Information processing device, information processing method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and the like capable of reporting a deviation from a scheduled arrival time at a destination.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises a calculation unit, an acquisition unit, and a notification control unit. The calculation unit calculates a first estimated arrival time including a time width related to a required time from a first point to a destination on a route from a departure place to the destination. The acquisition unit acquires, as an evaluation target time, either a second estimated arrival time according to the required time from a second point corresponding to the position of a moving body traveling along the route to the destination, or the arrival time of the moving body at the destination after having traveled along the route. The notification control unit causes notification information to be provided on the basis of the evaluation results of the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time, the notification information including information indicating that the evaluation target time has deviated from the time width of the first estimated arrival time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for predicting the time required for a moving object to travel. [Background technology]

[0002] Techniques have been proposed for predicting the time required for a moving object to travel.

[0003] Specifically, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a viewpoint of displaying the estimated arrival time to a destination and the dispersion value of the estimated arrival time in association with each of a plurality of routes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-297574 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that, for example, it is not possible to know if the arrival time at the destination has deviated from the scheduled time.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, a main object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device that can notify a user that arrival at a destination has deviated from the scheduled time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in the claims is an information processing device comprising: a calculation unit that calculates a first estimated arrival time having a time range related to the time required to travel from a first point on a route from a departure point to a destination; an acquisition unit that acquires, as an evaluation target time, either a second estimated arrival time corresponding to the time required to travel from a second point corresponding to the position of a mobile body moving along the route to the destination, or the arrival time of a mobile body moving along the route at the destination; and an alarm control unit that, based on the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time, issues alarm information including information related to the evaluation target time being outside the time range of the first estimated arrival time.

[0008] The invention described in the claims is an information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: a calculation step of calculating a first estimated arrival time having a time range related to the time required to travel from a first point on a route from a departure point to a destination; an acquisition step of acquiring, as an evaluation target time, either a second estimated arrival time corresponding to the time required to travel from a second point corresponding to the position of a mobile body moving along the route to the destination, or the arrival time of a mobile body moving along the route at the destination; and a notification control step of notifying, based on the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time, notification information including information related to the evaluation target time being outside the time range of the first estimated arrival time.

[0009] The invention described in the claims is a program executed by a computer, which causes the computer to function as: a calculation unit that calculates a first estimated arrival time having a time range related to the time required to travel from a first point on a route from a departure point to a destination; an acquisition unit that acquires, as an evaluation target time, either a second estimated arrival time corresponding to the time required to travel from a second point corresponding to the position of a mobile body moving along the route to the destination, or the arrival time of a mobile body moving along the route at the destination; and an alarm control unit that, based on the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time, issues alarm information including information related to the evaluation target time being outside the time range of the first estimated arrival time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a guidance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a guide route including n links. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a time distribution of the time required to pass through a link. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of displaying information including an estimated time of arrival from a departure point to a destination. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which notification information is displayed together with the information in FIG. 5; [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which notification information is displayed together with the information in FIG. 5; [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which notification information is displayed together with the information in FIG. 5; [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which notification information is displayed together with the information in FIG. 5; [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which notification information is displayed together with the information in FIG. 5; [Figure 11] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which notification information is displayed together with the information in FIG. 5; [Figure 12]10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by an information processing device. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a guidance system according to a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an information processing device includes a calculation unit that calculates a first estimated arrival time having a time range related to the time required to travel from a first point on a route from a departure point to a destination, an acquisition unit that acquires either a second estimated arrival time corresponding to the time required to travel from a second point corresponding to the position of a mobile body moving along the route to the destination, or the arrival time of a mobile body moving along the route at the destination, as an evaluation target time, and a notification control unit that issues notification information including information related to the evaluation target time being outside the time range of the first estimated arrival time based on the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time.

[0012] The information processing device includes a calculation unit, an acquisition unit, and a notification control unit. The calculation unit calculates a first estimated arrival time having a time range related to the time required to travel from a first point on a route from a departure point to the destination. The acquisition unit acquires, as an evaluation target time, either a second estimated arrival time corresponding to the time required to travel from a second point corresponding to the position of a mobile object traveling along the route to the destination, or an arrival time of the mobile object traveling along the route at the destination. The notification control unit, based on a result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time, issues notification information including information related to the evaluation target time being outside the time range of the first estimated arrival time. This allows notification that arrival at the destination has deviated from the scheduled time.

[0013] In one aspect of the above-mentioned information processing device, the notification control unit, when the second estimated arrival time is acquired as the evaluation target time and the evaluation target time exceeds the upper limit of the time range of the first estimated arrival time, notifies, as the notification information, information indicating that an event has occurred that will delay arrival at the destination.

[0014] In one aspect of the above-mentioned information processing device, the notification control unit, when the arrival time is acquired as the evaluation target time and the evaluation target time exceeds the upper limit of the time range of the first scheduled arrival time, notifies, as the notification information, information indicating that an event has occurred that will delay arrival at the destination.

[0015] In one aspect of the above-mentioned information processing device, the notification control unit notifies, as the notification information, information for issuing a warning regarding the moving speed of the moving body when the second estimated arrival time is acquired as the evaluation target time and the evaluation target time is below the lower limit of the time range of the first estimated arrival time.

