Method

Abstract

To provide an improved technique capable of conducting a questionnaire for a user after a test drive experience.SOLUTION: The method is a method executed by an information processing device 10 that provides a digital twin space. The method includes: acquiring preference information that indicates preferences of a user regarding vehicle specifications; generating a virtual vehicle in a digital twin space based on the preference information; outputting the test drive experience in the digital twin space of the generated virtual vehicle, and outputting a questionnaire about the test drive experience.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for conducting a survey on a user after the user has completed a test drive. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that at least one of an advertisement and a survey is delivered to the user's terminal after the user has finished using a test drive vehicle or an advertisement vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-277583 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If a test drive vehicle that matches the user's preferences is not available, it is not possible to collect the user's impressions of the test drive vehicle that the user would like to drive through a questionnaire. As such, there is room for improvement in the technology for conducting a questionnaire survey of users after their test drive experience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The method disclosed herein is a method executed by an information processing device that has a control unit and provides a digital twin space, and includes the control unit acquiring preference information indicating a user's preferences regarding vehicle specifications, generating a virtual vehicle in the digital twin space based on the preference information, outputting a test drive experience in the digital twin space with the generated virtual vehicle, and outputting a questionnaire about the test drive experience. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the technology for conducting a survey of a user after the user's test drive experience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information processing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of an information processing device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] 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.

[0009] The configuration of an information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

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

[0011] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. The information processing device 10 provides a digital twin space. The information processing device 10 acquires preference information indicating a user's preferences regarding vehicle specifications, and generates a virtual vehicle in the digital twin space based on the preference information. The information processing device 10 outputs a test drive experience in the generated virtual vehicle in the digital twin space, and outputs a questionnaire about the test drive experience.

[0012] According to this embodiment, even if a real vehicle that matches the user's preferences is not available at a physical store such as a dealer, the user can be provided with a virtual test drive experience of the vehicle. This makes it possible to collect the user's direct impressions of the vehicle they desire through a questionnaire. Therefore, it is possible to improve the technology for conducting a questionnaire with the user after the user's test drive experience.

[0013] The configuration of an information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0014] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. An example of the programmable circuit is an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. An example of the dedicated circuit is an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 11 controls each unit of the information processing device 10 and executes processing related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0015] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. Flash memory is, for example, an SSD. "SSD" is an abbreviation for solid-state drive. Magnetic memory is, for example, an HDD. "HDD" is an abbreviation for hard disk drive. The storage unit 12 functions, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0016] The communication unit 13 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, a module that complies with a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE802.11. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The communication unit 13 communicates with devices other than the information processing device 10. The communication unit 13 receives information used for the operation of the information processing device 10 via a network, and transmits information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0017] The network may include the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. The network may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. The wireless network may be, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0018] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the control unit 11. That is, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The 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. 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 program.

[0019] The program can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, and ROMs. The program can be distributed by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs that store the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program can also be distributed by storing it in the storage of a server and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0020] 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 using 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 a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP-type service that achieves its functions by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program is information used for processing by a computer and includes something equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has properties that specify computer processing falls under the category of "something equivalent to a program."

[0021] Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 11. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0022] The operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The operation of FIG. 2 corresponds to a method according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, communication between the information processing device 10 and an external device is assumed to occur via the communication unit 13 and a network. In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 provides a digital twin space. The digital twin space is a virtual reproduction of a real-world environment, such as a road surrounding a vehicle dealership. For example, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 generates a model of a road or building based on information indicating the dimensions of the road or building in the real world. The control unit 11 also acquires information indicating changes in the real world, such as changes in weather or traffic lights, and generates a model of the weather or traffic lights based on the acquired information, integrating it into the model of the road or building. In this way, the control unit 11 provides a digital twin space that reproduces the real world.

[0023] 2, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires preference information indicating a user's preferences regarding a vehicle. The preference information includes values ​​such as wheel size, wheelbase length, vehicle body width, vehicle overall length, and size or shape of side mirrors. The control unit 11 may receive the preference information by communicating with a user's terminal device or a terminal device installed in a physical store such as a dealer.

[0024] In S102, the control unit 11 generates a virtual vehicle model based on the preference information. The control unit 11 may use any model generation software to generate a three-dimensional vehicle model that reflects the values ​​indicated by the preference information. The control unit 11 further generates a power model for reproducing the vehicle behavior in response to the user's operation of the steering wheel, brake, accelerator, etc., as shown in S103 below. The power model includes system components such as the suspension, accelerator, or brake.

[0025] In S103, the control unit 11 generates a model representing a predetermined road environment and integrates the virtual vehicle model generated in S102 with the model. As a result, the control unit 11 reproduces the driving of the virtual vehicle in the road environment in the digital twin space. The model representing the predetermined road environment is, for example, a three-dimensional model that reproduces the road environment around a physical store such as a dealership. The control unit 11 may generate the model representing the road environment based on map information of the physical store, information indicating the dimensions of the building, etc., that is stored in advance in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 further acquires operation information indicating the user's operation of the accelerator, steering wheel, etc. The control unit 11 may receive and acquire the operation information from a terminal device installed in the physical store. In this case, the terminal device has various devices for operating the vehicle, such as the accelerator or steering wheel, as input units. The control unit 11 applies the acquired operation information to the generated power model to reflect the vehicle's behavior in the digital twin space.

