Information processing device
The information processing device enhances user satisfaction by identifying and routing to new candidate spots within a budget, addressing the limitations of existing navigation systems in suggesting previously visited spots or exceeding budgets.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing navigation systems do not effectively enhance user satisfaction when visiting new areas within a budget, often suggesting previously visited spots or exceeding the budget.
An information processing device that identifies candidate spots within a desired visit area, allowing users to select first and second-choice spots within their budget, and outputs a planned route through these spots.
Enables users to visit new areas within their budget, increasing satisfaction by incorporating surplus budget for additional spots, thus enriching the visit experience.
Smart Images
Figure 2026076821000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation device. The navigation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects the position of a moving body, acquires map data, and detects calendar information. The navigation device searches for a guiding route to a destination based on the position of the moving body, map data, and calendar information. Further, the navigation device outputs route guidance information including the search result of the guiding route and a guiding map. Here, the navigation device searches for detour information about a suitable place for a detour around the guiding route from the detour information set in the map data. Then, the navigation device searches for a guiding route via a detour route passing through a place suitable for a detour based on the searched detour information and calendar information as a guiding route from the starting point to the destination.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] An object of this disclosure is to enhance the satisfaction when a user tries to visit an area that the user has not visited before after determining a budget.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The information processing device relating to this disclosure includes a control unit configured to: receive a user's desired visit area and a budget for visiting the desired visit area; identify a plurality of first candidate spots located within the desired visit area, whose visit costs are within the budget, and which the user has not previously visited; display a list of the identified plurality of first candidate spots on the user's terminal and have the user select a first candidate spot they wish to visit; calculate a surplus budget by subtracting the visit costs for the selected first candidate spot from the budget; identify one or more second candidate spots other than the first candidate spots located within the desired visit area, whose visit costs are within the surplus budget, and which the user has not previously visited; display a list of the identified one or more second candidate spots on the user's terminal and have the user select a second candidate spot they wish to visit; and output route information indicating a planned route that passes through the first candidate spot and the selected second candidate spot. [Effects of the Invention]
[0006] This disclosure will make it possible to increase user satisfaction when users set a budget and try to visit areas they have never visited before. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the route guidance system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the table configuration of spot information and history information held in the auxiliary storage unit. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the processes performed by the processor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0008] Users may wish to visit areas they have never visited before. Furthermore, they may have a budget set for visiting these desired areas (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "desired areas"). If a visit to a spot the user has already visited is suggested, or if the suggested spot exceeds the user's budget, the user's wishes cannot be fulfilled. Conversely, if the remaining budget after visiting the user's desired spots allows for visits to other spots, then visiting these other spots can enrich the user's visit to their desired area.
[0009] Therefore, the control unit of the information processing device relating to this disclosure accepts the designation of the desired visit area and the budget for visiting that area. The control unit of the information processing device identifies multiple first-choice spots that are located within the desired visit area, whose visit costs are within the budget, and which the user has not visited before. The control unit then displays a list of the identified multiple first-choice spots on the user's terminal and allows the user to select the first-choice spot they wish to visit.
[0010] The control unit calculates the surplus budget by subtracting the cost of visiting the selected first-choice spot from the budget. The control unit identifies one or more second-choice spots other than the first-choice spot that are located within the desired visit area, whose visit costs are within the surplus budget, and which the user has not visited before. The control unit displays a list of the identified one or more second-choice spots on the user's terminal and allows the user to select the second-choice spot they wish to visit. The control unit then outputs route information showing the planned route that passes through the first-choice spot and the selected second-choice spot.
[0011] As explained above, the information processing device enables users to visit their first and second choice locations, which they have not visited before, within their budget. This increases user satisfaction when they set a budget and try to visit areas they have not visited before.
[0012] The following describes specific embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the hardware configurations, module configurations, functional configurations, etc., described in each embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure to those configurations alone.
[0013] <Embodiment> The route guidance system 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the route guidance system 1. The route guidance system 1 is composed of an in-vehicle device 100 and a route guidance server 200. In the route guidance system 1, the in-vehicle device 100 and the route guidance server 200 are interconnected by a network N1. The network N1 may be, for example, a global public communication network such as the Internet, or a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone network.
