Information processing device, information processing method and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method and an information processing program capable of performing processing obtained by considering a POI.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a first acquisition part for acquiring visible information related to a visible point at which a POI is visible from a road or an invisible point about invisibility, a setting part for performing at least one of setting of the information of the visible point and the invisible point of the POI in a road link corresponding to the road and setting of information of the road link of the visible point in the POI on the basis of the visible information acquired by the first acquisition part, and a search part for specifying the road link that makes the POI visible with reference to the information set by the setting part and performing route search between a departure place and a destination via the specified road link in the case of performing the route search via the POI between the departure place and the destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there exists a device that assists in searching for spots where so-called "eye-catching" photographic images can be taken (see Patent Document 1). The device acquires image information with location information attached, calculates an evaluation value indicating the likelihood that the image information will receive a response on a social network service (SNS), and outputs spots where there is a high possibility of taking an image with a higher evaluation value based on the location information and the evaluation value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-039413 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when traveling from a departure point to a destination by vehicle, if there is a tourist spot on the route, there is a desire of the user to pass near the tourist spot, for example, to see the tourist spot while traveling by vehicle. Here, a point that attracts the user's interest, including tourist spots, is sometimes called a POI (Point of Interest). The device described in Patent Document 1 cannot search for a travel route, and cannot satisfy the above-mentioned user needs.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of performing processing taking POI into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device of one embodiment includes a first acquisition unit that acquires visibility information regarding visible points where a POI is visible from a road or invisible points where a POI is not visible from a road, a setting unit that performs at least one of setting information of visible and invisible points of the POI on a road link corresponding to a road based on the visibility information acquired by the first acquisition unit and setting information of road links of visible points for the POI, and a search unit that, when performing a route search via the POI between a starting point and a destination, refers to the information set by the setting unit, identifies road links where the POI is visible, and performs a route search between the starting point and the destination via the identified road links. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program disclosed herein can perform processing that takes POI into consideration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of settings performed by a setting unit, where (A) illustrates an example of a first setting, and (B) illustrates an example of a second setting. [Figure 4] 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process performed by a generating unit; FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a first flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 11 is a second flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment will be described below.

[0010] [Overview of information processing device 100] First, an overview of an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0011] The information processing device 100 may be configured as a search device or the like capable of searching for a travel route taking POI into consideration. The information processing device 100 may also be configured as a generation device or the like capable of performing various processes (generation of visibility information) for points taking POI into consideration, i.e., visible or invisible points of POI. The information processing device 100 is not limited to the device of the above example, and may be configured as various devices or the like. The information processing device 100 may be a computer such as a server, a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone.

[0012] The information processing device 100 acquires visibility information related to a visible point 201 where the POI is visible from the road 300, or an invisible point 202 where the POI is not visible (invisible) from the road 300. The information processing device 100 may acquire visibility information generated internally, or may acquire visibility information generated externally. The visibility information may include information on a point (visible point 201) where the user can see the POI from the road 300, or may include information on a point (invisible point 202) where the user cannot see the POI from the road 300. A POI is an object that attracts the interest of one or more users, and may be various things such as tourist spots, historical sites, buildings, facilities, and scenery as specific examples. There may be one or more POIs.

[0013] The information processing device 100 sets information on the visible points 201 and invisible points 202 of the POI to the road link 311 corresponding to the road 300 based on the visibility information (first setting). Furthermore, the information processing device 100 sets information on the road link 311 of the visible point 201 for the POI based on the visibility information (second setting). The information processing device 100 may perform at least one setting out of the first setting and second setting groups. The road link 311 may be, for example, a link between a plurality of nodes 312 represented by a road network 310. As a first setting, the information processing device 100 registers information on the visible points 201 and invisible points 202 of the POI to the road link 311. As a second setting, the information processing device 100 associates, to the POI, the road link 311 (visible road link 311a) in which a point from which the POI is visible is registered, or the road link 311 (visible road link 311a) in which the POI is registered as being visible.

[0014] The information processing device 100 searches for a travel route from the departure point to the destination (route search). In this case, the information processing device 100 may search for a route via a POI that is between the departure point and the destination or that is relatively close therebetween. In this case, the number of POIs may be one or more. The information processing device 100 refers to the setting contents (setting information) according to the first setting or the second setting described above, and specifies the road links 311 (visible road links 311a) through which each POI can be seen. The information processing device 100 searches for a route 400 between the departure point and the destination via the specified road links 311 (visible road links 311a).

