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

Abstract

Improve the technology for calculating the time of arrival of a vehicle at its destination. [Solution] The information processing device 20 obtains a vehicle speed coefficient for driver 4 by dividing the vehicle speed of driver 4 on the link traveled by the vehicle 10 driven by driver 4 by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the link on the navigation application 35A, and using the vehicle speed coefficient for driver 4, estimates the vehicle speed of driver 4 at each of the multiple links included in the route to the destination on which driver 4 plans to travel the vehicle 10, and calculates the estimated arrival time when driver 4 will arrive at the destination from the distance of each link and the estimated vehicle speed of driver 4 at each link.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, a vehicle, a program, and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for calculating the arrival time of a vehicle at a destination has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for improving the prediction accuracy of the electricity cost of an electric vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When calculating the estimated arrival time at which a vehicle arrives at a destination based on the vehicle speed set on a map application, there is a problem that the accuracy of the estimated arrival time deteriorates because there is a deviation from the vehicle speed at which the user actually drives. Therefore, there has been room for improvement in the technique for calculating the arrival time of a vehicle at a destination.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technique related to calculating the arrival time of a vehicle at a destination.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure acquires the driver's vehicle speed measured by a vehicle speed sensor mounted on the vehicle in the link through which the vehicle has been driven by the driver, calculates the driver's vehicle speed coefficient by dividing the acquired driver's vehicle speed by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the link in the navigation application, estimates the driver's vehicle speed in each link by multiplying the driver's vehicle speed coefficient by a predetermined vehicle speed set for each of the multiple links included in the route to the destination through which the driver plans to drive the vehicle in the navigation application, and in each link, detects the forward speed detected by a road monitoring sensor. The control unit acquires the status of each link, selects one or more links from the plurality of links according to the acquired status of each link, calculates the time required for the driver to travel each link by dividing the distance of the one or more links by the estimated vehicle speed of the driver on the one or more links, and divides the distance of the remaining links by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the remaining links on the navigation application, calculates the estimated arrival time of the driver to the destination based on the calculated time required for each link, and outputs the calculated estimated arrival time as part of the screen display or voice guidance of the navigation application.

[0007] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that obtains a driver's vehicle speed coefficient obtained by dividing the driver's vehicle speed in a link driven by the driver by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the link in a navigation application, estimates the driver's vehicle speed in each of a plurality of links included in the route to the destination that the driver plans to travel using the driver's vehicle speed coefficient, and calculates an estimated arrival time when the driver will arrive at the destination from the distance of each link and the estimated driver's vehicle speed in each link.

[0008] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing method executed by an information processing device, which includes: obtaining a driver's vehicle speed coefficient obtained by dividing the driver's vehicle speed on a link driven by the driver by a predetermined vehicle speed set on the link in a navigation application; estimating the driver's vehicle speed on each of a plurality of links included in the route to the destination on which the driver plans to drive the vehicle, using the driver's vehicle speed coefficient; and calculating an estimated time of arrival for the driver to arrive at the destination from the distance of each link and the estimated driver's vehicle speed on each link. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the technology for calculating the time of arrival of a vehicle at its destination is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows an example of how the system works. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates an example of a vehicle's route. [Figure 4] This diagram explains how to calculate the time required to travel on each link. [Figure 5] This table explains how to calculate the time required to travel on each link. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (Summary of the embodiment) Referring to Figure 1, an overview of System 1 according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described. System 1 comprises a vehicle 10 equipped with an information processing system 50 and a server device 40. The information processing system 50 includes an information processing device 20 and a navigation device 30. The vehicle 10 and the server device 40 are connected to a network 2, including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network. The information processing device 20 and the navigation device 30 may each be independently connected to the network 2 for communication. In the vehicle 10, the information processing device 20, the navigation device 30, and other devices may be connected to each other via a wired connection through an in-vehicle network 3 such as a CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0012] Vehicle 10 is, for example, an automobile, but is not limited to that and may be any vehicle. An automobile is, but is not limited to, a gasoline car, a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), a HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or an FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle).

[0013] The information processing device 20 is a computer mounted on the vehicle 10.

[0014] The navigation device 30 is a device that performs functions such as positioning the vehicle 10, displaying road maps, and route searching in order to assist the driving of the vehicle 10.

[0015] The server device 40 is a computer operated by a business operator that provides road traffic information. The server device 40 detects the road conditions using sensors 42A that monitor the road, for example, installed on the roadside, and transmits the detected road conditions to the navigation device 30 or information processing device 20 via the network 2. The server device 40 acquires the road conditions detected by the sensors 42A via a wired or wireless sensor network 5.

