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

Abstract

When a group of cyclists on a tour splits into a leading group and a trailing group, the goal is to minimize the time difference in the progress of the two groups along their respective routes. [Solution] The information processing device is connected to a mobile terminal that moves with the vehicle in a manner that enables communication with each other, and is an information processing device that provides route information relating to the vehicle's travel route, and comprises: a detection unit that detects multiple groups of vehicles traveling along the same travel route in which the time difference in the progress of the travel route exceeds a predetermined time; and a proposal unit that proposes to the first group of the multiple groups that stay at a first location, and proposes to the second group of the multiple groups that stay at a second location with a shorter standard stay time than the first location.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for assisting driving in a group of vehicles such as cars and motorcycles are known. For example, a navigation system including a plurality of movable mobile terminals and an information providing server that is connected to the mobile terminals so as to be capable of two-way communication and provides route guidance information for a set destination, the information providing server collects request information regarding the destination and route from a plurality of members registered in advance, determines the destination and route according to a mediation rule based on each collected request information, collects request information regarding the return route and branch points, determines the branch points and return route according to the mediation rule based on each collected request information, and provides the destination, route, branch points, and return route determined by both determination means to each mobile terminal of a plurality of members, respectively.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above conventional technology, when a group during a tour is divided into a leading group and a trailing group, it is not always possible to reduce the time difference regarding the progress of the driving routes of the leading group and the trailing group.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can reduce the time difference in the progress of the driving paths of a leading group and a trailing group when a group of touring members splits into a leading group and a trailing group. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to claim 1 is an information processing device that is connected to a mobile terminal that moves with a vehicle so as to be able to communicate with each other and provides route information relating to the travel route of the vehicle, comprising: a detection unit that detects a plurality of groups of vehicles traveling along the same travel route in which the time difference in the progress of the travel route exceeds a predetermined time; and a proposal unit that proposes to the first group of the plurality of vehicles that is ahead of the others that stay at a first place of stay, and proposes to the second group of the plurality of vehicles that is behind the others that stay at a second place of stay in which the standard stay time is shorter than that of the first place of stay.

[0007] The information processing method according to claim 5 is an information processing method performed by an information processing device that is communicated with a mobile terminal moving together with a vehicle and provides route information relating to the vehicle's travel route, and includes a detection step of detecting a plurality of groups of vehicles traveling along the same travel route in which the time difference in the progress of the travel route exceeds a predetermined time; and a proposal step of proposing to the first group, which is the leading group among the plurality of groups, that stay at a first stay location, and proposing to the second group, which is the trailing group among the plurality of groups, that stay at a second stay location with a shorter standard stay time than the first stay location.

[0008] The information processing program according to claim 6 is an information processing program to be executed by an information processing device that is mutually communicatively connected to a mobile terminal moving with a vehicle and provides route information relating to the vehicle's travel route, and causes the information processing device to execute: a detection procedure for detecting multiple groups of vehicles traveling along the same travel route in which the time difference in the progress of the travel route exceeds a predetermined time; and a proposal procedure for proposing to the first group, which is ahead of the multiple groups, that stay at a first stay location, and proposing to the second group, which is behind the multiple groups, that stay at a second stay location in which the standard stay time is shorter than that of the first stay location. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a group information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that implements the functions of an information processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, embodiments for implementing the information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). Note that these embodiments do not limit the information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application. Furthermore, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in each of the following embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] Furthermore, in the following, mobile terminal 10 will be described as mobile terminal 10-1 and 10-2 depending on the user using mobile terminal 10. For example, mobile terminal 10-1 is mobile terminal 10 used by user U1. Also, for example, mobile terminal 10-2 is mobile terminal 10 used by user U2. Furthermore, in the following, when mobile terminals 10-1 and 10-2 are not specifically distinguished, they will be referred to as mobile terminal 10.

[0012] Furthermore, in the following, depending on the user using the vehicle VEx, the vehicle VEx will be described as vehicle VE1 and vehicle VE2. For example, vehicle VE1 is a vehicle VEx boarded by user U1. Similarly, vehicle VE2 is a vehicle VEx boarded by user U2. In the following, when there is no particular distinction between vehicle VE1 and vehicle VE2, they will be referred to simply as vehicle VEx.

