Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To appropriately notify congestion avoidance information.SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus 10 acquires an occurrence status of congestion on a road. Then, the information processing device 10 notifies second vehicles, which are some of the first vehicles traveling on a route including the congested road where congestion has occurred, of congestion avoidance information for traveling while avoiding the congested road.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Car navigation systems installed in vehicles guide drivers to their destinations. Electronic billboards on roads also display directions to specific locations. When traffic congestion occurs, car navigation systems and electronic billboards may display congestion avoidance information, such as detours, to avoid road congestion.

[0003] For example, traffic control systems have been proposed that minimize waiting times for vehicles and prevent traffic congestion while automating manual traffic guidance as much as possible.In addition, information provision systems have been proposed that can appropriately provide information on routes to avoid traffic congestion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-080838 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-078922 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When congestion occurs, it is possible to alleviate the congestion by providing congestion avoidance information to groups of people planning to travel on the congested road. However, if many users obtain the congestion avoidance information, many vehicles may take detour routes, which may result in congestion on the detour routes.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention aims to appropriately notify congestion avoidance information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one example, an information processing device is provided that includes a processing unit that acquires a road congestion status and notifies congestion avoidance information for avoiding the congested road to a portion of second vehicles among first vehicles traveling along a route that includes the congested road where congestion has occurred. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect, congestion avoidance information can be appropriately notified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an information processing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a guide server. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a guide server according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of registration information. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a route registration process. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a detour guidance process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detour route notification process. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an information processing system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a guide server according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an electronic bulletin board. [Figure 12]13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a detour guidance process according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that each embodiment can be implemented in combination with a plurality of other embodiments within a range that does not contradict each other. [First embodiment] First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. The first embodiment notifies some of the vehicles traveling on a congested road of congestion avoidance information for avoiding the congestion. The information processing device 10 is a computer that notifies some of the vehicles 1-1, 1-2, ... of the congestion avoidance information. For example, the information processing device 10 is a server computer that provides a service of notifying pre-registered vehicles of a route to a destination. Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 10 is a server computer that controls the display of an electronic signboard that can be seen from vehicles traveling on the road.

[0012] Vehicles 1-1, 1-2,... are vehicles (first vehicles) traveling on a route that includes a congested road where congestion has occurred. For example, vehicles 1-1, 1-2,... are vehicles that have been notified of a route that includes a congested road, among vehicles registered as targets of a service that notifies routes to destinations. Also, for example, vehicles 1-1, 1-2,... are vehicles traveling in a position where a display on an electronic bulletin board controlled by the information processing device 10 can be seen. The information processing device 10 has a processing unit 11. The processing unit 11 is capable of controlling the information processing device 10 and executing required processing. The processing unit 11 is, for example, a processor or an arithmetic circuit included in the information processing device 10.

[0013] The processing unit 11 acquires the state of road congestion. For example, the processing unit 11 acquires information about roads where congestion has occurred from a server computer that provides vehicle traffic information. Furthermore, for example, the processing unit 11 acquires an image from a camera installed in a position where it can capture an image of the road, and determines whether or not congestion has occurred on the road based on the number of vehicles captured in the acquired image. Then, the processing unit 11 notifies some second vehicles of the first vehicles of congestion avoidance information for driving in a way that avoids congested roads.

[0014] When the information processing device 10 provides a service of notifying a route to a destination, the processing unit 11 extracts a second vehicle based on registration information in which information about a first vehicle is registered. For example, the processing unit 11 extracts the second vehicle based on the model of the first vehicle registered in the registration information. Also, for example, the processing unit 11 extracts the second vehicle based on the commuter address of the user of the first vehicle and the destination of the first vehicle, both registered in the registration information. Then, the processing unit 11 notifies a terminal device corresponding to the second vehicle of congestion avoidance information indicating a detour route. For example, the processing unit 11 notifies a terminal device that is a car navigation system installed in the second vehicle of the congestion avoidance information. Also, for example, the processing unit 11 notifies a terminal device that is a smartphone or tablet terminal of the user driving the second vehicle of the congestion avoidance information.

[0015] When the information processing device 10 controls the display of the electronic signboard, the processing unit 11 repeats, at predetermined time intervals, a process of displaying congestion avoidance information on the electronic signboard, which encourages vehicles to travel on a congestion avoidance road other than the congested road, and a process of not displaying the congestion avoidance information on the electronic signboard. As a result, the processing unit 11 notifies the congestion avoidance information to a second vehicle among the first vehicles that is traveling in a position where the display of the electronic signboard is visible while the congestion avoidance information is being displayed. Here, the processing unit 11 counts the number of vehicles that have traveled on the congestion avoidance road while the congestion avoidance information is being displayed on the electronic signboard. For example, the processing unit 11 counts the number of vehicles that have traveled on the congestion avoidance road based on an image acquired from a camera that photographs the congestion avoidance road. Then, when the total number of vehicles that have traveled on the congestion avoidance road reaches or exceeds a predetermined number, the processing unit 11 terminates the process of displaying the congestion avoidance information.

[0016] According to the first embodiment, the processing unit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires the state of road congestion occurrence, and notifies some second vehicles among the first vehicles traveling on a route including a congested road where congestion has occurred of congestion avoidance information for traveling while avoiding the congested road. This allows the information processing device 10 to prevent an excessive number of vehicles from notifying the congestion avoidance information, and thus prevent traffic jams and the like from occurring due to vehicles that have avoided the congestion. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately notify the congestion avoidance information.