[0016] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The information processing device 20 obtains a vehicle speed coefficient of the driver 4 by dividing the vehicle speed of the driver 4 in a link where the vehicle 10 has traveled driven by the driver 4 by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the link on the navigation application 35A. Using the vehicle speed coefficient of the driver 4, the vehicle speed of the driver 4 in each of a plurality of links included in the route to the destination that the driver 4 plans to travel the vehicle 10 is estimated, and from the distance of each link and the vehicle speed of the driver 4 estimated in each link, an arrival prediction time when the driver 4 arrives at the destination is calculated.

[0017] As described above, according to this embodiment, using the vehicle speed coefficient of the driver 4, the vehicle speed for traveling each of a plurality of links included in the route to the destination by the driver 4 is estimated. Therefore, it becomes possible to calculate an arrival prediction time when the vehicle 10 arrives at the destination based on a vehicle speed that does not deviate from the actual vehicle speed of the driver 4. Therefore, the technology for calculating the arrival time of the vehicle at the destination is improved in terms of improving the accuracy of calculating the arrival prediction time to the destination. One or more or all of the plurality of links may be links that the driver 4 has never traveled.

[0018] (Configuration of the vehicle) As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a communication unit 11, a measurement unit 12, a storage unit 13, a control unit 14, an information processing device 20, and a navigation device 30. The configurations of the information processing device 20 and the navigation device 30 will be described later.

[0019] The communication unit 11 includes a communication interface for wirelessly connecting to the network 2 and a communication interface for wiredly connecting to the in-vehicle network 3. The communication interface for connecting to the network 2 corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard. The communication interface for wiredly connecting to the in-vehicle network 3 corresponds to, for example, CAN. In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 communicates with the information processing device 20 and the navigation device 30 via the network 2 or the in-vehicle network 3.

[0020] The measurement unit 12 includes a sensor 12A. The sensor 12A is a sensor that measures the vehicle speed during the running of the vehicle 10.

[0021] The storage unit 13 includes one or more memories. The memory is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, etc., but is not limited thereto. Each memory included in the storage unit 13 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 13 stores any information used for the operation of the vehicle 10. For example, the storage unit 13 may store a system program, an application program, etc. The information stored in the storage unit 13 may be updated by information obtained from the network 2 via the communication unit 11, for example.

[0022] The control unit 14 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited thereto. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited thereto. The control unit 14 controls the operation of the entire vehicle 10.

[0023] (Configuration of the information processing device) As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0024] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to network 2, and a communication interface connected via a wired connection to the in-vehicle network 3. The communication interface connected to network 2 corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard. The communication interface connected via a wired connection to the in-vehicle network 3 corresponds to, for example, CAN. In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 communicates with the vehicle 10 and the navigation device 30 via network 2 or the in-vehicle network 3. The information processing device 20 also communicates with the server device 40 via network 2.

[0025] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store system programs and application programs. The information stored in the storage unit 22 may be updateable with information obtained from the network 2 via, for example, the communication unit 21.

[0026] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 23 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 20.

[0027] (Navigation system configuration) As shown in Figure 1, the navigation device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a positioning unit 32, an output unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35.

[0028] The communication unit 31 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to network 2, and a communication interface connected via a wired connection to the in-vehicle network 3. The communication interface connected to network 2 corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard or a wireless LAN standard. The communication interface connected via a wired connection to the in-vehicle network 3 corresponds to, for example, CAN. In this embodiment, the navigation device 30 communicates with the vehicle 10 and the information processing device 20 via network 2 or the in-vehicle network 3. The navigation device 30 also communicates with the server device 40 via network 2.

[0029] The positioning unit 32 includes one or more devices for acquiring the location information of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the positioning unit 32 includes, for example, a receiver compatible with GPS (Global Positioning System), but is not limited to this, and may include a receiver compatible with any satellite positioning system.

[0030] The output unit 33 includes a display 33A. The display 33A is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescent) display, capable of displaying a variety of screens. The output unit 33 also includes a speaker 33B.

[0031] The storage unit 34 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 34 stores any information used for the operation of the navigation device 30. For example, the storage unit 34 stores a system program, an application program including a navigation application 35A (hereinafter referred to as the navigation app 35A), and map information. The information stored in the storage unit 34 may be updateable with information obtained from the network 2 via, for example, the communication unit 31.

[0032] The control unit 35 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 35 launches the navigation application 35A, searches for a route from the starting point to the destination, and calculates the estimated time of arrival at the destination. The control unit 35 controls the operation of the entire navigation device 30.

[0033] (Server configuration) As shown in Figure 1, the server device 40 includes a communication unit 41, a measurement unit 42, a storage unit 43, and a control unit 44.