[0016] In one aspect of the above-mentioned information processing device, the notification control unit notifies information related to a safe speed for movement of the moving body as the notification information when the arrival time is acquired as the evaluation target time and the evaluation target time is below the lower limit of the time range of the first scheduled arrival time.

[0017] In one aspect of the information processing device, the calculation unit calculates, as the first estimated arrival time, a time having a time width related to a required time from the departure point to the destination on the route.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an information processing method executed by a computer includes: a calculation step of calculating a first estimated arrival time having a time range related to the time required to travel from a first point on a route from a departure point to a destination; an acquisition step of acquiring, as an evaluation target time, either a second estimated arrival time corresponding to the time required to travel from a second point corresponding to the position of a mobile object traveling along the route to the destination or an arrival time of the mobile object traveling along the route at the destination; and a notification control step of issuing notification information including information related to the evaluation target time being outside the time range of the first estimated arrival time based on a result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time, thereby making it possible to notify the user that the arrival at the destination has deviated from the scheduled time.

[0019] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by a computer causes the computer to function as: a calculation unit that calculates a first estimated arrival time having a time range corresponding to the time required to travel from a first point on a route from a departure point to the destination; an acquisition unit that acquires, as an evaluation target time, either a second estimated arrival time corresponding to the time required to travel from a second point corresponding to the location of a mobile object traveling along the route to the destination; or an arrival time of a mobile object traveling along the route at the destination; and a notification control unit that, based on a result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time, issues notification information including information indicating that the evaluation target time has deviated from the time range of the first estimated arrival time. By executing this program on a computer, the above-mentioned information processing device can be realized. This program can be stored and used on a storage medium. This allows the computer to notify the user that arrival at the destination has deviated from the scheduled time. [Example]

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] [System Configuration] (Overall composition) 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a guidance system according to an embodiment. The guidance system 100 includes an information processing device 1 that moves together with a vehicle Ve in which a user rides. The vehicle Ve can be treated as an example of a moving object.

[0022] (Information processing device) The information processing device 1 can provide a user with, for example, information related to the route from the departure point of the vehicle Ve to the destination, and information related to the time required to travel the entire route. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can provide route guidance to a user, who is a passenger of the vehicle Ve, to a spot designated by the user. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can provide route guidance so that the vehicle Ve travels along the guidance route. In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 can output various information related to the driving of the vehicle Ve by voice and / or image. For example, the information processing device 1 can output information related to guidance points corresponding to points on the route where guidance is required. Here, guidance points correspond to, for example, intersections where the vehicle Ve must turn right or left, and other important passing points for the vehicle Ve to travel along the guidance route. The information processing device 1 can provide guidance related to guidance points, such as the distance from the vehicle Ve to the next guidance point and the direction of travel at the guidance point.

[0023] The information processing device 1 may be a navigation device installed in a vehicle Ve and providing route guidance to a set destination, or may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by a user. The information processing device 1 may also be incorporated into the vehicle Ve.

[0024] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. The information processing device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a control unit 14, a sensor group 15, a display unit 16, a sound collection unit 17, a sound output unit 18, and an in-vehicle image capture unit 19. The elements of the information processing device 1 are connected to each other via a bus line 10.

[0025] The communication unit 11 performs data communication with an external device under the control of the control unit 14. The communication unit 11 can also acquire driving data indicating the driving conditions and / or driving history of multiple vehicles, such as probe data, from the external device. The communication unit 11 can also acquire data used for route guidance, such as map data, road data, and spot data, from the external device. In this embodiment, the driving conditions of the vehicle may be read as the movement conditions of the mobile object. In this embodiment, the driving history of the vehicle may be read as the movement history of the mobile object.

[0026] The storage unit 12 is configured with various storage media such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and non-volatile memory (including a hard disk drive, a flash memory, etc.). The storage unit 12 also stores programs for the information processing device 1 to execute predetermined processes. The storage unit 12 is also used as a working memory for the control unit 14. The programs executed by the information processing device 1 may be stored in a storage medium other than the storage unit 12.

[0027] The storage unit 12 stores a map DB (DataBase) 4, a spot information DB 5, and a travel DB 6.

[0028] The map DB4 includes map data and road data obtained by the communication unit 11. The map data includes, for example, data necessary for displaying a map based on a predetermined position, such as the current location of the vehicle Ve. The road data includes, for example, data representing a road network using a combination of nodes and links. The road data also includes, for example, data indicating the link length and attributes of each link constituting the road network. The data indicating the road attributes may include, for example, the road type, facilities on the road, and the road name. The map data and road data included in the map DB4 may be updated to the latest data, for example, at regular intervals, under the control of the control unit 14. Note that, in this embodiment, links can be set as sections obtained by dividing the road network in any manner. For example, in this embodiment, links can be set as sections having any length and / or any shape. In this embodiment, links can be set as sections including nodes, or as sections not including nodes.

[0029] The spot information DB5 includes spot data obtained by the communication unit 11. The spot data includes data for each spot that can be set as a destination for the vehicle Ve. Specifically, the spot data includes, for example, data indicating the name of the spot, data indicating the type (category) of the spot, and data indicating an evaluation of the spot. The spot data included in the spot information DB5 can be updated to the latest data, for example, at regular intervals, under the control of the control unit 14.