[0013] (Embodiment) [1. Introduction] Generally, when multiple vehicles such as cars and motorcycles travel together in a group (touring), there can be variations in the progress of the vehicles along their respective routes. For example, a touring group may split into a leading group and a trailing group. Traditionally, when deciding on rest stops during a tour, all vehicles were to gather at a single rest stop. Therefore, traditionally, if a touring group split into a leading group and a trailing group, the leading group would arrive at the rest stop earlier, and thus the leading group had to wait for the trailing group to arrive. Similarly, if a touring group split into a leading group and a trailing group, the leading group would arrive at the destination earlier, and thus the leading group had to wait for the trailing group to arrive at the destination as well. In contrast, when a touring group splits into a leading group and a trailing group, there is a need for technology that can reduce the time difference in the progress of the routes of the leading and trailing groups.

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of information processing according to the embodiment. The information processing described in Figure 1 is performed by the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. The information processing device 100 is an information processing device that is communicated with each of the mobile terminals 10-1 to 10-5 and provides route information regarding the vehicle's travel route. In Figure 1, each of the users U1 to U5 is riding in each of the vehicles VE1 to VE5, forming a traveling group G1 that travels along the same route. Figure 1 shows the case where vehicles VE1 to VE5 are motorcycles. For example, the members and travel route of the traveling group G1 are set in advance by the representative of the traveling group G1. The information processing device 100 receives information regarding the members and travel route of the traveling group G1 from the representative of the traveling group G1. In addition, each of the vehicles VE1 to VE5 is equipped with each of the mobile terminals 10-1 to 10-5. For example, each of the mobile terminals 10-1 to 10-5 may be a smartphone or navigation device used by each of the users U1 to U5. Each of the mobile terminals 10-1 to 10-5 moves together with each of the vehicles VE1 to VE5.

[0015] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 detects multiple groups G11 and G12 whose time difference Δt1 regarding the progress of the journey exceeds a predetermined time T for a group G1 traveling along the same journey route. In Figure 1, group G11 is a group in which each of users U1 to U3 is riding in each of vehicles VE1 to VE3. Group G11 is the leading group in the group G1. Group G12 is a group in which each of users U4 to U5 is riding in each of vehicles VE4 to VE5. Group G12 is the trailing group in the group G1. The information processing device 100 also proposes that the leading first group G11 stay at the first destination, and proposes that the trailing second group G12 stay at a second destination with a shorter standard stay time than the first destination. In this way, the information processing device 100 proposes different places of stay (e.g., rest facilities) for each of the preceding first group G11 and the following second group G12. Furthermore, for the following second group G12, the information processing device 100 proposes a second place of stay with a shorter standard stay time than the first place of stay proposed for the preceding first group G11.

[0016] Thus, when a touring group splits into a leading group G11 and a trailing group G12, the information processing device 100 proposes different lodging locations to each of the leading group G11 and the trailing group G12. This allows the information processing device 100 to avoid a situation where the leading group G11 has to wait at a lodging location such as a rest facility for the arrival of the trailing group. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 proposes to the trailing group G12 that they stay at a second lodging location with a shorter standard stay time than the first lodging location proposed to the leading group G11. This allows the information processing device 100 to shorten the stay time of the trailing group G12 at their lodging location (e.g., rest time) compared to the stay time of the leading group G11. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can make the stay time of the trailing group G12 at the resting place shorter than the stay time of the leading group G11 at the resting place, thereby encouraging the trailing group G12 to depart from the resting place earlier than the leading group G11. As a result, the information processing device 100 can reduce the time difference Δt2 regarding the progress of the travel route between the leading group G11 and the trailing group G12 after staying at a resting place such as a rest facility, compared to before the stay. Therefore, when a touring group splits into a leading group and a trailing group, the information processing device 100 can reduce the time difference regarding the progress of the travel route between the leading group and the trailing group. In addition, when a touring group splits into a leading group and a trailing group, the information processing device 100 can reduce the time that the leading group has to wait for the trailing group to arrive at the destination.

[0017] [2. Configuration of the Information Processing System] Using FIG. 2, a configuration example of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing system 1 includes a mobile terminal 10 and an information processing device 100. The mobile terminal 10 and the information processing device 100 are connected to each other communicably by wire or wirelessly via a network N. The network N is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet. Note that the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 2 may include a plurality of mobile terminals 10 and a plurality of information processing devices 100.

