Navigation control device and navigation method

Abstract

To guide a route to travel to a destination by transferring to another public transportation on the way while traveling to the destination using rental type micro-mobility.SOLUTION: A control unit 20 as a navigation control device guides a route to a destination using rental type micro-mobility. The control unit 20 comprises a position information acquisition unit 22 which acquires position information indicating the current position of the micro-mobility, and a route search unit 31 which searches for a return destination port in the vicinity of the current position and an alternative travel route from the return destination port to the destination using public transportation based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 22 and map information including a road map including the return destination port of the micro-mobility and a route map of public transportation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a navigation control device and a navigation method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technology for a navigation device to search for an evacuation location associated with a level of weather information and guide a user to the searched evacuation location (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-180909 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, rental services for micromobility such as electric kick scooters have become popular. While using a rental type micromobility, on the way to the original destination, the user may want to switch to another means of transportation to reach the destination for various reasons. In such a case, the user conventionally had to search for a nearby port to return the micromobility, and then search for a route to the destination, which required the user's time and effort.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide optimal guidance on a route to a destination that involves transferring to other public transportation along the way while traveling to the destination using rental micromobility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the navigation control device of the present disclosure is a navigation control device that provides guidance on a route to a destination using rental micromobility, and is equipped with a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the current location of the micromobility, and a route search unit that searches for a return port in the vicinity of the current location and an alternative travel route using public transportation from the return port to the destination based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit and map information including a road map including the return port of the micromobility and a public transportation route map.

[0007] The navigation method disclosed herein is a navigation method for guiding a route to a destination using rental micromobility, and includes a location information acquisition step of acquiring location information indicating the current location of the micromobility, and a route search step of searching for a return port in the vicinity of the current location and an alternative travel route using public transportation from the return port to the destination based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition step and map information including a road map including a return port of the micromobility and a public transportation route map. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide optimal guidance on a route to a destination that involves transferring to other public transportation along the way while traveling to the destination using rental micromobility. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a navigation device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the navigation device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the navigation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process in the navigation device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a navigation control device and a navigation method according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] [First embodiment] <Navigation device> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a navigation device according to a first embodiment. The navigation device 10 is used in rental micromobility. Rental micromobility is something that is rented and used by a user, and the user rents the micromobility at a port, which is a rental location, and returns it to a return port. There are various types of ports known, such as those renting vacant space in a store or those operated with or without staff, and the rental location and the return location may be the same or different. In addition, the operation of micromobility by sharing in a similar manner may also be included in the rental micromobility of the embodiment.

[0012] Micromobility is a vehicle for one or two people that provides easy local transportation, such as an electric kick scooter. Many micromobilities do not have a body or roof to cover the user, and the user is generally vulnerable to the effects of rain and wind. Micromobility is also called ultra-compact mobility, and is classified into various categories according to its size and rated output, but it is not limited to these categories and may include electric bicycles including electrically assisted ones, electric motorcycles, ultra-compact electric cars, senior cars, those with drive systems other than electric, and even bicycles without a drive system.

[0013] A user reserves the use of micromobility using an application for a rental service or an application for a sharing service. When reserving the use of micromobility via the application, the port where the vehicle will be rented and the port where the vehicle will be returned are set by the user. Position information of the port where the vehicle will be rented and the port where the vehicle will be returned is stored in a storage device such as a storage unit (not shown) of the navigation device 10 or an operation server of the application.

[0014] The navigation device 10 guides a route for a rental micromobility from a port where the micromobility is rented as a starting point to a port where the micromobility is returned as a destination. The navigation device 10 is a fixed electronic device mounted on the micromobility, or a portable electronic device such as a portable electronic device carried by a user. The navigation device 10 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiving unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a navigation control device (hereinafter referred to as a "control unit") 20.

[0015] The GNSS receiving unit 11 is configured with a GNSS receiver that receives GNSS signals from GNSS satellites, etc. The GNSS receiving unit 11 outputs the received GNSS signals to the position information acquisition unit 22.