[0034] The communication unit 41 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 2. The communication interfaces connected to the network 2 correspond to, for example, mobile communication standards, wired LAN standards, or wireless LAN standards. In this embodiment, the server device 40 communicates with the information processing device 20 and the navigation device 30 via the network 2.

[0035] The measurement unit 42 includes a sensor 42A. The sensor 42A includes one or more sensors that monitor road conditions, for example, installed on the roadside of a road. Specifically, the one or more sensors include various weather sensors that observe wind direction, wind speed, temperature, rainfall, humidity, atmospheric pressure, illuminance, and ultraviolet rays, and a video camera that captures images of the road. The measurement unit 42 communicates with the one or more sensors via a wired or wireless sensor network 5. However, the one or more sensors are not limited to these.

[0036] The storage unit 43 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 43 may function as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 43 stores any information used for the operation of the server device 40. For example, the storage unit 43 may store system programs, application programs, and the types of roads laid in a predetermined area (national roads, prefectural roads, and municipal roads) and the number of lanes in each link of multiple links included in said roads. The information stored in the storage unit 43 may be updateable with information obtained from the network 2 via, for example, the communication unit 41.

[0037] The control unit 44 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 44 controls the operation of the entire server device 40.

[0038] (Operation flow of the information processing device) Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of System 1. The operation of System 1 and the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 2.

[0039] S101: The control unit 14 of the vehicle 10 measures the vehicle speed Sx of the driver 4 using the sensor 12A mounted on the vehicle 10 in the link Lx where the vehicle 10 has traveled while being driven by the driver 4.

[0040] The vehicle speed Sx of driver 4 may be the average vehicle speed Sx(av) while traveling along link Lx. The control unit 14 measures the vehicle speed Sx multiple times using sensor 12A while the vehicle 10 is traveling along link Lx, and calculates the average vehicle speed Sx(av) of the multiple measured vehicle speeds Sx.

[0041] S102: The control unit 14 outputs the measured vehicle speed Sx of the driver 4 to the information processing device 20.

[0042] S103: The control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 acquires the vehicle speed Sx of the driver 4.

[0043] Link Lx is defined as a road section where no congestion occurred while the vehicle 10 was traveling. In this embodiment, the control unit 23 determines that a road section is a congested link if it is a link in which a line of vehicles traveling at a low speed below a specified speed, or a line of vehicles repeatedly stopping and starting, continues for a specified length and for a specified time or longer. The vehicle speed measured in such a congested link does not reflect the characteristics of the driver 4 and cannot be said to be the actual vehicle speed of the driver 4. For this reason, the control unit 23 obtains the vehicle speed measured in a road section where no congestion occurred as the vehicle speed Sx of the driver 4.

[0044] The prescribed speed, length, and duration of congestion are determined by the operators responsible for managing and operating the roads. For example, congestion on expressways managed by Central Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd., East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd., and West Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd. is defined as a queue of vehicles traveling at a low speed of 40 km / h or less, or repeatedly stopping and starting, that stretches for 1 km or more and continues for 15 minutes or more. However, the definition of congestion is not limited to this.

[0045] Furthermore, Link Lx is defined as a road section with two or more lanes. While driving on a Link with one lane, Driver 4 is susceptible to the influence of the vehicle speed of the driver of the vehicle ahead. For this reason, the control unit 23 acquires the vehicle speed Sx of Driver 4 from a road section that is not congested and has two or more lanes.

[0046] When the control unit 23 obtains the vehicle speed Sx of the driver 4, it requests the navigation device 30 to transmit the predetermined vehicle speed set in link Lx on the navigation application 35A.

[0047] In this embodiment, the predetermined vehicle speed set for link Lx is assumed to be the statistical vehicle speed Tx, but is not limited to this. The statistical vehicle speed Tx is statistical data of the vehicle speeds of multiple vehicles that have traveled along link Lx.

[0048] S104: The control unit 35 of the navigation device 30 outputs the statistical vehicle speed Tx, which is set as link Lx on the navigation application 35A, to the information processing device 20.

[0049] S105: The control unit 23 calculates the vehicle speed coefficient α of driver 4 by dividing the acquired vehicle speed Sx of driver 4 by the statistical vehicle speed Tx set in link Lx on the navigation application 35A, as shown in equation (1) below. Vehicle speed coefficient α=Sx(km / h) / Tx(km / h) (1)

[0050] The vehicle speed coefficient α of driver 4 may be a coefficient obtained for each type of link Lx that the vehicle 10 traveled while being driven by driver 4. The type of link Lx is, for example, whether it is a highway or a general road. This makes it possible to calculate the vehicle speed coefficient α of driver 4 for each link Lx with different speed limits (legal speed limits). However, the type of link Lx is not limited to these, and may also be a national road, prefectural road, or municipal road. In S108, which will be described later, it is desirable for the control unit 23 to estimate the vehicle speed of driver 4 on each link using a coefficient corresponding to the type of each link as the vehicle speed coefficient α of driver 4. This improves the accuracy of the control unit 23 in calculating the estimated time of arrival at the destination.

