Moving means estimation system

Abstract

To accurately estimate moving means of a user in a movement route.SOLUTION: A moving means estimation system 1 comprises: a position information acquisition section 11 that acquires position information for each of a plurality of time points; a movement route estimation section 12 that estimates a movement route R of a user; a node setting section 14 that sets one or more moving means candidate nodes N for each of a plurality of predetermined meshes M in the movement route R; a link setting section 15 that sets links connecting moving means candidate nodes N identical to each other in meshes M adjacent to each other and connecting moving means candidate nodes N different from each other in meshes M identical to each other respectively; a link cost setting section 16 that sets link costs on the basis of a movement mode of the user; and a moving means estimation section 17 that estimates a moving means candidate in which the total of link costs from a mesh M including a first spot to a mesh M including a second spot in the movement route R becomes minimum as moving means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a transportation means estimation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for estimating a means of travel based on position information of a terminal carried by a user (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The detour estimation device described in Patent Document 1 acquires position information of the terminal, estimates a travel route of the terminal based on a plurality of pieces of position information along a time series, and estimates a means of travel based on the estimated travel route. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 211999 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As in the detour estimation device described in Patent Document 1, the accuracy rate of the rule-based estimation of the transportation means in the conventional technology may be low, and when a complex transportation means including transfers is used, the transportation means may not be estimated correctly. In addition, there has been a demand for more accurate estimation of the transportation means of the user on the travel route for traffic volume prediction, etc. In addition, when a complex transportation means is used, it is required to estimate them individually.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to accurately estimate a user's means of transportation on a travel route. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A transportation mode estimation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the location of a user at each of a plurality of time points; a transportation mode estimation unit that estimates the user's transportation mode based on the location information at each of the plurality of time points; a node setting unit that sets one or more candidate transportation mode nodes that are candidates for transportation modes that may be adopted by the user for each of a plurality of predetermined areas related to the transportation mode; a link setting unit that sets links connecting nodes of the same candidate transportation mode in adjacent areas and nodes of different candidate transportation mode in the same area; a link cost setting unit that sets a link cost, which is a value indicating the difficulty of a link being selected, based on the user's transportation mode; and a transportation mode estimation unit that identifies, as a minimum link group, a connection of links with the smallest total link cost from an area including a first point on the transportation mode to an area including a second point different from the first point, and performs a first estimation to estimate the candidate transportation mode corresponding to each link included in the minimum link group as the user's transportation mode.

[0007] In a transportation mode estimation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a link connection with a minimum link cost is identified as a minimum link group based on link costs set based on the user's transportation mode, and transportation modes corresponding to each link included in the minimum link group are estimated as the user's transportation mode. This makes it possible to identify transportation mode candidates corresponding to links that are likely to be selected, taking into account the difficulty of links being selected. Among the transportation mode candidates, a plausible transportation mode candidate in light of the user's transportation mode can be estimated as the user's transportation mode, so that the user's transportation mode on the travel route can be accurately estimated. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately estimate a user's mode of transportation along a travel route. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a transportation mode estimation system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] Fig. 2(a) is a diagram showing one step of estimating a travel path, and Fig. 2(b) is a diagram showing a step subsequent to the step shown in Fig. 2(a). [Diagram 3] Fig. 3(a) is a diagram showing a process subsequent to the process shown in Fig. 2(b), and Fig. 3(b) is a diagram showing a process subsequent to the process shown in Fig. 3(a). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route of a user who traveled by airplane. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a route of a user who travels by ferry. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of nodes set on a travel route. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the generated graph. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of a table stored in the cost database. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the transportation mode estimation system according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the second estimation process shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the transportation mode estimation system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a transportation means estimation system 1 according to an embodiment. The transportation means estimation system 1 estimates a travel route traveled by a user in the past, and estimates the user's transportation means on the travel route. The past refers to a time point prior to the time point when the transportation means estimation system 1 estimates the transportation means. The user is, for example, a person whose transportation means is estimated by the transportation means estimation system 1. The transportation means estimation system 1 estimates the user's transportation means from among a plurality of transportation means candidates that are candidates for transportation means that may be adopted by the user.

[0012] In this embodiment, the multiple transportation means candidates include walking, automobiles on general roads, automobiles on expressways, trains (including Shinkansen), buses, airplanes, and ferries. The multiple transportation means candidates are, for example, set in advance and can be changed as appropriate. The above seven transportation means candidates are classified into a first means, a second means, and a third means, which will be described below.

[0013] The first means is a means of transportation in which the start point and end point of the user's movement are limited to a plurality of specific points. The start point of movement refers to a point where the user starts moving using the means of transportation, and the end point of movement refers to a point where the user ends moving using the means of transportation. In this embodiment, the first means includes automobiles, trains, and buses on a highway. For example, when the first means is a train, the specific point is a station, and when the first means is a car on a highway, the specific point is an interchange on the highway.

[0014] The second means is a means of transportation in which all areas on the travel route can be the user's travel start point and travel end point. In this embodiment, the second means includes walking and automobiles on general roads. For example, in the case of walking, the user's travel start point and travel end point are not limited to a specific point, and all areas on the travel route can be the user's travel start point and travel end point.

[0015] The above-mentioned "all areas" refers to all areas that can be traveled by the second means. For example, areas that cannot be physically traveled by the second means are not included in the above-mentioned "all areas". For example, if the second means is walking, areas such as the sea are not included in the above-mentioned all areas.

[0016] The third means is a means of transportation in which the user's movement start point and movement end point are limited to a plurality of specific points and is different from the first means. The third means is a means of transportation that can be differentiated from the first means and the second means, for example, based on the movement mode. In this embodiment, the third means includes an airplane that can move at higher speeds than the first means and the second means, and a ferry that can move over the sea, unlike the first means and the second means. For example, when the third means is an airplane, the specific point is an airport, and when the third means is a ferry, the specific point is a port.

[0017] The transportation means estimation system 1 is capable of communicating with multiple base stations 2 installed indoors and outdoors. The base stations 2 are components of a typical mobile communication network. The base stations 2 are capable of communicating with user terminals 3 carried by users. The base stations 2 perform wireless communication in mobile communication with the user terminals 3, and relay communication from or to the user terminals 3. Each of the multiple base stations 2 forms a cell within the range of radio waves, and communicates with the user terminals 3 within the cell.