[0030] The travel DB 6 includes travel data obtained by the communication unit 11. The travel data includes, for example, data related to the vehicle speed for each link that makes up the road network. The travel data included in the travel DB 6 can be updated to the latest data, for example, at regular intervals, under the control of the control unit 14.

[0031] The storage unit 12 stores driving condition data 7, which is data indicating the current driving condition of the vehicle Ve, and driving history data 8, which is data indicating the past driving conditions of the vehicle Ve.

[0032] The driving condition data 7 includes, as data related to the current driving of the vehicle Ve, data indicating the departure point of the vehicle Ve, the departure date and time when the vehicle Ve departed from the departure point, and the destination of the vehicle Ve. The driving condition data 7 also includes, as data related to the current driving of the vehicle Ve, data indicating the speed of the vehicle Ve for each link constituting the road network.

[0033] The driving history data 8 includes data recorded for each driving session as data related to past driving sessions of the vehicle Ve. Each piece of driving history data 8 also includes, as information related to each past driving session of the vehicle Ve, data indicating, for example, the departure point of the vehicle Ve, the departure date and time when the vehicle Ve departed from the departure point, the destination of the vehicle Ve, and the route from the departure point to the destination. The driving history data 8 also includes, as data related to each past driving session of the vehicle Ve, data indicating, for example, the speed of the vehicle Ve for each link constituting the road network.

[0034] The input unit 13 has a user interface that accepts user input. The input unit 13 may include at least one user interface, such as a button, a touch panel, or a remote controller. The display unit 16 displays information under the control of the control unit 14. The display unit 16 may include at least one device, such as a display or a projector. The sound collection unit 17 collects sounds inside the vehicle Ve, particularly the driver's speech. The sound collection unit 17 may include a device, such as a microphone. The sound output unit 18 outputs sounds under the control of the control unit 14. The sound output unit 18 may include a device, such as a speaker. The interior capture unit 19 has at least one camera for capturing images of the interior of the vehicle Ve. It is also desirable that the interior capture unit 19 has a camera installed in a position that can capture images of at least the area around the driver's seat.

[0035] The sensor group 15 includes various sensors that perform sensing of the state of the vehicle Ve or the environment outside the vehicle. The sensor group 15 has an external sensor 20 and an internal sensor 21. The external sensor 20 is one or more sensors for recognizing the environment surrounding the vehicle Ve, such as a lidar, radar, ultrasonic sensor, infrared sensor, sonar, or camera. The internal sensor 21 is a sensor that performs vehicle positioning, such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, a gyro sensor, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), a vehicle speed sensor, or a combination thereof. Note that the sensor group 15 may include any sensor that allows the control unit 14 to directly or indirectly (i.e., by performing estimation processing) derive the position of the vehicle Ve from the output of the sensor group 15.

[0036] The control unit 14 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc., and controls the entire information processing device 1. For example, the control unit 14 estimates the position (including the direction of travel) of the vehicle Ve based on the output of one or more sensors in the sensor group 15. When a destination is specified by the input unit 13 or the sound collection unit 17, the control unit 14 generates route information indicating a guide route to the destination, and provides route guidance based on the route information, the estimated position information of the vehicle Ve, and the map DB 4. In this case, the control unit 14 outputs audio related to the guidance for the guide route from the sound output unit 18. The control unit 14 also controls the display unit 16 to display information about the music being played, video content, a map of the area around the current location, etc. The control unit 14 can be treated as an example of a computer. The control unit 14 also functions as a calculation unit. The control unit 14 also functions as an acquisition unit. The control unit 14 also functions as a notification control unit.

[0037] The processing performed by the control unit 14 is not limited to being realized by software programs, but may be realized by any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. The processing performed by the control unit 14 may also be realized by a user-programmable integrated circuit, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or a microcomputer. In this case, the program executed by the control unit 14 in this embodiment may be realized by using this integrated circuit. Thus, the control unit 14 may be realized by hardware other than a processor.

[0038] The configuration of the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and various modifications may be made to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. For example, instead of the memory unit 12 storing the map DB 4 and the spot information DB 5, the control unit 14 may receive information corresponding to the map DB 4 and the spot information DB 5 from a map management server (not shown) via the communication unit 11. In another example, at least one of the input unit 13, the display unit 16, and the sound output unit 18 may be provided in the target vehicle as an external device of the information processing device 1 and supply the generated signal to the information processing device 1. Furthermore, at least some of the sensors in the sensor group 15 may be sensors provided in the vehicle Ve. In this case, the information processing device 1 may acquire information output by the sensors provided in the vehicle Ve from the vehicle Ve based on a communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0039] [Specific example] Next, a specific example of the processing performed by the information processing device 1 will be described.

[0040] For example, before starting to drive the vehicle Ve, the user sets the starting point SS and the destination DS of the current trip.

[0041] When the departure point SS and destination point DS are set, the control unit 14 sets a guide route GR from the departure point SS to the destination point DS using data read from the map DB 4 and the spot information DB 5. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case where a guide route GR including n (n≧2) links L1 to Ln is set, as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a guide route including n links.

