Information processing method, information processing system, information processing device and information terminal

Abstract

An information processing method, an information processing system, an information processing device, and an information terminal set a first time when a vehicle starts traveling on a driving route based on an operation received from a user via a terminal, and set a second time to notify the user based on a location of the terminal, a location of the vehicle, and the first time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method, an information processing system, an information processing device and an information terminal. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a technology related to a departure guidance device, which predicts the travel time of a vehicle from a current position to a set location under a condition where the vehicle should arrive at the set location before a determined time, calculates the departure time of the vehicle at the current position, and notifies the user based on the calculated departure time.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4340912 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1, a notification of a departure time is performed based on the travel time of the vehicle from the current position to the set location. Therefore, based on the relationship between the position of the vehicle and the position of the user, there is a concern that the vehicle may not actually depart from the current position at the departure time, and thus the vehicle may not arrive at the set location before the determined time.

[0008] The present invention is completed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an information processing method, information processing system, information processing device and information terminal that can enable a vehicle to arrive at a set location before a determined time regardless of the relationship between the vehicle's position and the user's position.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an information processing method, an information processing system, an information processing device and an information terminal involved in one embodiment of the present invention set a first time when a vehicle starts traveling on a driving route based on an operation received from the user via the terminal, and set a second time to notify the user based on the position of the terminal, the position of the vehicle and the first time.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, regardless of the relationship between the position of the vehicle and the position of the user, the vehicle can arrive at the set point before a determined time, thereby improving the convenience of the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until calculation of a reference reminder time in the information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until calculation of a correction reminder time and execution of a reminder in the information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0017] [System Structure]

[0018] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the information processing system includes a terminal 100 (information terminal), a server 200 and a vehicle 300 which are connected to each other via a wireless or wired network 400 .

[0019] An example of network 400 is the Internet. Network 400 may also utilize mobile communication functions such as 4G / LTE and 5G.

[0020] The terminal 100 accepts an operation by a user, and transmits information related to the accepted operation to the network 400. As the terminal 100, for example, a mobile terminal (smartphone, tablet computer, etc.) which a user uses on a daily basis can be cited.

[0021] The user specifies the destination to which the vehicle 300 is going or the scheduled arrival time at the destination by operating the terminal 100. In addition, the user can also specify the scheduled departure time of the vehicle 300 by operating the terminal 100. Therefore, the information related to the accepted operation can include the destination to which the vehicle 300 is going, the scheduled arrival time, the scheduled departure time, etc.

[0022] The vehicle 300 is a means of transport that provides a means of movement to a destination specified by a user, and an example of such a vehicle is an autonomous vehicle. In addition, various means of movement such as manned / unmanned taxis, buses, and trucks can be listed as the vehicle 300. Multiple vehicles can also be registered in the information processing system.

[0023] In addition, the vehicle 300 is equipped with a vehicle-mounted device (not shown), and vehicle information of the vehicle 300 (for example, sensor information indicating the degree of dirtiness of the surface of the vehicle 300, the degree of wear of various parts of the vehicle 300, such as sensor information indicating the necessary degree of maintenance of the vehicle 300, sensor information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery carried by the vehicle 300, etc.) is sent from the vehicle 300 to the network 400 via the vehicle-mounted device.

[0024] In addition, the vehicle-mounted device can also accept user operations in the same manner as the terminal 100, and send information related to the accepted operations to the network 400. In addition, the vehicle-mounted device can also obtain the scheduled departure time of the vehicle 300, and set the start time of various devices (air conditioning system, seat heater, etc.) installed in the vehicle 300 based on the obtained scheduled departure time. The vehicle-mounted device can also automatically start the device before the vehicle 300 departs or according to the departure of the vehicle 300.

[0025] The vehicle 300 may transmit the vehicle information of the vehicle 300 at a predetermined timing or in a predetermined cycle, or may transmit the vehicle information of the vehicle 300 based on a request from the terminal 100 or the server 200 .

[0026] More specifically, the vehicle 300 may also transmit vehicle information, especially information indicating the remaining amount of the battery, when charging of the mounted battery starts or ends. In addition, the vehicle 300 may also transmit vehicle information when the ignition is turned on or off.

[0027] The server 200 acquires information transmitted from the terminal 100 and the vehicle 300 via the network 400, and searches for the travel route of the vehicle 300 based on the acquired information. The current position of the vehicle 300, map information around the destination, and road information are used to search for the travel route.

[0028] It is assumed below that the terminal 100 , the server 200 , and the vehicle 300 can communicate with each other bidirectionally via the network 400 .