[0018] When the base station 2 is wirelessly accessed by the user terminal 3, it transmits a communication log with the user terminal 3 to the transportation mode estimation system 1. The wireless access is, for example, the transmission of a location registration signal. The communication log is a log (wireless access log) based on the wireless access of the base station 2 and the user terminal 3. The communication log includes, for example, terminal ID information that is information that uniquely identifies the user terminal 3 that wirelessly accessed the base station 2, and the positioning time that is the time when the wireless access was made. In this embodiment, the base station 2 transmits the communication log to the transportation mode estimation system 1 by periodically communicating with the transportation mode estimation system 1. The base station 2 has functions that a general base station has.

[0019] The multiple base stations 2 include, for example, outdoor stations (not shown) that are installed outdoors and provide wide-range communications, and indoor stations (not shown) that are installed indoors, such as in subways and high-rise buildings, and provide narrower-range communications than the outdoor stations. When mobile communications are performed only using outdoor stations without using indoor stations in subways and high-rise buildings, the communication conditions of the user terminal 3 may deteriorate. In response to this, the use of indoor stations makes it possible to provide stable communications.

[0020] The user terminal 3 is a component of a general mobile communication network. The user terminal 3 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal 3 has functions that are included in general UE (User Equipment).

[0021] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the transportation mode estimation system 1. The transportation mode estimation system 1 includes a location information acquisition unit 11, a travel route estimation unit 12, a third mode determination unit 13, a node setting unit 14, a link setting unit 15, a link cost setting unit 16, and a transportation mode estimation unit 17 as its functional configuration.

[0022] The location information acquisition unit 11 acquires location information indicating the location of the user for each of a plurality of time points. In this embodiment, the location information includes latitude and longitude. The location information acquisition unit 11 acquires location information by converting a communication log of the user terminal 3 received from the base station 2 into latitude and longitude based on the communication log. The location information acquisition unit 11 generates and acquires location information for each of a plurality of time points by associating the positioning time included in the communication log with the latitude and longitude obtained by converting the communication log.

[0023] The location information acquisition unit 11 converts the communication log into latitude and longitude using existing technology. For example, the location information acquisition unit 11 may use A-GNSS (Assisted-Global Navigation Satellite System), which is a method of comparing and correcting GPS (Global Positioning System) information measured by the user terminal 3 (UE) with GPS satellite information obtained on the network side, or OTDOA (Observed Time Difference of Arrival), which is a method of calculating distances from arrival times of signals received from multiple base stations (eNBs) and determining intersections, or E-CID (Enhanced-Cell ID), which is a method of positioning by using base station ID information that uniquely identifies the base station 2 to be accessed, a transmission delay amount measured from a timing difference between communication transmission and reception, and an arrival angle of a signal. However, the method by which the location information acquisition unit 11 acquires location information for each of the multiple time points is not limited to the above method. In addition, the location information for each of the multiple time points may be generated outside the transportation means estimation system 1, and the location information acquisition unit 11 may acquire the generated location information for each of the multiple time points.

[0024] The movement route estimation unit 12 estimates the user's movement route R (see FIG. 2(b)) based on the position information for each of the multiple time points acquired by the position information acquisition unit 11. FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing one step of estimating the movement route R. In FIG. 2(a), the user's position P indicated by the position information for each of the multiple time points is indicated by a solid circle. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the movement route estimation unit 12 connects the user's positions P for each of the multiple time points in chronological order with straight lines based on the position information for each of the multiple time points.

[0025] The moving path estimating unit 12 excludes a position P that is an abnormal value from the user's positions P at each of a plurality of time points. In FIG. 2(a), the position P excluded as an abnormal value is indicated by thick hatching. More specifically, when an angle formed by two straight lines extending from the position P of one user is equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle, the moving path estimating unit 12 excludes the position P of the one user as an abnormal value. That is, the moving path estimating unit 12 identifies the position P of the next user indicated by the position information including the positioning time following the positioning time at the position P of the one user, and the position P of the previous user indicated by the position information including the positioning time preceding the positioning time at the position P of the one user. Then, the moving path estimating unit 12 excludes the position P of the one user as an abnormal value when an angle formed by two straight lines extending from the identified position P of the next user and the position P of the previous user to the position P of the one user is equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is, for example, set in advance and can be changed as appropriate. 2(b), the movement route estimation unit 12, after excluding the positions P that are abnormal values, again connects the user positions P in chronological order. In this embodiment, the movement route estimation unit 12 estimates the straight line connections obtained by connecting the user positions P indicated by the position information in chronological order with straight lines as the movement route R.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3(a), in this embodiment, meshes M arranged in a lattice pattern are set in advance. The meshes M arranged in a lattice pattern have the same size and are adjacent to each other. The shape of the meshes M is a square. The length of one side of the meshes M is 250 m. The shape and size of the meshes M are set in advance, for example, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0027] 3(b), in this embodiment, the travel route estimation unit 12 identifies a plurality of meshes M including the travel route R, among the meshes M arranged in a lattice. More specifically, the travel route estimation unit 12 identifies a plurality of meshes M including the user's position P for each of a plurality of time points and straight lines connecting the user's positions P.

[0028] In FIG. 3(b), each of the meshes M is assigned an alphabet from A to P, and the order of the alphabet corresponds to the order in which the user moves between the meshes M. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, a mesh M assigned the alphabet n may be referred to as a mesh Mn (n is any alphabet). Also, when there is no need to distinguish between meshes M, they may be simply referred to as mesh M.