[0017] Furthermore, the processing unit 11 extracts a second vehicle based on the registration information in which information about the first vehicle is registered, and notifies the terminal device corresponding to the second vehicle of congestion avoidance information indicating a detour route. This allows the information processing device 10 to appropriately detour the pre-registered vehicle so as to avoid new congestion.

[0018] Furthermore, the processing unit 11 extracts the second vehicle based on the vehicle type of the first vehicle registered in the registration information. This allows the information processing device 10 to appropriately determine the second vehicle to which congestion avoidance information is to be notified based on whether each first vehicle is used for business purposes.

[0019] Furthermore, the processing unit 11 extracts the second vehicle based on the commuter address of the user of the first vehicle and the destination of the first vehicle, which are registered in the registration information. This allows the information processing device 10 to appropriately determine the second vehicle to which congestion avoidance information should be notified, based on whether each first vehicle is being used for commuting.

[0020] Furthermore, the processing unit 11 repeats, at predetermined time intervals, a process of displaying congestion avoidance information on the electronic signboard, which urges a vehicle to travel on a congestion avoidance road other than the congested road, and a process of not displaying the congestion avoidance information on the electronic signboard. The processing unit 11 notifies the congestion avoidance information to a second vehicle, among first vehicles traveling in a position where the display on the electronic signboard is visible, traveling in a position where the display on the electronic signboard is visible while the congestion avoidance information is being displayed. This enables the information processing device 10 to appropriately detour vehicles that can see the display on the electronic signboard so as to avoid new congestion.

[0021] The processing unit 11 also counts the number of vehicles that have traveled on the congestion avoidance road, and when the total number of vehicles that have traveled on the congestion avoidance road reaches a predetermined number, ends the process of displaying the congestion avoidance information, thereby enabling the information processing device 10 to divert an appropriate number of vehicles.

[0022] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment provides a service that guides a vehicle that has encountered congestion on the route to its destination to a detour route.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system according to a second embodiment. The information processing system according to the second embodiment provides a service of notifying vehicles of a route to a destination. The information processing system according to the second embodiment notifies on-board devices 21-1, 21-2, etc. installed in vehicles 20-1, 20-2, etc. of users who receive the service of a route to a destination. The information processing system according to the second embodiment includes on-board devices 21-1, 21-2, etc., a traffic server 22, and a guidance server 100. The on-board devices 21-1, 21-2, etc., the traffic server 22, and the guidance server 100 are connected to a network 30. The network 30 is, for example, a wide area network such as the Internet.

[0024] The on-vehicle devices 21-1, 21-2,... are devices that provide route guidance to users driving the vehicles 20-1, 20-2,... For example, the on-vehicle devices 21-1, 21-2,... are car navigation systems installed in the vehicles 20-1, 20-2,... Also, for example, the on-vehicle devices 21-1, 21-2,... are smartphones, tablet terminals, etc. of users driving the vehicles 20-1, 20-2,... The on-vehicle devices 21-1, 21-2,... accept input of a departure point and a destination point when the user uses the vehicle 20-1, 20-2,... and transmit the input departure point and destination point to the guidance server 100. The on-vehicle devices 21-1, 21-2,... display the route from the departure point to the destination point obtained from the guidance server 100. Furthermore, when the in-vehicle devices 21-1, 21-2, . . . are notified of a detour route from the departure point to the destination point by the guide server 100, they display the notified detour route.

[0025] The traffic server 22 is a server computer that provides vehicle traffic information. The traffic server 22 collects information such as the volume of vehicle traffic on each road and identifies roads where congestion is occurring. The traffic server 22 provides the guidance server 100 with traffic information indicating the occurrence of congestion.

[0026] The guidance server 100 is a server computer that provides routes for the vehicles 20-1, 20-2, .... When the vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ... start driving, the guidance server 100 acquires the starting point and destination point from the on-board devices 21-1, 21-2, .... The guidance server 100 calculates the route from the starting point to the destination point and notifies the on-board devices 21-1, 21-2, ... of the calculated route.

[0027] The guidance server 100 also acquires traffic information from the traffic server 22. When the guidance server 100 determines by referring to the traffic information that there is a road where congestion has occurred (a congested road), it identifies, among the vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ..., vehicles that include the congested road on their route. For some of the vehicles that include the congested road on their route, the guidance server 100 calculates a detour route from the departure point to the destination that does not include the congested road, and notifies the calculated detour route to onboard devices installed in the vehicles that include the congested road on their route. Here, the guidance server 100 identifies vehicles that are being used for non-business purposes among the vehicles that include the congested road on their route, based on registration information that registers information about the vehicles. The guidance server 100 notifies the onboard devices installed in vehicles that are being used for non-business purposes of the detour route with priority.

[0028] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a guide server. The guide server 100 is entirely controlled by a processor 101. A memory 102 and multiple peripheral devices are connected to the processor 101 via a bus 109. The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). At least some of the functions realized by the processor 101 executing a program may be realized by an electronic circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device).

[0029] The memory 102 is used as a main storage device of the guiding server 100. The memory 102 temporarily stores at least a part of the OS (Operating System) programs and application programs to be executed by the processor 101. The memory 102 also stores various data used in processing by the processor 101. As the memory 102, for example, a volatile semiconductor storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) is used.

