Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technology that enables a user to start traveling to a destination at an optimal time.SOLUTION: A control unit of an information processing device acquires first information including information on a user's destination location, a departure location from which the user is to start traveling to the destination location, an estimated time of arrival at the destination location, and a first scheduled time to start moving from the departure location to the destination location. Further, the control unit of the information processing device acquires second information on traffic conditions predicted at a specified time, which is a time when a predetermined time has passed from the first scheduled time and determines a second scheduled time at which the user should start traveling from a departure location to a destination location in order to arrive at the destination location by a scheduled arrival time on the basis of the first information and the second information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device. The information processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 estimates a user's stay location for each time period based on the location information history of the terminal used by the user. The information processing device identifies the user's departure location by comparing the estimated user's stay location for each time period with a start time set in a schedule in which a destination and a start time are set. The information processing device searches for a travel route and a required time for moving from the identified departure location to the destination set in the schedule. The information processing device calculates a departure time for moving to the destination from the searched required time. Then, the information processing device registers a travel schedule including the departure time in the user's schedule information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-148466 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a technique that enables a user to start traveling to a destination at an optimal time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, acquiring second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time, and determining a second scheduled time at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination based on the first information and the second information in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; The control unit executes the above.

[0006] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes: 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, acquiring second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time, and determining a second scheduled time at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination based on the first information and the second information in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Includes.

[0007] The program according to the third aspect of the present disclosure comprises: A program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, The information processing method includes: Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, acquiring second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time, and determining a second scheduled time at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination based on the first information and the second information in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Includes. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure enables a user to start traveling to a destination at the optimal time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a management system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a time sequence of information processing performed by the management server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an example of a table configuration of traffic information held in the traffic information database. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of user information held in the user information database. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the first information processing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the moving distance and the predetermined time when the control unit determines the predetermined time. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the second information processing. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the moving distance and the predetermined interval when the control unit determines the predetermined interval. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the third information processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The information processing device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device that manages a user's schedule. Here, the user's schedule is set to include a destination, a starting point from which the user starts moving to the destination, a scheduled arrival time at the destination, and a first scheduled time at which the user starts moving from the starting point to the destination.

[0011] In this case, it is assumed that the first scheduled time is no longer an appropriate time for the user to start moving from the departure point to the destination due to a change in traffic conditions. An example of the first scheduled time being no longer an appropriate time for the user to start moving from the departure point to the destination is when, due to a change in traffic conditions, even if the user starts moving to the destination at the first scheduled time, the user is unable to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time. Also, an example of the first scheduled time being no longer an appropriate time for the user to start moving from the departure point to the destination is when, even if the user starts moving to the destination at the first scheduled time, the user arrives at the destination at a time that is more than a certain amount of time earlier than the scheduled arrival time.

[0012] Therefore, the control unit of the information processing device acquires first information including information about the user's destination, the departure point from which the user will start moving to the destination, the scheduled time of arrival at the destination, and the first scheduled time. The control unit of the information processing device then acquires second information at the specific time, and determines the second scheduled time based on the first information and the second information. Here, the specific time is a time that is a predetermined time back from the first scheduled time. The second information is information about traffic conditions predicted at the specific time. The predetermined time is set so that the specific time is a time later than the time when the first scheduled time is determined. The second scheduled time is set based on the user's destination, The first scheduled time is the time at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive by the scheduled arrival time. In other words, the control unit again determines the scheduled time at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination at a time later than the time at which the first scheduled time was determined.

[0013] As described above, the information processing device determines the second scheduled time again based on the traffic conditions predicted at a specific time that is a time after the time when the first scheduled time was determined. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from starting to move to the destination at the first scheduled time that is no longer an appropriate time due to a change in traffic conditions. As a result, it is possible for the user to start moving to the destination at the optimal time.

[0014] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the present embodiments are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise specified.

[0015] First Embodiment (System Overview) A management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the management system 1 according to this embodiment. The management system 1 includes a user terminal 100, a management server 200, and a traffic server 300. In the management system 1, the user terminal 100, the management server 200, and the traffic server 300 are interconnected by a network N1. The network N1 may be, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network), which is a global public communication network such as the Internet, or a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone.

