Method

Abstract

To improve a technique of searching for a route on which a request of a user is reflected.SOLUTION: A method executed by a terminal device 20 includes: displaying a first route as a route to a destination searched for by a route search, through an output unit 25; receiving a user input for specifying a section of the first route, through an input unit 24; and displaying a second route as a route to the destination which bypasses the section searched for by a route search, through the output unit 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technique for presenting the result of route search to a destination. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses searching for route information to a destination for each of a plurality of vehicle types and presenting it in a comparable manner.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In conventional route search, for example, a user can specify search conditions such as whether to use a highway. Here, assuming that a section that the user wants to avoid is included in the route presented as a search result, in conventional route search, the only option is to change the search conditions and search again, and it is not always the case that the section is not included in the route presented by the second search. Thus, there has been room for improvement in the technology for performing route search that reflects the user's wishes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The method according to the present disclosure is a method executed by a terminal device including an input unit, an output unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit displays, via the output unit, a first route that is a route to a destination searched by route search, receives, via the input unit, a user input designating a partial section of the first route, and displays, via the output unit, a second route that is a route to the destination searched by route search and that avoids the partial section.

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the technology for performing route search reflecting the wishes of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0009] With reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 10 and a terminal device 20. The information processing apparatus 10 can communicate with the terminal device 20 via a network 30.

[0010] The information processing apparatus 10 is a computer installed in a facility such as a data center. The information processing apparatus 10 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing systems.

[0011] The terminal device 20 is used by a user. The terminal device 20 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, or a PC. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer. The terminal device 20 may be part or all of an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle in which the user rides.

[0012] The network 30 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. The network 40 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. The wireless network is, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0013] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and the details will be described later. The terminal device 20 displays a first route that is a route to a destination searched by route search. The terminal device 20 receives a user input designating a partial section of the first route. The terminal device 20 displays a second route that is a route to the destination searched by route search and that avoids a partial section.

[0014] According to this embodiment, since the user can directly specify a partial section that he / she wants to avoid among the first route, it is possible to omit the trouble of the user who specifies the destination again and searches. Since the transition of the output from the first route to the second route is automatically performed in the terminal device 20, it becomes easy for the user to grasp the second route that avoids the partial section specified by the user. Therefore, it is possible to improve the technology for performing route search that reflects the user's wishes.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0016] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 11 executes processing related to the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 while controlling each part of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0017] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM, ROM, or flash memory. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. ROM is, for example, EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The flash memory is, for example, SSD. "SSD" is an abbreviation for solid-state drive. The magnetic memory is, for example, HDD. "HDD" is an abbreviation for hard disk drive. The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores information used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and information obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0018] The communication unit 13 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is a module compatible with a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE802.11. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The communication unit 13 communicates with devices other than the information processing apparatus 10. The communication unit 13 receives information used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the terminal device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. The terminal device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25. The hardware configurations of the control unit 21 and the storage unit 22 of the terminal device 20 may be the same as those of the control unit 11 and the storage unit 12 of the information processing device 10, respectively. The description here is omitted.

[0020] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G standard, or 5G standard, an interface corresponding to a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a LAN interface. "LTE" is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th generation. "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th generation. The communication unit 23 receives information used for the operation of the terminal device 20 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the terminal device 20.

[0021] The input unit 24 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen provided integrally with the display, or a microphone. The input unit 24 receives an operation for inputting data used for the operation of the terminal device 20. Instead of being provided in the terminal device 20, the input unit 24 may be connected to the terminal device 20 as an external input device. As the connection method, for example, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used. "USB" is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. "HDMI (registered trademark)" is an abbreviation for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.

[0022] The output unit 25 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for liquid crystal display. "EL" is an abbreviation for electro luminescence. The output unit 25 outputs data obtained by the operation of the terminal device 20. Instead of being provided in the terminal device 20, the output unit 25 may be connected to the terminal device 20 as an external output device. As the connection method, for example, any method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0023] The functions of the information processing apparatus 10 or the terminal device 20 are realized by executing the program according to the present embodiment by a processor as the control unit 11 or the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 or the terminal device 20 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing apparatus 10 or the terminal device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing apparatus 10 or the terminal device 20. That is, the computer functions as the information processing apparatus 10 or the terminal device 20 by executing the operations of the information processing apparatus 10 or the terminal device 20 according to the program.

[0024] The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or ROM. The distribution of the program can be carried out, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as an SD card, DVD, or CD-ROM that stores the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program can also be distributed by storing it in the server's storage and transferring the program from the server to other computers. The program may be provided as a program product.

[0025] The computer first stores, for example, a program stored in a portable medium or a program transferred from a server in the main memory device. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main memory device with the processor and executes the processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may directly read the program from the portable medium and execute the processing according to the program. Each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer, the computer may sequentially execute the processing according to the received program. The processing may be executed by a so-called ASP-type service that realizes the function only by execution instructions and result acquisition without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. The program is information used for processing by an electronic computer and includes those conforming to the program. For example, data that does not give a direct instruction to the computer but has the property of defining the computer's processing corresponds to "those conforming to the program".

[0026] Some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 or the terminal apparatus 20 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 11 or the control unit 21. That is, some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 or the terminal apparatus 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0027] With reference to FIGS. 2 to 3B, the operation of the system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Among the operations shown in FIG. 2, the operation of the terminal apparatus 20 corresponds to the method according to the present embodiment. In the following, it is assumed that the communication between the information processing apparatus 10 and the external apparatus is performed via the communication unit 13 and the network 30. It is assumed that the communication between the terminal apparatus 20 and the external apparatus is performed via the communication unit 23 and the network 30.