[0018] The mobile terminal 10 may be an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, which is an example of a moving body. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the mobile terminal 10 is an in-vehicle device of the vehicle VEx. In such an example, the mobile terminal 10 may be, for example, a dedicated navigation device built into the vehicle VEx or a dedicated navigation device attached to the vehicle VEx.

[0019] Further, the mobile terminal 10 may be configured to function as the information processing device 100 described later. For example, in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 10 and the information processing device 100 are shown as separate devices, but the mobile terminal 10 and the information processing device 100 may be integrated and configured as one information processing device. In such a case, for example, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 100 may be introduced into the mobile terminal 10.

[0020] Note that the mobile terminal 10 may be a portable terminal device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a PDA, etc.) into which an application corresponding to a predetermined navigation system is introduced. In such an example, the mobile terminal 10 may be, for example, routinely used by the driver of the vehicle VEx.

[0021] In addition, the mobile terminal 10 may also have various sensors such as a camera, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a GPS sensor, and a barometric pressure sensor. Then, the sensor information detected by the sensors may be transmitted by the mobile terminal 10 to the information processing device 100. Also, the vehicle VEx may, for example, have sensors for a safe driving system, and the sensor information from this sensor may also be transmitted to the information processing device 100.

[0022] The information processing device 100 is a device that performs information processing according to the embodiment. For example, the information processing device 100 may perform the information processing according to the embodiment in accordance with the information processing method realized by the information processing program according to the embodiment. The information processing device 100 is communicably connected to the mobile terminal 10 that moves together with the vehicle VEx, and provides route information regarding the travel route of the vehicle VEx.

[0023] Also, in the embodiment, the moving body is described as the vehicle VEx, but the moving body is not limited to the vehicle VEx. Also, the user shown in the embodiment may be any person as long as they are a person who rides in the vehicle VEx and uses the mobile terminal 10. For example, the user may be a person who regularly uses the vehicle VEx, that is, the owner of the vehicle VEx.

[0024] 〔3. Configuration of Information Processing Device〕 Using FIG. 3, a configuration example of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. The information processing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0025] (Communication Unit 110) The communication unit 110 is realized by a NIC (Network Interface Card), an antenna, etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to various networks by wire or wirelessly, and performs transmission and reception of information with, for example, the mobile terminal 10.

[0026] (Storage Unit 120) The storage unit 120 is implemented by, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and flash memory, or storage devices such as hard disks and optical discs. Specifically, the storage unit 120 stores various programs. For example, the storage unit 120 stores an information processing program according to the embodiment. The storage unit 120 also stores various data. For example, the storage unit 120 stores map information. The storage unit 120 also stores location information that associates the type of place of stay (for example, a family restaurant) with the standard stay time corresponding to that type of place (for example, 40 minutes). The storage unit 120 also has a group information storage unit 121.

[0027] (Group information storage unit 121) Figure 4 shows an example of a group information storage unit 121 according to an embodiment. The group information storage unit 121 stores information about a group of travelers (touring groups) traveling along the same route. In the example shown in Figure 4, the group information storage unit 121 has items such as "group ID", "route information", "user ID", "terminal ID", "vehicle ID", "location information", and "speed information".

[0028] "Group ID" indicates identification information that identifies a group of vehicles traveling along the same route. "Route Information" indicates information about the route of the vehicle group identified by the Group ID. "Route Information" includes information such as the departure point, destination, route from departure point to destination, departure time, and estimated arrival time. "User ID" indicates identification information that identifies a user belonging to the vehicle group identified by the Group ID. "Terminal ID" indicates identification information that identifies a mobile terminal 10 moving with the vehicle identified by the Vehicle ID. "Vehicle ID" indicates identification information that identifies the vehicle on which the user identified by the User ID is riding. "Location Information" indicates location information related to the location history of the vehicle identified by the Vehicle ID. "Speed ​​Information" indicates speed information related to the speed history of the vehicle identified by the Vehicle ID.

[0029] (Control unit 130) The control unit 130 is a controller, and is realized by various programs (for example, information processing programs according to the embodiment) stored in the memory device inside the information processing device 100 being executed using RAM as a working area by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), etc. Alternatively, the control unit 130 is a controller and can be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.