[0029] In this embodiment, the travel route estimating unit 12 assigns a passing time, which is the time when the user passes through each of the multiple meshes M, based on the position information for each of the multiple time points acquired by the position information acquiring unit 11. The travel route estimating unit 12 assigns the positioning time to the meshes M including the user's position P for each of the multiple time points as the user's passing time. The travel route estimating unit 12 equally divides the time difference from one positioning time to the next positioning time of the one positioning time by the number of meshes M located between the one mesh M to which the one positioning time is assigned as the passing time and the next mesh M to which the next positioning time is assigned as the passing time. The travel route estimating unit 12 assigns, to the meshes M adjacent to the one mesh M, a time obtained by adding the equally divided time difference to the passing time assigned to the one mesh M as the passing time. The travel route estimating unit 12 repeatedly executes such processing to assign a passing time to each of the multiple meshes M including the travel route R.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route R of a user who traveled by airplane. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route R of a user who traveled by ferry. The third means determination unit 13 determines whether or not a third means section R3 along which the user traveled by the third means is included in the travel route R, based on the positions of a plurality of predetermined specific points S and the user's travel mode.

[0031] The third means determination unit 13 determines whether or not the travel route R estimated by the travel route estimation unit 12 includes multiple specific points S, based on the positions of the multiple specific points S. As described above, the travel route R is a connection of straight lines connecting the user's positions P indicated by the position information for each of multiple points in time. As an example, the travel route R including the specific point S means that the shortest distance from the straight line constituting the travel route R to the specific point S is equal to or shorter than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is, for example, set in advance and can be changed as appropriate.

[0032] The third means determination unit 13 determines whether the user's movement mode satisfies a predetermined condition based on the user's movement mode and a predetermined condition set in advance. In this embodiment, the user's movement mode includes the user's movement distance, movement time, movement speed, and sea passage ratio. The sea passage ratio is the ratio of the number of meshes M set on the sea to the number of multiple meshes M including the movement route R. As an example, the meshes M set on the sea refer to meshes M whose entirety is set on the sea, and do not include meshes M whose part is set on land. The predetermined condition is set in advance for each candidate transportation mode and can be changed as appropriate. The predetermined condition includes an airplane condition for determining an airplane as a transportation mode and a ferry condition for determining a ferry as a transportation mode.

[0033] In this embodiment, the airplane condition is to satisfy all of the following conditions 1 to 3. (Condition 1) The distance traveled is 50 km or more. (Condition 2) Travel time is 25 minutes or more. (Condition 3) Travel speed is 180km / h or more.

[0034] In this embodiment, the ferry condition is to satisfy all of the following conditions 4 to 7. (Condition 4) The distance traveled is 10 km or more. (Condition 5) Travel time is 15 minutes or more. (Condition 6) Travel speed is 20km / h or more. (Condition 7) The proportion of shipments passing through sea is 10% or more.

[0035] The airplane conditions and ferry conditions described above are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the numerical values ​​in the above conditions 1 to 7 can be changed as appropriate.

[0036] The third means determination unit 13 calculates the above-mentioned travel distance, travel time, and travel speed based on the passing times assigned to each of the multiple meshes M identified by the travel route estimation unit 12 and the position of the meshes M. The third means determination unit 13 calculates the travel time as the time difference from the passing time assigned to a mesh M including one specific point S included in the travel route R to the passing time assigned to a mesh M including the one specific point S and another specific point S. The third means determination unit 13 calculates the straight-line distance from the center of the mesh M including the one specific point S to the center of the mesh M including the other specific point S as the travel distance. The third means determination unit 13 calculates the calculated travel distance divided by the travel time as the travel speed.

[0037] When the travel route R includes multiple specific points S and the user's travel mode satisfies a predetermined condition, the third means determination unit 13 identifies a section between the multiple specific points S as a third means section R3 and determines that the third means section R3 is included in the travel route R. In other cases, the third means determination unit 13 determines that the third means section R3 is not included in the travel route R.

[0038] In this embodiment, the third means determination unit 13 determines whether the travel route R includes multiple airports. If it is determined that the travel route R includes multiple airports, the third means determination unit 13 determines whether the user's travel behavior satisfies the airplane condition based on the user's travel behavior and the preset airplane condition. If it is determined that the travel route R does not include multiple airports, the third means determination unit 13 determines whether the travel route R includes multiple ports. If it is determined that the travel route R includes multiple ports, the third means determination unit 13 determines whether the user's travel behavior satisfies the ferry condition based on the user's travel behavior and the preset ferry condition.

[0039] The third means determination unit 13 determines whether or not the third means section R3 is included in the travel route R before the travel means estimation unit 17 performs a first estimation, which will be described later. The first estimation will be described in detail later.

[0040] 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a node N set on a travel route R. The node setting unit 14 sets one or more nodes N of travel mode candidates for each of a plurality of predetermined meshes M related to the travel route R. In this embodiment, the plurality of predetermined meshes M related to the travel route R refers to a plurality of meshes M including a section of the travel route R excluding the above-mentioned third mode section R3. As described below, the node setting unit 14 sets the nodes N in the plurality of predetermined meshes M in different modes according to the type of travel mode candidate.

[0041] The node setting unit 14 sets a node N of the first means for each mesh M including each of the multiple specific points S. In this embodiment, the node setting unit 14 sets a node N in the mesh M including the specific point S based on the position of the specific point S set in advance and the movement route R estimated by the movement route estimation unit 12. In the example of FIG. 6, each of the meshes MC, MJ, and MP includes a station and a bus stop. Therefore, the node setting unit 14 sets a train node N and a bus node N in each of the meshes MC, MJ, and MP.

[0042] The node setting unit 14 sets a node N of the second means for each of a predetermined number of meshes M. In this embodiment, the node N is set for a predetermined number of meshes M based on the travel route R estimated by the travel route estimation unit 12. In the example of FIG. 6, a walking node N and a car node N on a general road are set for each of the meshes MA to MQ.

[0043] Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the walking node N set in the mesh Mn will be referred to as the node NWn, the car node N on the general road set in the mesh Mn will be referred to as the node NCn, and the train node N set in the mesh Mn will be referred to as the node NTn. Also, when there is no need to distinguish between the nodes N, they may simply be referred to as the nodes N.

[0044] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the generated graph G. The link setting unit 15 sets links connecting the nodes N set by the node setting unit 14. The link setting unit 15 sets the same link R1 connecting the nodes N of the same transportation means candidates in adjacent meshes M as a link. The link setting unit 15 sets the change link R2 connecting the nodes N of different transportation means candidates in the same mesh M as a link.