[0016] (User terminal) The user terminal 100 is a terminal related to the user 10. The user terminal 100 is, for example, a computer or a mobile information terminal used by the user 10. The user 10 uses the user terminal 100 to input the schedule of the user 10 to the user terminal 100. Here, the user 10 uses the user terminal 100 to input a destination to which the user 10 plans to move (hereinafter, may simply be referred to as a "destination"). The user 10 also uses the user terminal 100 to input a departure point from which the user 10 starts moving to the destination (hereinafter, may simply be referred to as a "departure point"). The user 10 also uses the user terminal 100 to input a scheduled time of arrival at the destination (hereinafter, may simply be referred to as a "scheduled time of arrival"). The user 10 also uses the user terminal 100 to input a method of moving from the departure point to the destination (hereinafter, may simply be referred to as a "movement method"). In this embodiment, the user 10 inputs to the user terminal 100 that the user 10 will use an automobile as a method of moving.

[0017] The user terminal 100 transmits information including the destination, departure point, estimated arrival time, and travel method (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "input information") to the management server 200. The user terminal 100 then receives information including a first scheduled time determined by the management server 200 based on the input information. Here, the first scheduled time is the time when the user 10 plans to start traveling from the departure point to the destination. In this manner, the user terminal 100 acquires the first scheduled time. This allows the user 10 to know the first scheduled time, which is the time when the user 10 plans to start traveling from the departure point to the destination, so that the user 10 can arrive at the destination by the estimated arrival time.

[0018] (Transportation Server) The traffic server 300 is a server device that predicts traffic volume on roads. The traffic server 300 calculates a predicted value of traffic volume in each road section at each date and time based on the time transition of traffic volume in each road section. The traffic server 300 transmits a predicted value of the traffic volume in each road section at each date and time to the management server 200. A known method can be adopted as a method by which the traffic server 300 calculates a predicted value of the traffic volume in each road section at each date and time based on the time transition of the traffic volume in each road section.

[0019] (Management Server) The management server 200 is a server device that manages the schedule of the user 10. The management server 200 receives input information from the user terminal 100 via the network N1. The management server 200 determines a first scheduled time based on the destination, departure point, and scheduled arrival time in the input information. The management server 200 transmits information including the first scheduled time to the user terminal 100 via the network N1. Details of how the management server 200 determines the first scheduled time will be described later.

[0020] In this case, it is assumed that the first scheduled time is no longer appropriate as the time when the user 10 starts moving from the departure point to the destination due to a change in traffic conditions. An example of the first scheduled time being no longer appropriate as the time when the user 10 starts moving from the departure point to the destination is when, even if the user starts moving to the destination at the first scheduled time, the user is unable to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time due to a change in traffic conditions. Also, an example of the first scheduled time being no longer appropriate as the time when the user 10 starts moving from the departure point to the destination is when, even if the user starts moving to the destination at the first scheduled time, the user arrives at the destination at a time that is at least a certain amount of time earlier than the scheduled arrival time. Note that examples of reasons for changes in traffic conditions include traffic congestion, road closures due to construction, and other traffic troubles.

[0021] Furthermore, the management server 200 acquires information on the predicted value of traffic volume predicted at the re-search start time at a time (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "re-search start time") a predetermined time before the first scheduled time. Then, the management server 200 determines the second scheduled time based on the input information and the information on the predicted value of traffic volume predicted at the re-search start time. Here, the second scheduled time is the time at which the user 10 should start moving from the departure point to the destination so that the user 10 arrives at the destination by the scheduled arrival time. Furthermore, the predetermined time is determined so that the re-search start time is a time later than the time at which the first scheduled time is determined. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predetermined time is a time determined in advance. A method in which the management server 200 determines the second scheduled time will be described later.

[0022] Furthermore, the management server 200 repeatedly acquires information on the predicted value of traffic volume predicted at the re-search timing, at the re-search timing that is set multiple times. Here, the re-search timing is a timing including a timing corresponding to the re-search start time and multiple timings that are repeated at a predetermined interval from the re-search start time. At the multiple re-search timings, the management server 200 repeatedly determines the second scheduled time based on the input information and information on the predicted value of traffic volume predicted at the corresponding timing. As a result, even after the re-search start time, the second scheduled time can be obtained based on the predicted value of the latest traffic volume predicted at the re-search timing. In this embodiment, the predetermined interval is a predetermined interval.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a time series of information processing performed by the management server 200. As shown in Fig. 2, the management server 200 first acquires input information from the user terminal 100. The management server 200 determines a first scheduled time based on the acquired input information.

[0024] When the time (re-search start time) arrives a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, the management server 200 re-searches for a route from the departure point to the destination by the scheduled arrival time. As shown in FIG. 2, the management server 200 repeatedly performs the re-search at a predetermined interval from the re-search start time. The management server 200 executes route re-search every time the re-search timing arrives. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the management server 200 executes route re-search five times between the re-search start time and the first scheduled time.