[0051] The vehicle speed coefficient α of driver 4 may be a coefficient obtained for each rank of congestion level β of the link Lx on which vehicle 10 traveled while being driven by driver 4. Congestion level β is an index shown in equation (2) as the ratio of the traffic volume measured at the corresponding link to the traffic capacity of link Lx, which is set for the link Lx on which vehicle 10 traveled while being driven by driver 4, and for each link described later. Traffic capacity is the maximum number of vehicles that can pass through one lane or one section of the road in one hour. Traffic volume is the number of vehicles that actually passed through the said section in one hour, as measured by a video camera included in the sensor 42A installed on the roadside or elsewhere. Congestion degree β=traffic volume / traffic capacity (2)

[0052] The control unit 23 classifies the congestion level β into four ranks, for example, less than 1.0, 1.0 to 1.25, 1.25 to 1.75, and 1.75 or more, and calculates the driver's vehicle speed coefficient α for each classified rank of congestion level β. In S108, which will be described later, it is desirable for the control unit 23 to estimate the driver's vehicle speed at each link using a coefficient corresponding to the rank of congestion level β for each link as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient α. This improves the accuracy of the control unit 23 in calculating the estimated time of arrival at the destination.

[0053] The speed coefficient α of driver 4 may be a coefficient obtained for each number of lanes in the link Lx that vehicle 10 traveled while being driven by driver 4. The more lanes in a link there are, the less affected the speed of the vehicle in front is, making it possible to accurately calculate the speed coefficient α of driver 4. In S108, which will be described later, it is desirable for the control unit 23 to estimate the speed of driver 4 in each link by using a coefficient corresponding to the number of lanes in each link as the speed coefficient α of driver 4. This improves the accuracy of the control unit 23 in calculating the estimated time of arrival at the destination.

[0054] The driver's speed coefficient α may be a coefficient obtained for each season (for example, spring, summer, autumn, and winter) in which the vehicle 10 is driven by driver 4 and travels along link Lx. If the link on which driver 4 travels leads to a tourist destination that is crowded with tourists in each season, seasonal differences may affect the driver's speed. In S108, described later, it is desirable for the control unit 23 to estimate the driver's speed on each link using a coefficient for each link corresponding to the season in which driver 4 plans to travel with the vehicle 10, as the driver's speed coefficient α. This improves the accuracy of the control unit 23 in calculating the estimated time of arrival at the destination.

[0055] The driver's speed coefficient α may be a coefficient obtained for each weather condition when the vehicle 10 is driven by driver 4 and travels along link Lx. If the weather when driver 4 travels along the link is, for example, sunny, light rain, heavy rain, thunderstorm, or snowfall, the difference in weather may affect the driver's speed. In S108, described later, it is desirable for the control unit 23 to estimate the driver's speed at each link using a coefficient for each link corresponding to the weather condition in which driver 4 plans to travel with the vehicle 10, as the driver's speed coefficient α. This improves the accuracy of the control unit 23 in calculating the estimated time of arrival at the destination.

[0056] S106: The control unit 35 searches for a route r to the destination Pd that the driver 4 plans to take the vehicle 10, and outputs the searched route r to the information processing device 20.

[0057] When the destination Pd is entered on the navigation application 35A screen and the route search icon is selected, the control unit 35 searches for a route r to the destination Pd. The control unit 35 divides the detected route r into multiple links and outputs the route r along with the information of each link Li (i=1~n) of the divided multiple links to the information processing device 20.

[0058] S107: The control unit 35 outputs a predetermined vehicle speed set for each link Li of the multiple links included in the route r to the information processing device 20.

[0059] In this embodiment, the predetermined vehicle speed set for each link Li is assumed to be the statistical vehicle speed Ti (i=1~n), but is not limited to this. The statistical vehicle speed Ti is statistical data of the vehicle speeds of multiple vehicles that have traveled along each link Li of the multiple links.

[0060] S108: The control unit 23 estimates the driver's vehicle speed Si (i=1~n) at each link Li by multiplying the driver's vehicle speed coefficient α by the statistical vehicle speed Ti set for each link Li of the multiple links included in the route r to the destination Pd, on which the driver 4 plans to travel with the vehicle 10, as shown on the navigation application 35A.

