which a user checks in to each of the destinations, and creating a second plan by modifying the first plan depending on whether the destinations can accommodate the user at the first time; a control method for determining whether there is available reservation time at the destination at a time earlier than the first time, if a difference between the estimated arrival time and the first time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the estimated arrival time is earlier than the first time, determining whether there is available reservation time at the destination at a time earlier than the first time, and if there is available reservation time, determining a second time by correcting the first time to the available reservation time, creating the second plan including the second time, and if there is no available reservation time, notifying the user of places in the vicinity of the destination where the user can stop by until the first time.
7. 7. The control method according to claim 6, The control method further includes determining an alternative destination that is a destination different from the destination, and creating a second plan that includes the determined alternative destination.
8. 8. The control method according to claim 6 or 7, The control method further includes acquiring weather information indicating a climate at the destination, and determining whether the destination can accommodate the user at the first time based on the weather information.
9. A control method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising: The control method further includes acquiring traffic information indicating traffic conditions on a route to the destination, and determining whether the user can be accommodated at the destination at the first time based on the traffic information.
10. A control method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising: The control method further includes determining whether the destination can accept the user at the first time according to a degree of congestion at the destination.
11. On the computer, A program for executing an operation including acquiring a first plan including one or more destinations and a first time when a user checks in to each of the destinations, and creating a second plan by modifying the first plan depending on whether the destinations can accept the user at the first time, The operation further includes estimating an estimated time of arrival of the user at the destination based on location information indicating the user's location, and if a difference between the estimated arrival time and the first time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the estimated arrival time is earlier than the first time, determining whether there is available reservation time at the destination at a time earlier than the first time, and if there is available reservation time, determining a second time by correcting the first time to the available reservation time, creating the second plan including the second time, and if there is no available reservation time, notifying the user of places in the vicinity of the destination where they can stop by until the first time.
12. The program according to claim 11, The program causes the computer to execute operations further including determining an alternative destination that is a destination different from the destination, and creating a second plan that includes the determined alternative destination.
13. The program according to claim 11 or 12, A program that causes the computer to execute operations further including acquiring weather information indicating the climate of the destination, and determining whether the user can be accommodated at the destination at the first time based on the weather information.
14. The program according to any one of claims 11 to 13, A program that causes the computer to execute operations further including acquiring traffic information indicating traffic conditions on a route to the destination, and determining whether the user can be accommodated at the destination at the first time based on the traffic information.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Method for providing information and processor therefor
JP2003157393A
Hybrid vehicle
JP2004007969A
Method, device, and system for managing reserved object
JP2006170759A
Car navigation terminal and car navigation system using it
JP2006170814A
Parking lot management device, parking lot management method, and program
JP2020166710A