[0014] (In-vehicle device) The in-vehicle device 100 is a car navigation system installed in vehicle 10. In this case, the user of vehicle 10 may wish to visit an area they have never visited before. Furthermore, the user of vehicle 10 may have set a budget for visiting this previously unvisited area.
[0015] Therefore, the user inputs the area they wish to visit (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "desired area") to the in-vehicle device 100. In this embodiment, the user selects the desired area from among several popular tourist destinations (tourist areas). Note that the area selected by the user may be a predetermined area other than a tourist area. Also, the user may choose any area. The desired visit area may be defined by specifying a range. In this case, the user also inputs the starting point (departure point) of the movement to the desired visit area to the in-vehicle device 100. Here, the departure point may be determined by the current position of the vehicle 10.
[0016] Furthermore, the user inputs a budget (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "budget") for visiting the desired area to the in-vehicle device 100. Here, the budget is the amount of money the user plans to spend within the desired area. The in-vehicle device 100 then outputs the desired visit information, indicating the desired area, budget, and departure point, to the route guidance server 200 via the network N1. The in-vehicle device 100 also receives route information from the route guidance server 200, indicating the route from the departure point to the destination, via the network N1. The in-vehicle device 100 outputs (displays) the route from the departure point to the destination to the user according to the received route information. In this embodiment, the user receives route guidance from the departure point to the destination via the in-vehicle device 100. However, the user may also receive route guidance via a terminal used by the user (for example, a mobile terminal) other than the in-vehicle device 100.
[0017] (Route guidance server) The route guidance server 200 is a server device that provides route guidance to users. The route guidance server 200 suggests places to visit within the desired area and provides route guidance to those places. Here, a place to visit could be, for example, a tourist facility, a landmark, or a scenic spot.
[0018] The route guidance server 200 is comprised of a computer having a processor 210, a main memory unit 220, an auxiliary memory unit 230, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 240. The processor 210 is a central processing unit. The main memory unit 220 is random access memory. The auxiliary memory unit 230 is a recording medium such as a hard disk drive. The communication I / F 240 is a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.
[0019] The processor 210 can realize various functions as described later by loading the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 230 into the main storage unit 220 and executing it. Note that the route guidance server 200 does not necessarily need to be realized by a single physical configuration, and may be configured by a plurality of computers that cooperate with each other. Also, the in-vehicle device 100 is also configured to include a computer.
[0020] The auxiliary storage unit 230 holds spot information and history information. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the table configuration of the spot information and history information held in the auxiliary storage unit 230. Here, the spot information is information indicating the positions and visit fees of popular tourist spots existing within each tourist area. Also, the history information is information indicating spots that the user has visited.
[0021] The spot information has an area ID field, a spot ID field, a position field, and a visit fee field. In the area ID field, an identifier (area ID) for identifying a tourist area is stored. In the spot ID field, an identifier (spot ID) for identifying a tourist spot preliminarily selected by the administrator of the route guidance server 200 included in each tourist area is stored. In the position field, information indicating the position of each tourist spot is stored. In the visit fee field, information indicating the visit fee of each tourist spot is stored. In the present embodiment, the visit fee is the usage fee of the tourist spot. Also, the visit fee may be determined by the average value of the amount spent by the visitors to the tourist spot.
[0022] The history information has a user ID field, a spot ID field, and a visit date / time field The system has a user ID field, where the user ID is stored. The spot ID field is stored to identify the spot that each user has visited. The processor 210 obtains the visited spot by any means. For example, the processor 210 identifies the user's visited spot by obtaining the destination of the vehicle 10 entered into the in-vehicle device 100.
[0023] The processor 210 receives visit request information from the in-vehicle device 100 via the communication interface 240. The processor 210 refers to the visit request information received from the in-vehicle device 100, as well as spot information and history information, and identifies multiple first-choice spots located within the desired visit area. Here, the first-choice spots are tourist spots where the visit cost is within the budget and which the user has not visited before.
[0024] Specifically, the processor 210 refers to the desired visit information and obtains the desired visit area and budget. The processor 210 refers to the spot information and identifies tourist spots included in the desired visit area. At the same time, the processor 210 refers to the spot information and extracts from the identified tourist spots the cost of visiting is within the budget.