[0030] The control unit 130 has a detection unit 131, a search unit 132, and a proposal unit 133 as functional units, and may realize or execute the information processing operations described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 3, and other configurations are also acceptable as long as they perform the information processing described later. Furthermore, each functional unit represents the function of the control unit 130 and does not necessarily have to be physically distinct.

[0031] (Detection unit 131) The detection unit 131 detects multiple groups of vehicles traveling along the same route where the time difference in their progress along the route exceeds a predetermined time. Here, a group is not limited to two or more vehicles. For example, a group may consist of only one vehicle. Furthermore, a group of vehicles traveling along the same route may be arranged in order, such as the lead vehicle (1st vehicle), the vehicle immediately following the lead vehicle (2nd vehicle), the vehicle immediately following the 2nd vehicle (3rd vehicle), ..., to the last vehicle. For example, the detection unit 131 identifies a group of vehicles traveling along the same route by referring to the group information storage unit 121. When the detection unit 131 has identified a group of vehicles, it refers to the position information of the group information storage unit 121 to determine the order in which each vehicle in the identified group of vehicles travels. Furthermore, when the detection unit 131 identifies the order in which each vehicle in the group of vehicles travels, it refers to the position information of the group information storage unit 121 to obtain the position information of the k-th vehicle (k=1 to N, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) and the (k+1)-th vehicle in the group of vehicles. Subsequently, the detection unit 131 calculates the distance between the k-th vehicle and the (k+1)-th vehicle based on the position information of the k-th vehicle and the (k+1)-th vehicle. The detection unit 131 also refers to the speed information of the group information storage unit 121 to calculate the average speed of the identified group of vehicles. The detection unit 131 also calculates a value obtained by dividing the distance between the k-th vehicle and the (k+1)-th vehicle by the average speed of the vehicles in the group of vehicles as a time difference related to the progress of the travel path. Subsequently, the detection unit 131 determines whether the value obtained by dividing the distance between the k-th vehicle and the (k+1)-th vehicle by the average speed of the vehicles in the group of vehicles exceeds a predetermined time. If the detection unit 131 determines that the value obtained by dividing the distance between the k-th vehicle and the (k+1)-th vehicle by the average speed of the group of vehicles exceeds a predetermined time, it detects multiple groups where the time difference in the progress of the driving path exceeds a predetermined time. For example, the detection unit 131 detects a first preceding group including the k-th vehicle and vehicles located ahead of the k-th vehicle, and a second following group including the (k+1)-th vehicle and vehicles located behind the (k+1)-th vehicle, as multiple groups where the time difference in the progress of the driving path exceeds a predetermined time.

[0032] (Search section 132) When the detection unit 131 detects multiple groups, the search unit 132 searches for a first place to stay and a second place to stay with a shorter standard stay time than the first place to stay, based on route information relating to the same travel route. For example, when the detection unit 131 detects multiple groups, the search unit 132 refers to the storage unit 120 to obtain map information and place to stay information. The search unit 132 also searches for a first place to stay and a second place to stay with a shorter standard stay time than the first place to stay, based on route information, map information, and place to stay information. For example, the search unit 132 searches for a first place to stay located within a predetermined range from the travel route, based on route information, map information, and place to stay information. For example, the search unit 132 searches for a place to stay located within a predetermined range from the travel route, based on route information and map information. Subsequently, the search unit 132 searches for a first place to stay, such as a family restaurant, from among the places to stay located within a predetermined range from the travel route, based on the place to stay information, where the standard stay time exceeds a threshold time (e.g., 30 minutes). Furthermore, the search unit 132 searches for a second place to stay located within a predetermined range from the travel route. For example, the search unit 132 searches for a second place to stay, such as a fast-food restaurant, from among the places to stay located within a predetermined range from the travel route, based on the place to stay information, where the standard stay time is shorter than that of the first place to stay (for example, 20 minutes).

[0033] (Proposal Department 133) The suggestion unit 133 proposes that the first group, which is ahead of the other groups, stay at the first location, and proposes that the second group, which is behind the other groups, stay at a second location with a shorter standard stay time than the first location. For example, if the first location is found by the search unit 132, the suggestion unit 133 transmits information proposing a stay at the first location to the mobile terminal 10 of the member of the first group, which is ahead of the other group, detected by the detection unit 131. Also, if the second location is found by the search unit 132, the suggestion unit 133 transmits information proposing a stay at the second location to the mobile terminal 10 of the member of the second group, which is behind the other group, detected by the detection unit 131.