[0045] The same link R1 corresponds to movement between adjacent meshes M by the same candidate transportation means. For example, the same link R1 connecting nodes NWA and NWB corresponds to movement by foot from mesh MA to mesh MB. The change link R2 corresponds to a change to a different candidate transportation means in the same mesh M. For example, the change link R2 connecting nodes NCC and NTC corresponds to changing (switching) the means of transportation from a car on a general road to a train in mesh MC.

[0046] The link cost setting unit 16 sets a link cost, which is a value indicating the difficulty of selecting a link, based on the user's movement behavior. The user's movement behavior includes the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M. The link cost setting unit 16 obtains the value obtained by dividing the straight-line distance from the center of one mesh M to the center of the mesh M adjacent to the one mesh M by the time difference from the passing time assigned to the one mesh M to the passing time assigned to the adjacent mesh M, as the user's movement speed between the adjacent meshes M.

[0047] The link cost setting unit 16 can refer to the cost database DB. In this embodiment, the cost database DB is stored outside the transportation mode estimation system 1. However, the cost database DB may be stored in the transportation mode estimation system 1.

[0048] 8 is a table showing an example of a table stored in the cost database DB. The table in the cost database DB lists speed conditions for each candidate transportation mode under which the link cost is set to a predetermined first value. Each speed condition is, for example, set in advance and can be changed as appropriate.

[0049] The "near the average travel speed between stations" in FIG. 8 is a speed range that is preset based on, for example, the station location, and the train's departure time and arrival time at each station. More specifically, the average travel speed between stations is calculated by dividing the straight-line distance from one station to the next station by the time difference between the departure time from the one station and the arrival time at the next station. Then, a speed range from a predetermined upper limit speed to a predetermined lower limit speed that includes the calculated average travel speed between stations is calculated as the vicinity of the average travel speed between stations. The calculated vicinity of the average travel speed between stations is stored in a table of the cost database DB as a speed condition under which the link cost of the train is set to a first value. The above upper limit speed and lower limit speed are, for example, preset and can be changed as appropriate.

[0050] The "near average travel speed between bus stops" in FIG. 8 is a speed range that is preset based on, for example, the location of the bus stop and the departure and arrival times of the bus at each bus stop. More specifically, the average travel speed between bus stops is calculated by dividing the straight-line distance from one bus stop to the next bus stop by the time difference between the departure time of the one bus stop and the arrival time of the next bus stop. Then, a speed range from a predetermined upper limit speed to a predetermined lower limit speed that includes the calculated average travel speed between bus stops is calculated as the vicinity of the average travel speed between bus stops. The calculated vicinity of the average travel speed between bus stops is stored in a table of the cost database DB as a speed condition under which the link cost of the bus is set to a first value. The above upper limit speed and lower limit speed are, for example, preset and can be changed as appropriate.

[0051] The link cost setting unit 16 sets a link cost between adjacent meshes M based on the speed conditions preset for each means of transportation and the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M. The link cost setting unit 16 refers to the cost database DB and determines whether the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M satisfies the speed conditions.

[0052] The link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the same link R1 connecting to the node N of the same transportation candidate in the adjacent mesh M for which the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M satisfies the speed condition to a predetermined first value. As an example, the link cost setting unit 16 calculates the user's movement speed from mesh MA to mesh MB adjacent to mesh MA to be 5 km / h (see FIG. 7). In this case, since the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes MA and MB satisfies the walking speed condition (see FIG. 8), the link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the same link R1 connecting the node NWA and the node NWB to the first value.

[0053] The link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the same link R1 connecting to the node N of the same transportation candidate in the adjacent mesh M, where the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M does not satisfy the speed condition, to a second value greater than the first value. As an example, since the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes MA and MB does not satisfy the speed condition of a car on a general road, the link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the same link R1 connecting the node NCA and the node NCB to the second value.

[0054] The link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the link connecting to the node N of a different transportation mode candidate in the same mesh M to a third value greater than the second value. As an example, the link cost of the change link R2 connecting the walking node NWC and the train node NTC in the same mesh MC to each other is set to the third value.

[0055] The above first value, second value, and third value are, for example, preset and can be changed as appropriate. In this embodiment, the first value is 1, the second value is 5, and the third value is 50.

[0056] The transportation mode estimation unit 17 executes a first estimation. In this embodiment, the transportation mode estimation unit 17 executes the first estimation for a mesh M including a section excluding the third mode section R3 in the travel route R. In the first estimation, the transportation mode estimation unit 17 identifies, as a minimum link group, a connection of links that minimizes the total link cost from a mesh M including a first point in the travel route R to a mesh M including a second point different from the first point.

[0057] In the first estimation, the travel mode estimation unit 17 identifies a mesh M including a first location and a mesh M including a second location based on the travel route R estimated by the travel route estimation unit 12 and the judgment result of the third means judgment unit 13. The travel mode estimation unit 17 identifies a mesh M to which the earliest passing time is assigned as a mesh M including a first location, and a mesh M to which the latest passing time is assigned as a mesh M including a second location, in the mesh M including a section of the travel route R excluding the third means section R3. In this embodiment, when there are multiple sections excluding the third means section R3 in the travel route R, the travel mode estimation unit 17 identifies a mesh M including a first location and a mesh M including a second location for each of the multiple sections.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, the transportation mode estimation unit 17 acquires all of the link connections (hereinafter referred to as "link groups") from a node N (node ​​N marked "start" in FIG. 7) set in a mesh M including a first location to a node N (node ​​N marked "goal" in FIG. 7) set in a mesh M including a second location. The transportation mode estimation unit 17 calculates the total link cost of each of the acquired link groups based on the link costs set by the link cost setting unit 16. The transportation mode estimation unit 17 identifies, among all of the acquired link groups, the link group whose calculated total link cost is the smallest as the smallest link group. In the example of FIG. 7, the transportation mode estimation unit 17 identifies, among the illustrated link groups, the link group indicated by the thick arrow as the smallest link group.