[0025] The management server 200 includes a computer having a processor 210, a main memory unit 220, an auxiliary memory unit 230, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 240. The processor 210 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The main memory unit 220 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The auxiliary memory unit 230 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary memory unit 230 is, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a disk recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk. The auxiliary memory unit 230 may be a removable medium (portable storage medium). Here, examples of the removable medium include a USB memory or an SD card. The communication I / F 240 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board, or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.

[0026] In the management server 200, the auxiliary storage unit 230 stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various information tables, and the like. In the management server 200, the processor 210 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 230 into the main storage unit 220 and executes them to realize various functions as described below. However, some or all of the functions of the management server 200 may be realized by hardware circuits such as ASIC or FPGA. The management server 200 does not necessarily have to be realized by a single physical configuration, and may be composed of multiple computers that work together. Similarly to the management server 200, the traffic server 300 also includes a computer.

[0027] (Functional configuration) Next, the functional configuration of the management server 200 constituting the management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 5. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management server 200. The management server 200 includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 202, a traffic information database 203 (traffic information DB203), and a user information database 204 (user information DB204).

[0028] The control unit 201 has a function of performing arithmetic processing for controlling the management server 200. The control unit 201 can be realized by the processor 210 in the management server 200. The communication unit 202 has a function of connecting the management server 200 to the network N1. The communication unit 202 can be realized by the communication I / F 240 in the management server 200.

[0029] The traffic information DB 203 has a function of storing traffic information. The traffic information is information on predicted values ​​of traffic volume in road sections at each date and time. The traffic information DB 203 can be realized by the auxiliary storage unit 230 in the management server 200. The control unit 201 receives predicted values ​​of traffic volume in each road section at each date and time from the traffic server 300 via the communication unit 202. The control unit 201 stores the predicted values ​​of traffic volume in each road section at each date and time received from the traffic server 300 in the traffic information DB 203.

[0030] FIG. 4 is an example of a table configuration of traffic information held in the traffic information DB 203. As shown in FIG. 4, the traffic information has a section ID field, a date and time field, a traffic volume field, and a map information field. An identifier (section ID) for identifying a road section is input in the section ID field. Information for identifying the date and time is input in the date and time field. In the traffic volume field, a predicted value of the traffic volume of the road section corresponding to the section ID entered in the corresponding section ID field at the date and time entered in the corresponding date and time field is entered.

[0031] The control unit 201 repeatedly receives the predicted value of traffic volume from the traffic server 300 at a predetermined cycle. Then, the control unit 201 updates the traffic information based on the received predicted value of traffic volume. This allows the control unit 201 to always obtain the latest predicted value of traffic volume from the traffic information DB 203.

[0032] The control unit 201 receives input information from the user terminal 100 via the communication unit 202. The control unit 201 generates user information based on the input information received from the user terminal 100. The control unit 201 stores the generated user information in the user information DB 204. The user information DB 204 has a function of retaining user information. The user information is information relating to the movement of the user 10 scheduled at the first scheduled time. The user information DB 204 can be realized by the auxiliary storage unit 230 in the management server 200.

[0033] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of user information stored in the user information DB 204. As shown in Fig. 5, the user information has a user ID field, a destination field, a departure field, a scheduled arrival time field, a travel method field, a first scheduled time field, and a traffic volume field.

[0034] In the user ID field, an identifier (user ID) for identifying the user 10 is input. In the destination field, information on the destination of the user 10 is input. The destination information is, for example, the address or coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the destination. In the departure field, information on the departure point of the user 10 is input. The departure point information is, for example, the address or coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the departure point. In the estimated arrival time field, the estimated time of arrival at the destination input in the corresponding destination field is input. In the travel method field, information on the travel method to the destination input in the corresponding destination field is input. In this embodiment, since the user 10 travels to the destination by car, information indicating that the travel method is a car is input in the travel method field. The control unit 201 inputs various information into the destination field, the departure field, the estimated arrival time field, and the travel method field based on the input information received from the user terminal 100.

[0035] In the first scheduled time field, a first scheduled time at which the user 10 starts moving to the destination is input. The control unit 201 determines the first scheduled time based on various information input in the destination field, departure field, estimated arrival time field, and travel method field, and traffic information held in the traffic information DB 203. Here, the traffic information acquired by the control unit 201 from the traffic information DB 203 indicates traffic conditions (estimated traffic volume) predicted at the time when the first scheduled time is determined. The control unit 201 determines the first scheduled time by searching for a route for arriving at the destination from the departure point by the estimated arrival time based on the traffic conditions predicted at the time when the first scheduled time is determined.