[0016] The operation unit 12 can accept various operations on the navigation device 10. For example, the operation unit 12 is configured by physical operations on the navigation device 10, known operation means using voice input, or operation of a touch panel arranged on the display unit 18. For example, the operation unit 12 can accept an operation to input a destination. For example, the operation unit 12 can accept an operation to search for a route from a departure point to a destination. For example, the operation unit 12 can accept an operation to start guidance on a route from a departure point to a destination. The operation unit 12 outputs operation information indicating the accepted operation to the operation acceptance unit 23.

[0017] For example, the operation unit 12 can receive an operation indicating that the micromobility is to be returned immediately. The user performs the operation to immediately return the micromobility at any timing, for example, when the user becomes tired from driving, when the arrival time at the destination is delayed, when the reservation time is about to be exceeded, etc.

[0018] The map information storage unit 13 stores map information. The map information storage unit 13 outputs the stored map information to the map information acquisition unit 24. The map information storage unit 13 may be a storage device such as an external server that acquires map information via a communication function of the communication unit 19 or the like.

[0019] The map information includes, for example, a road map including road shapes, intersections, and ports to which the micromobility vehicle is to be returned, and a route map including stations and stops of public transportation such as trains and buses.

[0020] The display unit 18 is, for example, a display including a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 18 displays an image guiding the route to the destination based on a video signal output from the display control unit 38. The display unit 18 displays an image presenting alternative travel routes and candidates for return ports based on a video signal output from the display control unit 38.

[0021] The communication unit 19 is a communication unit that performs wireless communication. The communication unit 19 communicates information with an external device, for example, via a network. The network is, for example, the Internet, but is not limited to this. The communication unit 19 is, for example, configured with a wide-area wireless communication module for a mobile phone network. The communication unit 19 is configured with a communication module such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and may be connected to any access point or another smartphone to realize wide-area wireless communication.

[0022] <Terminal control device> The control unit 20 controls to guide a route to a destination using rental micromobility. The control unit 20 is, for example, an arithmetic processing device configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 20 executes instructions included in a program stored in a storage unit (not shown). The control unit 20 includes a position information acquisition unit 22, an operation reception unit 23, a map information acquisition unit 24, a determination unit 26, a route search unit 31, a route guidance unit 32, a display control unit 38, and a communication control unit 39. The control unit 20 may be implemented as one of the functions of an application for a rental service or an application for a sharing service.

[0023] The location information acquisition unit 22 acquires location information indicating the current location of the micromobility. In this embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 22 acquires the location information of the micromobility based on the radio wave signal acquired by the GNSS receiving unit 11.

[0024] The operation reception unit 23 acquires operation information of the operation accepted by the operation unit 12. For example, the operation reception unit 23 acquires operation information indicating a destination setting operation and outputs a control signal. For example, when a destination is set, the operation reception unit 23 outputs a control signal including the current position of the micromobility and the position information of the destination. For example, the operation reception unit 23 acquires operation information indicating an operation to search for a route from the current position of the micromobility to the destination and outputs a control signal. For example, the operation reception unit 23 acquires operation information indicating an operation to start route guidance and outputs a control signal. For example, the operation reception unit 23 acquires operation information indicating an operation to immediately return the micromobility and outputs a control signal. For example, the operation reception unit 23 acquires operation information indicating an operation to select one candidate from candidates for an alternative travel route and a return port, and outputs a control signal.

[0025] The map information acquisition unit 24 acquires map information from the map information storage unit 13 .

[0026] The determination unit 26 determines whether or not a return condition for immediately returning the micromobility is met. For example, when the determination unit 26 receives an operation of the operation unit 12 by a user indicating that the micromobility will be returned immediately while a route to a destination is being guided, the determination unit 26 determines that the return condition for the micromobility is met. For example, when the scheduled return time of the micromobility set at the time of reservation has passed or is about to pass, the determination unit 26 determines that the return condition for the micromobility is met.