[0059] In the first estimation, the transportation means estimation unit 17 estimates the transportation means candidates corresponding to each link included in the identified minimum link group as the user's transportation means. In the example of FIG. 7, the transportation means estimation unit 17 estimates that the transportation means from the mesh M including the first point to the mesh MC where the node NWC is set is walking. The transportation means estimation unit 17 estimates that the transportation means has been changed from walking to a train in the mesh MC. The transportation means estimation unit 17 estimates that the transportation means from the mesh MC where the node NTC is set to the mesh MP where the node NTP is set is a train. The transportation means estimation unit 17 estimates that the transportation means has been changed from a train to walking in the mesh MP. The transportation means estimation unit 17 estimates that the transportation means has been changed from walking to walking in the mesh MP where the node NWP is set to the mesh M including the second point is walking.

[0060] The travel means estimation unit 17 performs a second estimation when the third means determination unit 13 determines that the third means section R3 is included in the travel route R. In the second estimation, the travel means estimation unit 17 estimates the travel means in the third means section R3 identified by the third means determination unit 13 as the third means. Conversely, when the third means determination unit 13 determines that the third means section R3 is not included in the travel route R, the travel means estimation unit 17 does not perform the second estimation.

[0061] In this embodiment, when the third means determination unit 13 determines that the user's travel mode satisfies the airplane condition, the travel means estimation unit 17 estimates that the travel mode in the third means section R3 is an airplane. When the third means determination unit 13 determines that the user's travel mode satisfies the ferry condition, the travel means estimation unit 17 estimates that the travel mode in the third means section R3 is a ferry.

[0062] In this embodiment, the transportation means estimation unit 17 outputs the estimated transportation means of the user. As an output, for example, the transportation means estimation unit 17 may transmit the estimated transportation means of the user to an external device of the transportation means estimation system 1, or may display the estimated transportation means on a display device included in the transportation means estimation system 1. The external device may be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or may be a display of a personal computer. The external device is configured to be able to communicate with the transportation means estimation system 1, for example.

[0063] Next, an operation method of the transportation mode estimation system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the transportation mode estimation system 1 according to this embodiment. First, the base station 2 periodically communicates with the transportation mode estimation system 1, and transmits a communication log to the transportation mode estimation system 1. Next, the location information acquisition unit 11 acquires location information for each of a plurality of time points (step S1). In step S1, the location information acquisition unit 11 generates and acquires location information for each of a plurality of time points by associating the positioning time included in the communication log with the latitude and longitude obtained by converting the communication log.

[0064] Next, the movement route estimation unit 12 estimates the movement route R of the user based on the position information for each of the multiple points in time acquired in step S1 (step S2). In step S2, the movement route estimation unit 12 estimates the straight line connections obtained by connecting the user's positions P indicated by the position information in chronological order as the movement route R (see FIG. 2(b)).

[0065] In this embodiment, meshes M arranged in a lattice are set in advance in a range in which the user's position P exists at each of a plurality of time points (see FIG. 3(a)). In step S2, the movement route estimation unit 12 identifies a plurality of meshes M including the movement route R among the meshes M arranged in a lattice.

[0066] Next, the travel mode estimation system 1 executes a second estimation process (step S3). In step S3, the third means determination unit 13 determines whether or not the third means section R3 is included in the travel route R based on the positions of multiple specific points S set in advance and the user's travel mode. The third means determination unit 13 determines whether or not multiple specific points S are included in the travel route R estimated in step S2 based on the positions of the multiple specific points S. In addition, the third means determination unit 13 determines whether or not the user's travel mode satisfies a predetermined condition based on the user's travel mode and a predetermined condition set in advance.

[0067] When the travel route R includes multiple specific points S and the user's travel mode satisfies a predetermined condition, the third means determination unit 13 identifies the section between the multiple specific points S as a third means section R3, and determines that the third means section R3 is included in the travel route R. In other cases, the third means determination unit 13 determines that the third means section R3 is not included in the travel route R. When the third means determination unit 13 determines that the third means section R3 is included in the travel route R, the travel means estimation unit 17 executes a second estimation. In the second estimation, the travel means estimation unit 17 estimates that the travel means in the third means section R3 identified by the third means determination unit 13 is the third means.

[0068] A specific example of the second estimation process will be described below with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the second estimation process shown in FIG. 9. First, the third means determination unit 13 determines whether or not the travel route R includes multiple airports (step S11). If it is determined that the travel route R includes multiple airports (step S11: YES), the third means determination unit 13 executes step S12. If it is determined that the travel route R does not include multiple airports (step S11: NO), the third means determination unit 13 executes step S14.

[0069] In step S12, the third means determination unit 13 determines whether the user's movement mode satisfies the airplane condition based on the user's movement mode and the preset airplane condition. If it is determined that the user's movement mode satisfies the airplane condition (step S12: YES), the transportation means estimation unit 17 estimates that the transportation means in the third means section R3 is airplane (step S13). If it is determined that the user's movement mode does not satisfy the airplane condition (step S12: NO), the third means determination unit 13 executes step S14.

[0070] In step S14, the third means determination unit 13 determines whether or not multiple ports are included in the travel route R. If it is determined that multiple ports are included in the travel route R (step S14: YES), the third means determination unit 13 executes step S15. If it is determined that multiple ports are not included in the travel route R (step S14: NO), the travel means estimation system 1 ends the second estimation process.

[0071] In step S15, the third means determination unit 13 determines whether the user's movement mode satisfies the ferry condition based on the user's movement mode and the preset ferry condition. If it is determined that the user's movement mode satisfies the ferry condition (step S15: YES), the transportation means estimation unit 17 estimates that the transportation means in the third means section R3 is a ferry (step S16). If it is determined that the user's movement mode does not satisfy the ferry condition (step S15: NO), the transportation means estimation system 1 ends the second estimation process.

[0072] Next, the node setting unit 14 sets one or more nodes N of travel means candidates for each of a predetermined number of meshes M related to the travel route R (step S4). In step S4, the node setting unit 14 sets a node N of the first means for each of the meshes M including each of the multiple specific points S. Also, in step S4, the node setting unit 14 sets a node N of the second means for each of the predetermined number of meshes M.