[0026] In S104, the control unit 11 transmits video information showing the recreated digital twin space to the terminal device. The terminal device then displays the video information on the output unit. This allows the user to experience a test drive of the virtual vehicle in a digital twin space that reflects the shape, position, behavior, etc. of the virtual vehicle created in S102.

[0027] In S105, the control unit 11 outputs a questionnaire regarding the test drive. Specifically, when driving the virtual vehicle in the digital twin space is completed, the control unit 11 sends the questionnaire to the user's terminal device or the terminal device installed at the dealer's store. The questionnaire may include, for example, whether the user thinks that the vehicle they wanted was reproduced as the virtual vehicle, or their impression of the operability of the virtual vehicle.

[0028] In S106, the control unit 11 acquires information indicating the user's response to the questionnaire. The control unit 11 receives and acquires the information from the user's terminal device or the terminal device installed in the dealer's store. Thereafter, the operation of the information processing device 10 ends.

[0029] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagrams may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Two or more steps shown in the flowcharts may be executed in parallel or in a different order, instead of being executed in chronological order as described, depending on the processing capabilities of the device executing each step, or as needed. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] As a modified example, the control unit 11 may reproduce driving of a virtual vehicle in the digital twin space for each different scene, and output a questionnaire to the user for each scene.

[0031] An example of the operation of the information processing device 10 according to this modification is shown in Fig. 3. S201 and S202 are the same as S101 and S102 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] In S203 of Fig. 3, the control unit 11 acquires information indicating one of the multiple scenes. The multiple scenes include, for example, paved roads, rough roads, public roads, expressways, parking lots, etc. The control unit 11 selects one of the multiple scenes in a predetermined order and acquires information indicating the selected scene. In this case, the control unit 11 may, for example, increment a counter after selecting a scene so that the next scene can be selected when returning from S209 to S203 below.

[0033] In S204, the control unit 11 generates a model representing the road environment in the scene indicated by the information acquired in S203. The control unit 11 may generate the model representing the road environment based on map information of the real space corresponding to each scene, information indicating the dimensions of buildings, etc.

[0034] In S205, the control unit 11 applies the virtual vehicle model generated in S202 to the model representing the road environment generated in S204. As a result, the control unit 11 reproduces the virtual vehicle's driving in one of the multiple scenes in the digital twin space. As in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 11 acquires information indicating the user's operation of the accelerator, steering wheel, etc., and reflects this information in the vehicle's behavior.

[0035] In S206, the control unit 11 transmits and outputs video information showing the reproduced digital twin space as a video to the user's terminal device, similar to the above-described embodiment.

[0036] S207 to S208 are the same as S105 to S106 described above, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0037] In S209, the control unit 11 determines whether there is any scene among the multiple scenes for which a model representing the road environment has not yet been generated in S204. Specifically, when the value of the counter is equal to the total number of the multiple scenes, the control unit 11 determines that there is no scene for which a model representing the road environment has not yet been generated in S204. If the control unit 11 determines that there is no scene for which a model representing the road environment has not yet been generated in S204, the operation of the information processing device 10 ends. If it is determined that there is a scene for which a model representing the road environment has not yet been generated, the operation of the information processing device 10 returns to S203.

[0038] In this way, according to this modification, it is possible to obtain a questionnaire about the user's desired driving of a virtual vehicle for each different scene. By allowing the user to experience a plurality of preset scenes, it is possible to more comprehensively obtain the user's impressions of the test drive.

[0039] As a variant example, if a real vehicle with specifications similar to those of the virtual vehicle generated in S101 is available for test drive at a real store, the control unit 11 may notify the user of information indicating the real store. For example, the control unit 11 references information indicating vehicles available for test drive at the real store and the specifications of the vehicles. Based on the information, the control unit 11 identifies a real store that has a real vehicle with specifications similar to those of the virtual vehicle. The identified real store is, for example, a real store located within a predetermined distance from the user's address. The control unit 11 transmits information indicating the identified real store to the user's terminal device. This makes it easy for the user to experience driving a real vehicle with desired specifications instead of or in addition to a virtual vehicle. This improves the likelihood of collecting the user's responses to the test drive questionnaire. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10. Information processing equipment 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department

Claims

[Claim 1] A method executed by an information processing device that includes a control unit and provides a digital twin space, The control unit acquiring preference information indicating a user's preferences regarding vehicle specifications; Generating a virtual vehicle in the digital twin space based on the preference information; Outputting a test drive experience in the digital twin space with the generated virtual vehicle; and outputting a questionnaire about the test drive experience.

Images