[0030] The peripheral devices connected to the bus 109 include a storage device 103, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 104, an input interface 105, an optical drive device 106, a device connection interface 107, and a network interface 108.

[0031] The storage device 103 electrically or magnetically writes and reads data to and from a built-in recording medium. The storage device 103 is used as an auxiliary storage device for a computer. The storage device 103 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data. Note that the storage device 103 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0032] The GPU 104 is connected to a monitor 31. The GPU 104 displays an image on the screen of the monitor 31 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 101. The monitor 31 may be a display device using an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device, a liquid crystal display device, or the like.

[0033] The input interface 105 is connected to a keyboard 32 and a mouse 33. The input interface 105 transmits signals sent from the keyboard 32 and the mouse 33 to the processor 101. The mouse 33 is an example of a pointing device, and other pointing devices can also be used. Examples of other pointing devices include a touch panel, a tablet, a touch pad, and a trackball.

[0034] The optical drive device 106 uses a laser beam or the like to read data recorded on the optical disc 34. The optical disc 34 is a portable recording medium on which data is recorded so that it can be read by reflected light. The optical disc 34 includes a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a DVD-RAM, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-R (Recordable) / RW (Rewritable), etc.

[0035] The device connection interface 107 is a communication interface for connecting peripheral devices to the guiding server 100. For example, a memory device 35 or a memory reader / writer 36 can be connected to the device connection interface 107. The memory device 35 is a recording medium equipped with a function for communicating with the device connection interface 107. The memory reader / writer 36 is a device for writing data to the memory card 37 or reading data from the memory card 37. The memory card 37 is a card-type recording medium.

[0036] The network interface 108 is connected to the network 30. The network interface 108 transmits and receives data via the network 30 to and from other computers or communication devices.

[0037] The guidance server 100 can realize the processing functions of the second embodiment with the hardware configuration described above. The traffic server 22 and the information processing device 10 shown in the first embodiment can also be realized with the same hardware as the guidance server 100 shown in Fig. 3. The processor 101 is an example of the processing unit 11 shown in the first embodiment.

[0038] The guiding server 100 realizes the processing functions of the second embodiment by executing a program recorded on, for example, a computer-readable recording medium. The program describing the processing to be executed by the guiding server 100 can be recorded on various recording media. For example, the program to be executed by the guiding server 100 can be stored in a storage device 103. The processor 101 loads at least a part of the program in the storage device 103 into the memory 102 and executes the program. The program to be executed by the guiding server 100 can also be recorded on a portable recording medium such as an optical disk 34, a memory device 35, or a memory card 37. The program stored on the portable recording medium becomes executable after being installed on the storage device 103 under the control of, for example, the processor 101. The processor 101 can also read and execute the program directly from the portable recording medium. Next, the functions of the guiding server 100 will be described in detail.

[0039] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of the guide server according to the second embodiment. The guide server 100 has a storage unit 110, a registration unit 120, a determination unit 130, and a notification unit 140. The storage unit 110 is realized using a storage area of ​​the memory 102 or the storage device 103. The registration unit 120, the determination unit 130, and the notification unit 140 are realized by the processor 101 executing a program stored in the memory 102.

[0040] The storage unit 110 stores registration information 111. The registration information 111 is information relating to the vehicles 20-1, 20-2, .... The registration information 111 includes the vehicle type of each of the vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ..., the user's work address, etc. The registration information 111 also includes the departure point, destination point, and route of the vehicle currently being driven among the vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ....

[0041] The registration unit 120 registers the departure point, destination point, and route of the vehicle being driven in the registration information 111. When the registration unit 120 receives a notification indicating the start of driving (driving start notification) from the in-vehicle devices 21-1, 21-2, ..., the registration unit 120 acquires the departure point and the destination point from the in-vehicle device that received the driving start notification. For example, the registration unit 120 acquires the position coordinates of the departure point and the destination point input by the user from the in-vehicle device that received the driving start notification. The registration unit 120 calculates a route from the departure point to the destination point based on the acquired departure point and destination point. The registration unit 120 notifies the in-vehicle device that received the driving start notification of the calculated route and displays the notified route. The registration unit 120 then registers the acquired departure point, destination point, and calculated route in the registration information 111 in association with the vehicle in which the in-vehicle device that received the driving start notification is installed.

[0042] In addition, when the registration unit 120 receives a notification (driving end notification) from the vehicle-mounted devices 21-1, 21-2, etc. indicating that driving is to be ended, it deletes the departure point, destination point, and route from the registration information 111 for the vehicle in which the vehicle-mounted device that received the driving end notification is installed.

[0043] When a traffic jam occurs, the determination unit 130 extracts some vehicles from among the vehicles whose routes include the road where the traffic jam occurs, and calculates a detour route for the extracted vehicles. The determination unit 130 acquires traffic information from the traffic server 22. When the determination unit 130 determines that there is a road where a traffic jam occurs (a congested road) based on the acquired traffic information, it identifies vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ... that include the congested road in their routes. For example, the determination unit 130 refers to the route registered in the registration information 111 for each of the vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ..., and identifies vehicles whose referenced route includes the congested road.

