Travel status estimation device, travel status estimation method, and program

Abstract

To improve the accuracy of estimating an arrival time on a walking route.SOLUTION: A server 100 estimates a walking time of a user 1 on a walking route from a current location of the user 1 to a destination by using a movement history DB. A reference information calculation unit 132 calculates the walking time, based on movement history information when an element affecting movement has not occurred. A detection unit 133 detects an element affecting movement that occurs when the user 1 is moving on the walking route. A correction value calculation unit 134 calculates a correction value based on a result of comparison between movement history information when an element affecting the movement has not occurred and movement history information when an element affecting the movement has occurred. A movement state estimation unit 135 corrects, when an element affecting the movement on the walking route is detected, the walking time by using the correction value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a moving situation estimation device, a moving situation estimation method, and a program for estimating a moving situation of a user on a walking route. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are techniques for estimating the arrival time of a user who is walking along a route to a destination. For example, a technique for estimating the arrival time of a user at a vehicle dispatch location based on the user's behavior has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-101464 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the arrival time of the user is estimated based on the user's behavior estimated from the user's current location. However, when factors affecting the user's walking occur, or factors affecting the user's movement on the walking route to the destination occur, it is difficult to estimate an appropriate arrival time.

[0005] The present invention aims to improve the accuracy of estimating arrival times along a walking route. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a movement status estimation device that estimates a user's walking time on a walking route from the user's current location to a destination using a movement history database that associates and stores walking information related to the user's walking speed, route information related to the route when walking, and factors that affect the movement that occurred during the walking as the user's movement history information. The movement status estimation device includes a reference information calculation unit that calculates the walking time based on the movement history information when no factors that affect the movement occur, a detection unit that detects factors that affect the movement that occur during the user's movement on the walking route, a correction value calculation unit that calculates a correction value for correcting the walking time based on a comparison result between the movement history information when no factors that affect the movement occur and the movement history information when an element that affects the movement occurs, and a movement status estimation unit that sets the walking time calculated by the reference information calculation unit to the walking time on the walking route when no elements that affect the movement are detected on the walking route, and corrects the walking time calculated by the reference information calculation unit using the correction value and sets the walking time after the correction to the walking time on the walking route when an element that affects the movement is detected on the walking route. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of estimating the arrival time on a walking route. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a simplified system configuration example of a travel status estimation system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the electronic device and the server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing the contents stored in the movement history DB stored in the storage unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of factors that affect the movement of a user when the user is walking. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram showing a map including the current location of a user who owns an electronic device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of transition of a display screen displayed on the input / output unit when a ride-hailing application is started up on the electronic device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a travel status estimation process in the server. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen displayed on the input / output unit based on walking support information transmitted from the server. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example in which a plurality of walking routes selected by the reference information calculation unit are displayed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example in which a plurality of walking routes selected by the reference information calculation unit are displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] [Example of the configuration of a movement status estimation system] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a simplified system configuration example of a travel situation estimation system 200 in this embodiment. The travel situation estimation system 200 is a communication system that provides a vehicle dispatch reservation service, and includes a network 10, an electronic device 20, taxis 31 to 33, and a server 100. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example in which one electronic device 20 exists, but is not limited to this. The travel situation estimation system 200 may include two or more electronic devices. Also, FIG. 1 shows an example in which three taxis 31 to 33 exist, but is not limited to this. The travel situation estimation system 200 may include one, two, or four or more taxis.

[0011] The network 10 is a network such as a public line network, the Internet, etc. Each device constituting the moving status estimation system 200 is connected to the network 10 by a communication method using wireless communication or a communication method using wired communication, or by both methods.

[0012] The electronic device 20 is a portable device that the user 1 can carry with him / her, and is capable of communicating with other devices using wireless or wired communication. As the electronic device 20, various electronic devices and information processing devices, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a portable personal computer, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, etc., can be used. Note that a wearable terminal is a device that can be used while being worn on the clothes or body of the user 1, and examples of such devices include wristwatch-type devices and headphone-type devices.

[0013] A vehicle dispatch application (vehicle dispatch app) used for reserving a taxi is installed in the electronic device 20, and the user 1 can make a reservation for a taxi using the vehicle dispatch app. The vehicle dispatch app is used when reserving the taxis 31 to 33. The vehicle dispatch app also provides a user interface when reserving the taxis 31 to 33.

[0014] The server 100 is an information processing device used for the dispatch reservation service for the taxis 31 to 33, and executes various processes related to the dispatch reservations for the taxis 31 to 33. The server 100 also communicates with the electronic device 20 and the taxis 31 to 33 via the network 10. The location where the server 100 is installed is not particularly limited, but the server 100 is installed, for example, in the management center of the business operator that operates the taxis 31 to 33.

[0015] For example, when the user 1 performs a vehicle reservation operation using a vehicle dispatch application of the electronic device 20, the server 100 accepts information related to the vehicle reservation (vehicle dispatch reservation information) and executes vehicle dispatch processing related to the vehicle reservation. In this case, the server 100 estimates a walking route from the current location of the user 1 to a boarding position designated by the user 1, and estimates the walking time of the user 1 along the walking route. The server 100 also notifies the estimation result to both the user 1 and the assigned taxis 31 to 33. In the following, the boarding position means the boarding position designated by the user 1. The estimation method will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 5 to 7.

[0016] The taxis 31 to 33 are vehicles capable of moving to a destination based on instructions from the server 100, and are equipped with communication devices 35 to 37 capable of communicating with the server 100 via the network 10. For example, an autonomous vehicle without a driver or a normal vehicle with a driver can be used as the taxis 31 to 33. Note that an autonomous vehicle without a driver may be called a robot taxi or an unmanned taxi.

[0017] [Example of electronic device and server functional configuration] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 20 and the server 100. As shown in FIG.

[0018] The server 100 includes a storage unit 110, a communication unit 120, and a control unit 130. In the server 100, these components are electrically connected via a bus (not shown) or the like. Note that a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer can be used as the server 100.

[0019] The storage unit 110 is a storage medium that stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 110 stores various types of information (for example, a control program, a map DB (Database), a customer DB, and a movement history DB shown in FIG. 3) that are necessary for the control unit 130 to perform various processes. The storage unit 110 also stores various types of information acquired via the communication unit 120. As the storage unit 110, for example, various storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) can be used.

[0020] The map DB stores map information required for route guidance, such as road information and facility information. The map information includes road gradients, road intersections, the number of lanes on a road, road width information, and road undulation information. The map information also includes road signs indicating speed limits and one-way streets, as well as road markings indicating crosswalks and dividing lines. The map information may also include facility information such as road structures (e.g., traffic lights and telephone poles) and buildings.

[0021] The customer DB stores account information of users who use the vehicle dispatch reservation service of the travel status estimation system 200, the taxi usage history of each user, attributes of each user, etc. The account information is, for example, a user ID, and is linked to the user ID 111 of the travel history DB shown in FIG.

[0022] The communication unit 120 exchanges various information with other devices using at least one of wired communication and wireless communication under the control of the control unit 130. In this way, the communication unit 120 functions as an input unit and an output unit for transmitting and receiving data. At least one of an input unit and an output unit other than the communication unit 120 may be provided in the server 100, and input and output (for example, display and audio output) of various information may be performed in the server 100. As the communication unit 120, hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, and combinations thereof may be used.

[0023] The control unit 130 controls each unit based on various programs stored in the storage unit 110. The control unit 130 is realized by a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example.

[0024] The control unit 130 includes a vehicle dispatch processing unit 131, a reference information calculation unit 132, a detection unit 133, a correction value calculation unit 134, and a movement status estimation unit 135 as functional components related to vehicle dispatch reservation processing.

[0025] When the vehicle dispatch processing unit 131 receives vehicle dispatch reservation information transmitted from the electronic device 20 in response to the vehicle dispatch reservation operation of the user 1, it executes various vehicle dispatch reservation processes in response to the vehicle dispatch reservation information. This vehicle dispatch reservation information includes location information for identifying the current location of the user 1, location information for identifying the boarding position, information on factors affecting movement, and a user ID. Each piece of location information includes, for example, latitude, longitude, and altitude. In addition, information on factors affecting movement includes, for example, information input at the time of reservation operation in the electronic device 20 and information stored in the storage unit 21 of the electronic device 20 (for example, information on physical condition, information on the presence or absence of luggage, information on the presence or absence of people walking together). In addition, the factors affecting the movement of the user 1 mean the environment that affects the movement of the user 1 and various events that affect the movement of the user 1. In other words, it means various matters that are extraordinary compared to the normal state of the user 1. In addition, specific examples of factors affecting the movement of the user 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0026] The vehicle dispatch processing unit 131 outputs each piece of location information (location information for identifying the current location of the user 1, location information for identifying the boarding location) included in the vehicle dispatch reservation information to the reference information calculation unit 132. In addition, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 131 outputs information on factors that affect travel, included in the vehicle dispatch reservation information, to the detection unit 133.