[0025] Furthermore, the processor 210 refers to the history information and identifies tourist spots that the user has not visited as first-choice spots from among the extracted tourist spots. The processor 210 then outputs the first-choice information to the in-vehicle device 100 via the communication I / F 240. Here, the first-choice information is information that displays a list of the identified first-choice spots on the in-vehicle device 100, allowing the user to select the first-choice spot they wish to visit.
[0026] The processor 210 receives first-choice information via the communication interface 240. Here, first-choice information is information indicating the first-choice spot that the user wishes to visit from among several identified first-choice spots (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "first-choice spot"). Upon receiving the first-choice information, the processor 210 refers to the spot information and obtains the cost of visiting the first-choice spot. The processor 210 then calculates the surplus budget by subtracting the cost of visiting the first-choice spot from the budget.
[0027] The processor 210 refers to spot information and history information to identify one or more second-choice spots within the desired visit area. Here, second-choice spots are tourist spots other than the first-choice spot that have a visit cost within the surplus budget and have not been visited by the user before. Specifically, the processor 210 refers to spot information to identify tourist spots included in the desired visit area. The processor 210 also refers to spot information to extract from the identified tourist spots those whose visit cost is within the surplus budget.
[0028] The processor 210 refers to the history information and identifies tourist spots that the user has not visited before as second-choice spots. The processor 210 then outputs the second-choice information to the in-vehicle device 100 via the communication interface 240. Here, the second-choice information displays a list of one or more identified second-choice spots on the in-vehicle device 100, allowing the user to select the second-choice spot they wish to visit.
[0029] The processor 210 receives second-choice information via the communication interface 240. Here, the second-choice information is information indicating the second-choice spot that the user wishes to visit from among the one or more identified second-choice spots (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "second-choice spot").
[0030] The processor 210 outputs route information to the on-board device 100 via the communication I / F 240, indicating the planned route that departs from the starting point and passes through the first and second preferred spots. The order in which the first and second preferred spots are visited does not matter. The processor 210 may also output two types of route information: a route that passes through the second preferred spot after the first preferred spot, and a route that passes through the first preferred spot after the second preferred spot. In this case, the user refers to the two types of planned routes and makes a selection of the planned route.
[0031] (flowchart) The process performed by the processor 210 in the route guidance system 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a flowchart of the process performed by the processor 210. This process is for outputting route information. This process starts when the route guidance server 200 receives visit request information from the in-vehicle device 100.
[0032] In the process shown in Figure 3, first, in S101, the visit request information received from the in-vehicle device 100 is acquired. Next, in S102, the spot information, history information, and visit request information are referenced to identify the first candidate spot. Next, in S103, it is determined whether or not the first candidate spot exists. If a negative determination is made in S103, the process shown in Figure 3 is terminated because the first candidate spot does not exist. At this time, information indicating that the first candidate spot does not exist may be output to the in-vehicle device 100.
[0033] If a positive determination is made in S103, the first candidate information is output to the in-vehicle device 100 in S104. Then, in S105, the first preferred information received from the in-vehicle device 100 is acquired. Next, in S106, the spot information, history information, and first preferred information are referenced to identify the second candidate spot. Next, in S106, it is determined whether or not the second candidate spot exists. If a negative determination is made in S106, the second candidate spot does not exist, so in S110, route information showing the route from the departure point to the first preferred spot is output to the in-vehicle device 100. At this time, information indicating that the second candidate spot does not exist may also be output to the in-vehicle device 100.
[0034] If a positive result is obtained in S107, the second candidate information is output to the in-vehicle device 100 in S108. Then, in S109, the second preference information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 is acquired. Next, in S110, route information showing a route departing from the departure point and passing through the first and second preference spots is output to the in-vehicle device 100. Then, the process shown in Figure 3 is completed.
[0035] In this case, the user may not wish to visit either the first or second choice spot. In this case, the first choice spot information or the second choice spot information may include information indicating that the user does not wish to visit either the first or second choice spot. If the first choice spot information obtained in S105 includes information indicating that the user does not wish to visit the first choice spot, the process shown in Figure 3 is terminated. Also, if the second choice spot information obtained in S109 includes information indicating that the user does not wish to visit the second choice spot, route information showing the route from the destination to the first choice spot is output.
[0036] As explained above, the route guidance system 1 allows users to visit their first and second choice spots, which they have not visited before, within their budget. Furthermore, they can use any surplus budget to visit their second choice spot, thereby enriching their visit to their desired area. This makes it possible to increase user satisfaction when they set a budget and try to visit areas they have not visited before.