[0036] The traffic volume field is input with information on the predicted value of traffic volume in each road section on the route searched when the first scheduled time was determined. The control unit 201 inputs, into the traffic volume field, information on the predicted value of traffic volume in each road section on the route from the departure point to the destination in the traffic information acquired from the traffic information DB 203 when the first scheduled time was determined.

[0037] In addition, a known method can be adopted as a method by which the management server 200 determines the route to arrive from the departure point at the destination by the scheduled arrival time, and the time to depart from the departure point to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time.

[0038] The control unit 201 acquires user information stored in the user information DB 204. This allows the control unit 201 to grasp the destination, the departure point, the scheduled arrival time, and the first scheduled time. The control unit 201 acquires traffic information from the traffic information DB 203 each time a re-search timing (a timing corresponding to the re-search start time and multiple timings repeated at a predetermined interval from the re-search start time) arrives, from a predetermined time before the first scheduled time. This allows the control unit 201 to grasp the latest predicted value of traffic volume predicted at the re-search timing.

[0039] The control unit 201 re-searches for a route to arrive at the destination from the departure point by the scheduled arrival time based on the user information and the traffic information acquired at the re-search timing, and determines the second scheduled time. Here, it is assumed that the traffic conditions predicted when the first scheduled time is determined and the traffic conditions predicted when the second scheduled time is determined change. That is, the prediction of the traffic conditions in the past may differ from the prediction of the latest traffic conditions. As a result, the first scheduled time and the second scheduled time may differ. In this case, the prediction of the latest traffic conditions is more accurate than the prediction of the past traffic conditions. Therefore, the second scheduled time is more accurate than the first scheduled time.

[0040] Therefore, when the control unit 201 calculates a second scheduled time different from the first scheduled time, the control unit 201 transmits, via the communication unit 202, notification information to the user terminal 100 indicating that the time at which the user 10 should depart from the departure point to the destination has changed from the first scheduled time to the second scheduled time. In this way, the user terminal 100 that has received the notification information can notify the user 10 that the time at which the user 10 should depart from the departure point to the destination has changed from the first scheduled time to the second scheduled time. As a result, the user 10 can understand that it would be better to depart at the second scheduled time rather than the first scheduled time. Furthermore, when the first scheduled time and the second scheduled time match, the control unit 201 does not need to transmit the notification information.

[0041] (First information processing) Next, the first information processing executed by the control unit 201 of the management server 200 in the management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The first information processing is processing for determining the second scheduled time. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the first information processing. The first information processing is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle from the time when the management server 200 receives input information from the user terminal 100.

[0042] In the first information processing, first, in S101, user information is acquired from the user information DB 204. Next, in S102, it is determined whether the current time is the re-search timing based on the user information. If a negative determination is made in S102, the current time is not the re-search timing, and therefore there is no need to determine the second scheduled time. Then, the first information processing is terminated.

[0043] If a positive determination is made in S102, traffic information is acquired from the traffic information DB 203 in S103. This allows the control unit 201 to acquire a predicted value of the latest traffic volume predicted at the re-search timing. Next, in S104, a re-search is performed for a route from the departure point to the destination by the scheduled arrival time based on the user information acquired in S101 and the traffic information acquired in S103. Next, in S105, a second scheduled time is determined based on the result of the re-search.

[0044] Next, in S106, it is determined whether or not the first scheduled time and the second scheduled time match. If a negative determination is made in S106, the user 10 heads for the destination at the second scheduled time. It is necessary for the user 10 to know that the user 10 should start moving at the first scheduled time. Therefore, in S107, notification information is transmitted to the user terminal 100. Also, if a positive determination is made in S106, the user 10 may leave for the destination at the first scheduled time. Therefore, no notification information is transmitted. Then, the first information processing is terminated.

[0045] Here, the first information process is repeatedly executed until the time when the user 10 should depart (the earlier of the first scheduled time or the second scheduled time). In this way, the second scheduled time is determined until the user 10 departs.

[0046] As described above, in this embodiment, the information processing device determines the second scheduled time based on the traffic conditions predicted at the re-search start time, which is a time after the time when the first scheduled time was determined. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user 10 from starting to move to the destination at the first scheduled time that is no longer an appropriate time as the scheduled time for the user 10 to start moving to the destination due to a change in the traffic conditions. In addition, in this embodiment, the second scheduled time is also determined at a re-search timing after the re-search start time. This makes it possible to determine the second scheduled time based on the latest traffic conditions predicted after the re-search start time. This makes it possible for the user 10 to start moving to the destination at the second scheduled time determined based on the latest traffic conditions. In this way, it is possible for the user to start moving to the destination at the optimal time.