[0073] Next, the link setting unit 15 sets links connecting the nodes N set in step S4 (step S5). In step S5, the link setting unit 15 sets the same link R1 connecting the nodes N of the same transportation means candidates in adjacent meshes M. In addition, in step S5, the link setting unit 15 sets a change link R2 connecting the nodes N of different transportation means candidates in the same meshes M.

[0074] Next, the link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost based on the user's movement mode (step S6). In step S6, the link cost is set for each adjacent mesh M based on the speed condition preset for each transportation mode candidate and the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M, which is the user's movement mode. In step S6, the link cost setting unit 16 refers to the cost database DB and determines whether the movement speed satisfies the speed condition based on the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M.

[0075] In step S6, the link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the same link R1 connected to the node N of the same transportation candidate in the adjacent mesh M for the transportation candidate whose user's travel speed between adjacent mesh Ms satisfies the speed condition to a first value. Also, in step S6, for the transportation candidate whose user's travel speed between adjacent mesh Ms does not satisfy the speed condition, the link cost of the same link R1 connected to the node N of the same transportation candidate in the adjacent mesh M is set to a second value. Furthermore, in step S6, the link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the change link R2 connected to the node N of a different transportation candidate in the same mesh M to a third value.

[0076] Next, the transportation means estimation unit 17 executes a first estimation (step S7). In step S7, the transportation means estimation unit 17 executes a first estimation for a mesh M including a section on the travel route R excluding the third means section R3. In step S7, the transportation means estimation unit 17 specifies a connection of links that minimizes the total link cost from a mesh M including a first point on the travel route R to a mesh M including a second point as a minimum link group. Also, in step S7, the transportation means estimation unit 17 estimates transportation means candidates corresponding to the links included in the specified minimum link group as the user's transportation means. Next, the transportation means estimation unit 17 outputs the user's transportation means estimated in step S7 (step S8).

[0077] Next, the effects of the transportation mode estimation system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the transportation mode estimation system 1 according to this embodiment, a link connection with the smallest total link cost is identified as a minimum link group based on the link cost set based on the user's transportation mode, and transportation mode candidates corresponding to each link included in the minimum link group are estimated as the user's transportation mode. This makes it possible to identify transportation mode candidates corresponding to links that are likely to be selected, taking into account the difficulty of links being selected. Among the transportation mode candidates, a plausible transportation mode candidate in light of the user's transportation mode can be estimated as the user's transportation mode, so that the user's transportation mode on the travel route R can be accurately estimated.

[0078] In the above-mentioned transportation means estimation system 1, the user's movement mode includes the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M. The link cost setting unit 16 sets a link cost between adjacent meshes M based on the speed condition preset for each transportation means candidate and the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M. The link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the same link R1 connecting to the node N of the same transportation means candidate in the adjacent mesh M for transportation means candidates in which the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M satisfies the speed condition to a predetermined first value. The link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the same link R1 connecting to the node N of the same transportation means candidate in the adjacent mesh M for transportation means candidates in which the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M does not satisfy the speed condition to a second value greater than the first value.

[0079] This allows the link cost of the same link R1 connected to the node N of the candidate transportation means where the user's travel speed satisfies the speed condition to be set smaller than the link cost of the same link R1 connected to the node N of the candidate transportation means where the user's travel speed does not satisfy the speed condition. For example, by setting a plausible speed condition for each candidate transportation means in advance, a plausible candidate transportation means in light of the user's travel speed can be estimated as the user's transportation means. Therefore, the user's transportation means on the travel route R can be estimated more accurately.

[0080] In the above-mentioned transportation means estimation system 1, the link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the changed link R2 connected to the node N of a different transportation means candidate in the same mesh M to a third value greater than the second value. For example, when the user's travel speed frequently varies for each of a plurality of meshes M, there is a possibility that a transportation means estimation result including frequent changes in transportation means is output. In response to this, by making the link cost of the changed link R2 connected to the node N of a different transportation means candidate in the same mesh M greater than the link cost of the same link R1 connected to the node N of the same transportation means candidate in an adjacent mesh M, it is possible to suppress the output of a transportation means estimation result including frequent changes in transportation means.

[0081] In the above-mentioned transportation mode estimation system 1, the predetermined number of meshes M have the same size and are adjacent to each other. This makes it possible to perform calculations related to estimation of transportation modes uniformly and without deficiencies.

[0082] In the above-described transportation means estimation system 1, the transportation means candidates include a first means in which the user's travel start point and travel end point are limited to a plurality of specific points S. The node setting unit 14 sets a node N of the first means for each mesh M including each of the plurality of specific points S. Since the node N is set in the mesh M including the specific point S to which the user may travel by the first means, the node N can be set appropriately even when the transportation means candidates include the first means.

[0083] In the above-described transportation means estimation system 1, the transportation means candidates include the second means, in which all meshes M on the travel route R can be the user's travel start point and travel end point. The node setting unit 14 sets a node N of the second means for each predetermined mesh M. Since the node N is set for all meshes M on the travel route R along which the user may travel by the second means, the node N can be set appropriately even when the transportation means candidates include the second means.

[0084] In the above-mentioned transportation means estimation system 1, the transportation means candidates include a third means in which the user's travel start point and travel end point are limited to a plurality of specific points S. The transportation means estimation system 1 further includes a third means determination unit 13 that determines whether or not the third means section R3 in which the user traveled by the third means is included in the travel route R based on the positions of the plurality of specific points S and the user's travel mode. When the travel route R includes a plurality of specific points S and the user's travel mode satisfies a predetermined condition set in advance, the third means determination unit 13 determines that the third means section R3 is included in the travel route R. When the third means determination unit 13 determines that the third means section R3 is included in the travel route R, the transportation means estimation unit 17 executes a second estimation to estimate the transportation means in the third means section R3 as the third means.

[0085] The third means may be a candidate for a special mode of travel, such as an airplane that can travel at higher speeds than other candidate modes of travel, or a ferry that can travel on the sea. For example, by setting plausible conditions in advance for each third means in light of the special mode of travel, and executing a second estimation that does not require setting of nodes N, links, and link costs, the mode of travel in the third means section R3 can be estimated. Therefore, when the travel route R includes the third means section R3, the amount of calculation can be reduced.