[0044] The determination unit 130 then identifies vehicles used for business (vehicles used for business) among the vehicles whose route includes a congested road, and preferentially extracts vehicles not used for business as vehicles for which a detour route is to be calculated. For each vehicle whose route includes a congested road, the determination unit 130 refers to the vehicle type registered in the registration information 111, and identifies vehicles of the type used for business (for example, trucks, buses, taxis, cars with green license plates, etc.) as vehicles used for business.

[0045] Furthermore, the determination unit 130 refers to the vehicle type registered in the registration information 111 for each vehicle that has a route that includes a congested road, and identifies the vehicle as a private car. Among the vehicles that have a route that includes a congested road and are private cars, the determination unit 130 identifies the vehicle as a vehicle used for business purposes if the departure point and destination registered in the registration information 111 match the home address and work address. The determination unit 130 extracts a predetermined number of vehicles from the vehicles that have a route that includes a congested road. Here, the determination unit 130 preferentially extracts vehicles that are not used for business purposes.

[0046] The determination unit 130 calculates a detour route from the departure point to the destination point for the extracted vehicle that does not include congested roads. For example, the determination unit 130 refers to the departure point and destination point corresponding to the extracted vehicle that are registered in the registration information 111, and calculates a route from the referenced departure point to the destination point that does not include congested roads as the detour route.

[0047] The notification unit 140 notifies the on-board device of the detour route calculated by the determination unit 130. The notification unit 140 notifies the on-board device mounted in each vehicle of the detour route calculated for each vehicle by the determination unit 130, and instructs the notified on-board device to display the notified detour route.

[0048] 4 indicate part of the communication paths, and communication paths other than those shown in the figure can also be set. Next, the registration information 111 stored in the storage unit 110 will be described in detail.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of registration information. Registration information 111 is information related to vehicles 20-1, 20-2, .... Registration information 111 has the following items for each vehicle: ID, vehicle type, departure point, destination point, route, home address, and work address. The items ID, vehicle type, home address, and work address are set when the service provision of the second embodiment for the corresponding vehicle begins. The items departure point, destination point, and route are set when driving of the corresponding vehicle begins, and are deleted when driving ends.

[0050] The ID field is set with an ID for identifying the corresponding vehicle. The vehicle type field is set with the vehicle type of the corresponding vehicle. For example, the vehicle type field is set with one of truck, bus, taxi, green license plate vehicle, and private car. The departure point field is set with the departure point of the corresponding vehicle. For example, the departure point field is set with position coordinates indicating the departure point of the corresponding vehicle. The destination point field is set with the destination point of the corresponding vehicle. For example, the destination point field is set with position coordinates indicating the destination point of the corresponding vehicle. The route field is set with a route calculated from the departure point and destination point of the corresponding vehicle. Note that the departure point, destination point, and route fields corresponding to vehicles that are not in operation are left blank.

[0051] The home address field is set with the home address of the user of the corresponding vehicle. For example, the postal code of the user's home address is set with the home address field. The commuter address field is set with the commuter address of the user of the corresponding vehicle. For example, the commuter address field is set with the postal code of the user's commuter address. Note that the home address and commuter address fields for vehicles whose corresponding vehicle model is not a private car are left blank.

[0052] Next, a description will be given of the procedure of the process performed by the guidance server 100. First, a description will be given of the procedure of the route registration process performed by the guidance server 100 when the vehicles 20-1, 20-2, . . . start driving.

[0053] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for route registration processing. The processing shown in FIG. 6 will be explained below in order of step number. [Step S11] The registration unit 120 determines whether or not a driving start notification has been received from the in-vehicle device 21-1, 21-2, .... If the registration unit 120 determines that a driving start notification has been received from the in-vehicle device 21-1, 21-2, ..., the processing proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the registration unit 120 determines that a driving start notification has not been received from the in-vehicle device 21-1, 21-2, ..., the processing proceeds to step S14.

[0054] [Step S12] The registration unit 120 acquires the departure point and the destination point from the in-vehicle device that acquired the driving start notification in step S11. For example, the registration unit 120 acquires the location coordinates of the departure point and the destination point entered by the user from the in-vehicle device that acquired the driving start notification. Then, the registration unit 120 sets the acquired location coordinates of the departure point and the destination point in the departure point item and the destination point item of the registration information 111 that correspond to the vehicle in which the in-vehicle device that acquired the driving start notification is installed.

[0055] [Step S13] The registration unit 120 calculates a route from the departure point to the destination point based on the departure point and destination point acquired in step S12. The registration unit 120 notifies the calculated route to the on-board device that acquired the driving start notification in step S11, and causes the notified route to be displayed. The registration unit 120 also sets the calculated route in the route item of the registration information 111 that corresponds to the vehicle equipped with the on-board device that acquired the driving start notification.

[0056] [Step S14] The registration unit 120 determines whether or not a driving end notification has been received from the in-vehicle device 21-1, 21-2, .... If the registration unit 120 determines that a driving end notification has been received from the in-vehicle device 21-1, 21-2, ..., the processing proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if the registration unit 120 determines that a driving end notification has not been received from the in-vehicle device 21-1, 21-2, ..., the processing proceeds to step S11.

[0057] [Step S15] The registration unit 120 deletes the departure point, destination point, and route for the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit that received the driving end notification in step S14 from the registration information 111. For example, the registration unit 120 deletes the items of the departure point, destination point, and route corresponding to the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit that received the driving end notification from the registration information 111. Then, the processing proceeds to step S11.