[0061] The vehicle speed Si of the driver 4 estimated by the control unit 23 may be the average vehicle speed Si(av) while traveling through each link Li.

[0062] S109: The control unit 44 of the server device 40 detects the status of each link Li using the road monitoring sensor 42A.

[0063] When the control unit 23 obtains information on each link Li of the multiple links along with the route r to the destination Pd, it requests the navigation device 30 to obtain the status of each link Li detected by the sensor 42A from the server device 40.

[0064] The status of each link Li is determined from images captured by a video camera included in the road monitoring sensor 42A, and includes information such as whether or not congestion is occurring, and the number of lanes in each link Li, but is not limited to these.

[0065] S110: The control unit 44 transmits the status of each link Li detected by the sensor 42A to the navigation device 30.

[0066] The control unit 35 may display the status of each link Li received from the server device 40 on the navigation application 35A, along with the route r and information on each link Li of the multiple links.

[0067] S111: The control unit 35 outputs the status of each link Li obtained from the server device 40 to the information processing device 20.

[0068] S112: The control unit 23 calculates the time required for the driver 4 to travel along each link Li, based on the distance Di (i=1~n) of each link Li and the vehicle speed Si of the driver 4 at each link Li estimated in S108.

[0069] S113: The control unit 23 calculates the estimated arrival time td for the driver 4 to arrive at the destination Pd based on the time required for each link Li.

[0070] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a route r traveled by vehicle 10. In the example shown in Figure 3, the route r from the starting point Ps to the destination Pd includes five links: L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. As shown in Figure 3, a link is a road section between two nodes Ni. As shown in Figure 3, for example, link L2 is a road section between nodes N2 and N3.

[0071] The control unit 23 acquires the status of each link Li via the navigation device 30. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams and tables illustrating the calculation of the time required to travel along each link Li. Driver 4 drives the vehicle 10 along the route r from the starting point Ps to the destination Pd, as shown in Figure 4. The control unit 23 assumes that it has acquired the status of L2, which is a link with 1 lane, and that congestion is occurring at L4, out of the five links L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 included in route r. The control unit 23 divides the five links into one or more links (hereinafter referred to as link La) and the remaining links (hereinafter referred to as link Lb), according to the status of each of the acquired links. The control unit 23 calculates the estimated arrival time td for driver 4 to arrive at the destination Pd in ​​the following steps (1) to (4).

[0072] The control unit 23 selects at least one link from among the multiple links that is not experiencing congestion as link La. In this example, the control unit 23 selects a link experiencing congestion as link Lb, but it may change whether it selects a link experiencing congestion as link La or link Lb depending on the number of lanes. The control unit 23 further selects at least one link with two or more lanes as link La from among the multiple links. In this example, the control unit 23 selects a link with one lane as link Lb, but it may change whether it selects a link with one lane as link La or link Lb depending on whether or not congestion is occurring. The control unit 23 determines that a link is experiencing congestion if, among the multiple links, a line of vehicles traveling at a low speed below a specified speed, or a line of vehicles repeatedly stopping and starting, continues for a specified length and for a specified time or longer.

[0073] (1) The control unit 23 calculates the time Hi required for driver 4 to travel along link La by dividing the distance Di of link La by the estimated vehicle speed Si of driver 4 at link La. In Figures 4 and 5, links La are link L1, link L3, and link L5. The distance D1 of link L1 is 2 km and the vehicle speed S4 of driver 4 is 48 km / h, so the time H1 required for driver 4 to travel along link L1 is calculated to be 2.5 minutes. Similarly, the time H3 required for driver 4 to travel along link L3 is calculated to be 2.5 minutes, and the time H5 required for driver 4 to travel along link L5 is calculated to be 2.5 minutes.

[0074] (2) The control unit 23 calculates the time Hi required for driver 4 to travel along each link Lb by dividing the distance of link Lb by the statistical vehicle speed Ti at link Lb on the navigation application 35A. In Figures 4 and 5, the control unit 23 selects link L2 as link Lb because link L2 is a link with 1 lane. The control unit 23 also selects link L4 as link Lb because traffic congestion is occurring at link L4. The distance D2 of link L2 is 2 km and the statistical vehicle speed Ti is 30 km / h, so the time H2 required for driver 4 to travel along link L1 is calculated to be 4 minutes. Similarly, the distance D4 of the congested link L4 is 2 km and the statistical vehicle speed Ti is 5 km / h, so the time H4 required for driver 4 to travel along link L4 is calculated to be 24 minutes.