[0042] The control unit 14 extracts road data and driving data corresponding to each of the n links included in the guide route GR from the data included in the map DB 4 and the driving DB 6. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the control unit 14 extracts road data DDj from the map DB 4 and driving data RDj from the driving DB 6 as data corresponding to link Lj (1≦j≦n).

[0043] The control unit 14 acquires a time distribution DTj of the time required to pass through the link Lj and a speed distribution DVj of the passing speed when passing through the link Lj, based on the road data DDj and the driving data RDj.

[0044] The control unit 14 uses the time distribution DTj to calculate a required time TSj corresponding to an expected value in the time distribution DTj (see FIG. 4). The control unit 14 also acquires two required times TLj and TUj corresponding to two predetermined percentile values ​​of the time distribution DTj (see FIG. 4). Specifically, the control unit 14 acquires, for example, the required time corresponding to the 16th percentile of the time distribution DTj as the required time TLj. The control unit 14 also acquires, for example, the required time corresponding to the 84th percentile of the time distribution DTj as the required time TUj. Note that, according to this specific example, the control unit 14 may set the predetermined two percentile values ​​as desired values ​​set by the user and acquire two required times TLj and TUj according to the desired values. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a time distribution of the required time required to pass through a link.

[0045] The control unit 14 uses the speed distribution DVj to calculate an average value VAj of the passing speeds in the speed distribution DVj. The control unit 14 also uses the speed distribution DVj to calculate a variance σj of the passing speeds in the speed distribution DVj.

[0046] The control unit 14 acquires the link length Kj corresponding to the distance of the link Lj from the road data DDj.

[0047] The control unit 14 calculates a predicted required time SLj corresponding to the required time TLj by applying the required time TLj, the link length Kj, the average value VAj, and the variance σj to the following mathematical formula (1). "f(Kj, VAj, σj)" in the following mathematical formula (1) represents a mathematical model used to correct the required time TLj. Specifically, the mathematical model corresponding to "f(Kj, VAj, σj)" in the following mathematical formula (1) can be constructed as a function including the link length Kj, the average value VAj, and the variance σj as variables. Furthermore, it is desirable that the mathematical model corresponding to "f(Kj, VAj, σj)" in the following mathematical formula (1) be constructed as a mathematical model different from "g(Kj, VAj, σj)" described below. Furthermore, it is desirable that "f(Kj, VAj, σj)" in the following mathematical formula (1) be constructed as a mathematical model in which parameters are adjusted to satisfy SLj≦TLj. Furthermore, the value obtained as a calculation result of "f(Kj, VAj, σj)" in the following formula (1) can be treated as a correction coefficient for correcting the required time TLj.

[0048]

number

[0049] The control unit 14 calculates a predicted required time SUj corresponding to the required time TUj by applying the required time TUj, the link length Kj, the average value VAj, and the variance σj to the following mathematical formula (2). "g(Kj, VAj, σj)" in the following mathematical formula (2) represents a mathematical model used to correct the required time TUj. Specifically, the mathematical model corresponding to "g(Kj, VAj, σj)" in the following mathematical formula (2) can be constructed as a function including the link length Kj, the average value VAj, and the variance σj as variables. It is preferable that the mathematical model corresponding to "g(Kj, VAj, σj)" in the following mathematical formula (2) be constructed as a mathematical model different from the aforementioned "f(Kj, VAj, σj)." The value obtained as a calculation result of "g(Kj, VAj, σj)" in the following mathematical formula (2) can be used as a correction coefficient for correcting the required time TUj.

[0050]

number

[0051] The control unit 14 applies the required time TSj and the predicted required time SLj to the following equation (3) to calculate the predicted required time RLT, which corresponds to the shortest time predicted to be required to pass through the links L1 to Ln.

[0052]

number

[0053] "TSj+SLj" in the above formula (3) represents the predicted required time RLj, which corresponds to the shortest time predicted to be required to pass through link Lj. Therefore, by performing processing using the above formula (3), the control unit 14 can obtain the predicted required time RLT corresponding to the entire guide route GR and the predicted required times RL1-RLn corresponding to each of links L1-Ln.

[0054] The control unit 14 applies the required time TSj and the predicted required time SUj to the following equation (4) to calculate the predicted required time RUT, which corresponds to the longest time predicted to be required to pass through the links L1 to Ln.

[0055]

number

[0056] "TSj+SUj" in the above formula (4) represents the predicted required time RUj, which corresponds to the longest time predicted to be required to pass through link Lj. Therefore, by performing processing using the above formula (4), the control unit 14 can obtain the predicted required time RUT corresponding to the entire guide route GR and the predicted required times RU1-RUn corresponding to each of links L1-Ln.