[0037] (Variation 1) In this modified example, the cost of visiting includes the entrance fee for the tourist attraction and transportation to the tourist attraction. The costs are included. Furthermore, the visit cost does not necessarily have to include usage fees. This modified example explains the case where the visit cost includes usage fees for tourist attractions and transportation costs to those attractions.
[0038] The processor 210 refers to the location field of the spot information and calculates the travel cost from the departure point to each tourist spot within the desired visit area. The processor 210 then identifies the first candidate spot by calculating the sum of the travel cost from the vehicle 10's departure point to each tourist spot and the usage fee for each tourist spot as the total visit cost. The processor 210 also identifies tourist spots other than the first candidate spot as second candidate spots, provided that the sum of the travel cost and usage fee from the first candidate spot falls within the surplus budget. The processor 210 then refers to the second candidate information and outputs route information to the in-vehicle device 100, showing a route that passes through the second candidate spot after the first candidate spot.
[0039] In this case, the processor 210 outputs route information showing a route that passes through the first preferred spot followed by the second preferred spot. The processor 210 may also calculate the travel costs for two types of routes: one that passes through the first preferred spot followed by the second preferred spot, and another that passes through the second preferred spot followed by the first preferred spot, and output route information indicating the route with the lower travel cost. Alternatively, the processor 210 may output two types of route information along with the two types of visit costs, allowing the user to select a planned route by referring to the two types of visit costs.
[0040] In addition, at this time, the user may have decided on a final destination such as their home, and may have included in their budget the cost of travel from the starting point to the desired area, and the cost of travel from the desired area to the final destination. In this case, the processor 210 identifies the first candidate spot by calculating the sum of the travel cost from the starting point to each tourist spot, the usage fee for each tourist spot, and the travel cost from each tourist spot to the final destination as the total visit cost.
[0041] Furthermore, the processor 210 obtains the travel costs from the first-choice spot to each tourist spot, and the travel costs from each tourist spot to the final destination. Then, the processor 210 uses the sum of these travel costs and the usage fees for each tourist spot as the total visit cost to identify the second-choice spot. In this way, it is possible to increase user satisfaction when users set a budget and try to visit areas they have never visited before.
[0042] (Modification 2) In this embodiment, the user selects one first-choice spot. However, the user may select multiple first-choice spots. In this case, the route guidance server 200 identifies a second-choice spot corresponding to each first-choice spot. The route guidance server 200 then outputs second-choice information to allow the user to select a first-choice spot and a second-choice spot from a combination of multiple first-choice spots and the second-choice spots corresponding to each of the multiple first-choice spots. This also makes it possible to increase the satisfaction of users when they decide on a budget and try to visit an area they have never visited before.
[0043] (Variation 3) In this embodiment, the route guidance server 200 acquires information on desired destinations, identifies a first candidate spot, identifies a second candidate spot, and outputs route information. However, the in-vehicle device 100 may also acquire information on desired destinations, identify a first candidate spot, identify a second candidate spot, and output route information.
[0044] While embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the above description is merely illustrative in all respects. Various improvements or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Needless to say, modifications can be made. The processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented, as long as no technical inconsistencies arise. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0045] 1...Route guidance system, 10...Vehicle, 100...In-vehicle device, 200...Route guidance server, 210...Processor, 220...Main memory unit, 230...Auxiliary memory unit, 240...Communication interface
Claims
[Claim 1] The system accepts requests from users for the areas they wish to visit and the budget they would like to allocate for those visits. Identify multiple first-choice locations that are located within the aforementioned desired visit area, whose visit costs are within the aforementioned budget, and which the user has not previously visited. The system displays a list of the identified first candidate spots on the user's terminal and allows the user to select the first preferred spot they wish to visit. The surplus budget is calculated by subtracting the cost of visiting the selected first preferred spot from the budget, Identify one or more second-choice locations other than the first-choice location that are located within the aforementioned desired visit area, whose visit costs are within the aforementioned surplus budget, and which the user has not previously visited. The system displays a list of the one or more identified second-choice spots on the user's terminal and allows the user to select a second-choice spot they wish to visit. Outputting route information showing the planned route that passes through the first preferred spot and the selected second preferred spot, A control unit configured to perform the following actions: Information processing device.