[0075] (3) The control unit 23 calculates the total time Ht required for the driver 4 to travel to destination Pd by adding the calculated required times H1, 3, and 5 for each link La and the required times H2 and 4 for each link Lb. The total time Ht is calculated to be 35.5 minutes by adding the required times H1, H2, H3, H4, and H5 for each link Li.

[0076] (4) The control unit 23 calculates the estimated arrival time td of the driver 4 arriving at the destination Pd based on the departure time ts of the departure point Ps and the total travel time Ht calculated in (3) above. For example, if the departure time ts is 13:00, the estimated arrival time td is calculated to be 13:35 minutes 30 seconds.

[0077] S114: The control unit 23 outputs the calculated estimated arrival time to the navigation device 30.

[0078] S115: The control unit 35 outputs the calculated estimated arrival time td as part of the screen display or voice guidance of the navigation application 35A.

[0079] As described above, the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment obtains a vehicle speed coefficient α of the driver 4 by dividing the vehicle speed Sx of the driver 4 in the link Lx that the vehicle 10 traveled on while being driven by the driver 4 by a predetermined vehicle speed set for link Lx on the navigation application 35A. Using the vehicle speed coefficient α of the driver 4, the device estimates the vehicle speed Si of the driver 4 in each link Li of the multiple links included in the route r to the destination Pd on which the driver 4 plans to travel with the vehicle 10. From the distance Di of each link Li and the estimated vehicle speed Si of the driver 4 in each link Li, the device calculates the estimated arrival time td when the driver 4 will arrive at the destination Pd.

[0080] With this configuration, the vehicle speed Si of driver 4 is estimated using the vehicle speed coefficient α of driver 4 as driver 4 travels through each link Li of the multiple links included in the route r to destination Pd. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the estimated arrival time td of vehicle 10 to the destination based on a vehicle speed that does not deviate from the actual vehicle speed of driver 4. Thus, the accuracy of calculating the estimated arrival time td to destination Pd is improved, and the technology for calculating the vehicle's arrival time to the destination is improved. One or more or all of the multiple links may be links that driver 4 has never traveled through before.

[0081] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two.

[0082] For example, in the above-described embodiment, it is also possible to have an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the information processing device 20 are distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. Furthermore, for example, it is also possible to have an embodiment in which some or all of the components of the information processing device 20 are provided in the vehicle 10. For example, a navigation device 30 mounted in the vehicle 10 may comprise some or all of the components of the information processing device 20.

[0083] Furthermore, for example, in the embodiment described above, statistical vehicle speed was used for the predetermined vehicle speed of each link. However, the predetermined vehicle speed may be a vehicle speed independently set for each link by the manufacturer of the navigation device 30 or the developer of the navigation application.

[0084] Furthermore, it is also possible to implement an embodiment in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 20 according to the above embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content that realizes each function of the information processing device 20 according to the above embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the processor reads and executes the program. Therefore, this disclosure can also be implemented as a program that can be executed by a processor, or as a non-temporary computer-readable medium that stores said program.