[0047] (Modification 1 of the first embodiment) In this embodiment, the user 10 inputs to the user terminal 100 that the user will use an automobile as a method of travel from the departure point to the destination. However, the user 10 does not necessarily have to input to the user terminal 100 that the user will use an automobile as a method of travel from the departure point to the destination. The user 10 may input, for example, that the user will use a train as a method of travel from the departure point to the destination. In this case, the management server 200 receives a predicted value of a train delay from a server device that manages the train delay status instead of the traffic server 300. Then, the management server 200 determines a first scheduled time and a second scheduled time based on the predicted value of the train delay.

[0048] Furthermore, the user 10 may input to the user terminal 100 that the user will travel by foot as a transportation method other than by car or train. In this case, it is assumed that the walking speed will change depending on the congestion of the sidewalk, etc. Therefore, the management server 200 acquires the congestion status of the sidewalk, etc. from a server device that manages the congestion status of the sidewalk, etc. instead of the traffic server 300. Then, the management server 200 determines the first scheduled time and the second time based on the congestion status of the sidewalk, etc.

[0049] Also, the user 10 may input to the user terminal 100 that the user will use an airplane as a transportation method. In this case, it is assumed that the time required for the travel will change due to airplane delays, etc. Therefore, the management server 200 acquires the airplane delay status from a server device that manages airplane delays, etc. Then, the management server 200 determines the first scheduled time and the second scheduled time based on the airplane delay status.

[0050] (Modification 2 of the first embodiment) In this embodiment, the management server 200 executes route re-search at re-search timings that arrive repeatedly at a predetermined interval after the re-search start time until the first scheduled time. However, the management server 200 does not necessarily have to execute route re-search at re-search timings that arrive after the re-search start time. In other words, the management server 200 does not necessarily have to determine the second scheduled time at a re-search timing that arrives after the re-search start time. Even in this manner, route re-search is executed at the re-search start time. Therefore, the second scheduled time can be determined based on traffic information predicted at a time later than the time when the first scheduled time was determined. This also enables the user to start moving to the destination at the optimal time.

[0051] <Second embodiment> In this embodiment, the management server 200 determines a predetermined time, i.e., the timing to start a re-search, based on the user information. That is, the management server 200 determines the re-search start time based on the user information. Only the points different from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0052] When the user 10 travels a long distance, the user is more likely to be involved in traffic troubles such as congestion than when the user travels a short distance. As a result, when the user 10 travels a long distance, the travel time is more likely to change than when the user travels a short distance. Therefore, when the user 10 travels a long distance, it is preferable to advance the re-search start time to ensure that the user 10 has time to respond to the change in travel time. It is also preferable to advance the re-search start time to notify the user 10 earlier that the time to start traveling to the destination has changed. On the other hand, in both cases of traveling a long distance and traveling a short distance, if the re-search start time is uniformly advanced regardless of the travel distance in consideration of traffic troubles, there is a drawback that the load on the management server 200 when re-searching for a route becomes large. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the management server 200 determines the re-search start time based on the travel distance from the departure point of the user 10 to the destination.

[0053] The control unit 201 calculates the travel distance from the departure point to the destination based on the user information held in the user information DB 204. Then, the control unit 201 determines the predetermined time based on the travel distance from the departure point to the destination. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the travel distance and the predetermined time when the control unit 201 determines the predetermined time. As shown in FIG. 7, when the travel distance from the departure point to the destination is within a range of 0 to less than X1, the predetermined time is determined to be H1 hours. That is, in this case, the search start time is determined to be H1 hours before the first scheduled time. Also, when the travel distance from the departure point to the destination is within a range of X1 to less than X2, the predetermined time is determined to be H2 hours. That is, in this case, the search start time is determined to be H2 hours before the first scheduled time.

[0054] Here, the H2 time is longer than the H1 time. In other words, the H1 time and the H2 time are set so that the re-search start time is earlier when the travel distance from the departure point to the destination is within the range of X1 or more and less than X2 than when the travel distance from the departure point to the destination is within the range of 0 or more and less than X1.