[0058] In this way, the registration unit 120 registers the route of the vehicle that is currently being driven among the vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ... in the registration information 111, and deletes the route of the vehicle that has finished driving from the registration information 111. Next, the procedure of the detour guidance process using the registration information 111 executed by the guidance server 100 will be described.

[0059] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a detour guidance process according to the second embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 7 will be described below in order of step number. [Step S21] The decision unit 130 acquires traffic information from the traffic server 22.

[0060] [Step S22] The determination unit 130 determines whether or not there is a road where congestion has occurred, based on the traffic information acquired in step S21. If the determination unit 130 determines that there is a road where congestion has occurred, the process proceeds to step S23. If the determination unit 130 determines that there is no road where congestion has occurred, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0061] [Step S23] The determination unit 130 identifies vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ... that have routes that include roads where congestion has occurred (congested roads). For example, the determination unit 130 refers to the route item in the registered information 111 for each of the vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ..., and determines whether the referenced route includes a congested road. The determination unit 130 identifies vehicles that have been determined to have routes registered in the registered information 111 that include a congested road.

[0062] [Step S24] The determination unit 130 determines, among the vehicles whose route includes the congested road identified in step S23, any vehicle other than a private car as a vehicle used for business purposes. For example, the determination unit 130 refers to the vehicle type item in the registration information 111 for each vehicle whose route includes the congested road, and determines, as a vehicle used for business purposes, any vehicle whose vehicle type is a truck, bus, taxi, or vehicle with a green license plate number.

[0063] [Step S25] The determination unit 130 identifies vehicles whose vehicle type is a private car and whose route includes a congested road. For example, the determination unit 130 references the vehicle type item in the registration information 111 for each vehicle whose route includes the congested road identified in step S23, and identifies the referenced vehicle as a private car. Then, the determination unit 130 identifies, among the vehicles whose vehicle type is a private car and whose route includes a congested road, vehicles whose home address and work address match the departure point and destination as vehicles used for business purposes. For example, the determination unit 130 references the destination point, departure point, home address, and work address items in the registration information 111 for each vehicle whose vehicle type is a private car and whose route includes a congested road. The determination unit 130 identifies, as vehicles used for business purposes, vehicles whose postal code in the location coordinates of the referenced departure point matches the referenced home address and whose postal code in the location coordinates of the referenced destination point matches the referenced work address.

[0064] [Step S26] The determination unit 130 selects one vehicle from among the vehicles whose route includes the congested road identified in step S23 and that have not been identified as a vehicle for business use in steps S24 and S25 (vehicles not used for business use). The determination unit 130 calculates a route from the departure point to the destination point for the selected vehicle that does not include congested roads. For example, the determination unit 130 references the departure point item and destination point item corresponding to the selected vehicle in the registered information 111, and calculates a route from the referenced departure point to the destination point that does not include congested roads.

[0065] [Step S27] The notification unit 140 notifies the onboard device installed in the vehicle selected in step S26 of the route calculated in step S26. Then, the notification unit 140 instructs the onboard device of the notification destination to display the notified route.

[0066] [Step S28] The determination unit 130 determines whether the route has been notified to a predetermined number of vehicles. If the determination unit 130 determines that the route has been notified to a predetermined number of vehicles, the process proceeds to step S21. If the determination unit 130 determines that the route has not been notified to a predetermined number of vehicles, the process proceeds to step S29.

[0067] [Step S29] The determination unit 130 determines whether the route has been notified to all vehicles not used for business purposes. If the determination unit 130 determines that the route has been notified to all vehicles not used for business purposes, the process proceeds to step S30. If the determination unit 130 determines that the route has not been notified to all vehicles not used for business purposes, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0068] [Step S30] The determination unit 130 selects one vehicle from the vehicles identified as vehicles used for business purposes in steps S24 and S25. The determination unit 130 calculates a route from the departure point to the destination point for the selected vehicle that does not include congested roads. For example, the determination unit 130 references the departure point item and destination point item corresponding to the selected vehicle in the registered information 111, and calculates a route from the referenced departure point to the destination point that does not include congested roads.

[0069] [Step S31] The notification unit 140 notifies the onboard device installed in the vehicle selected in step S30 of the route calculated in step S30. Then, the notification unit 140 instructs the onboard device of the notification destination to display the notified route.

[0070] [Step S32] The determination unit 130 determines whether the route has been notified to a predetermined number of vehicles. If the determination unit 130 determines that the route has been notified to a predetermined number of vehicles, the process proceeds to step S21. If the determination unit 130 determines that the route has not been notified to a predetermined number of vehicles, the process proceeds to step S33.

[0071] [Step S33] The determination unit 130 determines whether the route has been notified to all vehicles identified as vehicles used for business purposes in steps S24 and S25. If the determination unit 130 determines that the route has been notified to all vehicles used for business purposes, it proceeds to step S21. If the determination unit 130 determines that the route has not been notified to all vehicles used for business purposes, it proceeds to step S30.

[0072] In this way, the guidance server 100 determines the occurrence of congested roads based on traffic information acquired from the traffic server 22, and extracts some of the vehicles that include congested roads on their routes. The guidance server 100 notifies the onboard devices installed in the extracted vehicles of detour routes. This prevents the guidance server 100 from notifying an excessive number of vehicles of detour routes, which could lead to congestion caused by detoured vehicles. Therefore, the guidance server 100 can appropriately detour pre-registered vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ... so as to prevent new congestion from occurring.