[0027] Further, the dispatch processing unit 131 assigns an appropriate taxi from among the multiple taxis 31 to 33 based on the dispatch reservation information. For example, the dispatch processing unit 131 assigns an available taxi that is closest to the boarding position desired by the user 1, using the location information (location information indicating the current location of the taxi) transmitted from the communication devices 35 to 37 and the map DB of the storage unit 110. Then, the dispatch processing unit 131 sets a travel route from the current location of the assigned taxi to the boarding position, using the map DB of the storage unit 110, and transmits instruction information to the communication device of the taxi to drive to the boarding position along the set travel route. Note that the taxi travel route thus set is, for example, a route that can arrive in the shortest time among the routes from the current location of the assigned taxi to the boarding position.

[0028] The reference information calculation unit 132 uses the map DB in the storage unit 110 to search for a walking route for the user 1 based on each piece of location information (location information for identifying the current location of the user 1, location information for identifying the boarding location) output from the vehicle dispatch processing unit 131. This walking route is a route from the current location of the user 1 to the boarding location, and is a route that the user 1 can travel on foot. Note that, if there are multiple walking routes that can reach the boarding location, the reference information calculation unit 132 searches for the multiple walking routes.

[0029] Furthermore, the reference information calculation unit 132 uses the movement history DB (see FIG. 3) in the storage unit 110 to calculate the time required (walking time) from the current location of the user 1 to arrive at the boarding position for each of the determined one or more walking routes. The method of calculating this walking time will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. Then, the reference information calculation unit 132 outputs information related to the determined one or more walking routes and the corresponding walking times to the movement status estimation unit 135, and outputs information related to the determined one or more walking routes to the detection unit 133.

[0030] The detection unit 133 detects whether or not there is an element affecting the movement of the user 1 for each walking route, based on information about one or more walking routes output from the reference information calculation unit 132, and outputs the detection result to the correction value calculation unit 134. That is, the detection unit 133 detects whether or not there is an element affecting the movement of the user 1 for each of the one or more walking routes calculated by the reference information calculation unit 132.

[0031] The correction value calculation unit 134 calculates a correction value for correcting the walking time for a walking route on which an element affecting the movement of the user 1 is detected, based on the detection result output from the detection unit 133, by using the movement history DB (see FIG. 3) in the storage unit 110. Then, the correction value calculation unit 134 outputs correction information on the walking route and the corresponding correction value to the movement status estimation unit 135. In this manner, the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates a correction value for correcting one or more walking times calculated by the reference information calculation unit 132. The calculation method of the correction value will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0032] The moving situation estimating unit 135 sets a walking time for one or more walking routes calculated by the reference information calculating unit 132, taking into consideration factors that affect the movement of the user 1. The moving situation estimating unit 135 then outputs information on the set walking time and the walking route corresponding thereto to the dispatch processing unit 131. Specifically, the moving situation estimating unit 135 corrects the walking time of the walking route in which the factor that affects the movement of the user 1 is detected based on the correction information output from the correction value calculating unit 134, and sets the corrected walking time as the walking time of the walking route. On the other hand, for the walking route in which the factor that affects the movement of the user 1 is not detected, the walking time calculated by the reference information calculating unit 132 is set. The method of correcting the walking time will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0033] The dispatch processor 131 also transmits to the electronic device 20 walking support information including a notification that a dispatch reservation from the user 1 has been accepted, the walking time to the boarding position, and the driving route to the boarding position. The dispatch processor 131 also stores a movement history including the walking route and the walking time in a movement history DB as necessary. The dispatch processor 131 also transmits the walking time to the boarding position of the user 1 to the communication device of the allocated taxi.

[0034] The electronic device 20 includes a storage unit 21, a communication unit 22, a position information acquisition unit 23, an input unit 24, a control unit 25, and an output unit 26. Each of the storage unit 21, the communication unit 22, the position information acquisition unit 23, the input unit 24, and the output unit 26 may be built into the electronic device 20 or may be a separate unit that can be removed from the electronic device 20.

[0035] The storage unit 21 is a storage medium that stores various information. For example, the storage unit 21 stores various information (for example, a control program, a vehicle dispatching application) required for the control unit 25 to perform various processes. The storage unit 21 also stores various information acquired via the communication unit 22. As the storage unit 21, for example, various storage media such as a ROM, a RAM, and a HDD can be used.

[0036] The communication unit 22 exchanges various information with other devices by using at least one of wired communication and wireless communication under the control of the control unit 25. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the communication unit 22 communicates with the server 100 via the network 10. The configuration of the communication unit 22 may be the same as that of the communication unit 120 of the server 100.

[0037] The location information acquisition unit 23 acquires location information on the location where the electronic device 20 is located, and outputs the acquired location information to the control unit 25. The location information acquisition unit 23 can be realized by, for example, a GNSS receiver that acquires location information using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The location information includes data on the location such as latitude, longitude, and altitude at the time of receiving the GNSS signal. The location information may be acquired by other location information acquisition methods. For example, the location information may be derived using information from an access point or base station present in the vicinity. For example, the location information may be derived using a location estimation technique by a navigation device. The location information of the electronic device 20 acquired by the location information acquisition unit 23 may be transmitted to the server 100 at any timing, or may be included in the vehicle dispatch reservation information when the vehicle dispatch reservation information is transmitted to the server 100.

[0038] The input unit 24 receives operation input for operating the electronic device 20. For example, the input unit 24 can be a user interface such as various operating members (for example, switches and buttons) or a touch panel.

[0039] The control unit 25 controls each unit based on various programs stored in the storage unit 21. The control unit 25 is realized by a processing device such as a CPU, for example.

[0040] The output unit 26 outputs various information based on the control of the control unit 25. For example, a display panel such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel, or an audio output unit (e.g., a speaker) that outputs various sounds can be used as the output unit 26. The input unit 24 and the output unit 26 can be integrally configured using a user interface such as an input / output panel that allows a user to perform an operation input by touching or approaching the display surface with his / her finger. FIGS. 6, 8 to 10 show an example in which the input unit 24 and the output unit 26 are integrally configured as an input / output unit 27.

[0041] Although an example of the configuration of the communication devices 35 to 37 provided in the taxis 31 to 33 is not shown in the drawings, each configuration of the communication devices 35 to 37 can be substantially similar to the configuration of the electronic device 20. The communication units of the communication devices 35 to 37 communicate with the server 100 via the network 10. Moreover, the taxi position information acquired by the position information acquisition units of the communication devices 35 to 37 is transmitted to the server 100 at a predetermined timing. Moreover, the taxis 31 to 33 are provided with a vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit). This vehicle ECU controls various actuators (such as a brake actuator, an accelerator actuator, and a steering actuator) based on control information received from the server 100.

[0042] [Example of contents stored in movement history DB] Fig. 3 is a simplified diagram showing the stored contents of the movement history DB stored in the storage unit 110. Note that, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which a movement history DB different from the customer DB is provided, but the stored contents of the movement history DB may be included in the customer DB, and the stored contents shown in Fig. 3 may be managed in the customer DB.

[0043] The movement history DB is a database that accumulates and manages past movement histories for each user at the time of vehicle reservation. Specifically, as past movement histories, route information 112 regarding the user's walking route, walking information regarding the walking speed (walking speed 115 in FIG. 3), and factors 116 that affect the movement that occurred during walking are stored in the movement history DB in association with each other. In other words, as past movement histories, the speed at which the user walked the walking route at the time of vehicle reservation, the gradient of the walking route, and the length of the walking route walked by the user are stored. FIG. 3 shows an example in which movement histories of at least three people (user IDs are "NM001", "NM002", and "NM003") are stored.

[0044] The user ID 111 is identification information given to each user.