[0085] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Note 1] In a link where the vehicle is driven by the driver, the driver's vehicle speed is obtained as measured by a vehicle speed sensor mounted on the vehicle, and the driver's vehicle speed coefficient is calculated by dividing the obtained driver's vehicle speed by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the link in the navigation application, and the driver's vehicle speed in each link is estimated by multiplying the driver's vehicle speed coefficient by a predetermined vehicle speed set for each of the multiple links included in the route to the destination that the driver plans to travel on in the navigation application, and the state of each link is obtained as detected by a road monitoring sensor in each link. An information processing device comprising a control unit that, in accordance with the acquired status of each link, selects one or more links from the plurality of links, calculates the time required for each link for the driver to travel the vehicle by dividing the distance of the one or more links by the estimated vehicle speed of the driver in the one or more links, and divides the distance of the remaining links by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the remaining links in the navigation application, calculates the estimated arrival time for the driver to arrive at the destination based on the calculated time required for each link, and outputs the calculated estimated arrival time as part of the screen display or voice guidance of the navigation application. [Note 2] Information processing device comprising: an information processing device that obtains a driver's vehicle speed coefficient obtained by dividing the driver's vehicle speed on a link driven by the driver by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the link on a navigation application; estimates the driver's vehicle speed at each of a plurality of links included in the route to the destination on which the driver plans to drive the vehicle, using the driver's vehicle speed coefficient; and calculates an estimated arrival time when the driver will arrive at the destination from the distance of each link and the estimated driver's vehicle speed at each link. [Note 3] The information processing device described in Appendix 2, The control unit calculates the time required for the driver to travel the vehicle on each of the links by dividing the distance of one or more of the plurality of links by the estimated vehicle speed of the driver on one or more of the links, and by dividing the distance of the remaining links by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the remaining links on the navigation application, and calculates the estimated arrival time based on the calculated time required for each of the links. [Note 4] The information processing device described in Appendix 3, The control unit is an information processing device that selects at least one link from among the plurality of links that is not experiencing congestion. [Note 5] The information processing device described in Appendix 4, The control unit is an information processing device that determines, among the plurality of links, a link in which a line of vehicles traveling at a low speed below a specified speed, or a line of vehicles repeatedly stopping and starting, continues for a specified length and for a specified time or longer, is a link where congestion is occurring. [Note 6] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 3 to 5, The control unit is an information processing device that selects, from among the plurality of links, at least one link having two or more lanes. [Note 7] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 2 to 6, An information processing device, wherein the link on which the vehicle traveled while being driven by the driver is a road section where no congestion occurred during the vehicle's travel. [Note 8] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 2 to 7, An information processing device, wherein the link on which the vehicle traveled while being driven by the driver is a road section having two or more lanes. [Note 9] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 2 to 8, The aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient is a coefficient obtained for each type of link on which the vehicle was driven by the aforementioned driver. The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed at each link using a coefficient corresponding to the type of each link as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient. [Note 10] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 2 to 9, The aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient is a coefficient obtained for each congestion rank of the link through which the vehicle was driven by the aforementioned driver. The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed in each link by using a coefficient corresponding to the congestion rank of each link as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient. [Note 11] The information processing device described in Appendix 10, The aforementioned congestion level is an index represented by the ratio of the traffic volume measured at the corresponding link to the traffic capacity set for each link, and the link on which the vehicle traveled while being driven by the driver. [Note 12] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 2 to 11, The aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient is a coefficient obtained for each number of lanes of the link through which the vehicle was driven by the aforementioned driver. The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed in each link by using a coefficient corresponding to the number of lanes in each link as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient. [Note 13] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 2 to 12, The aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient is a coefficient obtained for each season in which the vehicle is driven by the aforementioned driver and travels along the link. The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed at each link using a coefficient for each link corresponding to the season in which the driver plans to drive the vehicle, as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient. [Note 14] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 2 to 13, The aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient is a coefficient obtained for each weather condition when the vehicle is driven by the aforementioned driver and travels along the link. The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed at each link using a coefficient for each link corresponding to the weather conditions in which the driver plans to drive the vehicle, as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient. [Note 15] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 2 to 14, The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed at each link by multiplying the driver's vehicle speed coefficient by a predetermined vehicle speed set for each link on the navigation application. [Note 16] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 2 to 15, An information processing device wherein the vehicle speed of the driver in each link traveled by the vehicle driven by the driver, and the vehicle speed of the driver in each link estimated by the control unit, are both the average vehicle speed. [Note 17] An information processing device described in any one of the items 2 to 16 of the appendix, A navigation device on which the aforementioned navigation application operates and An information processing system equipped with the following features. [Note 18] A vehicle equipped with the information processing system described in Appendix 17. [Note 19] A program that causes a computer to function as an information processing device as described in any one of the items in Appendix 2 to 16. [Note 20] An information processing method performed by an information processing device, Obtaining a driver's vehicle speed coefficient by dividing the driver's vehicle speed in a link driven by the driver by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the link in the navigation application, Using the aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient, estimate the driver's vehicle speed at each link of the multiple links included in the route to the destination that the driver plans to travel. The estimated time of arrival of the driver at the destination is calculated from the distance of each link and the estimated speed of the driver's vehicle at each link. Information processing methods, including those mentioned above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1 System 2 Network 3. In-vehicle network 4. Driver 5. Sensor Network 10 vehicles 11 Communications Department 12 Measurement section 12A Sensor (Vehicle Speed ​​Sensor) 13 Storage section 14 Control Unit 20 Information Processing Devices 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 30 Navigation System 31 Communications Department 32 Positioning Unit 33 Output section 33A Display 33B Speaker 34 Storage section 35 Control Unit 35A Navigation application (navigation app) 40 Server Devices 41 Communications Department 42 Measurement section 42A Sensor 43 Storage section 44 Control Unit 50 Information Processing Systems