[0073] Here, it may be preferable for vehicles used for business purposes not to change their routes. Therefore, based on the registration information 111, the guidance server 100 identifies vehicles used for business purposes among vehicles whose routes include congested roads, and preferentially extracts vehicles not used for business purposes as vehicles to notify of detour routes. Among vehicles whose routes include congested roads, the guidance server 100 identifies vehicles whose vehicle types registered in the registration information 111 are trucks, buses, taxis, or cars with green license plates as vehicles used for business purposes. Furthermore, the guidance server 100 identifies, among private cars, vehicles whose home address and work address match the departure point and destination registered in the registration information 111 as vehicles used for business purposes used for commuting.

[0074] This allows the guidance server 100 to appropriately determine which vehicles to notify of the detour route based on whether the vehicle is used for business or commuting. Next, the effect of notifying some vehicles of the detour route among those whose routes include congested roads will be described.

[0075] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the detour route notification process. The group 40 is a group of vehicles 20-1, 20-2, ... that have the same starting point and destination. When each vehicle in the group 40 starts driving, the guidance server 100 notifies the onboard devices installed in each vehicle of the same starting point and route to the destination.

[0076] While group 40 is driving, guidance server 100 determines, based on traffic information obtained from traffic server 22, that congestion has occurred on a road included in the route notified to group 40 at the start of driving. Then, guidance server 100 preferentially extracts non-business vehicles (personal vehicles) from group 40 based on registration information 111. Here, guidance server 100 extracts group 40b of personal vehicles. Guidance server 100 notifies the on-board devices installed in each vehicle of extracted group 40b of a detour route.

[0077] As a result, group 40a of vehicles used for business purposes among group 40 will travel on road 41, which is included in the route notified to group 40 at the start of driving. Furthermore, when users of group 40b drive according to the notified detour route, group 40b will travel on road 42, which is included in the detour route. Here, in order to alleviate congestion on road 41, it is possible to notify the entire group 40 of the detour route. However, if the entire group 40 follows the notified detour route and travels on the detour route, there is a risk of congestion occurring on road 42. Meanwhile, guidance server 100 extracts group 40b, a part of group 40, to prevent an excessive number of vehicles from making the detour, and notifies the extracted group 40b of the detour route.

[0078] In this way, the guidance server 100 extracts group 40b from group 40 that includes a congested road on its route, and notifies group 40b of a detour route to allow group 40b to take the detour, thereby alleviating congestion on road 41 included in the route of group 40. Furthermore, the guidance server 100 extracts group 40b, which is a part of group 40, and notifies group 40b of a detour route to allow group 40b to take the detour, thereby preventing congestion on road 42 included in the detour route from being caused by vehicles that have taken the detour. Thus, the guidance server 100 can appropriately notify congestion avoidance information.

[0079] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, when a traffic jam occurs, an electronic bulletin board on the road provides information on a detour route.

[0080] 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system according to a third embodiment. The information processing system according to the third embodiment provides a service of notifying vehicles 20a-1, 20a-2, and so on traveling on a road 23 of a detour route. The vehicles 20a-1, 20a-2, and so on travel in the same direction on the road 23. The road 23 has a branch point where it branches off to a road 23a.

[0081] The information processing system of the third embodiment includes a camera 24, an electronic bulletin board 25, and a guide server 100a. The camera 24, the electronic bulletin board 25, and the guide server 100a are connected to a network 30a. The network 30a is, for example, a wide area network such as the Internet.

[0082] Camera 24 is a camera capable of capturing images of vehicles 20a-1, 20a-2, .... Camera 24 is capable of capturing images of vehicles just before the branch point of road 23 to road 23a. Camera 24 is also capable of capturing images of vehicles traveling from road 23 to road 23a. Camera 24 transmits the captured images to guide server 100a.

[0083] The electronic signboard 25 notifies the vehicles 20a-1, 20a-2, ... of the detour route. The electronic signboard 25 is installed in a position visible to vehicles traveling just before the branch point of the road 23 to the road 23a. The electronic signboard 25 displays guidance for detouring to the road 23a in accordance with an instruction from the guidance server 100a.

[0084] The guidance server 100a controls the display of the electronic signboard 25 based on the image acquired from the camera 24. The guidance server 100a determines whether or not a traffic jam has occurred on the road 23 just before the branch point to the road 23a based on the image acquired from the camera 24. When the guidance server 100a determines that a traffic jam has occurred on the road 23 just before the branch point to the road 23a, the guidance server 100a switches the electronic signboard 25 between a state in which a detour instruction to the road 23a is displayed and a state in which a detour instruction is not displayed at predetermined time intervals. Note that the camera 24 may be installed in a position where it can capture an image of a vehicle beyond the branch point to the road 23a on the road 23, and the guidance server 100a may determine whether or not a traffic jam has occurred beyond the branch point to the road 23a.

[0085] The guide server 100a can be realized by the same hardware as the guide server 100 shown in Fig. 3. Next, the functions of the guide server 100a will be described in detail. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of a guide server according to the third embodiment. The guide server 100a has an image processing unit 150 and a bulletin board control unit 160. The image processing unit 150 and the bulletin board control unit 160 are realized by a processor of the guide server 100a executing a program stored in a memory of the guide server 100a.