[0055] Also, when the moving distance is X2 or more, the predetermined time is determined according to the range in which the moving distance is included. That is, when the moving distance is X2 or more, the search start time is determined based on the predetermined time determined according to the range in which the moving distance is included. Here, when comparing the two moving distance ranges, the predetermined time is set so that the predetermined time of the moving distance range with the larger minimum value is longer than the predetermined time of the moving distance range with the smaller minimum value. That is, the predetermined time is set so that the re-search start time when moving the moving distance included in the moving distance range with the larger minimum value is earlier than the re-search start time when moving the moving distance included in the moving distance range with the smaller minimum value. In this way, the correspondence between the moving distance and the predetermined time is set so that there is a positive correlation between the moving distance and the predetermined time.

[0056] (Second information processing) Next, the third process executed by the control unit 201 of the management server 200 in the management system 1 The second information processing will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The second information processing is processing for determining the timing of re-search. Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the second information processing. The second information processing is executed when the management server 200 receives input information from the user terminal 100 and generates user information.

[0057] In the second information processing, first, in S201, user information is acquired. Next, in S202, a predetermined time is determined according to the travel distance calculated based on the user information. Next, in S203, a time a predetermined time before the first scheduled time is determined as the re-search start time. Next, in S204, a timing corresponding to the re-search start time and multiple timings repeated at predetermined intervals from the re-search start time are determined as re-search timings. In this embodiment, the predetermined interval is a predetermined interval. Then, the second information processing is terminated.

[0058] As described above, in the second embodiment, in the management system 1, the re-search start time is determined by determining a predetermined time according to the travel distance of the user 10. This makes it possible to determine the re-search start time according to the possibility of being involved in traffic trouble caused by the travel distance of the user 10. As a result, even when the user 10 travels a long distance, it is possible to suppress the load on the management server 200 and allow the user 10 to start traveling to the destination at the optimal time.

[0059] (Modification 1 of the second embodiment) In this embodiment, the management server 200 determines the predetermined time based on the travel distance. However, the management server 200 does not necessarily have to determine the predetermined time based on the travel distance. When the user 10 travels, it is assumed that the travel time is more likely to change due to reasons such as being caught in traffic jams by automobiles compared to railroads. Therefore, it is preferable to advance the re-search start time according to the travel method of the user 10, and ensure that the user 10 has time to respond to changes in travel time. It is also preferable to advance the re-search start time and notify the user 10 earlier that the time to start travel to the destination has changed.

[0060] On the other hand, if the re-search start time is uniformly set earlier regardless of the travel method in consideration of traffic troubles, there is a drawback in that the load on the management server 200 when re-searching for a route increases. Therefore, the management server 200 may determine the re-search start time by determining a predetermined time based on the travel method from the departure point of the user 10 to the destination. Even in this way, it is possible for the user 10 to start traveling to the destination at an optimal time while suppressing the load on the management server 200.

[0061] (Modification 2 of the second embodiment) In this modification, the management server 200 determines the predetermined time based on information about the traffic conditions on the route from the departure point to the destination at the first scheduled time, which were predicted when the first scheduled time was determined. Here, if congestion is predicted to occur on the route from the departure point to the destination at the first scheduled time when the first scheduled time is determined, it is predicted that the travel time will be more likely to fluctuate. Therefore, if congestion is predicted to occur on the route from the departure point to the destination at the first scheduled time when the first scheduled time is determined, it is preferable to advance the re-search start time to ensure that the user 10 has time to respond to the change in travel time. It is also preferable to advance the re-search start time to notify the user 10 earlier that the time to start moving to the destination has changed. On the other hand, if the re-search start time is uniformly advanced regardless of the traffic conditions predicted when the first scheduled time was determined in consideration of traffic trouble, there is a disadvantage that the load on the management server 200 when re-searching for a route increases.

[0062] Therefore, the management server 200 may obtain information on the predicted value of traffic volume on the route from the departure point to the destination at the first scheduled time (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "first predicted value") predicted when the first scheduled time was determined, from the user information held in the user information DB 204. For example, the management server 200 determines the predetermined time based on the range of predicted values ​​of traffic volume to which the first predicted value belongs. In this case, when the first predicted value is included in the range of the predicted values ​​of traffic volume with a larger minimum value, the predetermined time is set so that the re-search start time is earlier than when the first predicted value is included in the range of the predicted values ​​of traffic volume with a smaller minimum value. Even in this way, it is possible to suppress the load on the management server 200 and allow the user 10 to start moving to the destination at an optimal time.