[0086] In the above-described travel mode estimation system 1, the third mode determination unit 13 determines whether or not the third mode section R3 is included in the travel route R before the first estimation is performed by the travel mode estimation unit 17. The travel mode estimation unit 17 performs the first estimation for the mesh M including the section excluding the third mode section R3 in the travel route R. As a result, for the mesh M including the third mode section R3 of the travel route R, whose travel mode has been estimated by performing the second estimation, it is not necessary to set the node N, link, and link cost, and the amount of processing can be reduced.

[0087] The present disclosure has been described in detail above based on the embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The present disclosure can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0088] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the user's movement mode includes the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M. Also, an example was described in which the speed condition in which the train link cost is set to a first value is that the user's movement speed between adjacent meshes M is near the average movement speed between stations. However, the user's movement mode may be the type of base station 2 captured by the user terminal 3. Also, the speed condition in which the train link cost is set to a first value may include the user terminal 3 capturing a subway base station, which is an indoor station arranged in a subway, as the base station 2.

[0089] In this case, the communication log includes, for example, base station ID information of the base station 2 wirelessly accessed by the user terminal 3. The link cost setting unit 16 determines whether or not the user terminal 3 has captured a subway base station based on the base station ID information included in the communication log. If the type of the base station 2 indicated by the base station ID information is a subway base station, the link cost setting unit 16 determines that the user terminal 3 has captured a subway base station.

[0090] When it is determined that the user terminal 3 has captured the subway base station, the link cost setting unit 16 identifies a mesh M including the user's position P indicated by the position information acquired based on the communication log by the position information acquisition unit 11. The link cost setting unit 16 sets the link cost of the same link R1 between the mesh M including the station closest to the center of the identified mesh M and the mesh M including the next station to the station to a first value.

[0091] When a subway base station is captured by the user terminal 3, it can be said that there is a high possibility that the user is, for example, on a subway platform. In this case, there is a high possibility that the user has used the subway as a means of transportation. Therefore, by setting the link cost of the train low, it becomes easier to estimate the train as a means of transportation in the section where the subway base station is captured. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately estimate the user's means of transportation.

[0092] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the node setting unit 14 sets the node N of the first means for each mesh M including each of the multiple specific points S. However, when there is a specific point S that is not included in the multiple predetermined meshes M related to the travel route R, the node setting unit 14 may set a node N in the mesh M including the specific point S.

[0093] As an example, a first station, a second station that is the next station of the first station, and a third station that is the next station of the second station are present, and a predetermined number of meshes M include the first station and the third station, but do not include the second station. The node setting unit 14 may set a node N in each of the meshes M that includes the second station, in addition to the meshes M that include the first station and the third station. If the first station and the third station are included in the predetermined number of meshes M related to the travel route R, there is a possibility that the user used the second station located between these stations. Therefore, by setting a node N in a specific point S that is not included in the predetermined number of meshes M related to the travel route R, the user's means of transportation can be more appropriately estimated.

[0094] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. The method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized by using one device that is physically or logically combined, or may be realized by using two or more devices that are physically or logically separated and directly or indirectly connected (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.). The functional blocks may be realized by combining the one device or the multiple devices with software.

[0095] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, judgment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocation, mapping, assignment, etc. For example, a functional block (component) that performs the function of transmission is called a transmitting unit or a transmitter. In either case, as described above, there is no particular limitation on the method of realization.

[0096] For example, the transportation means estimation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs information processing according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the transportation means estimation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The above-mentioned transportation means estimation system 1 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like. The hardware configuration of the terminal may also be as described here.

[0097] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be replaced with a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the transportation mode estimation system 1 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0098] Each function in the transportation means estimation system 1 is realized by loading a specific software (program) onto hardware such as a processor 1001 and a memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication via a communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing of data in the memory 1002 and the storage 1003.

[0099] The processor 1001, for example, operates an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 1001 may be configured with a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, each function in the above-mentioned transportation mode estimation system 1 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0100] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads out a program (program code), a software module, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes according to the read out programs. As the program, a program that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above-mentioned embodiment is used. For example, each function in the transportation mode estimation system 1 may be realized by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and operated in the processor 1001. Although the above-mentioned various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunication line.

[0101] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), software modules, etc. that are executable to perform information processing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] The storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, and the like. The storage 1003 may be called an auxiliary storage device. The storage medium provided in the transportation means estimation system 1 may be, for example, a database including at least one of the memory 1002 and the storage 1003, a server, or other appropriate medium.

[0103] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0104] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that accepts input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that performs output to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0105] In addition, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0106] The transportation estimation system 1 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0107] The order of the steps, sequences, flow charts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0108] The input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or may be managed using a management table. The input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. The output information may be deleted. The input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0109] The determination may be based on a value represented by a single bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0110] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched according to execution. In addition, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is the case") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., not notifying the specific information).

[0111] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0112] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0113] Additionally, software, instructions, information, etc. may be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired and / or wireless technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave, etc.), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0114] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0115] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information.

[0116] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, search, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), and the like. In addition, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc., to be a "judgment" or "decision." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering some action to be a "judgment" or "decision." In addition, "judgment" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0117] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0118] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0119] Any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0120] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Further, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0121] In this disclosure, where articles have been added due to translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0122] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0123] Finally, various exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure are described in [E1] to [E6] below.

[0124] [E1] a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a user's location for each of a plurality of time points; A movement route estimation unit that estimates a movement route of the user based on the position information for each of the plurality of time points; a node setting unit that sets one or more nodes of candidate transportation means that are candidates of transportation means that may be adopted by the user for each of a plurality of predetermined areas related to the travel route; a link setting unit that sets links connecting the nodes of the same transportation mode candidate in adjacent areas and the nodes of the different transportation mode candidates in the same area; a link cost setting unit that sets a link cost, which is a value indicating how unlikely the link is to be selected, based on the user's movement mode; a transportation mode estimation unit that performs a first estimation to identify, as a minimum link group, a connection of links that minimizes the total link cost from the area including a first point on the travel route to the area including a second point different from the first point, and estimates the transportation mode candidates corresponding to each link included in the minimum link group as the user's transportation mode, Mobility estimation system.

