Information processing device

Abstract

To improve a technique related to a guidance to prevent occurrence of a congestion.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 includes a control section 11 for performing: acquiring information to avoid a congestion; predicting an area and time band to affect the passing of a vehicle based on the information; and notifying a user of the vehicle of guidance information to avoid the area and time zone to affect the passing of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques related to route guidance that avoids road congestion. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that calculates the probability that a vehicle will avoid congestion that occurs at a congestion occurrence point as a congestion avoidance rate, and searches for a route to a destination that avoids the congestion occurrence point based on this congestion avoidance rate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-124341 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the route guidance to avoid traffic jams so far has been based on analyzing the traffic jam situation after the traffic jam has occurred, and has not been effective enough to prevent traffic jams from occurring. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the technology related to guidance to prevent traffic jams from occurring.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve technology relating to guidance to reduce the occurrence of traffic congestion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: Obtain information to avoid traffic jams, Based on the information, predict the areas and time periods in which vehicle traffic will be affected, The vehicle includes a control unit that notifies a user of the vehicle of guidance information for avoiding the area and time period that will affect vehicle traffic. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, techniques relating to guidance to reduce congestion are improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of creating guidance information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In the description of the present embodiments, the description of identical or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0010] (Outline of the embodiment) An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes at least one information processing device 10 and at least one vehicle 20. The information processing device 10 and the vehicle 20 are communicably connected to a network 30 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0011] The information processing device 10 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system. The information processing device 10 is capable of communicating with the vehicle 20 via a network 30. In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 transmits to the vehicle 20 guidance information for avoiding areas and time periods that may affect vehicle traffic.

[0012] The vehicle 20 is, for example, an automobile, but is not limited thereto and may be any vehicle. The automobile may be, for example, a gasoline-powered automobile, an electric vehicle (BEV; Battery Electric Vehicle), a hybrid automobile (HEV; Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid automobile (PHEV; Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV; Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), but is not limited thereto. The number of vehicles 20 included in the system 1 may be determined arbitrarily.

[0013] In this embodiment, the vehicle 20 is a vehicle in which a user rides, and has a function of receiving guidance information for avoiding areas and time periods that may affect vehicle traffic and notifying the user of the information. Note that the function provided in the vehicle 20 here may be substituted by a mobile terminal of the user riding in the vehicle 20.

[0014] The network 30 may include the Internet, at least one wide area network (WAN), at least one metropolitan area network (MAN), or a combination thereof. The network 30 may also include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. The wireless network may be, for example, an ad-hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless local area network (LAN), a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network.

[0015] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The information processing device 10 acquires information for avoiding congestion. Here, "information for avoiding congestion" refers to information that affects vehicle traffic, specifically, information on events that occur when traffic is blocked or when traffic obstructions occur, i.e., information on events that are highly likely to cause congestion. As described below, information for avoiding congestion may include, for example, information on public transportation paralysis, information on traffic restrictions due to the passage of VIPs (very important persons), information on taxi demand, and information on road conditions. Obtaining such information before a congestion occurs can make it less likely to occur. The information for avoiding congestion may be acquired, for example, from an external server different from the information processing device 10, or from another vehicle 20 connected to the system 1. Then, the information processing device 10 predicts areas and time periods in which vehicle traffic will be affected based on the acquired information for avoiding congestion. Here, "vehicle traffic is affected" means that vehicle travel speeds are slower than normal due to factors such as increased traffic volume. For example, it can be defined as a state in which the travel speed on a certain road is reduced by a predetermined rate from the normal average travel speed of that road. In this embodiment, the state in which "vehicle traffic is affected" refers to a state in which a line of vehicles repeatedly stopping and starting continues for a predetermined length or a so-called "traffic jam" in which vehicles are stalled. In addition to locations where traffic obstructions directly occur as information for avoiding traffic jams, the information processing device 10 predicts surrounding areas where the traffic obstructions will make it take longer to pass through than normal (affecting vehicle traffic) and the time periods in which the areas will occur.

[0016] Next, the information processing device 10 creates guidance information that avoids areas and time periods that will be affected by the predicted vehicle traffic, and notifies the created guidance information to the user of the vehicle 20. This guidance information may include, for example, route guidance to the user's destination.