[0063] <Third embodiment> In this embodiment, the management server 200 determines a predetermined interval, that is, an interval for re-searching for a route, based on user information. Only the points that differ from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0064] When the user 10 travels a long distance, the user 10 is more likely to be involved in traffic troubles such as congestion than when the user travels a short distance. As a result, when the user 10 travels a long distance, the travel time is more likely to change than when the user travels a short distance. Therefore, when the user 10 travels a long distance, it is preferable to obtain more than the latest traffic situation prediction and always notify the user 10 of the second scheduled time based on the latest traffic situation prediction. That is, when the user 10 travels a long distance, it is preferable to shorten the predetermined interval than when the user 10 travels a short distance. On the other hand, in both cases of traveling a long distance and traveling a short distance, if the predetermined interval is uniformly shortened regardless of the travel distance in consideration of traffic troubles, there is a drawback that the load on the management server 200 when re-searching for a route becomes large. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the management server 200 determines the predetermined interval based on the travel distance from the departure point to the destination of the user 10.

[0065] The control unit 201 acquires the travel distance from the departure point to the destination based on the user information held in the user information DB 204. The control unit 201 determines the predetermined interval based on the travel distance from the departure point to the destination. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the travel distance and the predetermined interval when the control unit 201 determines the predetermined interval. As shown in FIG. 9, when the travel distance from the departure point to the destination is within a range of 0 to less than X1, the predetermined interval is determined to be h1 hours. When the travel distance from the departure point to the destination is within a range of X1 to less than X2, the predetermined interval is determined to be h2 hours.

[0066] Here, between h1 and h2, h2 is the shorter time. In other words, the predetermined interval is set so that the predetermined interval is shorter when the travel distance from the departure point to the destination is within the range of X1 to less than X2 than when the travel distance from the departure point to the destination is within the range of 0 to less than X1.

[0067] Also, when the moving distance is equal to or greater than X2, the predetermined interval is determined according to the range in which the moving distance is included. Here, when comparing two moving distance ranges, the predetermined interval is set so that the predetermined interval of the moving distance range with the larger minimum value is shorter than the predetermined interval of the moving distance range with the smaller minimum value. In this way, the correspondence between the moving distance and the predetermined interval is set so that there is a negative correlation between the moving distance and the predetermined time.

[0068] (Third Information Processing) Next, the third process executed by the control unit 201 of the management server 200 in the management system 1 The third information processing will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The second information processing is processing for determining the timing of re-search. Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the third information processing. The third information processing is executed when the management server 200 receives input information from the user terminal 100 and generates user information.

[0069] In the third information processing, first, in S301, user information is acquired. Next, in S302, a predetermined interval is determined according to the moving distance calculated based on the user information. Next, in S303, the re-search timing is determined so that the re-search timing is a predetermined interval from a predetermined time before the first scheduled time. In this embodiment, the predetermined time is a predetermined interval. In other words, the re-search start time is a predetermined time. Then, the third information processing is terminated.

[0070] As described above, in the third embodiment, the management system 1 determines the predetermined interval according to the travel distance of the user 10, thereby determining the predetermined interval. This makes it possible to determine the interval for the re-search timing according to the possibility of the user 10 being involved in traffic trouble caused by the travel distance. As a result, even when traveling long distances, it is possible to allow the user 10 to start traveling to the destination at the optimal time while suppressing the load on the management server 200.

[0071] (Modification 1 of the third embodiment) In this embodiment, the management server 200 determines the predetermined interval based on the travel distance. However, the management server 200 does not necessarily have to determine the predetermined interval based on the travel distance. For example, it is assumed that the travel time is likely to vary depending on the travel method of the user 10. Therefore, the predetermined interval may be shortened according to the travel method of the user 10. This allows the second scheduled time to be notified to the user 10 based on the latest traffic situation prediction at all times. On the other hand, if the predetermined interval is uniformly shortened regardless of the travel method in consideration of traffic trouble, there is a drawback that the load on the management server 200 when performing re-searching becomes large. Therefore, the management server 200 may determine the re-search timing by determining the predetermined interval based on the travel method from the departure point of the user 10 to the destination. Even in this way, it is possible to allow the user 10 to start traveling to the destination at the optimal time while suppressing the load on the management server 200.

[0072] (Modification 2 of the third embodiment) In this modification, the management server 200 determines the predetermined interval based on information about the traffic conditions on the route from the departure point to the destination at the first scheduled time, which was predicted when the first scheduled time was determined. Here, if congestion is predicted to occur on the route from the departure point to the destination at the first scheduled time when the first scheduled time is determined, it is predicted that the travel time will be more likely to fluctuate. Therefore, if congestion is predicted to occur on the route from the departure point to the destination at the first scheduled time when the first scheduled time is determined, the predetermined interval may be shortened. This makes it possible to notify the user 10 of the second scheduled time based on the latest traffic condition prediction. On the other hand, if the predetermined interval is uniformly shortened regardless of the traffic conditions in consideration of traffic troubles, there is a risk that the load on the management server 200 when performing a re-search will become large.