[0015] [Details of the information processing device 100] Next, the information processing device 100 according to an embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0016] The information processing device 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, and a control unit 110. The communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 may be an embodiment of an output unit. The control unit 110 includes, for example, a first acquisition unit 111, a setting unit 112, a search unit 113, an output control unit 114, a second acquisition unit 115, a first identification unit 116, a second identification unit 117, and a generation unit 118. The control unit 110 may be configured by, for example, an arithmetic processing unit of the information processing device 100. The control unit 110 (e.g., a calculation processing device, etc.) may realize the functions of each unit (e.g., the first acquisition unit 111, the setting unit 112, the search unit 113, the output control unit 114, the second acquisition unit 115, the first identification unit 116, the second identification unit 117, and the generation unit 118, etc.) by, for example, appropriately reading and executing various programs, etc. stored in the memory unit 122, etc.

[0017] The communication unit 121 is, for example, a communication interface capable of transmitting and receiving various information to and from a device (external device) (not shown) outside the information processing device 100. The external device may be, for example, a server, a user terminal, or the like. The user terminal is a terminal used by a user of the information processing device 100, and as a specific example, may be a stationary terminal such as a desktop, or a portable (movable) terminal (mobile terminal or mobile terminal) such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. In addition, the external device may be a route search device (navigation device) mounted on a vehicle, or the like.

[0018] The storage unit 122 may store, for example, various information and programs. Examples of the storage unit 122 may be a memory, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, etc. Note that the storage unit 122 may be, for example, a storage area and a server on a cloud.

[0019] The display unit 123 is, for example, a display capable of displaying various characters, symbols, images, and the like.

[0020] The first acquisition unit 111 acquires visibility information related to visible points 201 where a POI is visible from the road 300 or invisible points 202 where a POI is invisible. The first acquisition unit 111 may acquire visibility information generated in the information processing device 100, for example. Alternatively, the first acquisition unit 111 may acquire visibility information from a server (not shown), for example, via the communication unit 121. Alternatively, the first acquisition unit 111 may acquire visibility information from an external memory (not shown) in which the visibility information is stored, when the external memory is connected to an interface of the information processing device 100, for example.

[0021] A POI is something (object) that attracts the interest of one or more users, and may be various things such as tourist spots, historical sites, buildings, facilities, scenery, etc. There may be one or more POIs.

[0022] The visibility information may include information on points (visible points 201) where the user can see the POI from the road 300, and may also include information on points (invisible points 202) where the user cannot see the POI from the road 300. The visibility information may be information set for each POI. Generation of the visibility information will be described later.

[0023] The visibility information may be information that takes into consideration a time factor (e.g., including a seasonal factor, etc.) As a specific example, even at the same location, the POI may be difficult to see from the road 300 in a season when the roadside trees are covered with leaves (e.g., spring, summer, autumn, etc.), whereas the POI may be easy to see from the road 300 in a season when the roadside trees have lost their leaves (e.g., winter, etc.). As a specific example, a POI that is lit up at night may be easily visible from the road 300 even at night, whereas a POI that is not lit up at night may be difficult to see from the road 300 at night. Thus, the visibility information may be information about a visibility point 201 where the POI is visible from the road 300 or an invisibility point 202 where the POI is not visible, which varies according to time (a time factor (including a seasonal factor)).

[0024] The visibility information may also take into consideration the lane. As a specific example, there are cases where the POI is easy to see from the uphill lane side (or downhill lane side) of the road 300, while there are cases where the POI is difficult to see from the downhill lane side (or uphill lane side) of the road 300. Therefore, the visibility information may be information relating to a visible point 201 where the POI is visible from the road 300, or an invisible point 202 where the POI is not visible, which changes depending on the lane.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the setting performed by the setting unit 112. Fig. 3(A) is a diagram for explaining an example of the first setting, and Fig. 3(B) is a diagram for explaining an example of the second setting.

[0026] The setting unit 112 performs at least one of setting information of visible points 201 and invisible points 202 of the POI for a road link 311 corresponding to the road 300 (first setting) (see FIG. 3(A)) and setting information of the road link 311 of the visible point 201 for the POI (second setting) (see FIG. 3(B)) based on the visibility information acquired by the first acquisition unit 111. The road link 311 may be, for example, a link between a plurality of nodes 312 represented by a road network 310. 3(A), the setting unit 112 sets information on the visible point 201 and the invisible point 202 of the POI for a road link 311 (each of the multiple road links 311) corresponding to a road 300 passing through the visible point 201 and the invisible point 202 based on the visibility information (first setting). The setting unit 112 registers information on the visible point 201 and the invisible point 202 of the POI for the road link 311 as the first setting. 3(B), the setting unit 112 sets, for the POI, information on one or more road links 311 that pass through a point (visible point 201) from which the POI is visible, based on the visibility information (second setting). That is, as the second setting, the setting unit 112 associates, for the POI, a road link 311 (visible road link 311a) in which a point from which the POI is visible is registered, or a road link 311 (visible road link 311a) in which the POI is registered as being visible. The setting unit 112 may perform at least one setting from the first setting and the second setting group to generate the setting information. The setting unit 112 may divide one road link into a plurality of road links, perform at least one setting from the first setting and the second setting group for each divided road link, and generate the setting information.