[0017] As described above, according to this embodiment, guidance information for avoiding areas and time periods that will affect vehicle traffic is provided to the user of vehicle 20 based on information for avoiding congestion. Therefore, the user can obtain information for avoiding areas and time periods that will affect vehicle traffic before congestion occurs. As a result, the user can select a route that will have minimal impact on vehicle traffic, and the user's appropriate route selection prevents further inflow of vehicles into areas that will affect vehicle traffic. Therefore, the technology related to guidance for reducing the occurrence of congestion is improved in that the possibility of avoiding congestion is increased.

[0018] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0019] (Configuration of information processing device) As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0020] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The dedicated circuit is, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit 11 executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10 while controlling each unit of the information processing device 10.

[0021] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. Each memory included in the storage unit 12 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 10. For example, the storage unit 12 may store system programs, application programs, databases, map information, etc. The information stored in the storage unit 12 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 30 via the communication unit 13, for example.

[0022] The communication unit 13 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 30. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard. The communication unit 13 receives data used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. In the present embodiment, the information processing device 10 communicates with the vehicle 20 via the communication unit 13 and the network 30. The information processing device 10 may also communicate with an external server via the communication unit 13 and the network 30 to obtain information for avoiding traffic congestion. Note that the communication unit 13 may communicate with vehicles other than the vehicle 20 according to the present embodiment.

[0023] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a control program (a program that controls the device) on a processor serving as the control unit 11. That is, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The control program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by executing the operations of the information processing device 10 in accordance with the control program.

[0024] The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, and ROM (read only memory). The program can be distributed by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as SD (Secure Digital) cards, DVDs (digital versatile discs), or CD-ROMs (compact disc read only memory) that store the program. The program can also be distributed by storing it in the storage of a server and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0025] A computer temporarily stores a program stored on a portable medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer. The program may include information used for processing by a computer that is equivalent to a program.

[0026] (Vehicle configuration) As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25.

[0027] The control unit 21 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA. The dedicated circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC. The control unit 21 controls each part of the vehicle 20 and executes processing related to the operation of the entire vehicle 20.

[0028] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. The memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, or the like, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the vehicle 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 22 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 30 via the communication unit 23, for example.

[0029] The communication unit 23 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 30. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a LAN interface or a mobile communication standard, but is not limited to these. The communication unit 23 receives data used in the operation of the vehicle 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the vehicle 20 communicates with the information processing device 10 via the communication unit 23 and the network 30.

[0030] The input unit 24 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a voice sensor. The input unit 24 accepts an operation to input data used for operating the vehicle 20. The input unit 24 may be connected to the vehicle 20 as an external input device instead of being provided in the vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the input unit 24 can be used, for example, by a user to input information regarding a destination or the like and transmit the information to the information processing device 10.

[0031] 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 (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. Alternatively, the output unit 25 may be an audio output device such as a speaker. The output unit 25 outputs, for example, data received from the information processing device 10. The output unit 25 may be connected to the vehicle 20 as an external output device instead of being provided in the vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the output unit 25 can output guidance information from the information processing device 10.

[0032] In this embodiment, the functions of the control unit 21, the storage unit 22, the communication unit 23, the input unit 24, and the output unit 25 of the vehicle 20 can be substituted by a terminal device (such as a smartphone) of a user riding in the vehicle 20. Therefore, the device that receives and outputs the guidance information provided by the information processing device 10 is not limited to the device provided in the vehicle 20 itself.

[0033] (Operation flow of information processing device) The operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] Step S1: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires information for avoiding traffic congestion.

[0035] The information for avoiding congestion is information about an event that is likely to cause congestion, and in this embodiment, it is, for example, information about a public transportation paralysis. Public transportation includes transportation modes such as railways, tracks (streetcars), buses, and airplanes. In this embodiment, railways are assumed, and the public transportation paralysis information is information about the suspension of train service between specific stations. Any method can be used to acquire the information for avoiding congestion. For example, the control unit 11 may receive information for avoiding congestion from an external server via the communication unit 13 and the network 30. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 may acquire the service suspension information from a railway company's server. Alternatively, the public transportation paralysis information may be acquired from a server of another traffic information service.