[0034] [4. Variations] The processing according to the above-described embodiment may be carried out in various other forms besides those described above.

[0035] In the embodiment described above, the search unit 132 was described in a case where, when multiple groups are detected by the detection unit 131, it searches for a first place to stay and a second place to stay with a shorter standard stay time than the first place to stay, based on route information relating to the same travel route. In a modified example, the search unit 132 may search for a first place to stay and a second place to stay where the first place to stay is located closer to the destination on the same travel route than the second place to stay. For example, the search unit 132 searches for a first place to stay and a second place to stay from among a plurality of candidate first places to stay and a plurality of candidate second places to stay where the first place to stay is located closer to the destination on the same travel route than the second place to stay. Alternatively, the search unit 132 may search for a first place to stay and a second place to stay where the second place to stay is located closer to the destination on the same travel route than the first place to stay.

[0036] Furthermore, if the first and second locations do not exist, the search unit 132 searches for a predetermined location. For example, if the first and second locations located within a predetermined range from the travel route do not exist, the search unit 132 searches for a predetermined location located within a predetermined range from the travel route. The suggestion unit 133 also proposes to the first group a stay for a first period based on the standard stay time at the predetermined location, and proposes to the second group a stay for a second period shorter than the first period based on the standard stay time at the predetermined location. For example, if the search unit 132 finds a predetermined location, the suggestion unit 133 transmits information to the mobile terminal 10 of a preceding member of the first group detected by the detection unit 131, proposing a stay for a first period based on the standard stay time at the predetermined location, based on the location information. Furthermore, when a predetermined location is found by the search unit 132, the suggestion unit 133 transmits information to the mobile terminal 10 of the member of the second group behind, detected by the detection unit 131, suggesting a stay of a second period shorter than the first period based on the standard stay time at the predetermined location, based on the location information.

[0037] Furthermore, if neither the first nor the second location exists, the search unit 132 may search for different locations with the same standard stay time. For example, the search unit 132 may search for a third and a fourth location, which are different locations with the same standard stay time. The suggestion unit 133 also suggests different stay times for the first and second groups. For example, the suggestion unit 133 suggests to the first group a stay of a first period based on the standard stay time at the third location, and suggests to the second group a stay of a second period shorter than the first period, based on the standard stay time at the fourth location.

[0038] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the detection unit 131 determined that the value obtained by dividing the distance between the k-th vehicle and the (k+1)-th vehicle by the average speed of the group of vehicles exceeds a predetermined time, and in that case, it detected multiple groups in which the time difference in the progress of the driving path exceeds a predetermined time.In a modified example, the detection unit 131 obtains the location information of the leading vehicle and the location information of the last vehicle of the identified driving group by referring to the location information of the group information storage unit 121. Subsequently, the detection unit 131 calculates the distance between the leading vehicle and the last vehicle based on the location information of the leading vehicle and the location information of the last vehicle. The detection unit 131 also calculates the average speed of the vehicles in the identified driving group by referring to the speed information of the group information storage unit 121. The detection unit 131 also calculates the value obtained by dividing the distance between the leading vehicle and the last vehicle by the average speed of the vehicles in the group as the time difference in the progress of the driving path. Next, the detection unit 131 determines whether the value obtained by dividing the distance between the leading vehicle and the last vehicle by the average speed of the vehicles in the group exceeds a predetermined time. If the detection unit 131 determines that the value obtained by dividing the distance between the leading vehicle and the last vehicle by the average speed of the group exceeds a predetermined time, it detects multiple groups in which the time difference in the progress of the driving route exceeds a predetermined time. For example, the detection unit 131 detects a first group ahead, which includes the leading vehicle and vehicles located within a predetermined range from the leading vehicle, and a second group behind, which includes the last vehicle and vehicles located within a predetermined range from the last vehicle, as multiple groups in which the time difference in the progress of the driving route exceeds a predetermined time.