[0027] When one road link 311 has both a visible point 201 and an invisible point 202, the setting unit 112 may prioritize the visible point 201 and set the road link 311 as the visible road link 311a. When one road link 311 has only the visible point 201, the setting unit 112 may set the road link 311 as the visible road link 311a. On the other hand, when one road link 311 has only the invisible point 202, the setting unit 112 may set the road link 311 as the invisible road link 311b. Therefore, in the second setting, for example, the setting unit 112 may associate only the visible road link 311a with the POI.

[0028] For example, the setting unit 112 may set visible points 201 and invisible points 202 of a POI according to a time factor, and visible points 201 and invisible points 202 of a POI according to a lane, based on visibility information taking into account a time factor (including, for example, a seasonal factor, etc.) and visibility information taking into account a lane, in each of the first setting and the second setting.

[0029] The setting unit 112 may set a plurality of visible points 201 for one road link 311 as the first setting. The setting unit 112 may set a single road link 311 in which a plurality of visible points 201 are registered for one POI as the second setting. In this case, the setting unit 112 may set a higher importance for a road link 311 in which more visible points 201 are registered, or for a road link 311 (one road link 311) in which a greater number of visible points 201 than invisible points 202 are registered. On the other hand, the setting unit 112 may set a lower importance for a road link 311 in which fewer visible points 201 are registered, or for a road link 311 (one road link 311) in which a smaller number of visible points 201 than invisible points 202 are registered. In other words, the setting unit 112 may set a higher importance to a road link 311 in which a relatively large number of visible points 201 are registered than to a road link 311 in which a relatively small number of visible points 201 are registered.

[0030] When searching for a route via a POI between the departure point and the destination, the search unit 113 refers to information (setting information) set by the setting unit 112, identifies a road link 311 on which the POI is visible, and searches for a route between the departure point and the destination via the identified road link 311. The search unit 113 may acquire the departure point and destination input by the user operating an input unit (not shown) such as a keyboard and a mouse. The search unit 113 searches for a travel route 400 from the departure point to the destination (route search). In this case, the search unit 113 may search for a route via a POI that is between the departure point and the destination, or that is relatively close between them. When the search unit 113 has searched for one or more routes for traveling from a departure point to a destination, it searches for POIs within a predetermined distance from the route, and based on the POI obtained by the search, identifies the road link 311 (visible road link 311a) through which the POI is visible, which has been set (first setting, second setting) by the setting unit 112 (by referring to the setting information). The search unit 113 identifies the road link 311 (visible road link 311a) through which each POI is visible, by referring to the setting contents (setting information) of the above-mentioned first setting or second setting.

[0031] When the search unit 113 identifies multiple road links 311 (visible road links 311a) for one POI, it may identify one or more road links 311 (visible road links 311a) so as to include a road link 311 with a higher (or highest) importance set by the setting unit 112 described above. Alternatively, when the search unit 113 identifies a plurality of road links 311 (visible road links 311a) for one POI, the search unit 113 may select and identify one or a plurality of road links 311 from the plurality of road links 311 (visible road links 311a) so that the total travel distance of the route from the departure point to the destination (the route via the identified road links 311) is shorter (or the shortest), or so that the total travel time of the route from the departure point to the destination (the route via the identified road links 311) is shorter (or the shortest). In this case, the search unit 113 may identify the road link 311 (visible road link 311a) based on setting information (visibility information) that takes into account lanes, for example.

[0032] The search unit 113 may obtain a search result of one or more POIs by searching for POIs. When a plurality of POIs are obtained as the search result, the search unit 113 may specify the road link 311 (visible road link 311a) corresponding to each of the plurality of POIs.

[0033] In addition, the search unit 113 may, for example, obtain the time (date) at which the search is to be performed from a clock unit (not shown) that keeps time, or when the departure time or arrival time (date) when traveling from the departure point to the destination is input via an input unit (not shown), identify the road link 311 (visible road link 311a) at which the POI can be seen according to that time based on setting information (visibility information) that takes into account time factors (including, for example, seasonal factors, etc.).