[0029] [Terminal structure]

[0030] Next, the terminal 100 (information terminal) is described. Figure 1 As shown, the terminal 100 includes a sensor 150 , a display unit 160 , an operation unit 170 , a communication unit 110 , and a control unit 130 (controller).

[0031] The sensor 150 is composed of a plurality of sensor groups, including a position detection sensor for acquiring position information of the terminal 100. For example, the position detection sensor is a sensor for measuring an absolute position, such as a GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0032] In addition, the sensor 150 may also include an environmental sensor for acquiring environmental information (temperature, humidity, vibration, acceleration, sound, etc.) related to the environment in which the terminal 100 is located. For example, the environmental sensor is a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, a microphone, etc.

[0033] The display unit 160 displays information about the vehicle 300 and information about the driving route of the vehicle 300 retrieved by the server 200. The information about the vehicle 300 and the information about the driving route are acquired from the server 200 by the communication unit 110 described later via the network 400. In addition, the display unit 160 may also display path information from the location of the terminal 100 to the location of the vehicle 300, which is necessary for the user to move to the location of the vehicle 300, and guidance information for guiding the user's movement.

[0034] The display unit 160 is not limited to a display unit that presents various information through visual information, but may present information to the user through auditory information, or may generate vibration to present information to the user through stimulation caused by the vibration.

[0035] The display unit 160 may also make various notifications to the user through visual information, auditory information, stimulation by vibration, etc. The notification contents made by the display unit 160 may include whether the vehicle 300 has a travel plan, the scheduled departure time of the vehicle 300 in the travel plan, the travel route that the vehicle 300 is scheduled to travel, congestion information on the travel route, weather information, etc. The time when the display unit 160 makes the notification may also be set by the server 200 described later.

[0036] The operation unit 170 receives user operations corresponding to various user instructions to the information processing system. For example, the operation unit 170 may be an input interface including a plurality of buttons or a touch panel including a touch interface.

[0037] More specifically, display unit 160 may display icons represented by pictures or symbols so that the user can operate them, and the user may touch or drag the displayed icon, so that operation unit 170 accepts the user's operation.

[0038] The communication unit 110 sends and receives information to and from the network 400. The communication unit 110 stores information acquired from the network 400 in a memory (not shown) or the like, and outputs predetermined information such as a request generated based on a user operation and environmental information to the network 400. For example, the communication unit 110 may be an in-vehicle device having a 4G / LTE mobile communication function or an in-vehicle device having a Wifi communication function.

[0039] The control unit 130 is connected to the sensor 150 , the display unit 160 , the operation unit 170 , and the communication unit 110 . The control unit 130 receives information from the sensor 150 , the operation unit 170 , and the communication unit 110 , and outputs information to the display unit 160 and the communication unit 110 .

[0040] The control unit 130 is a general-purpose microcomputer having a CPU (central processing unit), a memory, and an input / output unit. A computer program (information terminal program) for functioning as a part of the information processing system is installed in the control unit 130. The control unit 130 controls the display unit 160 and the communication unit 110 by executing the computer program.

[0041] Various information processing functions of the control unit 130 may be realized by software or by dedicated hardware.

[0042] As information processing performed by the control unit 130, the control unit 130 generates a request to the information processing system based on the user's operation on the operation unit 170. For example, the request may include the designation of the destination to which the vehicle 300 is going and the scheduled arrival time at the destination. In addition, the request may also include the designation of the scheduled departure time when the vehicle 300 departs.

[0043] In addition, the request may also include the user's attribute information, which may include the user's preferences, age, gender, occupation, physical characteristics, whether there are events before and after the request, event categories, and other information.

[0044] For example, when the terminal 100 is a mobile terminal (smartphone, tablet, etc.) used daily by the user, the application as an information terminal program may obtain the attribute information by collaborating with SNS (social network service) or other cloud servers.

[0045] In addition, a vehicle-mounted device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 300 may include a sensor 150 , a display unit 160 , an operation unit 170 , a communication unit 110 , and a control unit 130 (controller) similarly to the terminal 100 .

[0046] [Server Structure]

[0047] Next, the server 200 (information processing device) will be described. Figure 1 As shown, the server 200 includes a communication unit 210 (communication means), a database 220 , and a control unit 230 (controller).

[0048] The communication unit 210 sends and receives information to and from the network 400. The communication unit 210 obtains predetermined information such as a request sent from the terminal 100 and vehicle information sent from the vehicle 300 from the network 400, and records the obtained information in the database 220. In addition, the communication unit 210 may also obtain congestion information and weather information from an external server other than the server 200.