[0045] The route information 112 is road data related to the route walked by the user when reserving a vehicle in the past, and indicates the characteristics of the route. In Fig. 3, for ease of explanation, only the gradient 114 and the link length 113 are illustrated as the route information 112, but other road data such as the road altitude, the number of lanes on the road, the road width, and the road undulations may also be stored in association with the route information 112.

[0046] Link length 113 means the length of one or more links that make up a walking route. Here, a link means a road section between characteristic points of the road, and may also mean the shape of the road section. Furthermore, characteristic points of a road are intersections, corners, dead ends, etc., and are also called nodes. That is, a link means a road section that is set based on a predetermined rule. In other words, a link means a unit obtained by dividing a recorded section of a movement history based on a predetermined rule.

[0047] For example, a section from one intersection to another on a road can be set as one link. Referring to the walking route R1 from the user 1 to the boarding position 2 on the map 5 shown on the right side of Fig. 5, the walking route R1 includes six intersections. Therefore, when the recorded section of the movement history is the walking route R1, each of the seven sections divided by the six intersections is set as one link, and the length of each of these sections is recorded as the link length.

[0048] Also, for example, a section of a road with a constant gradient can be set as one link. With reference to a walking route R1 from a user 1 to a boarding position 2 in a map 5 shown on the right side of Fig. 5, it is assumed that the walking route R1 is a flat road with a gradient of 0. In this case, when the recorded section of the movement history is the walking route R1, the section of the walking route R1 is recorded as one link.

[0049] The gradient 114 means the gradient of the road section for which the length of the link length 113 is obtained. That is, the link length 113 stores the length of each link that constitutes the walking route of the travel history, and the gradient 114 stores the gradient of each of those links.

[0050] As information related to roads, the above-mentioned links, link lengths, and link gradients can be acquired based on map information stored in the map DB of the storage unit 110. Moreover, map information may be acquired from an external device via the communication unit 120 and used.

[0051] The walking speed 115 is the actual walking speed when the user walked in the past along the road section corresponding to the link length 113 and the gradient 114. This walking speed can be acquired based on the position information periodically acquired by the position information acquisition unit 23 of the electronic device 20. That is, since the transition when the user 1 walks along the road section recorded in the link length 113 and the gradient 114 can be acquired based on the position information, the walking speed is calculated based on the transition.

[0052] The factors 116 affecting movement refer to factors that affect the walking speed of the user due to the user's walking environment, the occurrence of an event, etc. In FIG. 3, weather, physical condition, luggage, friends, family, and events are exemplified as factors affecting movement. However, this embodiment is not limited to these, and other information may be used as factors affecting movement. For example, since the air is thin at high altitudes, it may affect the walking speed of the user, and therefore it is possible to use these as factors affecting movement. The factors affecting movement, such as weather, physical condition, luggage, friends, and family, will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0053] In FIG. 3, for ease of explanation, an example is shown in which the elements 116 affecting movement are stored as "clear" or "rainy" for the weather, "good" or "bad" for the physical condition, and "yes" or "no" for the luggage, friends, family, and events. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, three or more types of states or environments may be set for each element, and these three or more types of states or environments may be used. This can further improve the estimation accuracy of the walking speed. For example, the weather can store "clear", "cloudy", "rain", "snow", "storm", etc., and the physical condition can store "very good", "good", "slightly bad", "very bad", etc. In addition, the luggage can store "light luggage", "heavy luggage", "none", etc., and the number of friends can store "none", "1 person", "2 people", "3 people", etc. In addition, the number of family members can store "none", "2 adults", "4 people including children", etc., and the event can store specific events such as festivals and exhibitions.

[0054] [Example of storage in movement history DB] Here, it is assumed that a user 1 who possesses the electronic device 20 uses a vehicle dispatch reservation service provided by the travel status estimation system 200. In this case, the user accesses the server 100 using the electronic device 20 and performs various procedures for membership registration. This enables the user 1 to use the vehicle dispatch reservation service.

[0055] The user 1 who has registered as a member to use the vehicle dispatch reservation service inputs, as necessary, his / her physical condition, whether or not he / she has luggage, whether or not he / she has friends or family together, and whether or not he / she has any event through the input unit 24 of the electronic device 20. The control unit 25 of the electronic device 20 stores each piece of input information input through the input unit 24 in the storage unit 21. If the electronic device 20 is a device such as a smart watch that can be worn on the body of the user 1 and used, the physical condition of the user 1 is managed by the electronic device 20 based on various measurement results. For this reason, the physical condition managed by the electronic device 20 can be sequentially stored in the storage unit 21 and used. In addition, whether or not he / she has luggage, whether or not he / she has friends or family together may be estimated based on the schedule of the user 1 managed by the electronic device 20. For example, if it is a time period when he / she plans to go to a shopping center with his / her family, it can be estimated that he / she is with his / her family and has luggage.

[0056] In addition, when the user 1 makes a vehicle reservation using the electronic device 20, the control unit 25 of the electronic device 20 periodically acquires the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 23 and stores it in the memory unit 21.

[0057] Then, the control unit 25 associates the information on the user's walking thus acquired with each piece of information stored in the storage unit 21 (such as the user's physical condition, the presence or absence of luggage, whether a friend is with the user, whether a family member is with the user, etc.), and transmits the information to the server 100 at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing can be, for example, the timing when the user arrives at the boarding position or the timing when a predetermined time (for example, 12:00 p.m.) is reached.

[0058] When the control unit 130 of the server 100 receives information related to the user's walking and each piece of information stored in the storage unit 21 from the electronic device 20, the control unit 130 obtains a walking route and walking speed based on each piece of received information. Then, the control unit 130 associates the walking speed, route information corresponding to the walking route, and factors that affect the movement corresponding to the route information, and stores them in the movement history DB of the storage unit 110 for each user. Note that the factors that affect the movement can be identified based on each piece of information stored in the storage unit 21 and information that can be acquired from other devices via the communication unit 120.

[0059] [Comparison of walking patterns depending on the presence or absence of factors that affect movement] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of factors that affect the movement of a user when walking. In Fig. 4, the walking speed at the time of a reservation for a ride when no factors affecting the movement occur is shown by the length of arrow 42, and the range based on that length is shown by dotted line 40. As a comparative example, the walking speed at normal times without a reservation for a ride (i.e., when no factors affecting the movement occur) is shown by the length of arrow 41, and the range based on that length is shown by dotted line 47.

[0060] In FIG. 4, the walking speed at the time of vehicle reservation in the case where a factor affecting movement occurs is indicated by the length of arrows 43 to 46.

[0061] For example, when making a reservation for a ride, many people want to get to the reserved boarding location quickly, so they often walk faster. For this reason, as shown by arrow 42, people often walk faster when making a reservation for a ride than they normally do. Also, there may be a discrepancy between the walking speed of a general user and the walking speed of user 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the walking time is calculated using the movement history of user 1 at the time of the reservation for a ride.

[0062] Also, for example, when it rains, people often walk slower because they are walking while holding an umbrella. Therefore, as shown by the arrow 43, walking in the rain when making a reservation for a car dispatch is often slower than the walking speed when making a reservation for a car dispatch when no factors affecting the movement are occurring. Also, when carrying luggage, people often walk slower because of the load of the luggage. Therefore, as shown by the arrow 44, walking when making a reservation for a car dispatch when there is luggage is often slower than the walking speed when making a reservation for a car dispatch when no factors affecting the movement are occurring. Also, when walking with friends, people often walk slower because they often walk while talking with their friends. Therefore, as shown by the arrow 45, walking when making a reservation for a car dispatch when there are friends is often slower than the walking speed when making a reservation for a car dispatch when no factors affecting the movement are occurring. Also, when there is a family, people often walk slower because they often walk while talking with their family. In particular, when walking with small children, people often walk even slower because they often walk while taking care of the children. For this reason, as shown by arrow 46, the walking speed when reserving a ride when family members are present is often slower than the walking speed when reserving a ride when no factors affecting mobility are occurring.

[0063] In this way, when factors affecting travel occur, the walking speed often becomes slower than the walking speed at the time of vehicle dispatch reservation when factors affecting travel do not occur. Therefore, in this embodiment, when factors affecting travel occur, the walking time is corrected taking into account the influence of the factors.