[0034] The search unit 113 searches for a travel route 400 between the departure point and the destination via the road link 311 (visible road link 311a) identified as described above.

[0035] The output control unit 114 may, for example, provide guidance on a travel route 400 from a departure point to a destination. The output control unit 114 controls the route 400 searched for by the search unit 113 to be output. The output control unit 114 also controls the route 400 searched for by the search unit 113 to be output. The POI-related features may be, for example, keywords and text such as sentences about the POI. The generation of POI-related features will be described later.

[0036] In this case, the output control unit 114 may control the output unit to output at least one selected from a group of features related to the route 400 and the POI. The output unit may be, for example, a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, a speaker (not shown), etc. That is, the output control unit 114 may control the communication unit 121 to transmit at least one piece of information selected from a group of features related to the route 400 and the POI to an external device (not shown). The external device here may be, for example, a user terminal, a server, or the like. The output control unit 114 may, for example, control the storage unit 122 to store at least one piece of information selected from a group of features related to the route 400 and the POI. The output control unit 114 may, for example, control the display unit 123 to display at least one selected from a group of features related to the route 400 and the POI. The output control unit 114 may control, for example, to output features related to the POI by voice from a speaker. In this case, when guiding the travel route 400 (one selected travel route 400) searched by the search unit 113, the output control unit 114 may summarize features related to the POI (for example, text such as sentences) according to the length (length of a section) of the visible road link 311a on the travel route 400, and output the summary result as voice guidance from the speaker when the vehicle travels on the visible road link 311a. When summarizing, the output control unit 114 may summarize sentences (text) about the POI using a known generation AI.

[0037] In the above case, an example has been described in which the first acquisition unit 111, the setting unit 112, the search unit 113, and the output control unit 114 are arranged in the information processing device 100. The present disclosure is not limited to this example, and the first acquisition unit 111, the setting unit 112, the search unit 113, the output control unit 114, etc. may be mounted on a route search device (navigation device) mounted on a vehicle or the like. In this case, the route search device (navigation device) may be rephrased as the "information processing device" in the present disclosure.

[0038] (Generating visual information and POI-related features) Next, the generation of visual information will be described.

[0039] The second acquisition unit 115 acquires a plurality of pieces of probe information acquired by the vehicle. The probe information may be information (vehicle information) in which various contents acquired by the vehicle are recorded. The probe information may include, for example, position information and time information acquired by the vehicle at predetermined intervals. The second acquisition unit 115 may, for example, acquire the probe information from an external device (not shown) via the communication unit 121. In this case, the external device may be, for example, a server, a vehicle, etc. Alternatively, when an external memory (not shown) in which the probe information is stored is connected to an interface of the information processing device 100, the second acquisition unit 115 may acquire the probe information from the external memory. The second acquisition unit 115 may acquire, for example, information on the departure point and destination of the vehicle (travel route information) and image information (for example, video information recorded by a drive recorder) corresponding to the probe information of the vehicle.

[0040] When a target POI is designated in advance, the second acquisition unit 115 may acquire probe information of a vehicle that has traveled near the POI. In this case, the second acquisition unit 115 may acquire probe information generated by a vehicle that has traveled within a first distance from the designated POI.

[0041] The first identification unit 116 identifies probe information in which the vehicle travels within a first distance from the POI and parks or stops once or multiple times within a second distance from the POI, based on the multiple pieces of probe information acquired by the second acquisition unit 115. The first distance and the second distance may be the same distance or may be different distances. When the first distance and the second distance are different, the first distance may be longer than the second distance. Each of the first distance and the second distance may be, for example, any distance that is set in advance and is estimated to be visible to the POI.

[0042] As a specific example, the first distance and the second distance may be set for each POI, or may be set according to the size (e.g., height, etc.) of each POI and the degree of view around the POI. The degree of view may be set according to a situation such as, for example, no tall buildings around the road 300 or the POI, the altitude of the road 300 on which the vehicle is traveling (the position recorded in the probe information) is higher than the height of the POI (the POI can be seen from the road 300 with a good view), etc. That is, the control unit 110 of the first identification unit 116 or the like may estimate the degree of view, etc. by referring to one or more map information in which the heights of the POI and buildings, and the altitude of the road 300, etc. are recorded, and set the first distance and the second distance for each POI based on the estimation result.

[0043] The first identification unit 116 may, for example, identify probe information in which the vehicle traveled within a first distance from the POI based on map information (such as a road map on which the POI is recorded) stored in the memory unit 122 and probe information (location information) (first identification).