[0049] The database 220 stores information acquired by the communication unit 210, such as vehicle information of the vehicle 300, the location of the terminal 100, and the location of the vehicle 300. In addition, the database 220 may also store past requests of users, usage history and frequency of the information processing system, etc. In addition, the database 220 may also store various parameter tables for estimating user characteristics of users.

[0050] The control unit 230 (an example of a controller or a processing unit) is a general-purpose microcomputer having a CPU (central processing unit), a memory, and an input / output unit. A computer program (information processing server program) for functioning as a part of the information processing system is installed in the control unit 230. The control unit 230 functions as a plurality of information processing circuits (231, 233, 235) by executing the computer program.

[0051] Here, an example is shown in which the plurality of information processing circuits (231, 233, 235) included in the control unit 230 are implemented by software. However, dedicated hardware for executing each information processing described below can be prepared to constitute the information processing circuits (231, 233, 235). Alternatively, the plurality of information processing circuits (231, 233, 235) can be constituted by separate hardware.

[0052] The control unit 230 includes a route calculation unit 231 , a position information acquisition unit 233 , and a time setting unit 235 as a plurality of information processing circuits ( 231 , 233 , 235 ).

[0053] The position information acquisition unit 233 (position information acquisition means) acquires the position of the terminal 100 and the position of the vehicle 300 via the communication unit 210. In addition, based on the request sent from the terminal 100, information of the destination to which the vehicle 300 goes is acquired.

[0054] The route calculation unit 231 (route calculation means) searches for a travel route to the destination based on the destination specified by the user and the position of the vehicle 300 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 233 , and sets it as the travel route to be used when the vehicle 300 travels.

[0055] The route calculation unit 231 calculates the places to be passed through based on the vehicle information of the vehicle 300, and calculates the driving route from the places to the destination. For example, when the remaining battery power of the vehicle 300 in the vehicle information is below a predetermined threshold, a charging point is selected as the place to be passed. When the degree of necessity for maintaining the vehicle 300 in the vehicle information is high, a maintenance facility that can wash the vehicle 300 or replace or repair various parts of the vehicle 300 is selected as the place to be passed. The route calculation unit 231 calculates the driving route from these places to the destination.

[0056] In addition, the route calculation unit 231 may also refer to the database 220 when retrieving the driving route. The route calculation unit 231 may also retrieve the driving route based on map information, road information, congestion information, weather information, and in addition, based on the scheduled departure time of the vehicle 300, the scheduled arrival time at the destination, etc.

[0057] The travel route set by the route calculation unit 231 is output to the outside of the server 200 , for example, displayed on the terminal 100 , or used for travel by the vehicle 300 .

[0058] Immediately after the communication unit 210 acquires the request from the user, the route calculation unit 231 sets the temporary route (first travel route) as the travel route, and sets the official route (second travel route) as the travel route at the time of official route calculation described later.

[0059] The time setting unit 235 (time setting means) sets the official route calculation time, which is the time when the route calculation unit 231 starts the process of setting the official route. More specifically, the time before the first prescribed time from the time when the vehicle 300 starts traveling on the temporary route is set as the official route calculation time. In addition, it can be said that the first prescribed time is the time between the time when the vehicle information of the vehicle 300 is acquired and the time when the vehicle 300 starts traveling on the temporary route. Alternatively, the first prescribed time can be set as a parameter by the user.

[0060] Furthermore, the time when the route calculation unit 231 starts the process of setting the temporary route (the time immediately after the communication unit 210 acquires the request from the user), that is, the temporary route calculation time is distinguished from the official route calculation time.

[0061] The time setting unit 235 may also set the time (reminder time) when the terminal 100 notifies the user. More specifically, the time setting unit 235 sets the reminder time based on the time (first time) when the vehicle 300 starts traveling on the driving route, the location of the terminal 100 acquired by the location information acquisition unit 233, and the location of the vehicle 300.

[0062] For example, the time setting unit 235 may also set the reference reminder time based on the time (first time) when the vehicle 300 starts traveling on the driving route. The reference reminder time may be the time when the vehicle 300 starts traveling on the driving route, or the time calculated by subtracting the second specified time from the time when the vehicle 300 starts traveling on the driving route may be set as the reminder time. Alternatively, the second specified time may be set as a parameter by the user.

[0063] Furthermore, the time setting unit 235 may calculate the travel time of the user from the location of the terminal 100 to the location of the vehicle 300 and set the time calculated by subtracting the travel time from the reference reminder time as the corrected reminder time (second time).