[0057] According to the above-described process, the control unit 14 can correct the time width WTj from the required time TLj to the required time TUj to the time width WSj from the required time SLj to the required time SUj for each of the links L1 to Ln included in the guide route GR using the link length Kj, average value VAj, and variance σj. Furthermore, the control unit 14 can obtain a predicted time width WLj predicted to be required to travel through each of the links L1 to Ln by applying the time width WSj to the required time TSj for each of the links L1 to Ln included in the guide route GR. Furthermore, the control unit 14 can obtain the time width from the predicted required time RLj to the predicted required time RUj as the predicted time width WLj. Furthermore, the control unit 14 can calculate the sum of the predicted time widths WLj of the links L1 to Ln as a total predicted time width WRT predicted to be required to travel the entire guide route GR. The control unit 14 can also obtain the time span from the predicted required time RLT to the predicted required time RUT as a total predicted time span WRT. The control unit 14 can also calculate the estimated arrival time TZT having the total predicted time span WRT by applying the total predicted time span WRT to the time TC at which the departure point SS and destination point DS are set. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the total predicted time span WRT will also be referred to as the time span of the estimated arrival time TZT.

[0058] The control unit 14 can generate, for example, display information HJT as shown in FIG. 5 as information including the estimated arrival time TZT, and display the generated display information HJT on the display unit 16. The display information HJT includes the estimated arrival time TZT and a predicted time bar YBT. The estimated arrival time TZT includes a time TZTL obtained by applying the predicted required time RLT to the time TC, and a time TZTU obtained by applying the predicted required time RUT to the time TC. The predicted time bar YBT is displayed as a rectangular bar having a size corresponding to the total predicted time range WRT. The left end of the predicted time bar YBT displays the character string "19:30," which corresponds to the lower limit time TZTL of the time range of the estimated arrival time TZT. Furthermore, the right end of the predicted time bar YBT displays the character string "20:00," which corresponds to the upper limit time TZTU of the time range of the estimated arrival time TZT. Therefore, after setting the departure point SS and destination DS, the user can understand the predicted result that the user will arrive at the destination DS between "19:30" and "20:00" by checking the display information HJT displayed on the display unit 16. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of display of information including the estimated time of arrival from the departure point to the destination.

[0059] According to this embodiment, when the vehicle Ve is traveling along the guidance route GR and / or when the vehicle Ve has arrived at the destination DS via the guidance route GR, processing related to evaluation using the estimated arrival time TZT is performed. Therefore, the following will explain the details of the processing performed in each of the two situations mentioned above.

[0060] First, the processing performed when the vehicle Ve is traveling along the guidance route GR will be explained. In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the current position CS, which corresponds to the position of the vehicle Ve traveling along the guidance route GR, will be assumed to be a position corresponding to link Lp (1≦p≦n) of the guidance route GR.

[0061] The control unit 14 calculates a predicted required time RCT from the current location CS to the destination DS on the guide route GR. Specifically, the control unit 14 can, for example, use road data and travel data corresponding to each of the (n-p+1) links on and after link Lp on the guide route GR to acquire a time distribution DTC of the required time required to pass through links Lp to Ln, and calculate an expected value of the acquired time distribution DTC as the predicted required time RCT. The control unit 14 can also calculate the predicted required time RCT by dividing the distance KC from the current location CS to the destination DS by the average speed VC of the vehicle Ve from the departure point SS to the current location CS. The control unit 14 can obtain the distance KC by using road data corresponding to each of the (n-p+1) links on and after link Lp. The control unit 14 can also obtain the average speed VC by using travel condition data 7 recorded during the travel from the departure point SS to the current location CS.

[0062] The control unit 14 calculates an estimated time of arrival TKA at the destination DS by applying the predicted required time RCT to the time TD at the current location CS. The control unit 14 also acquires notification information HJK corresponding to the result of evaluating the estimated time of arrival TKA using the estimated time of arrival TZT, and causes the display unit 16 to display the acquired notification information HJK together with the display information HJT. Note that the control unit 14 only needs to perform the process related to the display of the notification information HJK at least once while the vehicle Ve is traveling along the guidance route GR.

[0063] For example, when the control unit 14 obtains an evaluation result that the estimated arrival time TKA is not outside the time range of the estimated arrival time TZT, the control unit 14 causes the display unit 16 to display, as notification information HJKA corresponding to the evaluation result, information such as that shown in Fig. 6 together with the display information HJT. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a case where notification information is displayed together with the information in Fig. 5.

[0064] The notification information HJKA includes, for example, an estimated arrival time TKAC calculated in the same manner as the estimated arrival time TKA, a mark MKAC indicating the temporal position of the estimated arrival time TKAC relative to the predicted time bar YBT, and a comment CMAC indicating the evaluation result of the estimated arrival time TKAC as a character string. Note that the control unit 14 may display a character string other than "Arrives at the scheduled time" as the comment CMAC. By checking the display information HJT and the notification information HJKA, the user can understand that the estimated arrival time TKAC at the current location CS is within the time range of the estimated arrival time TZT.

[0065] According to the processing described above, the control unit 14 acquires the estimated arrival time TKAC corresponding to the predicted required time RCT as the time to be evaluated, and can display the notification information HJKA on the display unit 16 based on the result of evaluating the time to be evaluated using the estimated arrival time TZT.

[0066] For example, when the control unit 14 obtains an evaluation result that the estimated arrival time TKA exceeds the upper limit of the time width of the estimated arrival time TZT, the control unit 14 causes the display unit 16 to display information such as that shown in Fig. 7 as notification information HJKB corresponding to the evaluation result together with the display information HJT. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a case where notification information is displayed together with the information in Fig. 5.