[0064] [Example of walking route selection] Fig. 5 is a simplified diagram showing a map 5 including a current location of a user 1 who owns an electronic device 20. Fig. 5 assumes that the user 1 has booked a taxi using a ride-hailing app. Note that in this embodiment, a case is shown as an example in which the user specifies a location (boarding location 2) indicated by a dotted circle as the boarding location of the reserved taxi.

[0065] The left side of Fig. 5 shows the relationship between the current location of user 1 on map 5 and boarding position 2. The right side of Fig. 5 shows walking routes R1 to R4 selected as walking route candidates by the reference information calculation unit 132. Walking routes R1 to R4 are roads connecting the current location of user 1 and boarding position 2, and are routes that user 1 can travel on foot. Note that it is also possible to set routes other than walking routes R1 to R4 as walking routes, but for ease of explanation, only four routes are illustrated in this example.

[0066] The reference information calculation unit 132 selects the walking routes R1 to R4 using the dispatch reservation information transmitted from the electronic device 20 and the map DB of the storage unit 110. A publicly known selection method can be used as the method for selecting the walking route. For example, walkable roads are selected from among roads within a predetermined range including the current location of the user 1 and the boarding position 2. Then, from the selected walkable roads, a walking route is selected based on a predetermined selection condition. When the predetermined selection condition is distance, a road that is the shortest distance connecting the current location of the user 1 and the boarding position 2 is selected. When multiple walking routes are selected, from the selected walkable roads, roads that are the second to Nth shortest distances connecting the current location of the user 1 and the boarding position 2 (N is an integer such that N≧2) are sequentially selected. In addition, a selection condition that preferentially selects roads with a high walking frequency by referring to the past walking history of multiple users may be used, or a selection condition that preferentially selects roads with a good walking environment by considering the width of the road and the walking environment such as a pedestrian-only road may be used.

[0067] [Screen display example when reserving a vehicle] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of transition of a display screen displayed on the input / output unit 27 when a ride-hailing app is started up in the electronic device 20. Fig. 6 shows an example of setting a walking route R1 that is the shortest walking route from the current location of the user 1 to the boarding position 2. Note that, although an example in which a boarding time is not specified is shown in this embodiment, a boarding time may be specified.

[0068] The left side of FIG. 6 shows a display example when the user 1 specifies a taxi boarding position on the map 5 after starting the ride-hailing app. When the ride-hailing app is started on the electronic device 20, a ride-hailing reservation operation screen 51 is displayed on the input / output unit 27. The ride-hailing reservation operation screen 51 displays a map 5 including the current location of the user 1, and displays a message at the top of the screen instructing the user to make a taxi reservation and to specify the taxi boarding position and press confirm. In addition, a current location indicator 61 indicating the current location of the user 1 is displayed on the map 5 of the ride-hailing reservation operation screen 51. In FIG. 6, a dotted circle 62 is shown at a position corresponding to the boarding position 2 shown in FIG. 5.

[0069] In order to specify a boarding position on the vehicle dispatch reservation operation screen 51, the user 1 performs a designation operation to designate the position indicated by the dotted circle 62. For example, a touch operation is performed by touching the position indicated by the dotted circle 62 on the input / output unit 27. When this designation operation is performed, a boarding position indicator 63 is displayed at the designated position. The boarding position indicator 63 allows the user 1 to confirm the designated position. After confirming the designated position, the user 1 performs a confirmation operation by pressing a confirmation button. When the confirmation operation is performed, the control unit 25 of the electronic device 20 transmits vehicle dispatch reservation information to the server 100. This vehicle dispatch reservation information includes location information on the current location of the user 1, location information on the boarding position, and a user ID. In addition, when information on factors affecting travel is input by the user or is held in the storage unit 21, each piece of information is included in the vehicle dispatch reservation information and transmitted.

[0070] The server 100 that receives the vehicle dispatch reservation information executes the process of selecting a walking route and the process of calculating the walking time along the walking route, as described above. The server 100 then transmits the result of this process, that is, walking support information, to the electronic device 20. An example of the display of the input / output unit 27 after receiving this walking support information is shown on the right side of Fig. 6. Note that each process in the server 100 when vehicle dispatch reservation information is received will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 7.

[0071] As shown on the right side of FIG. 6, the control unit 25 of the electronic device 20 causes the input / output unit 27 to display a walking support screen 53 for supporting walking from the current location of the user 1 to the boarding position specified by the user 1, based on the walking support information transmitted from the server 100. The walking support screen 53 displays a walking route from the current location marker 61 to the boarding position marker 63 as an arrow marker 64, together with a current location marker 61 and a boarding position marker 63. In addition, the walking support screen 53 displays a walking time display area 54 on a map. In the walking time display area 54, an estimated walking time when the user 1 walks the walking route indicated by the arrow marker 64, based on the walking support information transmitted from the server 100, is displayed. In addition, the upper display area of ​​the walking support screen 53 displays the estimated walking time together with a message for supporting walking.

[0072] Although not described in this embodiment, the walking support screen may display guidance for heading to the boarding position along the walking route, as in a well-known navigation system. Also, the walking time displayed on the walking support screen may be decreased according to the user's walking speed, and may display "0" when the user arrives at the boarding position.

[0073] [Server operation example] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a travel status estimation process in the server 100. In this process example, the server 100 receives vehicle dispatch reservation information from the electronic device 20. This process example is executed by the control unit 130 based on a program stored in the storage unit 110. Fig. 7 will be described with reference to the configurations shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the display example shown in Fig. 6.

[0074] In step S301, the vehicle allocation processing unit 131 receives vehicle allocation reservation information transmitted from the electronic device 20 via the communication unit 120. Upon receiving this vehicle allocation reservation information, the vehicle allocation processing unit 131 executes various vehicle allocation processes according to the vehicle allocation reservation information.

[0075] In step S302, the reference information calculation unit 132 obtains a walking route and walking time from the current location of the user 1 to the boarding position. Specifically, the reference information calculation unit 132 executes a selection process of a walking route of the user 1 using the map DB of the storage unit 110 based on the position information (position information related to the current location of the user 1, position information related to the boarding position) included in the received ride-hailing reservation information. For example, the reference information calculation unit 132 selects walking routes R1 to R4 (see FIG. 5) as walking route candidates. In addition, the reference information calculation unit 132 executes a calculation process of a walking time for each of the selected walking routes R1 to R4 using the movement history DB of the storage unit 110 (see FIG. 3).

[0076] Here, an example is shown in which the walking time on the walking route R1 is calculated by treating the road between intersections as link units. Specifically, the reference information calculation unit 132 divides the walking route R1 into link units. As shown in FIG. 5, the walking route R1 includes six intersections. Therefore, the reference information calculation unit 132 divides the walking route R1 into seven sections separated by the six intersections. Next, the reference information calculation unit 132 acquires the gradients corresponding to each of the seven sections on the walking route R1 based on the map information stored in the map DB of the storage unit 110. Next, the reference information calculation unit 132 extracts route information 112 (see FIG. 3) that matches (or approximates) the relationship between each of the seven sections on the walking route R1 and the seven corresponding gradients from the movement history DB of the storage unit 110. In this case, the route information 112 that satisfies the reference condition is extracted. Here, the reference condition means that no factors that affect movement occur. That is, route information 112 that satisfies the criteria conditions is extracted when no specific element is stored in the elements 116 that affect movement (see FIG. 3). Specifically, route information 112 in which "fine" is stored in the weather in the elements 116 that affect movement, "good" is stored in the physical condition, and "none" is stored in the baggage, friends, family, and events is extracted.

[0077] For example, assume that there is a combination of link length and gradient in the movement history DB in which the distance of the first section R11 (see FIG. 5) in the walking route R1 matches the link length 113 (see FIG. 3) and the gradient corresponding to the section R11 matches the gradient 114 (see FIG. 3). In this case, each piece of information associated with the matching combination of link length and gradient is extracted from the movement history DB. For example, assume that the distance of the section R11 is 13 m and the gradient corresponding to the section R11 is 3%. In this case, since the matching combination of link length and gradient exists in the movement history DB, the reference information calculation unit 132 extracts each piece of information (indicated by the rectangular dotted line 117 in FIG. 3) associated with the matching combination of link length and gradient from the movement history DB.