[0064] Here, the moving distance from the location of the terminal 100 to the location of the vehicle 300 can be calculated based on the map information and the road information, and the user's moving time can be calculated by dividing the moving distance by a specified speed. The specified speed refers to the moving speed of the means of movement used by the user (walking, bicycle, motorcycle, etc.).

[0065] In addition, the weather information at the location of the terminal 100 or the weather information at the location of the vehicle 300 may be obtained, and the user's travel time may be calculated based on the weather information. Specifically, the travel time may be calculated in a manner such that the travel time in bad weather (rain, snow, storm, etc.) is longer than the travel time in good weather (sunny, cloudy, etc.).

[0066] The time setting unit 235 may set the reminder time based on the time when the vehicle 300 starts traveling on the temporary route, or may set the reminder time based on the time when the vehicle 300 starts traveling on the official route.

[0067] [Processing process of information processing system]

[0068] Next, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The processing procedure of the information processing system involved in this embodiment is explained with reference to the flowchart. Figure 2 This is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until calculation of a reference reminder time in the information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until calculation of a correction reminder time and execution of a reminder in the information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] When the terminal 100 is started, Figure 2 Processing of the flowchart shown.

[0070] In step S101, the terminal 100 receives a schedule from a user. Specifically, the terminal 100 receives a request including a destination to which the vehicle 300 is to go and an estimated arrival time from the user.

[0071] In step S103, the terminal 100 transmits the received schedule (request).

[0072] In step S105 , the server 200 acquires information on the destination to which the vehicle 300 is heading based on the accepted request.

[0073] In step S121, the server 200 calculates the scheduled departure time of the vehicle 300 based on the received request. Here, the scheduled departure time may be calculated by subtracting the travel time required to travel on the travel route from the scheduled arrival time after the server 200 calculates the travel route of the vehicle 300 to the destination, or the scheduled departure time included in the received request may be set instead of calculation.

[0074] In step S123, the server 200 transmits the scheduled departure time.

[0075] In step S125 , the terminal 100 that has sent the request acquires the scheduled departure time from the server 200 .

[0076] In step S127 , the terminal 100 that has sent the request calculates a reference reminder time based on the scheduled departure time.

[0077] Next, at a predetermined timing after the calculated reference reminder time and before the scheduled departure time, the Figure 3 The process of the flowchart shown.

[0078] In step S301 , the terminal 100 acquires information on the location of the terminal 100 .

[0079] In step S303 , the terminal 100 sends an information acquisition request to the on-board device of the vehicle 300 .

[0080] The vehicle-mounted device that has received the information acquisition request in step S305 acquires information on the position of the vehicle 300 in step S307 .

[0081] In step S309 , the vehicle-mounted device transmits the acquired information of the position of the vehicle 300 .

[0082] In step S311 , the terminal 100 that has transmitted the information acquisition request acquires information on the location of the vehicle 300 .

[0083] In step S313 , the terminal 100 calculates the correction reminder time based on the position of the terminal 100 , the position of the vehicle 300 , and the reference reminder time.

[0084] In step S315, the terminal 100 performs a reminder, that is, the terminal 100 notifies the user.

[0085] [Effects of Embodiment]

[0086] As described in detail above, the information processing method, information processing system, information processing device and information terminal involved in this embodiment set the first time when the vehicle starts traveling on the driving route based on the operation accepted from the user via the terminal, and set the second time to notify the user based on the position of the terminal, the position of the vehicle and the first time.

[0087] As a result, regardless of the relationship between the position of the vehicle and the position of the user, the vehicle can arrive at the set location before a determined time, thereby improving the convenience of the user.

[0088] Alternatively, the information processing method, information processing system, information processing device, and information terminal of the present embodiment may calculate the travel time of the user from the location of the terminal to the location of the vehicle, and set the second time based on the travel time. Thus, the farther the user is from the vehicle and the longer the time it takes for the user to get on the vehicle, the earlier the second time for notifying the user is set, so that the user and the vehicle can arrive at the set location before the determined time. As a result, the convenience of the user is improved.

[0089] Furthermore, the information processing method, information processing system, information processing device, and information terminal of the present embodiment may calculate the travel time by dividing the travel distance from the terminal position to the vehicle position by a predetermined speed. Thus, the travel time required for the user to move from the terminal position to the vehicle position can be estimated more accurately.

[0090] Alternatively, the information processing method, information processing system, information processing device, and information terminal of the present embodiment may obtain weather information of the terminal's location or the vehicle's location and calculate the travel time based on the weather information. Thus, even if the user's travel time varies due to weather, the travel time can be estimated more accurately.