[0067] The notification information HJKB includes, for example, an estimated arrival time TKAU calculated in the same manner as the estimated arrival time TKA; a mark MKAU indicating the temporal position of the estimated arrival time TKAU relative to the predicted time bar YBT; and a comment CMAU indicating the evaluation result of the estimated arrival time TKAU as a string. The control unit 14 may also display a string other than "Arrival will be delayed due to traffic congestion" as the comment CMAU. The control unit 14 may also identify factors that may cause a delay in arrival at the destination DS based on data stored in the travel database 6 or data obtained from an external device, and include a string indicating the identified factors in the comment CMAU. By checking the display information HJT and the notification information HJKB, the user can understand that the estimated arrival time TKAU at the current location CS is delayed relative to the estimated arrival time TZT.

[0068] According to the above-described process, the control unit 14 can obtain the estimated arrival time TKAU corresponding to the predicted required time RCT as the evaluation target time, and can issue the notification information HJKB based on the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the estimated arrival time TZT. Furthermore, the control unit 14 can issue the notification information HJKB indicating that an event that will delay arrival at the destination DS has occurred.

[0069] For example, when the control unit 14 obtains an evaluation result that the estimated arrival time TKA is below the lower limit of the time width of the estimated arrival time TZT, the control unit 14 causes the display unit 16 to display, as notification information HJKC corresponding to the evaluation result, information such as that shown in Fig. 8 together with the display information HJT. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which notification information is displayed together with the information in Fig. 5.

[0070] The notification information HJKC includes, for example, an estimated arrival time TKAL calculated in the same manner as the estimated arrival time TKA, a mark MKAL indicating the temporal position of the estimated arrival time TKAL relative to the predicted time bar YBT, and a comment CMAL indicating the evaluation result of the estimated arrival time TKAL as a character string. Note that the control unit 14 may display a character string other than "Arrival will be earlier than expected" or "Please be careful not to drive too fast" as the comment CMAL. By checking the display information HJT and the notification information HJKC, the user can understand that the estimated arrival time TKAL at the current location CS is earlier than the estimated arrival time TZT.

[0071] According to the above-described process, the control unit 14 can acquire the estimated arrival time TKAL corresponding to the predicted required time RCT as the evaluation target time, and can issue the notification information HJKC based on the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the estimated arrival time TZT. Furthermore, the control unit 14 can issue information for calling attention to the traveling speed of the vehicle Ve as the notification information HJKC.

[0072] Next, the process that is carried out when the vehicle Ve arrives at the destination DS via the guide route GR will be described.

[0073] The control unit 14 acquires the arrival time TE of the vehicle Ve at the destination DS during the current trip. The control unit 14 also acquires notification information HJL corresponding to the result of evaluating the arrival time TE using the estimated arrival time TZT, and causes the display unit 16 to display the acquired notification information HJL together with the display information HJT.

[0074] For example, when the control unit 14 obtains an evaluation result that the arrival time TE is not outside the time range of the estimated arrival time TZT, the control unit 14 causes the display unit 16 to display, as notification information HJLA corresponding to the evaluation result, information such as that shown in Fig. 9 together with the display information HJT. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which notification information is displayed together with the information in Fig. 5.

[0075] The notification information HJLA includes, for example, an arrival time TEC at the destination DS for the current trip, a mark MKBC indicating the temporal position of the arrival time TEC relative to the predicted time bar YBT, and a comment CMBC indicating the evaluation result of the arrival time TEC as a character string. Note that the control unit 14 may display a character string other than "Arrived at the scheduled time" as the comment CMBC. By checking the display information HJT and the notification information HJLA, the user can understand that the arrival time TEC for the current trip of the vehicle Ve is within the time range of the estimated arrival time TZT.

[0076] According to the processing described above, the control unit 14 obtains the arrival time TEC of the vehicle Ve that has traveled along the guidance route GR at the destination DS as the time to be evaluated, and can display the notification information HJLA on the display unit 16 based on the result of evaluating the evaluation time using the estimated arrival time TZT.

[0077] For example, when the control unit 14 obtains an evaluation result that the arrival time TE exceeds the upper limit of the time width of the estimated arrival time TZT, the control unit 14 causes the display unit 16 to display, as notification information HJLB corresponding to the evaluation result, information such as that shown in Fig. 10 together with the display information HJT. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which notification information is displayed together with the information in Fig. 5.

[0078] The notification information HJKB includes, for example, an arrival time TEU at the destination DS for the current trip, a mark MKBU indicating the temporal position of the arrival time TEU relative to the predicted time bar YBT, and a comment CMBU indicating, as a character string, the evaluation result of the arrival time TEU. The control unit 14 may also display a character string other than "Arrival was delayed due to traffic congestion" as the comment CMBU. The control unit 14 may also identify factors that may cause a delay in arrival at the destination DS based on, for example, data stored in the trip DB 6 or data obtained from an external device, and include a character string indicating the identified factors in the comment CMBU. By checking the display information HJT and the notification information HJLB, the user can understand that the arrival time TEU for the current trip of the vehicle Ve is delayed relative to the estimated arrival time TZT.