[0078] Then, the reference information calculation unit 132 obtains the walking speed (see FIG. 3) included in each piece of extracted information as the walking speed of the first section R11 of the walking route R1. For example, if the distance of section R11 is 13 m and the gradient corresponding to section R11 is 3%, then "0.4 (m / s)" is extracted from the movement history DB as the walking speed of section R11, as shown by the rectangular dotted line 117 in FIG.

[0079] If the movement history DB does not contain a matching combination of link length and gradient, a gradient that matches or is similar to the gradient of section R11 is extracted from the movement history DB, and each piece of information associated with the extracted gradient is extracted from the movement history DB and used. If the movement history DB contains multiple gradients that match or are similar to the gradient of section R11, an average value of walking speeds associated with the multiple gradients may be calculated and used.

[0080] Then, the reference information calculation unit 132 calculates the walking time for the section R11 based on the walking speed for the section R11 and the distance for the section R11. Specifically, the walking speed can be calculated using the following formula. Walking time for section R11 = distance for section R11 / walking speed for section R11

[0081] Thereafter, the reference information calculation unit 132 similarly calculates the walking time for each of the six sections in the walking route R1 in sequence. Then, the reference information calculation unit 132 can calculate the walking time of the user 1 on the walking route R1 by adding up the walking times calculated for each of the seven sections in the walking route R1.

[0082] Similarly, the reference information calculation unit 132 can calculate the walking times of the user 1 on the other walking routes R2 to R4.

[0083] In step S303, the detection unit 133 determines whether or not an element that affects the movement occurs during movement along the walking route determined in step S302, based on information included in the received vehicle dispatch reservation information and information obtainable via the communication unit 120. Specifically, the detection unit 133 detects whether or not an element that affects the movement of the user 1 exists along the walking routes R1 to R4.

[0084] For example, the detection unit 133 determines whether the user 1 is in good or bad health based on the health information (information related to the physical condition) of the user 1 included in the received vehicle dispatch reservation information. If the user 1 is in bad health, the detection unit 133 determines that there are factors that affect the movement of the user 1 on all of the walking routes R1 to R4.

[0085] Furthermore, for example, the detection unit 133 determines whether the user 1 is carrying luggage, whether the user 1 is with friends, whether the user 1 is with family, etc., based on the luggage information, friend information, family information, etc. of the user 1 included in the received vehicle dispatch reservation information. Then, when the detection unit 133 can identify at least one of the fact that the user 1 is carrying luggage, that the user 1 is with friends, and that the user 1 is with family, it determines that there are factors that affect the movement of the user 1 in all of the walking routes R1 to R4.

[0086] Also, for example, the detection unit 133 determines the weather around the walking routes R1 to R4 based on weather information obtainable via the communication unit 120. Then, when the weather around the walking routes R1 to R4 is rain, snow, storm, etc., the detection unit 133 determines that there are factors that affect the movement of the user 1 in all of the walking routes R1 to R4. Note that the weather information can be obtained, for example, from various websites that provide information on weather.

[0087] Furthermore, for example, the detection unit 133 determines whether or not there is an event or event taking place in the vicinity of the walking routes R1 to R4, based on information about the event or event that can be acquired via the communication unit 120. Then, when the detection unit 133 detects that some event or event is taking place in the vicinity of the walking routes R1 to R4, it determines that there is an element that affects the movement of the user 1 in the walking route on which the event or event is taking place.

[0088] Information about events and activities around the walking routes R1 to R4 can be obtained from various websites that provide information about the areas including the areas around the walking routes R1 to R4, websites that provide the degree of congestion of people on the roads, etc. Information about these events and activities can also be obtained based on information uploaded to a social networking service (SNS). Events and activities refer to various events that gather many people, such as festivals, pedestrian zones, events at stores, athletic meets, concerts, etc.

[0089] If the occurrence of an element affecting the movement is detected, the process proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if the occurrence of an element affecting the movement is not detected, the process proceeds to step S306 since there is no need to correct the walking route and walking time calculated in step S301.

[0090] In step S304, the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates a correction value for correcting the walking time calculated in step S302. Specifically, the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates a correction value for a walking route in which the occurrence of an element affecting movement was detected in step S303, among the walking routes R1 to R4 calculated in step S302. In this case, the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates a correction value for the walking time in the walking route by using a movement history DB (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the detected element. This correction value is calculated by using the past movement history of the user 1 stored in the movement history DB.

[0091] For example, when it is detected in step S303 that the physical condition of the user 1 is poor, the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates correction values ​​for all walking times of the walking routes R1 to R4. In this case, based on a comparison result between each piece of information satisfying the reference condition in the movement history DB (see FIG. 3) (i.e., when the "physical condition" is "good") and each piece of information in which "physical condition" of the elements 116 affecting the movement is stored as "poor" (but other elements satisfy the reference condition (i.e., "weather" is "sunny" and all of "baggage", "friends", "family", and "events" are "none")), a magnification of the walking speed when the "physical condition" is "poor" is calculated relative to the walking speed when the reference condition is satisfied. As a comparison target in this case, each piece of information in the route information 112 in which at least the gradient 114 is the same or approximately the same is used. In addition, when there are multiple pieces of information to be compared, for example, an average value can be used.

[0092] For example, the walking speeds of both pieces of information whose route information 112 matches or nearly matches are compared, and the ratio of the walking speed corresponding to "bad" to the walking speed when the reference condition is satisfied is obtained. For example, assume that the information whose gradient 114 matches is information satisfying the reference condition (indicated by a rectangular dotted line 118 in FIG. 3) and information in which "bad" is stored in the "physical condition" of the element 116 affecting movement (indicated by a rectangular dotted line 119 in FIG. 3). In this case, based on the walking speeds of both pieces of information (0.5 and 0.4), the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates 0.8 as the ratio of the walking speed (0.4) corresponding to "bad" to the walking speed (0.5) when the reference condition is satisfied. That is, the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates 0.8 as the correction value. Note that, here, an example is shown in which each piece of information to be compared is one, but by using a plurality of pieces of information to be compared, the estimation accuracy of the walking speed can be improved.

[0093] Similarly, if it is detected in step S303 that user 1 is carrying luggage, that user 1 is with a friend, that user 1 is with family, that the weather around walking routes R1 to R4 is rain, snow, a storm, etc., the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates correction values ​​for all walking times for walking routes R1 to R4.

[0094] Furthermore, for a walking route where some kind of event or entertainment is being held as detected in step S303, the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates a correction value for the walking time only for that walking route.

[0095] For a walking route where the occurrence of multiple elements is detected as elements affecting movement in step S303, each piece of information corresponding to the multiple elements is used as a comparison target with each piece of information satisfying the standard condition. For example, if it is detected in step S303 that user 1 is carrying luggage and is with a friend, each piece of information in which "Yes" is stored in "Luggage" of elements 116 affecting movement and "Yes" is stored in "Friend" (however, information in which other elements satisfy the standard condition) is used as a comparison target with each piece of information satisfying the standard condition.

[0096] In this example, the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates the correction value every time the server 100 receives vehicle dispatch reservation information, but the correction value may be calculated and stored in advance, and the stored correction value may be supplied. Also, in this example, the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates the correction value when a factor affecting travel is detected in step S303. However, when vehicle dispatch reservation information is received, the correction value calculation unit 134 may calculate the correction value regardless of whether a factor affecting travel is detected or not.

[0097] In this example, the correction value is calculated using each piece of information associated with the user ID 111 of the user 1 who transmitted the vehicle reservation information, but it is also assumed that the information to be compared is not stored. For example, if the user 1 has not made a vehicle reservation in the past when he / she was in poor health, each piece of information in which "poor health" is stored in the "health" of the elements 116 affecting the movement does not exist as history. In this case, when the information to be compared is not stored, the correction value may be calculated using information of another user as a comparison target. In this case, information such as the average value of multiple users can be used as a comparison target. Note that a display example in this case is shown on the right side of FIG. 8.

[0098] In step S305, the travel condition estimation unit 135 corrects one or more walking times for the walking route calculated in step S302 using the correction value calculated in step S304. Specifically, the travel condition estimation unit 135 calculates new walking times that take into account factors that affect travel by multiplying the walking times for the walking routes for which the correction value was calculated by the correction value. For example, if 0.8 is calculated as the correction value for all walking times for walking routes R1 to R4, the travel condition estimation unit 135 multiplies all walking times for walking routes R1 to R4 by 0.8 to calculate new walking times for walking routes R1 to R4.