[0036] Step S2: The control unit 11 predicts the areas and time periods in which vehicle traffic will be affected based on the information for avoiding congestion acquired in step S1 (here, information about the suspension of train services between specific stations).

[0037] Specifically, the control unit 11 predicts areas and time periods where vehicle traffic will be affected based on information for avoiding congestion (information about the suspension of train service between specific train stations) and information about traffic volume in the related road network, both acquired via the communication unit 13. In this embodiment, due to the suspension of train service between specific train stations (between Station A and Station B), it is predicted that there will be an increase in the use of taxis by passengers who get off the train, an increase in the use of private cars to pick up passengers returning home, and so on. Therefore, in predicting areas where vehicle traffic will be affected, it is desirable to acquire information about the number of users of the public transportation system (information such as the number of passengers on the train line or the number of passengers getting on and off at each station in the section where service is suspended). It is also desirable to acquire information about the number of taxis around the section between the stations where service is suspended (the point where public transportation is paralyzed).

[0038] The control unit 11 identifies stations corresponding to sections where service will be suspended based on information for avoiding congestion, for example, and predicts areas where vehicular traffic will be affected at each time based on information such as traffic volume information on the road network connecting to the stations and the number of users at the stations. This prediction can be made by any means, but it can be a prediction of an increase in traffic volume (number of vehicles) based on the number of users at the stations, a prediction based on past data on congestion caused by similar public transportation paralysis, or a prediction of the impact on vehicular traffic using AI (Artificial Intelligence), etc.

[0039] Step S3: Based on the areas and time periods where vehicle traffic will be affected predicted in step S2, the control unit 11 creates guidance information for avoiding the areas and time periods. This guidance information may be the information itself about the areas and time periods where vehicle traffic will be affected predicted, but may also include other information. For example, it may include route guidance to the user's destination.

[0040] To generate route guidance, the control unit 11 acquires the destination of the user who is riding in the vehicle 20. For example, the control unit 11 acquires the user's destination, which the user inputs via the input unit 24 of the vehicle 20, via the communication unit 13 and the network 30. The destination can be acquired at any timing; for example, the user may input the destination when getting into the vehicle 20, and the control unit 11 may acquire the destination information when the user gets into the vehicle. At this time, the control unit 11 stores the user's destination in the memory unit 12. The control unit 11 may acquire the user's destination by reading it out from the memory unit 12 when necessary.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of how guidance information according to this embodiment is created. Guidance information (here, route guidance) can be created, for example, as follows: As shown in FIG. 5, predicted areas that will affect vehicle traffic are overlaid on map information. These areas that will affect vehicle traffic may change over time (change over time). Based on the time periods during which vehicle traffic will be affected and the predicted time of passage of the vehicle 20, the control unit 11 searches for a route that avoids the areas and time periods that will affect vehicle traffic. Note that, in this embodiment, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 periodically receives location information from the vehicle 20 and constantly recognizes the current location of the vehicle 20. Based on the predicted time of passage of each point calculated from the traveling speed of the vehicle 20, the control unit 11 can select roads that will have minimal impact on vehicle traffic at that time and calculate a route to the destination. From the calculated route, route guidance to the destination is created that avoids the areas and time periods that will affect vehicle traffic.

[0042] The guidance information for avoiding areas and time periods that affect vehicle traffic may further include various information useful to the user. For example, the guidance information may include, but is not limited to, events that cause traffic disruptions (i.e., information for avoiding traffic congestion acquired by the information processing device 10), information on changes over time in areas that affect vehicle traffic, and the distribution of surrounding vehicles.

[0043] Step S4: The control unit 11 notifies the user of the vehicle 20 of the guidance information created in step S3. Then, the process ends.

[0044] Any method can be used to notify the user of the guidance information. For example, the control unit 11 may transmit an instruction to output the guidance information to the vehicle 20 via the communication unit 13 and the network 30. The vehicle 20, having received the instruction, outputs the guidance information via the output unit 25, such as a display or a speaker. Alternatively, the storage unit 12 of the information processing device 10 may pre-store information on a terminal device used by the user or a user account of the user, in association with identification information of the vehicle 20. The control unit 11 may notify the terminal device or user account of the guidance information via the communication unit 13.