[0044] The first identification unit 116 may estimate the parking or stopping of the vehicle based on the time when there is no change in the location information recorded in the probe information (when the vehicle does not move). The first identification unit 116 may estimate that the vehicle is parked or stopped in order to take a photo (video) of the POI, view the POI, etc. In this case, the first identification unit 116 may identify the probe information of a vehicle parked within a predetermined distance from the road link 311 corresponding to the road 300 on which the vehicle has traveled. That is, the first identification unit 116 may further refer to the probe information (position information and time information) among the probe information identified by the above-mentioned first identification unit 116 to identify the probe information of a vehicle parked within a second distance from the POI (second identification).

[0045] Here, for example, when the second acquisition unit 115 acquires probe information generated by a vehicle that has traveled within a first distance from a pre-specified POI, the first identification unit 116 may identify the probe information in which the vehicle has parked or stopped once or multiple times within a second distance from the POI.

[0046] The first identifying unit 116 may further identify probe information in which a POI is not set as a destination on the route from the departure point to the destination. The first identifying unit 116 may, for example, acquire the destination of the vehicle based on the travel route information acquired by the second acquiring unit 115, and identify probe information in which the destination of the vehicle is not set as a POI. Alternatively, for example, when the engine of the vehicle is stopped at a position that is more than a first distance from the POI, the first identification unit 116 may estimate the position where the engine is stopped as the destination and may estimate that the POI is not set as the destination. Note that information about starting and stopping the engine may be recorded in the probe information (vehicle information). Alternatively, for example, when the contents recorded in the probe information end at a position that is more than a first distance from the POI (when the end position of the probe information is at a position that is more than a first distance from the POI), the first identification unit 116 may estimate that the POI is not set as the destination. The first identification unit 116 may identify the probe information obtained by the above estimation in which the POI is not set as the destination.

[0047] The second identification unit 117 identifies a point where the vehicle has been parked within a second distance from the POI, based on the probe information identified by the first identification unit 116. The second identification unit 117 uses the above-mentioned second identification to identify the position (point) where the vehicle has been parked, based on the probe information (position information). The first identification unit 116 and the second identification unit 117 may have the same function or different functions. If the first identification unit 116 and the second identification unit 117 have the same function, they may be integrated into one function as an "identification unit."

[0048] The generation unit 118 generates visibility information regarding the visibility or invisibility of a POI, corresponding to the point identified by the second identification unit 117. As an example, the generation unit 118 may generate the visibility information in response to determining whether the POI is visible or invisible based on an image captured at the point identified by the second identification unit 117. The generation unit 118 may, for example, refer to image information corresponding to the probe information (e.g., video information recorded by a drive recorder, etc.), and if a POI is recorded (or no POI is recorded) in an image (video) recorded at a point identified by the second identification unit 117 (e.g., including the vicinity of that point, etc.), determine that the POI is visible (or invisible) and generate visibility information that designates the point as a visible point 201 (or an invisible point 202) of the POI. Alternatively, the generation unit 118 may search for image information (still and video) with location information published on a site on a communication network such as a social networking service (SNS), and if a POI is recorded (or no POI is recorded) in image information (image) captured at a point identified by the second identification unit 117 (including, for example, the vicinity of that point), it may determine that the POI is visible (or invisible) and generate visibility information that designates that point as a visible point 201 (or an invisible point 202) of the POI. Alternatively, the generation unit 118 may obtain the results of investigating (field investigation) the point identified by the second identification unit 117, and if the field investigation results show that the POI is visible (or invisible) at that point, generate visibility information that designates that point as a visible point 201 (or an invisible point 202) of the POI. In addition, the generation unit 118 may estimate (identify) whether the point identified by the second identification unit 117 is a visible point 201 of the POI or an invisible point 202 of the POI by various methods, not limited to the example described above, and generate the estimation (identification) result as visibility information.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the process performed by the generation unit 118. As shown in FIG.