[0125] [E2] The movement manner of the user includes a movement speed of the user between the adjacent regions; the link cost setting unit sets the link cost between the adjacent areas based on a speed condition preset for each of the transportation means candidates and a movement speed of the user between the adjacent areas; For the candidate transportation means whose travel speed between the adjacent areas satisfies the speed condition, the link cost of the link connecting to the node of the same candidate transportation means in the adjacent area is set to a predetermined first value; For the candidate transportation means in which the user's travel speed between the adjacent areas does not satisfy the speed condition, the link cost of the link connecting to the node of the same candidate transportation means in the adjacent area is set to a second value greater than the first value. The transportation mode estimation system according to [E1].

[0126] [E3] the link cost setting unit sets the link cost of the link connecting to the node of the different transportation mode candidate in the same area to a third value greater than the second value. The transportation mode estimation system according to [E2].

[0127] [E4] The predetermined regions are a plurality of meshes that are the same size and adjacent to each other. A transportation mode estimation system according to any one of [E1] to [E3].

[0128] [E5] The transportation means candidate includes a first means in which a travel start point and a travel end point of the user are limited to a plurality of specific points; the node setting unit sets the node of the first means for each of the areas including each of the plurality of specific points; A transportation mode estimation system according to any one of [E1] to [E4].

[0129] [E6] The candidate transportation means includes a second transportation means in which all of the areas on the travel route can be a travel start point and a travel end point of the user, the node setting unit sets the node of the second means for each of the predetermined regions; A transportation mode estimation system according to any one of [E1] to [E5].

[0130] [E7] The transportation means candidate includes a third means in which a start point and an end point of the user's travel are limited to a plurality of specific points; a third means determination unit that determines whether a third means section along which the user has traveled by the third means is included in the travel route based on the positions of the plurality of specific points and the user's travel mode, the third means determination unit determines that the third means section is included in the travel route when the plurality of specific points are included in the travel route and the travel mode of the user satisfies a predetermined condition set in advance; When the third means determination unit determines that the third means section is included in the travel route, the travel means estimation unit executes a second estimation to estimate the travel means in the third means section as the third means. A transportation mode estimation system according to any one of [E1] to [E6].

[0131] [E8] the third means determination unit determines whether or not the third means section is included in the travel route before the first estimation is performed by the travel means estimation unit; The travel mode estimation unit executes the first estimation for the area of ​​the travel route excluding the third mode section. The transportation mode estimation system according to [E7]. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 1...travel means estimation system, 11...location information acquisition unit, 12...travel route estimation unit, 13...third means determination unit, 14...node setting unit, 15...link setting unit, 16...link cost setting unit, 17...travel means estimation unit, M...mesh (area), R...travel route, R1...same link (link), R2...changed link (link), R3...third means section.

Claims

1. a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a user's location for each of a plurality of time points; A movement route estimation unit that estimates a movement route of the user based on the position information for each of the plurality of time points; a node setting unit that sets one or more nodes of candidate transportation means that are candidates of transportation means that may be adopted by the user for each of a plurality of predetermined areas related to the travel route; a link setting unit that sets links connecting the nodes of the same transportation mode candidate in adjacent areas and the nodes of the different transportation mode candidates in the same area; a link cost setting unit that sets a link cost, which is a value indicating how unlikely the link is to be selected, based on the user's movement mode; a transportation mode estimation unit that performs a first estimation to identify, as a minimum link group, a connection of links that minimizes the total link cost from the area including a first point on the travel route to the area including a second point different from the first point, and estimates the transportation mode candidates corresponding to each link included in the minimum link group as the transportation mode of the user; Mobility estimation system.

2. The movement manner of the user includes a movement speed of the user between the adjacent regions; the link cost setting unit sets the link cost between the adjacent areas based on a speed condition preset for each of the transportation means candidates and a movement speed of the user between the adjacent areas; For the candidate transportation means whose travel speed between the adjacent areas satisfies the speed condition, the link cost of the link connecting to the node of the same candidate transportation means in the adjacent area is set to a predetermined first value; For the candidate transportation means in which the travel speed of the user between the adjacent areas does not satisfy the speed condition, the link cost of the link connecting to the node of the same candidate transportation means in the adjacent area is set to a second value that is greater than the first value. The transportation mode estimation system according to claim 1 .

3. the link cost setting unit sets the link cost of the link connecting to the node of the different transportation mode candidate in the same area to a third value greater than the second value; The transportation mode estimation system according to claim 2 .

4. The plurality of regions are a plurality of meshes having the same size and adjacent to each other. The transportation mode estimation system according to claim 1 .

5. The transportation means candidates include a first means in which a travel start point and a travel end point of the user are limited to a plurality of specific points; the node setting unit sets the node of the first means for each of the areas including each of the plurality of specific points; The transportation mode estimation system according to claim 1 .

6. the candidate transportation means includes a second transportation means in which all the areas on the travel route can be a travel start point and a travel end point of the user; the node setting unit sets the node of the second means for each of the predetermined regions; The transportation mode estimation system according to claim 1 .

7. The transportation means candidates include a third means in which a travel start point and a travel end point of the user are limited to a plurality of specific points; a third means determination unit that determines whether a third means section along which the user has traveled by the third means is included in the travel route based on the positions of the plurality of specific points and the user's travel mode; the third means determination unit determines that the third means section is included in the travel route when the plurality of specific points are included in the travel route and the travel mode of the user satisfies a predetermined condition set in advance; When the third means determination unit determines that the third means section is included in the travel route, the travel means estimation unit executes a second estimation to estimate the travel means in the third means section as the third means. The transportation mode estimation system according to claim 1 .

8. the third means determination unit determines whether or not the third means section is included in the travel route before the first estimation is performed by the travel means estimation unit; the transportation means estimation unit executes the first estimation for the area including a section of the travel route excluding the third transportation means section; The transportation mode estimation system according to claim 7.

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