[0099] In step S306, the dispatch processing unit 131 transmits to the electronic device 20 walking support information including information that the dispatch reservation from the user 1 has been accepted, the walking time to the boarding position, and the walking route to the boarding position. That is, the dispatch processing unit 131 transmits to the electronic device 20 the walking route and walking time calculated in step S302, or the walking route and walking time calculated in step S305. Specifically, when the occurrence of an element affecting the movement is detected in step S303, the dispatch processing unit 131 transmits to the electronic device 20 the walking route and walking time calculated in step S305. On the other hand, when the occurrence of an element affecting the movement is not detected in step S303, the dispatch processing unit 131 transmits to the electronic device 20 the walking route and walking time calculated in step S302. The control unit 25 of the electronic device 20 that has received the walking support information causes the input / output unit 27 (an example of a display unit) to display the walking route and walking time based on the walking support information. In this way, the dispatch processing unit 131 functions as a display control unit that executes control for displaying the walking route and the walking time on the input / output unit 27 (an example of a display unit) of the electronic device 20 in association with each other.

[0100] In addition, the dispatch processing unit 131 transmits the walking time to the boarding position of the user 1 to the communication device of the allocated taxi. As a result, the allocated taxi knows the arrival time at the boarding position of the user 1 based on the walking time, and can arrive at the appropriate time. In this way, the dispatch processing unit 131 functions as a notification control unit that transmits the walking time to the boarding position of the user 1 to the communication device of the taxi.

[0101] 6 shows an example in which only the walking route R1 with the shortest walking time is presented to the user 1. In this case, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 131 selects the walking route R1 with the shortest walking time after correction in step S305 from among the walking routes R1 to R4 selected by the reference information calculation unit 132, and transmits only the walking route R1 and its walking time to the electronic device 20.

[0102] In addition, after transmitting the walking support information to the electronic device 20, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 131, if necessary, associates the vehicle dispatch reservation information corresponding to the walking support information with the location information of the user 1 transmitted from the electronic device 20 in response to the walking support information and stores them in the movement history DB.

[0103] Here, the walking speed of a general user is often different from that of user 1. It is also known that the average walking speed is faster when a vehicle is booked. Therefore, in this embodiment, the movement history of user 1 at the time of vehicle booking is stored in a movement history DB, and the walking time to the boarding position is calculated based on the movement history. In addition, if an element that affects the movement of user 1 occurs on the walking route, a new walking time can be calculated by correcting the walking time based on a correction value that takes the element into account. This can improve the estimation accuracy of the movement status of user 1 on the walking route.

[0104] Here, when an element affecting movement is detected, the walking time is calculated using only the movement history information corresponding to the detected element affecting movement. In this case, the amount of information used to calculate the walking time is small, so the estimation accuracy of the walking time may be reduced. For example, when the weather is rainy, the movement history information on the rainy day may be used, but when there is little movement history information on the rainy day, the estimation accuracy of the walking time may be reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the reference walking time is calculated using the movement history information that satisfies the reference condition with a large amount of information. Then, when an element affecting movement is detected, the walking time is corrected using the movement history information corresponding to the detected element affecting movement. This can improve the estimation accuracy of the movement situation of the user 1 on the walking route.

[0105] [Other display examples] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the display screen displayed on the input / output unit 27 based on the walking support information transmitted from the server 100. Note that each display screen shown on the left and right of Fig. 8 is a modified example of the walking support screen 53 shown on the right of Fig. 6, and the same reference numerals are used to designate parts common to the walking support screen 53.

[0106] The left side of FIG. 8 shows a walking support screen 55 in the case where rain in the vicinity of the walking route R1 is detected as a factor affecting travel. In the upper display area of ​​the walking support screen 55, along with a message for supporting walking and an estimated walking time, information indicating that a factor affecting travel has been detected, such as "It is raining now, so it will take +2 minutes extra time," is displayed. In addition, the walking time display area 56 displays the estimated walking time corrected based on the factor affecting travel. This allows the user 1 to easily understand that the walking time has become longer because a factor affecting travel has been detected.

[0107] 8 shows a walking support screen 57 when rain is detected around the walking route R1 as a factor affecting the movement. However, in this example, since there is no movement history information on rainy days for user 1, the example shows a case where the walking time is corrected using movement history information on rainy days for other people.

[0108] In the upper display area of ​​the walking support screen 57, together with a message for supporting walking and the estimated walking time, information is displayed indicating that a factor affecting movement has been detected and that the walking time has been corrected using other people's movement history information on rainy days. In the upper display area of ​​the walking support screen 57, it is displayed that the movement history at the time of this vehicle reservation is saved. In addition, the walking time display area 58 displays the estimated walking time corrected using other people's movement history information on rainy days. This allows the user 1 to easily understand that the walking time has become longer because a factor affecting movement has been detected and that other people's data has been used.

[0109] [Example of displaying multiple walking routes] 9 and 10 are diagrams showing display examples in which a plurality of walking routes R1 to R4 selected by the reference information calculation unit 132 are displayed. In this case, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 131 transmits the walking routes R1 to R4 selected by the reference information calculation unit 132 and their walking times to the electronic device 20. Note that each display screen shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 is a modified example of the walking support screen 53 shown on the right side of Fig. 6, and the same reference numerals are used to designate parts common to the walking support screen 53.

[0110] 9 shows a walking support screen 70 in which walking routes R1 to R4 are displayed in association with the walking times. The shortest walking time is displayed in the upper display area of ​​the walking support screen 70 together with a message for supporting walking. The shortest walking time is also displayed in the walking time display area 71.

[0111] Moreover, on the map in the walking support screen 70, the walking time calculated for each walking route is displayed in walking time display areas 76-79 together with arrow markers 72-75 representing the multiple walking routes R1-R4. In this way, by displaying the walking time display areas 76-79 superimposed on the arrow markers 72-75 representing the multiple walking routes R1-R4, the user 1 can easily understand the relationship between the walking route and the walking time. Furthermore, since the user 1 has more options for travel when heading to the boarding position, the user 1 can select a walking route according to his / her preference.

[0112] Also, on the walking support screen 70, the arrow markers 72 to 75 representing the multiple walking routes R1 to R4 and the walking time display areas 76 to 79 may be displayed in a distinguishable manner. For example, the walking routes may be distinguished by applying different colors to each walking route, or the thickness of the arrow markers may be changed for each walking route. Also, a priority order (or a recommended order) may be set for the multiple walking routes, and the walking routes may be displayed in a distinguishable manner according to this order. For example, the arrow markers and walking time display area of ​​the walking route with the first priority may be displayed in red, and the arrow markers and walking time display area of ​​the walking route with the second priority may be displayed in blue. Also, the arrow markers and walking time display area of ​​the walking route with the third priority may be displayed in yellow, and the arrow markers and walking time display area of ​​the walking route with the fourth priority may be displayed in green.

[0113] In addition, the arrow markers 72 to 75 representing the multiple walking routes R1 to R4 and the walking time display areas 76 to 79 may be configured to erase any walking routes other than those selected by the user 1, or may be displayed as reference information until the boarding position is reached.

[0114] Fig. 10 shows a walking support screen 80 in the case where an element affecting movement is detected on walking route R1. In this example, it is assumed that elements affecting movement are not detected on other walking routes R2 to R4. In this example, an example is shown in which a festival being held in the vicinity of walking route R1 is detected as an element affecting movement. The display screen shown in Fig. 10 is a modified example of the display screen shown in Fig. 9, and parts common to Fig. 9 are given the same reference numerals.

[0115] The upper display area of ​​the walking support screen 80 displays a message that a factor affecting movement has been detected on walking route R1, which is the shortest distance to the boarding position, and that this has caused the walking time of walking route R1 to be longer. Also, the walking time display area 81 displays the walking time of walking route R2, which is the shortest.

[0116] 9, arrow markers 72 to 75 representing multiple walking routes R1 to R4 and walking time display areas 76 to 79 are displayed on the map on the walking support screen 80. Also, a character marker 82 of "festival" indicating an element that affects movement detected on the walking route R1 is displayed superimposed on the arrow marker 72 representing the walking route R1. This allows the user 1 to easily understand that an element that affects movement has been detected on the walking route R1, which is the shortest distance, and that the walking time has become longer as a result.