[0045] As described above, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment acquires information for avoiding congestion, and predicts areas and time periods in which vehicle traffic will be affected based on this information. Then, the control unit 11 notifies the user of the vehicle 20 of guidance information for avoiding areas and time periods in which vehicle traffic will be affected.

[0046] According to this configuration, guidance information for avoiding areas and time periods where vehicle traffic is affected is provided to the user of the vehicle 20 based on information for avoiding congestion. This allows the user to select a route that can avoid areas where vehicle traffic is affected before congestion occurs. Therefore, by allowing users of many vehicles 20 connected to the system 1 to appropriately select routes that have minimal impact on vehicle traffic, the inflow of more vehicles 20 into areas where vehicle traffic is affected is suppressed. This increases the likelihood of avoiding congestion, and improves technology related to guidance to make congestion less likely to occur.

[0047] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the information for avoiding traffic congestion has been described as information on public transportation paralysis. Hereinafter, the operation of the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 will be described with respect to various pieces of information for avoiding traffic congestion.

[0048] The information for avoiding congestion may be information about traffic restrictions due to the passage of important persons (VIPs), etc. In this case, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires information about the route of the important person and the location and time of the traffic restrictions associated with the route from, for example, an external server related to traffic information or a server related to the police.

[0049] Next, the control unit 11 predicts the areas and time periods in which vehicular traffic will be affected based on the acquired information on the VIP's travel route and the associated traffic restrictions. For example, based on information on the traffic volume at the time the restrictions are implemented on the roads on which traffic restrictions will be implemented and on the road network (each road) connecting to those roads, the control unit 11 predicts the areas in which vehicular traffic will be affected at each time. This prediction can be made using any method, such as prediction based on congestion data from past traffic restrictions, or prediction of the impact on vehicular traffic using AI.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 11 may acquire the destination of the user aboard the vehicle 20, and generate route guidance to the destination that avoids areas that will affect vehicle traffic. For example, the control unit 11 obtains a route that can avoid areas that will affect vehicle traffic, based on the predicted areas and time periods that will affect vehicle traffic, and the predicted time of passage of the vehicle 20. Then, the control unit 11 generates guidance information including the obtained route guidance, and notifies the user of the vehicle 20 of the guidance information.

[0051] In this embodiment, when traffic restrictions are imposed due to the passage of VIPs or the like, the control unit 11 notifies the user of the vehicle 20 of not only information about the roads subject to traffic restrictions, but also the areas and time periods in which the traffic restrictions will affect vehicle traffic, and guidance information for avoiding these areas. Before the user gets caught in a traffic jam, the user can select a route that can avoid the area in which vehicle traffic will be affected. As a result of the user's appropriate route selection, traffic jams are less likely to occur.

[0052] The information for avoiding traffic congestion may be information on demand for dispatching taxis. In this case, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires the information on demand for dispatching taxis from an external server such as a taxi company server.

[0053] Next, the control unit 11 predicts areas and time periods where vehicle traffic will be affected based on the acquired information on demand for taxi dispatches. In areas where taxi dispatch requests are concentrated, in addition to normal traffic volume, the number of taxi vehicles increases and the number of taxis stopping to pick up and drop off passengers also increases, which affects vehicle traffic. Therefore, as information on demand for taxi dispatches, the number of dispatch requests for each region (i.e., the region where dispatch requests are rapidly increasing and the number of dispatch requests in that region) is acquired, and further, based on information on traffic volume in the road network connecting to the region, the control unit 11 predicts the impact on vehicle traffic for each hour. This prediction can use any method, such as AI-based prediction of the impact on vehicle traffic.

[0054] In this case, too, the control unit 11 can acquire the destination of the user in the vehicle 20 and create route guidance to the destination that avoids areas and time periods where vehicle traffic is affected by an increase in taxis. Then, the control unit 11 notifies the user of the vehicle 20 of the guidance information.

[0055] In this embodiment, even if there is a sudden increase in demand for taxi dispatches, the user can select a route that avoids areas and time periods where an increase in the number of taxis will affect vehicle traffic before congestion occurs. As a result of the user's appropriate route selection, congestion is less likely to occur.