[0079] According to the above-described processing, the control unit 14 can obtain the arrival time TEU of the vehicle Ve that has traveled along the guidance route GR at the destination DS as the evaluation target time, and can issue the notification information HJLB based on the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the estimated arrival time TZT. Furthermore, the control unit 14 can issue the notification information HJLB with information indicating that an event that will delay arrival at the destination DS has occurred.

[0080] For example, when the control unit 14 obtains an evaluation result that the arrival time TE is below the lower limit of the time width of the estimated arrival time TZT, the control unit 14 causes the display unit 16 to display, as notification information HJLC corresponding to the evaluation result, information such as that shown in Fig. 11 together with the display information HJT. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which notification information is displayed together with the information in Fig. 5.

[0081] The notification information HJLC includes, for example, an arrival time TEL at the destination DS for the current trip, a mark MKBL indicating the temporal position of the arrival time TEL relative to the predicted time bar YBT, and a comment CMBL indicating the evaluation result of the arrival time TEL as a character string. Note that the control unit 14 may display a character string other than "Arrived earlier than scheduled" or "Please observe a safe speed" as the comment CMBL. By checking the display information HJT and the notification information HJLC, the user can understand that the arrival time TEL is earlier than the estimated arrival time TZT.

[0082] According to the above-described process, the control unit 14 can obtain the arrival time TEL of the vehicle Ve that has traveled along the guidance route GR at the destination DS as the evaluation target time, and can issue the notification information HJLC based on the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the estimated arrival time TZT. In addition, the control unit 14 can issue information related to the safe speed at which the vehicle Ve should travel as the notification information HJLC.

[0083] [Processing flow] Next, a description will be given of the flow of processing performed by the information processing device 1. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the information processing device.

[0084] First, the information processing device 1 uses data read from the map DB 4 and the spot information DB 5 to set a guide route GR from the departure point SS to the destination DS (step S11).

[0085] Next, the information processing device 1 calculates the estimated arrival time TZT having the overall predicted time range WRT by performing processing using the time distribution DTj etc. corresponding to each of the links L1 to Ln included in the guide route GR set in step S11 (step S12).

[0086] Subsequently, the information processing device 1 displays information including the estimated time of arrival TZT calculated in step S12 on the display unit 16 (step S13).

[0087] Subsequently, after performing the process of step S13, the information processing device 1 acquires either the estimated arrival time TKA or the arrival time TE as the evaluation target time (step S14).

[0088] Next, the information processing device 1 uses the estimated arrival time TZT calculated in step S12 to evaluate the evaluation target time acquired in step S14 (step S15).

[0089] Next, the information processing device 1 displays information related to the evaluation result obtained by the evaluation in step S15 together with the information in step S13 on the display unit 16 (step S16), and then ends the series of processes. Note that, when the information processing device 1 acquires the estimated arrival time TKA as the evaluation target time, it can acquire the latest evaluation result for the evaluation target time by repeating the processes in steps S14 to S16, and can display information related to the latest evaluation result on the display unit 16.

[0090] As described above, according to this embodiment, the evaluation result as to whether or not the time acquired while the vehicle Ve is traveling along the guidance route GR and / or the time when the vehicle Ve arrives at the destination DS via the guidance route GR is outside the time range of the estimated arrival time TZT can be displayed on the display unit 16. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to notify that the arrival at the destination has deviated from the scheduled time.

[0091] <Modification> Next, preferred modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described. For simplicity, specific descriptions of the parts to which the above-described processes can be applied will be omitted. The following modifications may be combined and applied to the above-described embodiment.

[0092] [Variation 1] Instead of calculating the scheduled arrival time TZT corresponding to the data from the departure location SS to the destination DS on the guidance route GR, the control unit 14 may calculate the scheduled arrival time TGT corresponding to the data from the current location GS of the vehicle Ve traveling along the guidance route GR to the destination DS. Here, the current location GS corresponds to the position of the vehicle Ve traveling along the guidance route GR and represents a position closer to the departure location SS than the aforementioned current location CS.

[0093] Specifically, for example, when the current location GS of the vehicle Ve is a position corresponding to the link Lk (1 ≤ k < p ≤ n) of the guidance route GR, the control unit 14 performs the same processing as the above processing using the road data and driving data corresponding to each of the (n - k + 1) links after the link Lk on the guidance route GR, thereby calculating the total predicted time width WGA predicted to be required for passing through the links Lk to Ln. Further, the control unit 14 can calculate the scheduled arrival time TGT having the total predicted time width WGA by applying the total predicted time width WGA to the time TCG at the current location GS. Further, the control unit 14 can cause the display unit 16 to display information including the scheduled arrival time TGT. Further, the control unit 14 can acquire the scheduled arrival time TKA or the arrival time TE as the evaluation target time and cause the display unit 16 to display the notification information corresponding to the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the scheduled arrival time TGT.

[0094] [Modification Example 2] According to the above-described embodiment, at least a part of the processes performed by the information processing device 1 may be performed in the server device that performs data communication with the information processing device 1.

[0095] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a guidance system according to a modification example. The guidance system 100A includes an information processing device 1A and a server device 200. The information processing device 1A and the server device 200 perform data communication via a network 150.