[0091] Furthermore, the information processing method, information processing system, information processing device, and information terminal involved in the present embodiment may obtain congestion information on the driving route, reset the first time based on the congestion information, and set the second time based on the position of the terminal, the position of the vehicle, and the reset first time. Thus, even if the driving time required for the vehicle to travel on the driving route changes due to congestion on the driving route, the scheduled departure time can be reset to maintain the scheduled arrival time. Furthermore, since the second time to notify the user is set based on the reset scheduled departure time, the user and the vehicle can arrive at the set location before the determined time even if there is congestion on the driving route. As a result, user convenience is improved.

[0092] Each function described in the above embodiments can be implemented by one or more processing circuits, including a programmed processor, an electrical circuit, etc., and also includes devices such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), circuit components configured to perform the described functions, etc.

[0093] The content of the present invention has been described above according to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these descriptions, and various modifications and improvements can be made, which is obvious to those skilled in the art. The discussion and drawings that constitute a part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the present invention. Based on this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and application technologies are obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0094] The present invention naturally includes various embodiments not described here, etc. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is determined by the invention specific matters according to the appropriate claims only based on the above description.

[0095] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-238093 filed on December 27, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0096] Description of Reference Numerals

[0097] 100: terminal (information terminal); 110: communication unit; 130: control unit; 150: sensor; 160: display unit; 170: operation unit; 200: server (information processing device); 210: communication unit; 220: database; 230: control unit; 231: route calculation unit; 233: location information acquisition unit; 235: time setting unit; 300: vehicle; 400: network.

Claims

1. An information processing method for providing a notification related to a vehicle using a terminal used by a user before the user gets on the vehicle, wherein the information processing method is characterized in that: The first time when the vehicle starts traveling is set based on the position of the vehicle, the destination set based on the operation of the user, and the scheduled arrival time at the destination so that the vehicle can arrive at the destination before the scheduled arrival time. Based on the position of the terminal, the position of the vehicle, and the first time, a second time for notifying the user is set in such a way that the user can reach the vehicle before the first time.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: calculating the moving time of the user from the location of the terminal to the location of the vehicle, The second time is set based on the moving time.

3. The information processing method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The moving time is calculated by dividing a moving distance from the position of the terminal to the position of the vehicle by a prescribed speed.

4. The information processing method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: obtaining weather information of the location of the terminal or the location of the vehicle, The moving time is calculated based on the weather information.

5. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Obtaining congestion information on the route of the vehicle, resetting the first time based on the congestion information, The second time is set based on the location of the terminal, the location of the vehicle, and the reset first time.

6. An information processing system comprising a terminal for accepting user operations and a controller for processing the operations, the information processing system being used to make a notification related to the vehicle using the terminal used by the user before the user gets on the vehicle, the information processing system being characterized in that: The controller sets a first time for the vehicle to start traveling based on the position of the vehicle, a destination set based on the operation received via the terminal, and a scheduled arrival time at the destination so that the vehicle can arrive at the destination before the scheduled arrival time. The controller sets a second time for making the notification to the user based on the location of the terminal, the location of the vehicle, and the first time in such a manner that the user can reach the vehicle before the first time.

7. An information processing device comprising a communication unit for accepting a request from a terminal for a user to operate and a controller for processing the request, the information processing device being used to notify the user about the vehicle via the terminal used by the user before the user gets on the vehicle, the information processing device being characterized in that: the controller setting a first time for the vehicle to start traveling based on the position of the vehicle, the destination of the vehicle included in the request received by the communication unit, and the scheduled arrival time at the destination so that the vehicle can arrive at the destination before the scheduled arrival time, The controller sets a second time for making the notification to the user based on the location of the terminal, the location of the vehicle, and the first time in such a manner that the user can reach the vehicle before the first time.

8. An information terminal comprising: An operation unit that accepts user operations; a communication unit that sends a request generated based on the operation to a server; and a display unit configured to notify the user about the vehicle at a notification time set in the server before the user gets on the vehicle, The information terminal is characterized in that The server sets a first time for the vehicle to start traveling based on the location of the vehicle, the destination of the vehicle included in the request, and the scheduled arrival time at the destination so that the vehicle can arrive at the destination before the scheduled arrival time. The server sets the notification time based on the position of the information terminal, the position of the vehicle, and the first time so that the user can reach the vehicle before the first time. 9 . A computer storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, performs the information processing method according to claim 1 .

10. A computer program product comprising a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, performs the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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