[0028] In S1 of FIG. 2, the control unit 21 of the terminal apparatus 20 receives an input of a destination from the user via the input unit 24. The control unit 21 may also receive an input of a departure point via the input unit 24, or may acquire information indicating the position of the terminal apparatus 20 and set the current location of the terminal apparatus 20 as the departure point based on the information.

[0029] In S2, the control unit 21 transmits a first route search request, which is a route search request to the destination received in S1, to the information processing apparatus 10.

[0030] In S3, the control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 receives the first route search request. The control unit 11 searches for a route in response to the first route search request and generates first route information indicating the first route. Any method may be adopted for the route search. In the present embodiment, the first route information further includes information indicating a division position for dividing the first route into a plurality of sections. The division position is, for example, a position on a branch point or a merging point on the map of the first route.

[0031] In S4, the control unit 11 transmits the generated first route information to the terminal apparatus 20.

[0032] In S5, the control unit 21 of the terminal apparatus 20 receives the first route information.

[0033] In S6, the control unit 21 displays, on a display as the output unit 25, the first path indicated by the received first path information. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of the first path displayed on the output unit 25, with the example shown by a solid line. Referring to FIG. 3A, as the first path, a path from the departure point represented by the character "START" to the destination represented by the character "GOAL" is displayed. In this example, the control unit 21 divides the first path into two or more sections and displays it by displaying a straight line L at the division position based on the information indicating the division position included in the first path information. Referring to FIG. 3A, the first path is divided and displayed from section C1 to section C3 by two straight lines L.

[0034] In S7 of FIG. 2, the control unit 21 receives a user input for designating a partial section of the first path. In this example, the user designates at least one of the plurality of sections obtained by dividing the first path output to the output unit 25 as a partial section via the input unit 24. This is not the only way, and any method may be adopted for the user input. For example, when the input unit 24 and the output unit 25 are integrally provided as a touch screen, the user may perform a predetermined operation such as tracing or tapping a partial section of the first path displayed on the touch screen to make a user input. In this example, it is assumed that the control unit 21 has received a user input designating section C2 as a partial section among the first paths divided by the straight line L in FIG. 3A.

[0035] In S8 of FIG. 2, the control unit 21 transmits a search request for a second path, which is a path avoiding the partial section received in S7, to the information processing apparatus 10. In this example, the control unit 21 transmits a search request for a second path avoiding section C2 to the information processing apparatus 10.

[0036] In S9, the control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 receives a second route search request. In response to the second route search request, the control unit 11 searches for a second route that avoids a partial section specified by the user, and generates second route information indicating the second route. Any method may be adopted for the route search. In this example, the control unit 11 searches for a second route that avoids section C2 in FIG. 3A, and generates second route information indicating the second route.

[0037] In S10, the control unit 11 transmits the generated second route information to the terminal device 20.

[0038] In S11, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 20 receives the second route information.

[0039] In S12, the control unit 21 displays the second route indicated by the received second route information on a display as the output unit 25. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of the second route displayed on the output unit 25 with a solid line. Referring to FIG. 3B, section C2 as a partial section specified by the user in S7 is displayed with a dashed line, and a second route that avoids section C2 and passes through section C2' instead is displayed with a solid line. Thereafter, the operation of the system 1 ends.

[0040] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks described in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps described in the flowchart in time series according to the description, each step may be executed in parallel or in a different order according to the processing ability of the device that executes the steps, or as necessary. In addition, changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0041] For example, in step S3 described above, the control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 may generate first route information including at least one of the estimated required time, toll, and word-of-mouth evaluation for each section formed by splitting the first route. Specifically, the control unit 21 first acquires information indicating at least one of the estimated required time, toll, and word-of-mouth evaluation for each section. The word-of-mouth evaluation may include, for example, the ease of driving in the section evaluated by the driver of the vehicle that has traveled in the section. The word-of-mouth evaluation may be a graded evaluation such as "low", "medium", or "high", for example. The control unit 11 may acquire information indicating the word-of-mouth evaluation or toll by receiving it from an external device, or by reading it from the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 may communicate with a center that provides road traffic information and receive information indicating the estimated required time from the center. The control unit 21 generates first route information based on the acquired information. The control unit 21 transmits the generated first route information to the terminal device 20 in the same manner as in step S4 described above.

[0042] The terminal device 20 receives the first route information from the information processing apparatus 10 and displays, on a display as the output unit 25, at least one of the estimated required time, toll, and word-of-mouth evaluation for each section indicated by the first route information, together with the corresponding section. FIG. 4 is an example of the first route displayed on the output unit 25 of the terminal device 20 according to this modification. Referring to FIG. 4, for each of the sections C1 to C3 divided by the straight line L, the estimated required time, toll, and word-of-mouth evaluation are displayed. This enables the user to specify some sections to be avoided in consideration of the estimated required time, toll, and word-of-mouth evaluation.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1 System 10 Information Processing Apparatus 11 Control Unit 12 Storage Unit 13 Communication Unit 20 Terminal Device 21 Control Unit 22 Storage Unit 23 Communication section 24 Input section 25 Output section 30 Network

Claims

【Claim 1】 A method executed by a terminal device including an input unit, an output unit, and a control unit, comprising: the control unit: displaying, via the output unit, a first route that is a route to a destination searched by route search; receiving, via the input unit, a user input designating a partial section of the first route; displaying, via the output unit, a second route that is a route to the destination searched by route search and that avoids the partial section The method includes the above steps.

Images