[0027] The route search unit 31 searches for a route for the micromobility from a set departure point to a destination point. In this embodiment, the departure point is, for example, the current location of the micromobility. More specifically, the route search unit 31 searches for a route based on location information of the destination point and map information stored in the map information storage unit 13. The method for searching for a route is not limited and any known route search method can be used.

[0028] In this embodiment, the route search unit 31 searches for a return port in the vicinity of the current location and an alternative travel route using public transportation from the return port to the destination based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 22 and map information including a road map including the return port of the micromobility and a route map of the public transportation. The route search unit 31 may search for multiple candidates for a combination of the return port and the alternative travel route. The method of searching for a route using public transportation may include a walking section, and any known route search method may be used and is not limited to this method.

[0029] The route search unit 31 searches for a combination of a return port and an alternative travel route, for example, giving priority to a return port that is close to the current location and close to the nearest station or stop of public transportation.

[0030] For example, the route search unit 31 preferentially searches for a combination of a return port and an alternative travel route that provides a shortest sum of the time required from the current location to the return port and the time required from the return port to the destination.

[0031] For example, the route search unit 31 preferentially searches for a combination of a return port and an alternative travel route that has a shorter total distance from the current position to the return port and the distance from the return port to the destination.

[0032] For example, the route search unit 31 preferentially searches for a combination of a return port and an alternative travel route that results in a lower total cost of the micromobility fee to return the vehicle to the return port and the fee for using public transportation from the return port to the destination.

[0033] The route guidance unit 32 provides guidance along a route to a destination. The method of providing route guidance is not limited and any known route guidance method can be used.

[0034] The display control unit 38 controls the display on the display unit 18. More specifically, the display control unit 38 outputs a video signal that causes the display unit 18 to display an image of route guidance along the route by the route guidance unit 32. The display control unit 38 outputs a video signal that causes the display unit 18 to display route candidates searched for by the route search unit 31.

[0035] The display control unit 38 outputs a video signal for displaying on the display unit 18 the alternative travel routes and the candidate return ports searched for by the route search unit 31.

[0036] The communication control unit 39 controls the communication unit 19 to communicate with an external device.

[0037] <Information processing in navigation devices> Next, information processing in the navigation device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the navigation device according to the first embodiment. For simplicity, Fig. 2 describes route guidance being started by the route guidance unit 32 with the port of the rental location when starting travel by micromobility as the starting point and the return port set at the time of reservation as the destination, and a description of normal route guidance combining other means of transportation will be omitted as appropriate.

[0038] The control unit 20 determines whether or not the return conditions are met (step S101). More specifically, the control unit 20 determines that the return conditions for the micromobility are met when, for example, the determination unit 26 receives an operation of the operation unit 12 by the user indicating that the micromobility will be returned immediately while the control unit 20 is guiding the user on a route to a destination. If the control unit 20 determines that the return conditions are met (Yes in step S101), the control unit 20 proceeds to step S102. If the control unit 20 does not determine that the return conditions are met (No in step S101), the control unit 20 proceeds to step S106.

[0039] When it is determined that the return condition is met (Yes in step S101), the control unit 20 searches for an alternative travel route to the destination and a return port (step S102). More specifically, the control unit 20 searches for a return port in the vicinity of the current location and an alternative travel route using public transportation from the return port to the destination, based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 22 and map information including a road map including the return port of the micromobility and a route map of the public transportation, by the route search unit 31. The control unit 20 proceeds to step S103.

[0040] The control unit 20 presents the candidates (step S103). More specifically, the control unit 20 outputs a video signal that causes the display control unit 38 to display the alternative travel route and the return destination port candidates searched for by the route search unit 31 on the display unit 18. The control unit 20 proceeds to step S104.