[0050] The generating unit 118 may acquire features related to the POI based on an image captured at the point identified by the second identifying unit 117. As described above, the image may be video information recorded by a drive recorder, image information (still images and videos) published on a communication network, image information obtained by a field survey, and the like. As an example, the generating unit 118 may input the image to a text generating AI and generate text of various contents to be recorded in the image (for example, keywords, and sentences such as explanations and introductions). The text generating AI may be various known AIs that output text of contents to be recorded in the image based on the image. As a specific example, the generation unit 118 uses a text generation AI to generate text and the like regarding the POI recorded in the image. That is, when a castle 501 and cherry blossoms 502 are recorded in an image 500 as shown in an example in Fig. 4, the generation unit 118 may use a text generation AI to generate text and the like indicating the name of the castle 501 and the presence of cherry blossoms 502. The generation unit 118 may, for example, obtain text regarding the POI (e.g., castle 501, etc.) and the contents around the POI (e.g., cherry blossoms 502, etc.) from the image 500, and set the obtained text as a feature related to the POI. Alternatively, for example, when an investigator reviews an image captured at a point identified by the second identification unit 117 and the text resulting from the review is input via an input unit (not shown), the generation unit 118 may acquire the text as a feature related to the POI.

[0051] [Information processing method] Next, an information processing method according to an embodiment will be described.

[0052] First, the first information processing method will be described. In the first information processing method, a route search process will be described. FIG. 5 is a first flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment.

[0053] In step ST101, the first acquisition unit 111 acquires visibility information related to visible points 201 where a POI is visible from a road 300, or invisible points 202 where a POI is not visible.

[0054] In step ST102, the setting unit 112 performs at least one of setting information of the visible point 201 and the invisible point 202 of the POI for the road link 311 corresponding to the road 300 (first setting) based on the visibility information acquired in step ST101, and setting information of the road link 311 (visible road link 311a) of the visible point 201 for the POI (second setting).

[0055] In step ST103, when the search unit 113 searches for a route via a POI between the departure point and the destination, it refers to the information (setting information) set in step ST102, identifies a road link 311 (visible road link 311a) through which the POI is visible, and searches for a route 400 between the departure point and the destination via the identified road link 311 (visible road link 311a).

[0056] In step ST104, the output control unit 114 controls to output features related to the POI for the route 400 searched for in step ST103. The output control unit 114 controls to output the route 400 searched for in step ST103. That is, the output control unit 114 may provide guidance on the travel route 400 from the departure point to the destination searched for in step ST103, for example.

[0057] Next, the second information processing method will be described. In the second information processing method, a visual information generating process will be described. FIG. 6 is a second flowchart illustrating the information processing method according to an embodiment.

[0058] In step ST201, the second acquisition unit 115 acquires a plurality of pieces of probe information acquired in a vehicle.

[0059] In step ST202, the first identifying unit 116 identifies probe information in which the vehicle traveled within a first distance from the POI and parked or stopped once or multiple times within a second distance from the POI, based on the multiple pieces of probe information acquired in step ST201. The first identifying unit 116 may further identify probe information in which the POI is not set as the destination on the route from the departure point to the destination.

[0060] In step ST203, the second identifying unit 117 identifies a parking point within a second distance from the POI, based on the probe information identified in step ST202.

[0061] In step ST204, the generation unit 118 generates visibility information regarding the visibility or invisibility of the POI, corresponding to the point identified in step ST203. As an example, the generation unit 118 may generate the visibility information in response to determining the visibility or invisibility of the POI based on an image captured at the point identified in step ST203. The generation unit 118 may acquire features related to the POI based on the image captured at the point identified in step ST203.

[0062] [Functions and circuits] Next, the functions and circuits of the above-mentioned information processing device 100 will be described. Each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a function of an arithmetic processing device of a computer, etc. That is, the first acquisition unit 111, the setting unit 112, the search unit 113, the output control unit 114, the second acquisition unit 115, the first identification unit 116, the second identification unit 117, and the generation unit 118 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a first acquisition function, a setting function, a search function, an output control function, a second acquisition function, a first identification function, a second identification function, and a generation function (control function), respectively, by the arithmetic processing device of a computer, etc. The information processing program can cause a computer to realize each of the above-mentioned functions. The information processing program may be recorded in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, such as a memory, a solid-state drive, a hard disk drive, or an optical disk. The recording medium may be referred to as a non-transitory computer-readable medium, for example. As described above, each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized by an arithmetic processing device of a computer or the like. The arithmetic processing device or the like is configured by, for example, an integrated circuit or the like. Therefore, each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a circuit constituting the arithmetic processing device or the like. That is, the first acquisition unit 111, the setting unit 112, the search unit 113, the output control unit 114, the second acquisition unit 115, the first identification unit 116, the second identification unit 117, and the generation unit 118 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a first acquisition circuit, a setting circuit, a search circuit, an output control circuit, a second acquisition circuit, a first identification circuit, a second identification circuit, and a generation circuit (control circuit) constituting the arithmetic processing device of a computer or the like. The communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a communication function, a storage function, and a display function (output function) including the functions of an arithmetic processing device, etc. The communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a communication circuit, a storage circuit, and a display circuit (output circuit) by being configured, for example, by an integrated circuit, etc. The communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a communication device, a storage device, and a display device (output device) by being configured, for example, by being configured by a plurality of devices.