[0117] In this embodiment, an example of displaying the walking time along the walking route is shown, but the arrival time at the boarding position may be displayed instead of the walking time. The arrival time at the boarding position can be calculated by adding the estimated walking time to the time when the user 1 made the reservation for the ride. In other words, each piece of information related to the arrival time along the walking route (e.g., walking time, arrival time) can be displayed according to the user 1's preference.

[0118] Although not described in this embodiment, the walking support screen may display guidance for heading to the boarding position along the walking route, as in a well-known navigation system. Also, the guidance may be provided by audio output.

[0119] In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which each process for creating walking support information to be provided to the electronic device 20 is executed in the server 100, but all or part of each process for creating the walking support information may be executed in other devices. In this case, a moving situation estimation system is configured by each device that executes part of each process for creating the walking support information. In addition, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which each DB (map DB, customer DB, moving history DB shown in FIG. 3) used when creating walking support information to be provided to the electronic device 20 is managed in the server 100. However, all or part of these DBs may be managed by one or more devices other than the server 100, and the server 100 may acquire and use the DB managed by the other devices.

[0120] Furthermore, a part (or the whole) of the moving situation estimation system 200 including the functions of the server 100 may be provided by an application that can be provided via the network 10. This application is, for example, SaaS (Software as a Service).

[0121] Further, all or part of each process for creating the walking support information may be executed in the electronic device 20. In this case, the control unit 25 of the electronic device 20 executes all or part of the processes of the reference information calculation unit 132, the detection unit 133, the correction value calculation unit 134, and the movement status estimation unit 135 included in the control unit 130 of the server 100. Further, the storage unit 110 of the electronic device 20 may store some of the above-mentioned DBs (map DB, customer DB, movement history DB). Note that, when the electronic device 20 uses each of these DBs, it may acquire them from an external device and use them.

[0122] 3 are personal data of the user 1, except for the weather. For this reason, information related to factors affecting movement may be managed in the electronic device 20, not in the server 100, and walking support information may be created in the electronic device 20. In this way, when all or part of the processes of the server 100 are executed in the electronic device 20, the electronic device 20 functions as a movement support device and also functions as a movement status estimation device.

[0123] Also, for example, the electronic device 20 may access the server 100 that provides a function of a ride-hailing application, receive the function, and display the execution result of the function transmitted from the server 100 on the browser.

[0124] In this way, in this embodiment, the walking time is estimated using the movement history information of the user 1 at the time of the vehicle dispatch reservation, so that the calculation accuracy of the walking time can be improved and the estimation error of the walking time can be reduced. Even if an element that affects the movement occurs, the walking time to the boarding position can be accurately estimated by taking into account the influence. That is, the estimation accuracy of the arrival time on the walking route can be improved. This allows the user 1 to walk at his / her own moving pace and smoothly board the reserved vehicle. In addition, the waiting time of both the user 1 and the taxi at the boarding position can be shortened. In addition, the taxi can arrive at the boarding position at an appropriate time.

[0125] In this embodiment, an example of estimating the walking route and walking time when the user 1 makes a reservation for a ride has been shown, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the past movement history of the user 1 performing a specific action is stored in a movement history DB, and the movement history DB is used to estimate the walking route and walking time to the destination of the specific action when the user 1 performs the specific action. The specific action is, for example, the action of walking to a meeting place with a friend, the action of walking to a place where a reservation is required, etc.

[0126] Each process shown in this embodiment is executed based on a program for causing a computer to execute each processing procedure. Therefore, this embodiment can also be understood as an embodiment of a program for realizing the function of executing each process, and a recording medium for storing the program. For example, the program can be stored in the storage device of the moving situation estimation device by an update process for adding a new function to the moving situation estimation device. This makes it possible to cause the updated moving situation estimation device to execute each process shown in this embodiment.

[0127] [Configuration and Effects of This Embodiment] The server 100 (an example of a movement status estimation device) according to this embodiment estimates the walking time of user 1 on the walking route from the current location of user 1 to the destination using a movement history DB (see FIG. 3 ) that associates and stores walking speed 115 (an example of walking information) related to the speed at which user 1 walked, route information 112 related to the route taken during the walking, and factors 116 that occurred during the walking and affect the movement, as movement history information of user 1. The server 100 includes a reference information calculation unit 132 that calculates a walking time based on movement history information when no factor influencing movement occurs, a detection unit 133 that detects factors that affect movement that occur during the movement of the user 1 on the walking route, a correction value calculation unit 134 that calculates a correction value for correcting the walking time based on a comparison result between movement history information when no factor influencing movement occurs and movement history information when an element influencing movement occurs, and a movement status estimation unit 135 that sets the walking time calculated by the reference information calculation unit 132 to the walking time on the walking route when no factor influencing movement is detected on the walking route, and corrects the walking time calculated by the reference information calculation unit 132 using the correction value and sets the corrected walking time to the walking time on the walking route when an element influencing movement is detected on the walking route. The movement status estimation device according to this embodiment may be realized by the electronic device 20 or each device constituting the movement status estimation system 200.

[0128] According to such a server 100, the walking time can be estimated using the movement history information of the user 1, thereby improving the calculation accuracy of the walking time of the user 1. Even if a factor that affects movement occurs, the walking time is corrected taking into account the influence, so that the walking time taking into account the influence can be appropriately calculated.

[0129] Furthermore, in the server 100 according to this embodiment, the correction value calculation unit 134 extracts route information 112 corresponding to one or more links constituting a walking route, and calculates a correction value based on a comparison result between the walking speed 115 (an example of walking information) associated with the extracted route information 112 when no factor affecting movement occurs and the walking speed 115 when a factor affecting movement occurs.

[0130] According to such a server 100, the correction value is calculated using the walking speed associated with the route information corresponding to each link that constitutes the walking route, so that the accuracy of the correction value can be improved, and the accuracy of the calculation of the walking time can be improved.

[0131] Furthermore, in the server 100 according to this embodiment, the correction value calculation unit 134 calculates a correction value based on the ratio between the walking speed of user 1 calculated based on the walking speed 115 (an example of walking information) when no factor affecting movement occurs, and the walking speed of user 1 calculated based on the walking speed 115 when a factor affecting movement occurs.

[0132] According to such a server 100, since the correction value is calculated using the ratio of the walking speed, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the correction value and the calculation accuracy of the walking time.

[0133] Furthermore, in the server 100 according to this embodiment, the detection unit 133 detects factors that affect movement based on at least one of the physical condition of the user 1, the environment around the user 1, and the environment around the walking route.

[0134] According to such a server 100, even if factors that affect movement occur, such as the physical condition of user 1, the environment around user 1, or the environment around the walking route, the walking time can be appropriately calculated taking these influences into account.

[0135] In addition, in the server 100 according to this embodiment, the destination is a boarding location where the user boards the vehicle dispatched by reservation by the user 1, and the movement history DB stores movement history information related to walking from the current location of the user 1 at the time of reservation to the boarding location set by reservation. Also, the server 100 further includes a vehicle dispatch processing unit 131 (an example of a notification control unit) that notifies the vehicle of the walking time set by the movement status estimation unit 135.

[0136] According to such a server 100, the walking time of the user 1 to the boarding position can be provided to a vehicle that has been dispatched based on a reservation made by the user 1.

[0137] In addition, in the server 100 according to this embodiment, the reference information calculation unit 132 selects a plurality of walking routes based on the current location and the destination, and calculates the walking time for each of the walking routes when no factor affecting the movement occurs. The detection unit 133 detects factors affecting the movement for each of the plurality of walking routes. The correction value calculation unit 134 calculates a correction value for a walking route in which an element affecting the movement is detected among the plurality of walking routes. The movement status estimation unit 135 sets the walking time calculated by the reference information calculation unit 132 for a walking route in which an element affecting the movement is not detected among the plurality of walking routes to the walking time of the walking route, and sets the walking time corrected using the correction value calculated for the walking route for a walking route in which an element affecting the movement is detected to the walking time of the walking route.

[0138] Such a server 100 can calculate an appropriate walking time for a plurality of walking routes, taking into account factors that affect travel.