[0041] The control unit 20 determines whether or not a candidate selection operation has been received (step S104). More specifically, the control unit 20 determines whether or not a selection operation for selecting one candidate from candidates for the alternative movement route and the return destination port has been received by the operation unit 19, via the operation reception unit 23. If the control unit 20 determines that a candidate selection operation has been received (Yes in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105. If the control unit 20 does not determine that a candidate selection operation has been received (No in step S104), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0042] When it is determined that the candidate selection operation has been accepted (Yes in step S104), the control unit 20 performs route guidance of an alternative travel route to the destination via the return port (step S105). More specifically, the control unit 20 performs route guidance by the route guidance unit 32 of the alternative travel route to the destination via the return port using public transportation. The control unit 20 proceeds to step S106.

[0043] The control unit 20 determines whether or not to end this process (step S106). More specifically, the control unit 20 determines to end this process when, for example, the destination in this process is reached, or when a user operation to end this process is received, etc. If the control unit 20 determines to end this process (Yes in step S106), it ends this process. If the control unit 20 does not determine to end this process (No in step S106), it executes the process of step S101 again.

[0044] <Effects> As described above, in this embodiment, an alternative travel route using public transportation and a return port can be searched for based on location information and map information including a road map including a return port for the micromobility and a route map for the public transportation. In this way, according to this embodiment, while traveling to a destination using a rental micromobility, an alternative travel route for switching to another public transportation can be guided.

[0045] According to this embodiment, the user can continue to travel to the destination via an alternative travel route that satisfies the user's desired conditions, such as the shortest time, shortest distance, and lowest fare.

[0046] [Second embodiment] A navigation device 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a navigation device according to a second embodiment. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the navigation device according to the second embodiment. The basic configuration of the navigation device 10A is similar to that of the navigation device 10 of the first embodiment. In the following description, components similar to those of the navigation device 10 are given the same or corresponding reference symbols, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The navigation device 10A automatically searches for a return port and an alternative travel route in bad weather. The navigation device 10A differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a weather information acquisition unit 25A and in the processing in the determination unit 26A and the route search unit 31A.

[0047] In this embodiment, the map information includes information indicating a temporary evacuation location where temporary evacuation can be performed in bad weather such as rain.

[0048] The weather information acquisition unit 25A acquires weather information about the surroundings of the current location of the micromobility. The weather information acquisition unit 25A acquires weather information about the surroundings of the route to the destination.

[0049] The determination unit 26A determines whether the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 25A indicates a worsening of the weather. For example, the determination unit 26A may determine that the weather is worsening when there is a possibility of rainfall at the current position or on the route to the destination.

[0050] When the determining unit 26A determines that the weather information indicates a worsening of the weather, the route searching unit 31A searches for at least one of a return port and an alternative movement route, or a temporary evacuation site for temporarily avoiding movement.

[0051] The route searching unit 31A may search for the return port and the alternative movement route in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0052] In this embodiment, the route search unit 31A may search preferentially for a return port that is less affected by bad weather, along with the alternative travel route. For example, the route search unit 31A preferentially searches for a combination of a return port and an alternative travel route that is close to the current location, close to the nearest station or stop of public transportation, and allows smooth transfer to the destination. For example, the route search unit 31A preferentially searches for a combination of a return port and an alternative travel route that is close to the current location and close to the nearest station or stop of public transportation, via a route that avoids roads and sidewalks that are easily affected by bad weather as much as possible. For example, when bad weather such as passing rain is expected for a relatively short period of time, the route search unit 31A preferentially searches for a route to a temporary evacuation site where travel is temporarily suspended. (Hereinafter, this may be simply described as a "temporary evacuation site" or "search for a temporary evacuation site.")

[0053] For example, the route searching unit 31A searches preferentially for a temporary evacuation site that is close to the current position.

[0054] For example, the route searching unit 31A searches preferentially for a temporary evacuation site that requires a short travel time from the current position to the temporary evacuation site.

[0055] <Information processing in navigation devices> Next, information processing in the navigation device 10A will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Steps S114 to S117 are similar to steps S103 to S106 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 2.