[0056] The information for avoiding traffic congestion may be information on road conditions. Examples of the information on road conditions include information on road surface irregularities (irregularities that affect traffic), information on road surface flooding (including the occurrence of puddles), and information on obstacles (fallen objects) on the road surface. In this case, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 may acquire the information on road surface conditions from, for example, an external server such as a traffic information server, or may acquire it from camera images taken while the vehicle 20 connected to the system 1 is traveling. Furthermore, the information on road surface flooding may be acquired from camera images of the vehicle 20 showing the occurrence of flooding, or may be used to predict the occurrence of flooding by acquiring heavy rain data from a weather information server or the like.

[0057] Next, the control unit 11 predicts areas and time periods in which vehicle traffic will be affected based on the acquired road condition information. For example, based on information on roads where road conditions have deteriorated (occurrence of obstacles, flooding, etc.) and traffic volume on the road network connecting to those roads, it predicts the impact on vehicle traffic for each hour of the day. This prediction can be made using any method, such as prediction using AI.

[0058] The impact of deteriorating road conditions on driving varies depending on the vehicle type. For example, vehicles with high ground clearance, such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, can drive on relatively rough roads. On the other hand, low-profile vehicles often find it difficult to drive due to flooding or uneven road surfaces. The control unit 11 acquires information about the vehicle type of each vehicle 20 connected to the system 1, and may use different criteria for road conditions that affect driving depending on the vehicle type.

[0059] In this embodiment, the control unit 11 sets areas and time periods where vehicle traffic will be affected depending on the vehicle type of the vehicle 20. For example, for an SUV, roads where road conditions are only slightly deteriorating may not be included in the areas where vehicle traffic will be affected. The control unit 11 can acquire the destination of the user in the vehicle 20 and create route guidance to the destination that avoids areas and time periods where vehicle traffic will be affected, which are set depending on the vehicle type. The control unit 11 notifies the user of the vehicle 20 of guidance information including the route guidance.

[0060] In this embodiment, when road conditions deteriorate, guidance information is provided that avoids areas and time periods that would affect vehicle traffic, depending on the type of vehicle 20 of the user. Before the user gets caught in a traffic jam, the user can select a route that can avoid areas that would affect vehicle traffic, appropriate for the type of vehicle. Therefore, vehicle types that can travel on rough roads do not need to take large detours, and can travel in a short time on a relatively short route, while general vehicles can avoid areas and time periods that would affect vehicle traffic by taking a safe route. As a result of the user's appropriate route selection, traffic jams are less likely to occur.

[0061] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0062] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the information processing device 10 may be distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. Also, for example, an embodiment in which some or all of the components of the information processing device 10 are provided in the vehicle 20 is possible. For example, a navigation device installed in the vehicle 20 may include some or all of the components of the information processing device 10.

[0063] Also, for example, an embodiment is possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the information processing device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 System 10. Information processing equipment 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 20 vehicles 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 24 Input section 25 Output section 30 Network

Claims

1. Obtain information to avoid traffic jams, Based on the information, predict the areas and time periods in which vehicle traffic will be affected, a control unit that notifies a user of the vehicle of guidance information for avoiding the area and the time period that will affect vehicle traffic; An information processing device comprising:

2. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the information for avoiding congestion includes at least one of information on public transportation paralysis, information on traffic restrictions due to the passage of important people, information on demand for taxi dispatches, and information on road conditions.

3. the information for avoiding traffic congestion is information about a public transportation paralysis, The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit predicts areas and time periods in which vehicular traffic will be affected based on at least information on traffic volume in a road network and information on the number of users of the public transportation system.

4. The information for avoiding traffic congestion is information on demand for taxi dispatches, 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit predicts areas and time periods in which vehicle traffic will be affected based on at least information on traffic volume in a road network and information on the number of taxi dispatch requests for each region.

5. the information for avoiding congestion is information on road conditions, the control unit predicts areas and time periods in which vehicle traffic will be affected based on at least the information on road conditions, information on traffic volume in the road network, and information on the vehicle type; The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein different guidance information is notified depending on the type of the vehicle.

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