[0096] The information processing device 1A has the same configuration as the information processing device 1 described in the above embodiment (see FIG. 2). Note that, when the server device 200 performs processing based on data stored in the map DB 4, the spot information DB 5, and the travel DB 6, the information processing device 1A does not need to store the data. Furthermore, the information processing device 1A transmits information input via the input unit 13, information obtained by the sensor group 15, and the like to the server device 200.

[0097] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server device according to a modified example. As shown in Fig. 14, server device 200 includes a communication unit 301, a storage unit 302, and a control unit 304. Communication unit 301, storage unit 302, and control unit 304 are connected to each other via a bus line 300.

[0098] The communication unit 301 transmits and receives various data via the network 150 under the control of the control unit 304. The storage unit 302 is configured with, for example, an HDD. The storage unit 302 also stores data necessary for calculating the total predicted time width WRT, such as a map DB4, a spot information DB5, and a driving DB6. The control unit 304 has memories such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and performs overall control of the server device 200 by executing programs stored in the memory. The control unit 304 can also be considered as an example of a computer.

[0099] According to the configuration described above, the control unit 304 can set the guide route GR based on the information on the departure point SS and the destination DS received from the information processing device 1A. The control unit 304 can calculate an estimated arrival time TZT having a total predicted time range WRT by performing processing using the time distributions DTj corresponding to each of the links L1 to Ln included in the guide route GR. The control unit 304 can generate display information HJT including the estimated arrival time TZT and transmit the generated display information HJT to the information processing device 1A. The control unit 304 can calculate an estimated arrival time TKA corresponding to the current location CS of the vehicle Ve received from the information processing device 1A. The control unit 304 can also obtain an arrival time TE when the vehicle Ve arrives at the destination DS via the guide route GR. The control unit 304 can also obtain the estimated arrival time TKA or the arrival time TE as an evaluation target time and evaluate the evaluation target time using the estimated arrival time TZT. Furthermore, the control unit 304 can generate notification information for notifying the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the estimated arrival time TZT, and transmit the generated notification information to the information processing device 1A.

[0100] According to this modification, the same processing as that performed in the server device 200 may be performed in a server system having a plurality of server devices.

[0101] In each of the above-described embodiments, the program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media and supplied to a control unit, such as a computer. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media (tangible storage media). Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory).

[0102] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications within the scope of the present invention that would be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that would be possible for those skilled in the art based on the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical ideas. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above-cited patent documents and other documents are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1, 1A Information processing equipment 11, 301 Communications Department 12, 302 Storage section 13 Input section 14, 304 Control section 15 Sensors 16 Display section

Claims

1. a calculation unit that calculates a first estimated arrival time having a time span related to a required time from a first point on a route from a departure point to a destination; an acquisition unit that acquires, as an evaluation target time, either a second estimated arrival time corresponding to a required time from a second point corresponding to a position of a mobile object moving along the route to the destination, or an arrival time of the mobile object moving along the route at the destination; a notification control unit that, based on a result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time, issues notification information including information relating to the evaluation target time being outside the time range of the first estimated arrival time; An information processing device having the above.

2. The information processing device described in claim 1, wherein the notification control unit notifies, as the notification information, information indicating that an event has occurred that will delay arrival at the destination when the second estimated arrival time is acquired as the evaluation target time and the evaluation target time exceeds the upper limit of the time range of the first estimated arrival time.

3. The information processing device described in claim 1, wherein the notification control unit notifies, as the notification information, information indicating that an event has occurred that will delay arrival at the destination when the arrival time is acquired as the evaluation target time and the evaluation target time exceeds the upper limit of the time range of the first scheduled arrival time.

4. The information processing device described in claim 1, wherein the notification control unit notifies, as the notification information, information for issuing a warning regarding the moving speed of the moving body when the second estimated arrival time is acquired as the evaluation target time and the evaluation target time is below the lower limit of the time range of the first estimated arrival time.

5. The information processing device described in claim 1, wherein the notification control unit notifies information related to a safe speed for movement of the moving body as the notification information when the arrival time is acquired as the evaluation target time and the evaluation target time is below the lower limit of the time range of the first estimated arrival time.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit calculates, as the first estimated arrival time, a time having a time width related to a required time from the departure point to the destination on the route.

7. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: a calculation step of calculating a first estimated arrival time having a time span related to a required time from a first point on a route from the departure point to the destination; an acquisition step of acquiring, as an evaluation target time, either a second estimated arrival time according to a required time from a second point corresponding to a position of a mobile object moving along the route to the destination, or an arrival time of the mobile object moving along the route at the destination; a notification control step of notifying notification information including information relating to the fact that the evaluation target time has deviated from the time range of the first estimated arrival time, based on a result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time; An information processing method comprising:

8. A program executed by a computer, a calculation unit that calculates a first estimated arrival time having a time span related to a required time from a first point on a route from a departure point to a destination; an acquisition unit that acquires, as an evaluation target time, either a second estimated arrival time corresponding to a required time from a second point corresponding to a position of a moving object moving along the route to the destination, or an arrival time of the moving object moving along the route at the destination; and A program that causes the computer to function as a notification control unit that, based on the result of evaluating the evaluation target time using the first estimated arrival time, notifies notification information including information regarding the fact that the evaluation target time has fallen outside the time range of the first estimated arrival time.

9. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 8.

Images