[0139] The server 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a vehicle dispatch processing unit 131 (an example of a display control unit) that associates a walking route with a walking time set for the walking route and displays them on the input / output unit 27 (an example of a display unit) of the electronic device 20. When an element affecting movement is detected for a walking route, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 131 displays information indicating that an element affecting movement has been detected and information regarding correction on the input / output unit 27 in association with the walking route and the walking time set for the walking route. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, information indicating that an element affecting movement has been detected (upper display area of ​​the walking support screens 55, 57) and information regarding correction (upper display area of ​​the walking support screens 55, 57) are displayed in association with the walking route (arrow marker 64) and the walking time set for the walking route (walking time display area 56).

[0140] Such a server 100 allows the user 1 to easily understand that an element affecting movement has been detected for the walking route, and that the walking time has been changed due to the influence of the element.

[0141] In addition, in the server 100 according to this embodiment, when multiple walking routes are selected, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 131 (an example of a display control unit) causes the input / output unit 27 (an example of a display unit) to display the multiple walking routes and the walking times set for each of the multiple walking routes by the travel situation estimation unit 135 in an identifiable manner in association with each walking route. For example, for the walking support screens 70 and 80 shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the arrow markers 72 to 75 representing the multiple walking routes R1 to R4 and the walking time display areas 76 to 79 can be displayed in different colors in an identifiable manner.

[0142] According to such a server 100, the user 1 can easily grasp the walking route and the like in which factors influencing movement have been detected by distinguishing display such as color.

[0143] Furthermore, the movement status estimation method according to this embodiment is a movement status estimation method that estimates the walking time of user 1 on the walking route from the current location of user 1 to the destination using a movement history DB that associates and stores walking information related to the walking speed of user 1, route information related to the route taken during the walking, and factors that occurred during the walking and affect the movement, as movement history information of user 1. This movement status estimation method includes a reference information calculation step (step S302) for calculating a walking time based on movement history information when no factor influencing movement occurs, a detection step (step S303) for detecting factors influencing movement that occur during the movement of the user 1 on the walking route, a correction value calculation step (step S304) for calculating a correction value for correcting the walking time based on a comparison result between the movement history information when no factor influencing movement occurs and the movement history information when the factor influencing movement occurs, and a movement status estimation step (step S305) for setting the walking time calculated in the reference information calculation step (step S302) to the walking time on the walking route when no factor influencing movement is detected on the walking route, and correcting the walking time calculated in the reference information calculation step (step S302) using the correction value and setting the walking time after the correction to the walking time on the walking route when an element influencing movement is detected on the walking route. The program according to this embodiment is a program for making a computer realize a movement status estimation function for realizing such a movement status estimation method, and is a program for making a computer execute each of the processing procedures (steps S302 to S305).

[0144] Such a travel status estimating method and program can improve the calculation accuracy of the walking time of the user 1. Also, the walking time can be corrected taking into account factors that affect movement, and the walking time that takes into account the influence can be appropriately calculated.

[0145] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments merely show some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 10 network, 20 electronic device, 21 memory unit, 22 communication unit, 23 location information acquisition unit, 24 input unit, 25 control unit, 26 output unit, 27 input / output unit, 100 server, 110 memory unit, 120 communication unit, 130 control unit, 131 vehicle dispatch processing unit, 132 reference information calculation unit, 133 detection unit, 134 correction value calculation unit, 135 movement status estimation unit, 35 to 37 communication device

Claims

1. A movement status estimation device that estimates a walking time of a user on a walking route from a current location of the user to a destination using a movement history database that associates and stores walking information on a user's walking speed, route information on the route taken during the walking, and factors that occurred during the walking and affect the movement as movement history information of the user, the movement status estimation device comprising: a reference information calculation unit that calculates the walking time based on the movement history information when no factor affecting the movement occurs; and A detection unit that detects an element that occurs during the user's movement on the walking path and affects the movement; a correction value calculation unit that calculates a correction value for correcting the walking time based on a comparison result between the movement history information when no factor affecting the movement occurs and the movement history information when a factor affecting the movement occurs; a movement status estimation unit that, when an element affecting the movement is not detected for the walking route, sets the walking time calculated by the reference information calculation unit to the walking time for the walking route, and, when an element affecting the movement is detected for the walking route, corrects the walking time calculated by the reference information calculation unit using the correction value and sets the corrected walking time to the walking time for the walking route. Mobility status estimation device.

2. The travel situation estimation device according to claim 1 , the correction value calculation unit extracts the route information corresponding to one or more links constituting the walking route, and calculates the correction value based on a comparison result between the walking information associated with the extracted route information when no element affecting the movement occurs and the walking information when an element affecting the movement occurs. Mobility status estimation device.

3. The travel situation estimation device according to claim 2, the correction value calculation unit calculates the correction value based on a ratio between a walking speed of the user calculated based on the walking information in a case where no factor affecting the movement occurs and a walking speed of the user calculated based on the walking information in a case where a factor affecting the movement occurs. Mobility status estimation device.

4. A travel situation estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The detection unit detects factors affecting the movement based on at least one of a physical condition of the user, an environment around the user, and an environment around the walking route. Mobility status estimation device.

5. A travel situation estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The destination is a boarding location where the user boards a vehicle that has been reserved and dispatched by the user, The travel history database stores the travel history information regarding walking from the user's current location at the time of the reservation to the boarding position set by the reservation, a notification control unit that notifies the vehicle of the walking time set by the travel status estimation unit, Mobility status estimation device.

6. A travel situation estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the reference information calculation unit selects a plurality of walking routes based on the current location and the destination, and calculates the walking time for each of the walking routes in a case where no factor affecting the movement occurs; The detection unit detects factors that affect the movement for each of the plurality of walking routes; The correction value calculation unit calculates the correction value for a walking route in which a factor influencing the movement is detected among the plurality of walking routes; the movement status estimation unit sets the walking time calculated by the reference information calculation unit to the walking time of a walking route in which an element affecting the movement is not detected among the plurality of walking routes, and sets the walking time of the walking route in which an element affecting the movement is detected to the walking time of the walking route after correction using the correction value calculated for the walking route. Mobility status estimation device.

7. A travel situation estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the walking route and the walking time set for the walking route in association with each other; When an element affecting the movement is detected for the walking route, the display control unit causes information indicating that the element affecting the movement has been detected and information regarding the correction to be displayed on the display unit in association with the walking route and the walking time set for the walking route. Mobility status estimation device.

8. The travel situation estimation device according to claim 7, When a plurality of the walking routes are selected, the display control unit causes the display unit to associate the plurality of walking routes with the walking times set by the travel status estimation unit for each of the plurality of walking routes in an identifiable manner. Mobility status estimation device.

9. A movement status estimation method for estimating a walking time of a user on a walking route from a current location of the user to a destination by using a movement history database that associates and stores walking information on a user's walking speed, route information on the route taken during the walking, and factors that occurred during the walking and affect the movement as movement history information of the user, the method comprising: a reference information calculation step of calculating the walking time based on the movement history information in a case where no factor affecting the movement occurs; A detection step of detecting an element that occurs during the user's movement on the walking path and affects the movement; a correction value calculation step of calculating a correction value for correcting the walking time based on a comparison result between the movement history information when no factor affecting the movement occurs and the movement history information when a factor affecting the movement occurs; and a movement status estimation step of setting the walking time calculated in the reference information calculation step to the walking time on the walking route when an element affecting the movement is not detected for the walking route, and correcting the walking time calculated in the reference information calculation step using the correction value and setting the corrected walking time to the walking time on the walking route when an element affecting the movement is detected for the walking route. A method for estimating movement status.

10. A program for causing a computer to realize a movement status estimation function of estimating a walking time of a user on a walking route from a current location of the user to a destination by using a movement history database that associates and stores walking information on a user's walking speed, route information on the route taken during the walking, and factors that occur during the walking and affect the movement as movement history information of the user, the program comprising: a reference information calculation step of calculating the walking time based on the movement history information in a case where no factor affecting the movement occurs; A detection step of detecting an element that occurs during the user's movement on the walking path and affects the movement; a correction value calculation step of calculating a correction value for correcting the walking time based on a comparison result between the movement history information when no factor affecting the movement occurs and the movement history information when a factor affecting the movement occurs; a movement status estimation step of setting the walking time calculated in the reference information calculation step to the walking time on the walking route when an element affecting the movement is not detected for the walking route, and correcting the walking time calculated in the reference information calculation step using the correction value and setting the corrected walking time to the walking time on the walking route when an element affecting the movement is detected for the walking route; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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