[0063] The information processing device 100 can combine one or any two or more of the above-mentioned units. In this disclosure, the term "information" is used, but the term "information" can be replaced with "data" and the term "data" can be replaced with "information."

[0064] [Aspects and Effects of the Present Embodiment] Next, one aspect of this embodiment and the effects of each aspect will be described. Note that each aspect described below is an example at the time of filing, and this embodiment is not limited to the aspects described below. In other words, this embodiment is not limited to each aspect described below, and may be realized by appropriately combining each of the above-mentioned parts. In addition, a lower aspect may be able to cite any of the higher aspects. The effects described below are merely examples, and the effects of each aspect are not limited to those described below. Each aspect may, for example, have at least one of the effects described below.

[0065] (Aspect 1) An information processing device of one embodiment includes a first acquisition unit that acquires visibility information regarding visible points where a POI is visible from a road or invisible points where a POI is not visible from a road, a setting unit that performs at least one of setting information of visible and invisible points of the POI on a road link corresponding to a road based on the visibility information acquired by the first acquisition unit and setting information of road links of visible points for the POI, and a search unit that, when performing a route search via the POI between a starting point and a destination, refers to the information set by the setting unit, identifies road links where the POI is visible, and performs a route search between the starting point and the destination via the identified road links. This allows the information processing device to perform processing that takes the POI into consideration. That is, the information processing device can perform route search via road links that make the POI visible (visible road links) and provide guidance along the route obtained by the search. In addition, when passing near a POI such as a scenic spot or tourist spot while traveling, the information processing device can meet the user's needs of preferentially traveling along a route that does not require the user to park the vehicle and stop at the POI, but allows the POI to be clearly visible, thereby improving user satisfaction. Furthermore, when there are multiple routes passing near a POI, a user would like to take a route that makes it easy to see the POI, but it is difficult to correctly determine in advance how easily the POI can be seen from the road using only images posted on SNS, etc. In this regard, the information processing device disclosed herein can enable a user to select a route that makes it easy to see the POI from the road by adding visibility attributes of the POI to map information (road network and POI).

[0066] (Aspect 2) The information processing device according to one embodiment may include an output control unit that controls the output of features related to POIs for the route searched for by the search unit. As a result, when the information processing device provides guidance on a route via a road link where the POI is visible (visible road link), the information processing device can output keywords, explanations, introductions, and summaries (guidance) for the POI. That is, for example, when a vehicle travels on a visible road link for a POI, the information processing device can output guidance for the POI. As the guidance, the information processing device can provide various kinds of guidance for the POI using voice, as well as characters, symbols, images, etc., by utilizing the output control unit.

[0067] (Aspect 3) An information processing device of one embodiment may include a second acquisition unit that acquires multiple pieces of probe information acquired by the vehicle, a first identification unit that identifies probe information in which the vehicle travels within a first distance from the POI and is parked or stopped once or multiple times within a second distance from the POI based on the multiple pieces of probe information acquired by the second acquisition unit, a second identification unit that identifies a point where the vehicle is parked or stopped within the second distance from the POI based on the probe information identified by the first identification unit, and a generation unit that generates visibility information regarding the visibility or invisibility of the POI corresponding to the point identified by the second identification unit. As a result, when a vehicle is parked or stopped relatively close to a POI, the information processing device can estimate that the vehicle is parked or stopped for the purpose of acquiring an image of the POI and for the purpose of viewing the POI.

[0068] (Aspect 4) In the information processing device of the embodiment, the first identification unit may further identify probe information in which a POI is not set as a destination on a route from a departure point to a destination. This enables the information processing device to estimate that the vehicle was parked and stopped for the purpose of acquiring an image of a POI and for the purpose of viewing the POI while traveling from the departure point to the destination.

[0069] (Aspect 5) In the information processing device of one aspect, the generation unit may generate visibility information in response to determining whether a POI is visible or invisible based on an image captured at a point identified by the second identification unit. When a vehicle is parked relatively close to a POI, and when the information processing device presumes that the vehicle was parked for the purpose of obtaining an image of the POI and for the purpose of viewing the POI, if the POI is recorded in an image captured near the parking position (point), the information processing device can determine a visible point. On the other hand, if the POI is not recorded in an image captured near the parking position (point), the information processing device may determine an invisible point.