[0086] The image processing unit 150 detects the occurrence of traffic congestion and counts detour vehicles based on the camera image from the camera 24. The image processing unit 150 acquires the camera image from the camera 24. The image processing unit 150 determines whether or not traffic congestion has occurred before the branch point to the road 23a based on the acquired camera image. For example, the image processing unit 150 detects vehicles captured in the acquired camera image, and if the number of detected vehicles is equal to or greater than a threshold, determines that traffic congestion has occurred before the branch point to the road 23a.

[0087] Furthermore, when the bulletin board control unit 160 causes the electronic bulletin board 25 to display a detour instruction to the road 23a, the image processing unit 150 counts the number of vehicles that have detoured to the road 23a based on the camera image. For example, the image processing unit 150 detects vehicles traveling on the road 23a from the acquired camera image, and counts the number of detected vehicles.

[0088] When the image processing unit 150 determines that a traffic jam has occurred just before the branch point to road 23a, the bulletin board control unit 160 causes the electronic bulletin board 25 to display a detour instruction to road 23a. The bulletin board control unit 160 repeats, at predetermined time intervals, a process of setting the electronic bulletin board 25 to a state in which a detour instruction is displayed and a process of setting the electronic bulletin board 25 to a state in which a detour instruction is not displayed. The bulletin board control unit 160 repeats the display of the detour instruction at predetermined time intervals until the image processing unit 150 determines that no traffic jam has occurred or until it counts a predetermined number of detour vehicles or more.

[0089] 10 show only a part of the communication paths, and communication paths other than those shown in the figure can also be set. Next, the screen displayed on the electronic bulletin board 25 will be described.

[0090] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an electronic bulletin board. When the guidance server 100a determines that a traffic jam has occurred just before the branch point to the road 23a, the guidance server 100a causes the electronic bulletin board 25 to display a detour instruction to the road 23a at predetermined intervals. When the guidance server 100a determines that a traffic jam has occurred just before the branch point to the road 23a, the guidance server 100a causes the electronic bulletin board 25 to display a display screen 51.

[0091] Display screen 51 is a screen instructing a detour to road 23a. Display screen 51 includes a message instructing non-business, personal vehicles to detour to road 23a, such as "Those on personal business should take the detour route." Display screen 51 also includes an arrow pointing to road 23a. When a predetermined time has elapsed since displaying display screen 51 on electronic bulletin board 25, guidance server 100a causes display screen 52 to be displayed on electronic bulletin board 25.

[0092] Display screen 52 is a screen on which electronic bulletin board 25 is not displaying a detour instruction. For example, display screen 52 is a screen that displays nothing. Note that display screen 52 may also be a screen that displays information other than a detour instruction to road 23a. When a predetermined time has elapsed since displaying display screen 52 on electronic bulletin board 25, guidance server 100a causes display screen 51 to be displayed on electronic bulletin board 25. Guidance server 100a repeats the process of displaying display screens 51 and 52 on electronic bulletin board 25 at predetermined time intervals until the congestion is resolved.

[0093] In this way, when the guidance server 100a determines that a traffic jam has occurred just before the branch point to the road 23a, the guidance server 100a causes the electronic bulletin board 25 to display the display screens 51 and 52 at predetermined time intervals. As a result, the guidance server 100a can cause any of the vehicles 20a-1, 20a-2, ..., that are traveling just before the branch point to the road 23a while the electronic bulletin board 25 is displaying the display screen 51, to detour to the road 23a. Therefore, the guidance server 100a can prevent congestion on the road 23a due to an excessive number of vehicles making a detour. Furthermore, the guidance server 100a can prioritize non-business vehicles in making a detour by causing the electronic bulletin board 25 to display the display screen 51 containing a message instructing personal vehicles to detour to the road 23a. Next, the processing procedure performed by the guidance server 100 will be described.

[0094] 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a detour guidance process according to the third embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 12 will be described below in order of step number. [Step S41] The image processing unit 150 acquires a camera image from the camera 24.

[0095] [Step S42] Based on the camera image acquired in step S41, the image processing unit 150 determines whether or not a traffic jam has occurred before the branch point to road 23a. For example, the image processing unit 150 detects vehicles captured in the acquired camera image, and if the number of detected vehicles is equal to or greater than a threshold, determines that a traffic jam has occurred before the branch point to road 23a. Also, for example, the image processing unit 150 calculates the stagnation time of the detected vehicles, and if the calculated stagnation time is equal to or greater than a threshold, determines that a traffic jam has occurred before the branch point to road 23a. If the image processing unit 150 determines that a traffic jam has occurred, it proceeds to step S43. If the image processing unit 150 determines that a traffic jam has not occurred, it proceeds to step S41.

[0096] [Step S43] The bulletin board control unit 160 sets the electronic bulletin board 25 to a state in which a detour instruction to take the road 23a is displayed. For example, the bulletin board control unit 160 causes the bulletin board 25 to display the display screen 51.

[0097] [Step S44] The image processing unit 150 acquires a camera image from the camera 24. [Step S45] Based on the camera image acquired in step S44, the image processing unit 150 determines whether or not a traffic jam has occurred just before the branch point to the road 23a. If the image processing unit 150 determines that a traffic jam has occurred, the process proceeds to step S46. If the image processing unit 150 determines that a traffic jam has not occurred, the process proceeds to step S41.