[0056] The control unit 20A acquires weather information (step S111). More specifically, the control unit 20A acquires weather information for the current position of the micromobility and the surrounding area of ​​the route to the destination by the weather information acquisition unit 25A. The control unit 20A proceeds to step S112.

[0057] The control unit 20A determines whether or not the weather is bad (step S112). More specifically, the control unit 20A determines whether or not the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 25A indicates a worsening of the weather, using the judgment unit 26A. If the control unit 20A judges that the weather is bad (Yes in step S112), it proceeds to step S113. If the control unit 20A does not judge that the weather is bad (No in step S112), it proceeds to step S117.

[0058] If it is determined that the weather is bad (Yes in step S112), the control unit 20A searches for a return destination port and an alternative moving route to the destination, and a temporary evacuation site (step S113). More specifically, the control unit 20A searches for at least one of a return destination port and an alternative moving route, or a temporary evacuation site for temporary movement, by the route search unit 31A. The control unit 20A proceeds to step S114.

[0059] <Effects> As described above, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the weather is worsening, at least one of an alternative travel route and a temporary evacuation site where the user can move temporarily can be searched for. According to this embodiment, in addition to simply providing information on a temporary evacuation site such as a place to take shelter from the rain, the system also takes into consideration the return of the rental micromobility in accordance with the usage pattern of the rental micromobility, and allows the user to continue to move to the destination via an alternative travel route that meets the user's desired conditions, such as the shortest time, shortest distance, and lowest price.

[0060] In regions and seasons where the weather is changeable, micromobility for rental and sharing services is not only dangerous because the vehicle itself gets wet and is vulnerable to wet roads if it rains while on board, but also has problems such as not being able to reach the destination or return port at the scheduled time, and not knowing an appropriate alternative route. According to this embodiment, it is possible to present a combination of the optimal return port and alternative travel route that can reach the destination while minimizing the effects of bad weather.

[0061] According to this embodiment, micromobility, such as rental services and sharing services, can be made one of the safer, more secure and convenient options in MaaS (Mobility as a Service).

[0062] Each component of the illustrated navigation device is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of the device may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on the processing load and usage status of each device.

[0063] The configuration of the navigation device is realized, for example, as software, by a program loaded into a memory. In the above embodiment, the configuration has been described as functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these hardware and software. In other words, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms, by hardware alone, software alone, or a combination of both.

[0064] The components described above include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described above can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 Navigation devices 11 GNSS receiver 12 Control section 13 Map information storage unit 18 Display 19 Communications Department 20 Control unit (navigation control device) 22 Location information acquisition unit 23 Operation reception section 24 Map information acquisition section 26 Judgment section 31 Route Search Unit 32 Route Guidance Section 38 Display control section 39 Communication control section

Claims

1. A navigation control device that provides guidance on a route to a destination using rental micromobility, A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a current location of the micromobility; a route search unit that searches for a return port in the vicinity of the current location and an alternative travel route using public transportation from the return port to the destination based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit and map information including a road map including a return port of the micromobility and a route map of public transportation; A navigation control device comprising:

2. A weather information acquisition unit that acquires weather information around a current location of the micromobility; a determination unit that determines whether the weather information indicates a deterioration of the weather by the weather information acquisition unit; Equipped with When the determination unit determines that the weather information indicates a deterioration in weather, the route search unit searches for at least one of the alternative travel route and a temporary evacuation site that allows the user to temporarily avoid travel. The navigation control device according to claim 1 .

3. The route search unit preferentially searches for a return port that is less affected by bad weather. The navigation control device according to claim 2.

4. the route search unit searches for the return port and the alternative travel route that satisfy at least one of the conditions of a shortest time, a shortest distance, and a cheapest fee; A navigation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A navigation method for providing guidance on a route to a destination using rental micromobility, comprising: A location information acquisition step of acquiring location information indicating a current location of the micromobility; a route search step of searching for a return port in the vicinity of the current location and an alternative travel route using public transportation from the return port to the destination based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition step and map information including a road map including a return port of the micromobility and a route map of public transportation; A navigation method, comprising:

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