Claims

1. In a link where the vehicle is driven by the driver, the driver's vehicle speed is obtained as measured by a vehicle speed sensor mounted on the vehicle, and the driver's vehicle speed coefficient is calculated by dividing the obtained driver's vehicle speed by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the link in the navigation application, and the driver's vehicle speed in each link is estimated by multiplying the driver's vehicle speed coefficient by a predetermined vehicle speed set for each of the multiple links included in the route to the destination that the driver plans to travel on in the navigation application, and the state of each link is obtained as detected by a road monitoring sensor in each link. An information processing device comprising a control unit that, in accordance with the acquired state of each link, selects one or more links from the plurality of links, divides the distance of the one or more links by the estimated vehicle speed of the driver in the one or more links, and divides the distance of the remaining links by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the remaining links in the navigation application to calculate the time required for each link for the driver to travel the vehicle, calculates the estimated arrival time for the driver to arrive at the destination based on the calculated time required for each link, and outputs the calculated estimated arrival time as part of the screen display or voice guidance of the navigation application.

2. Information processing device comprising: an information processing device that obtains a driver's vehicle speed coefficient obtained by dividing the driver's vehicle speed on a link driven by the driver by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the link on a navigation application; estimates the driver's vehicle speed at each of a plurality of links included in the route to the destination on which the driver plans to drive the vehicle, using the driver's vehicle speed coefficient; and calculates an estimated arrival time when the driver will arrive at the destination from the distance of each link and the estimated driver's vehicle speed at each link.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The control unit calculates the time required for the driver to travel the vehicle on each of the links by dividing the distance of one or more of the plurality of links by the estimated vehicle speed of the driver on one or more of the links, and by dividing the distance of the remaining links by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the remaining links on the navigation application, and calculates the estimated arrival time based on the calculated time required for each of the links.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 3, The control unit is an information processing device that selects at least one link from among the plurality of links that is not experiencing congestion.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 4, The control unit is an information processing device that determines, among the plurality of links, a link in which a line of vehicles traveling at a low speed below a specified speed, or a line of vehicles repeatedly stopping and starting, continues for a specified length and for a specified time or longer, is a link where congestion is occurring.

6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 3, The control unit is an information processing device that selects, from among the plurality of links, at least one link having two or more lanes.

7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, An information processing device, wherein the link on which the vehicle traveled while being driven by the driver is a road section where no congestion occurred during the vehicle's travel.

8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, An information processing device, wherein the link on which the vehicle traveled while being driven by the driver is a road section having two or more lanes.

9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient is a coefficient obtained for each type of link on which the vehicle was driven by the aforementioned driver. The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed at each link using a coefficient corresponding to the type of each link as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient.

10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient is a coefficient obtained for each congestion rank of the link through which the vehicle was driven by the aforementioned driver. The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed in each link by using a coefficient corresponding to the congestion rank of each link as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient.

11. An information processing apparatus according to claim 10, The aforementioned congestion level is an index represented by the ratio of the traffic volume measured at the corresponding link to the traffic capacity set for each link, and the link on which the vehicle traveled while being driven by the driver.

12. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient is a coefficient obtained for each number of lanes of the link through which the vehicle was driven by the aforementioned driver. The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed in each link by using a coefficient corresponding to the number of lanes in each link as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient.

13. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient is a coefficient obtained for each season in which the vehicle is driven by the aforementioned driver and travels along the link. The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed at each link using a coefficient for each link corresponding to the season in which the driver plans to drive the vehicle, as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient.

14. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient is a coefficient obtained for each weather condition when the vehicle is driven by the aforementioned driver and travels along the link. The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed at each link using a coefficient for each link corresponding to the weather conditions in which the driver plans to drive the vehicle, as the driver's vehicle speed coefficient.

15. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The control unit is an information processing device that estimates the driver's vehicle speed at each link by multiplying the driver's vehicle speed coefficient by a predetermined vehicle speed set for each link on the navigation application.

16. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, An information processing device wherein the vehicle speed of the driver in each link traveled by the vehicle driven by the driver, and the vehicle speed of the driver in each link estimated by the control unit, are both the average vehicle speed.

17. An information processing device according to any one of claims 2 to 16, A navigation device on which the aforementioned navigation application operates and An information processing system equipped with the following features.

18. A vehicle equipped with the information processing system described in claim 17.

19. A program that causes a computer to function as an information processing device according to any one of claims 2 to 16.

20. An information processing method performed by an information processing device, Obtaining a driver's vehicle speed coefficient by dividing the driver's vehicle speed in a link driven by the driver by a predetermined vehicle speed set for the link in the navigation application, Using the aforementioned driver's vehicle speed coefficient, estimate the driver's vehicle speed at each link of the multiple links included in the route to the destination that the driver plans to travel. The estimated time of arrival of the driver at the destination is calculated from the distance of each link and the estimated speed of the driver's vehicle at each link. Information processing methods, including those mentioned above.

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