[0070] (Aspect 6) In the information processing device of one aspect, the generation unit may acquire a feature related to the POI based on an image captured at the point identified by the second identification unit. This allows the information processing device to acquire features related to the POI according to the actual situation that is visible (recorded in the image) from the visible point.

[0071] (Aspect 7) In one embodiment of an information processing method, a computer executes a first acquisition step of acquiring visibility information regarding visible points where a POI is visible from a road or invisible points where a POI is not visible, a setting step of performing at least one of setting information of visible and invisible points of the POI on a road link corresponding to the road based on the visibility information acquired by the first acquisition step and setting information of road links of visible points for the POI, and a search step of, when performing a route search via the POI between the starting point and the destination, referring to the information set by the setting step, identifying road links where the POI is visible, and performing a route search between the starting point and the destination via the identified road links. As a result, the information processing method may achieve the same effect as the information processing device of the above-described aspect.

[0072] (Aspect 8) An information processing program of one embodiment provides a computer with the following functions: a first acquisition function for acquiring visibility information regarding visible points where a POI is visible from a road or invisible points where a POI is not visible; a setting function for performing at least one of setting information of visible and invisible points of the POI on a road link corresponding to a road based on the visibility information acquired by the first acquisition function and setting information of the road link of the visible point for the POI; and a search function for, when performing a route search between a starting point and a destination via a POI, referring to the information set by the setting function, identifying road links where the POI is visible, and performing a route search between the starting point and the destination via the identified road links. As a result, the information processing program may achieve the same effect as the information processing device of the above-described aspect. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 100 Information processing device 110 Control section 111 First acquisition part 112 Setting section 113 Search Department 114 Output control section 115 Second acquisition part 116 1st Specific Part 117 Second Specific Part 118 Generation part 121 Communications Department 122 Storage section 123 Display section 201 Visible point 202 Invisible point 300 road 310 Road Network 311 Road Links 311a Visible Road Link 311b Invisible road links 312 nodes 400 Routes 500 images 501 Castle 502 Cherry Blossoms

Claims

1. A first acquisition unit that acquires visibility information related to a visible point where a POI (Point of Interest) is visible from a road or an invisible point where a POI is not visible from a road; a setting unit that performs at least one of setting information on visible and invisible points of a POI to a road link corresponding to the road based on the visibility information acquired by the first acquisition unit and setting information on a road link of a visible point to a POI; a search unit that, when searching for a route via a POI between a departure point and a destination, refers to the information set by the setting unit, identifies a road link on which the POI is visible, and searches for a route between the departure point and the destination via the identified road link; An information processing device comprising:

2. an output control unit that controls to output features related to POIs for the route searched by the search unit; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. A second acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of probe information acquired in a vehicle; a first identification unit that identifies probe information in which a vehicle travels within a first distance from a POI and parks or stops once or a plurality of times within a second distance from the POI based on the plurality of pieces of probe information acquired by the second acquisition unit; A second identification unit that identifies a point where the vehicle is parked within a second distance from the POI based on the probe information identified by the first identification unit; a generating unit that generates visibility information regarding visibility or invisibility of a POI corresponding to the point identified by the second identifying unit; The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. The first identification unit further identifies probe information that does not have a POI set as a destination on a route from a departure point to a destination. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The generating unit generates visibility information in response to determining whether a POI is visible or invisible based on an image captured at the point identified by the second identifying unit. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

6. The generating unit acquires features related to the POI based on an image captured at the point identified by the second identifying unit. The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The computer A first acquisition step of acquiring visibility information regarding visible points where the POI is visible from a road or invisible points where the POI is not visible from a road; a setting step of performing at least one of setting information on visible and invisible points of a POI to a road link corresponding to the road based on the visibility information acquired by the first acquisition step, and setting information on road links of visible points to a POI; a searching step for searching a route between a departure point and a destination via a POI by referring to the information set by the setting step, specifying a road link on which the POI is visible, and searching for a route between the departure point and the destination via the specified road link; An information processing method for performing the above.

8. On the computer, A first acquisition function for acquiring visibility information regarding a visible point where the POI is visible from a road or an invisible point where the POI is not visible from a road; a setting function that performs at least one of setting information on visible and invisible points of a POI to a road link corresponding to the road based on the visibility information acquired by the first acquisition function, and setting information on a road link of a visible point to a POI; a search function that, when searching for a route via a POI between a departure point and a destination, refers to the information set by the setting function, identifies a road link on which the POI can be seen, and searches for a route between the departure point and the destination via the identified road link; An information processing program that realizes this.

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