[0039] In a modified version, the detection unit 131 refers to the position information of the group information storage unit 121 to obtain the position information of the m-th vehicle (m=1 to (N-1), where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) from the front of the identified group of vehicles and the position information of the n-th vehicle (n>m, where n=2 to N) from the front. Subsequently, the detection unit 131 calculates the distance between the m-th vehicle and the n-th vehicle based on the position information of the m-th vehicle and the n-th vehicle. The detection unit 131 also refers to the speed information of the group information storage unit 121 to calculate the average speed of the vehicles in the identified group of vehicles. Furthermore, the detection unit 131 calculates a value obtained by dividing the distance between the m-th vehicle and the n-th vehicle by the average speed of the vehicles in the group as a time difference related to the progress of the driving path. Subsequently, the detection unit 131 determines whether the value obtained by dividing the distance between the m-th vehicle and the n-th vehicle by the average speed of the vehicles in the group exceeds a predetermined time. The detection unit 131 detects multiple groups where the time difference in the progress of the driving route exceeds a predetermined time if it determines that the value obtained by dividing the distance between the m-th vehicle from the front and the n-th vehicle from the front by the average speed of the group of vehicles exceeds a predetermined time. For example, the detection unit 131 detects a first group ahead of the group, which includes the m-th vehicle from the front and vehicles located within a predetermined range from the m-th vehicle, and a second group behind the group, which includes the n-th vehicle from the front and vehicles located within a predetermined range from the n-th vehicle.

[0040] [5. Effects] As described above, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment is an information processing device 100 that is connected to a mobile terminal 10 that moves with the vehicle so as to be able to communicate with each other and provides route information relating to the vehicle's travel route, and comprises a detection unit 131 and a proposal unit 133. The detection unit 131 detects multiple groups of vehicles traveling along the same travel route whose time difference in the progress of the travel route exceeds a predetermined time. The proposal unit 133 proposes that the first group, which is ahead of the multiple groups, stay at a first stay location, and proposes that the second group, which is behind the multiple groups, stay at a second stay location, which has a shorter standard stay time than the first stay location.

[0041] In this way, when a touring group splits into a leading group and a trailing group, the information processing device 100 proposes different lodging locations to the leading group and the trailing group, respectively. This allows the information processing device 100 to avoid a situation where the leading group has to wait at a lodging location such as a rest facility for the trailing group to arrive. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 proposes to the trailing group that they stay at a second lodging location with a shorter standard stay time than the first lodging location proposed to the leading group. This allows the information processing device 100 to shorten the stay time of the trailing group at their lodging location (e.g., rest time) compared to the stay time of the leading group. In addition, since the information processing device 100 can shorten the stay time of the trailing group at their lodging location compared to the stay time of the leading group, it can encourage the trailing group to depart from their lodging location earlier than the leading group. As a result, the information processing device 100 can reduce the time difference in the progress of the travel route between the leading group and the trailing group after staying at a rest area or other resting place, compared to before staying at such a place. Therefore, when a group on a tour splits into a leading group and a trailing group, the information processing device 100 can reduce the time difference in the progress of the travel route between the leading group and the trailing group. Furthermore, when a group on a tour splits into a leading group and a trailing group, the information processing device 100 can reduce the time the leading group has to wait for the trailing group to arrive at the destination.

[0042] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 further includes a search unit 132. When the detection unit 131 detects multiple groups, the search unit 132 searches for a first place of stay and a second place of stay based on route information relating to the same travel route.

[0043] This allows the information processing device 100 to search for, for example, a first and second location within a predetermined range from the same travel route.

[0044] Furthermore, the search unit 132 searches for a first location and a second location that are located closer to the destination on the same travel route than the second location.

[0045] This allows the information processing device 100 to search for a first location and a second location that are located closer to the destination on the same travel route than the second location.

[0046] Furthermore, if neither the first nor the second place of stay exists, the search unit 132 searches for a predetermined place of stay. The proposal unit 133 proposes to the first group a stay for a first period based on the standard stay time at the predetermined place of stay, and proposes to the second group a stay for a second period shorter than the first period based on the standard stay time at the predetermined place of stay.