[0098] [Step S46] The image processing unit 150 counts the number of vehicles that have detoured onto the road 23a based on the camera image acquired in step S44. For example, the image processing unit 150 detects vehicles traveling on the road 23a from the camera image acquired in step S44, and counts the number of detected vehicles.

[0099] [Step S47] The image processing unit 150 determines whether the total number of detouring vehicles counted after displaying the detouring instruction to the road 23a on the electronic bulletin board 25 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. If the image processing unit 150 determines that the total number of detouring vehicles is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S41. If the image processing unit 150 determines that the total number of detouring vehicles is less than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S48.

[0100] [Step S48] The bulletin board control unit 160 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the electronic bulletin board 25 was set to a state displaying a detour instruction to the road 23a in step S43. If the bulletin board control unit 160 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, it proceeds to step S49. If the bulletin board control unit 160 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed, it proceeds to step S44.

[0101] [Step S49] The bulletin board control unit 160 sets the electronic bulletin board 25 to a state in which the detour instruction to the road 23a is not displayed (hidden). For example, the bulletin board control unit 160 causes the electronic bulletin board 25 to display the display screen 52.

[0102] [Step S50] The bulletin board control unit 160 waits for a predetermined time, and then the process proceeds to step S43. In this way, when the guidance server 100a determines that a traffic jam has occurred just before the branch point to road 23a, the guidance server 100a repeats, at predetermined time intervals, a process of displaying a detour instruction to road 23a on the electronic signboard 25 and a process of not displaying a detour instruction to road 23a on the electronic signboard 25. The guidance server 100a notifies the detour instruction to road 23a to any vehicle among the vehicles 20a-1, 20a-2, ... that is traveling just before the branch point to road 23a while the electronic signboard 25 is displaying the detour instruction. In this way, the guidance server 100a can prevent congestion on road 23a caused by an excessive number of vehicles making a detour.

[0103] The guidance server 100a also counts the number of vehicles that have traveled on the road 23a, and when the total number of counted vehicles reaches a predetermined number, ends the process of displaying a detour instruction to the road 23a, thereby enabling the guidance server 100a to detour an appropriate number of vehicles.

[0104] In the third embodiment, the image processing unit 150 determines that a traffic jam has occurred when the number of vehicles detected from the camera image is equal to or greater than a threshold value, but the occurrence of a traffic jam may be predicted in advance based on an increase or decrease in the number of vehicles detected from the camera image. Then, the bulletin board control unit 160 may display a detour instruction to the road 23a at predetermined intervals when the occurrence of a traffic jam is predicted.

[0105] Although the embodiments have been described above, the configuration of each part shown in the embodiments can be replaced with other parts having similar functions. Also, any other components or processes may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of the above-described embodiments may be combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1-1, 1-2,... Vehicle 10. Information processing equipment 11 Processing section

Claims

1. a processing unit that acquires a state of road congestion and notifies a part of second vehicles among the first vehicles traveling on a route including a congested road where congestion has occurred of congestion avoidance information for traveling while avoiding the congested road; An information processing device having the above.

2. The processing unit extracts the second vehicle based on registration information in which information related to the first vehicle is registered, and notifies the congestion avoidance information indicating a detour route to a terminal device corresponding to the second vehicle.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

3. The processing unit extracts the second vehicle based on the vehicle type of the first vehicle registered in the registration information.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2.

4. The processing unit extracts the second vehicle based on a commuter address of a user of the first vehicle and a destination point of the first vehicle, both registered in the registration information.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2.

5. the processing unit repeats, at predetermined time intervals, a process of displaying, on an electronic signboard, the congestion avoidance information encouraging the vehicle to travel on a congestion avoidance road other than the congested road, and a process of not displaying the congestion avoidance information on the electronic signboard, and notifies, of the first vehicles traveling at a position where the display on the electronic signboard is visible, the second vehicles traveling at a position where the display on the electronic signboard is visible while the congestion avoidance information is being displayed, of the first vehicles traveling at a position where the display on the electronic signboard is visible.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

6. the processing unit counts the number of vehicles that have traveled on the congestion avoidance road, and when the total number of vehicles that have traveled on the congestion avoidance road reaches or exceeds a predetermined number, ends the process of displaying the congestion avoidance information.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5.

7. An electronic bulletin board and an information processing device that acquires the occurrence status of road congestion, and repeats at predetermined time intervals a process of displaying on the electronic signboard congestion avoidance information encouraging a user to travel on a congestion avoidance road other than the congested road where congestion has occurred, and a process of not displaying the congestion avoidance information on the electronic signboard, and notifies a second vehicle, among first vehicles traveling at a position where the display on the electronic signboard is visible on a route including the congested road, of the congestion avoidance information, the second vehicle traveling at a position where the display on the electronic signboard is visible while the congestion avoidance information is being displayed; An information processing system having the above.

8. The computer Obtaining road congestion status, notifying some second vehicles of the first vehicles traveling on a route including a congested road where congestion has occurred, of congestion avoidance information for avoiding traveling on the congested road; Information processing methods.

9. On the computer, Obtaining road congestion status, notifying some second vehicles of the first vehicles traveling on a route including a congested road where congestion has occurred, of congestion avoidance information for avoiding traveling on the congested road; A program that executes a process.

Images