[0047] As a result, the information processing device 100 can make the time spent at a location by the trailing group shorter than the time spent at a location by the preceding group (e.g., rest time). Furthermore, since the information processing device 100 can make the time spent at a location by the trailing group shorter than the time spent at a location by the preceding group, it can encourage the trailing group to depart from the location earlier than the preceding group. As a result, the information processing device 100 can reduce the time difference in the progress of the travel routes between the preceding group and the trailing group after staying at a location such as a rest facility, compared to before staying at such a location. Therefore, when a touring group splits into a preceding group and a trailing group, the information processing device 100 can reduce the time difference in the progress of the travel routes between the preceding group and the trailing group. Furthermore, when a touring group splits into a preceding group and a trailing group, the information processing device 100 can reduce the time the preceding group has to wait for the trailing group to arrive at the destination.

[0048] [6. Hardware Configuration] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 according to the above embodiment is realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device 100. The computer 1000 includes a CPU 1100, RAM 1200, ROM 1300, HDD 1400, communication interface (I / F) 1500, input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0049] The CPU 1100 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or HDD 1400, controlling various components. The ROM 1300 stores boot programs executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 starts up, as well as programs that depend on the computer 1000's hardware.

[0050] The HDD1400 stores programs executed by the CPU1100, as well as data used by such programs. The communication interface1500 receives data from other devices via a predetermined communication network and sends it to the CPU1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU1100 to other devices via the predetermined communication network.

[0051] The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as displays and printers, and input devices such as keyboards and mice, via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from input devices via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs the generated data to output devices via the input / output interface 1600.

[0052] The media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 1800 and provides it to the CPU 1100 via the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 loads the program from the recording medium 1800 onto the RAM 1200 via the media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0053] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as an information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 realizes the functions of the control unit 130 by executing a program loaded on the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, these programs may be obtained from other devices via a predetermined communication network.

[0054] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are illustrative examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms with modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, starting with the embodiments described in the disclosure section of the invention.

[0055] [7. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments and modifications, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by known methods. In addition, the processing procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above document and drawings can be changed at will unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each figure is not limited to the information shown.

[0056] Furthermore, the components of each illustrated device are functionally conceptual and do not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each device are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions.

[0057] Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications described above can be combined as appropriate, provided that the processing content is not inconsistent. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 10 Mobile terminals 100 Information Processing Devices 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Group Information Storage Unit 130 Control Unit 131 Detection unit 132 Search Department 133 Proposal Department

Claims

1. An information processing device that is connected to a mobile terminal that moves with a vehicle in a manner that enables communication with the mobile terminal, and provides route information relating to the vehicle's travel route, A detection unit that detects multiple groups of vehicles traveling along the same route whose time difference in the progress of the route exceeds a predetermined time, A proposal unit that proposes to the first group, which is the preceding group among the multiple groups, that stay at the first accommodation location, and proposes to the second group, which is the following group, that stay at a second accommodation location with a shorter standard stay time than the first accommodation location, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. If the detection unit detects the multiple groups, the system further includes a search unit that searches for the first and second places of stay based on route information relating to the same travel route. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The search unit, The first location is located closer to the destination on the same travel route than the second location. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The search unit, If neither the first nor the second accommodation location exists, a predetermined accommodation location is searched for. The aforementioned proposal section is, The first group is proposed to stay for a first period based on a standard stay time at a designated accommodation, and the second group is proposed to stay for a second period shorter than the first period based on a standard stay time at the designated accommodation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

5. An information processing method performed by an information processing device that is connected to a mobile terminal moving with a vehicle in a manner that enables communication with the mobile terminal and provides route information relating to the vehicle's travel route, A detection step for detecting multiple groups of vehicles traveling along the same route whose time difference in the progress of the route exceeds a predetermined time, A proposal step which involves proposing to the first group, which is the preceding group among the multiple groups, that they stay at the first accommodation location, and proposing to the second group, which is the following group, that they stay at a second accommodation location with a shorter standard stay time than the first accommodation location, Information processing methods including

6. An information processing program to be executed by an information processing device that is connected to a mobile terminal moving with a vehicle in a manner that enables communication with the device, and that provides route information relating to the vehicle's travel route, A detection procedure for detecting multiple groups of vehicles traveling along the same route whose time difference in the progress of the said route exceeds a predetermined time, A proposal procedure which involves proposing to the first group, which is the preceding group among the multiple groups, that stay at the first accommodation location be proposed, and proposing to the second group, which is the following group, that stay at a second accommodation location with a shorter standard stay time than the first accommodation location, An information processing program that causes an information processing device to execute.

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