[0073] Therefore, the management server 200 may obtain the first predicted value from the user information stored in the user information DB 204. Then, the predetermined time may be determined based on the range of predicted values ​​of traffic volume to which the first predicted value belongs. In this case, when the first predicted value is included in a range of predicted values ​​of traffic volume with a larger minimum value, the predetermined interval is set so as to be shorter than when the first predicted value is included in a range of predicted values ​​of traffic volume with a smaller minimum value. Even in this way, it is possible to set the optimal time while suppressing the load on the management server 200. It is then possible for the user 10 to start moving to the destination at that moment.

[0074] (Modification 3 of the third embodiment) In this embodiment, the management server 200 determines the predetermined interval based on the user information. However, the management server 200 does not necessarily have to determine the predetermined interval based on the user information. Here, it is assumed that the closer the first scheduled time is, the more difficult it is for the user 10 to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time if the travel time fluctuates. Therefore, the closer the first scheduled time is, the more frequently the re-search is performed, and the second scheduled time may be notified to the user 10 based on the latest traffic situation prediction. However, if the predetermined interval is uniformly shortened in consideration of traffic troubles, there is a risk that the load on the management server 200 will increase. Therefore, the control unit 201 may shorten the predetermined interval as time passes from the re-search start time. This allows the control unit 201 to lengthen the re-search interval when there is a certain amount of time from the first scheduled time, while performing the re-search more frequently as the first scheduled time approaches. Even in this way, it is possible to suppress the load on the management server 200 and allow the user 10 to start moving to the destination at the optimal time.

[0075] <Other embodiments> The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the processes and means described in the present disclosure may be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0076] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0077] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors of the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the system bus of the computer, or may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, such as, for example, a magnetic disk (such as a floppy disk or a hard disk drive (HDD)), an optical disk (such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, or an optical card. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Management System 10 Users 100 User terminals 200 Management Server 201 Control section 202 Communications Department 203...Traffic information DB 204 User information DB 300··Transportation Server

Claims

1. Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; A control unit that executes The control unit is acquiring a travel distance from the departure point to the destination based on the first information; determining the predetermined time based on the travel distance; Information processing device.

2. Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; A control unit that executes The first information includes a method of travel for the user to travel from the departure point to the destination, The control unit is determining the predetermined time based on the travel method; Information processing device.

3. A user's destination, a starting point from which the user will travel to the destination, and an estimated time of arrival at the destination and acquiring first information including information about a first scheduled time to start traveling from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; A control unit that executes the first information includes fourth information on traffic conditions on a route from the departure point to the destination at the first scheduled time that was predicted at the time of determining the first scheduled time; The control unit is determining the predetermined time based on the fourth information; Information processing device.

4. The control unit is repeatedly acquiring, at predetermined timings, third information regarding a traffic situation predicted at the predetermined timings, the third information being repeated at predetermined intervals from the specific time; repeatedly determining the second scheduled time based on the first information and the third information at the predetermined timing; Further execute The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; A control unit that executes The control unit is determining a predetermined interval based on the first information; repeatedly acquiring, at predetermined timings, third information regarding a traffic situation predicted at the predetermined timings, the predetermined timings being repeated at the predetermined intervals from the specific time; repeatedly determining the second scheduled time based on the first information and the third information at the predetermined timing; Further execute Information processing device.

6. The control unit is acquiring a travel distance from the departure point to the destination based on the first information; determining the predetermined interval based on the movement distance; The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The first information includes a method of travel for the user to travel from the departure point to the destination, The control unit is determining the predetermined interval based on the movement method; The information processing device according to claim 5 .

8. The first information is information on the first scheduled time that was predicted when the first scheduled time was determined. and fourth information about traffic conditions along a route from the departure point to the destination, The control unit is determining the predetermined interval based on the fourth information; The information processing device according to claim 5 .

9. Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; A control unit that executes The control unit is repeatedly acquiring, at predetermined timings, third information regarding a traffic situation predicted at the predetermined timings, the third information being repeated at predetermined intervals from the specific time; repeatedly determining the second scheduled time based on the first information and the third information at the predetermined timing; Further execute The control unit shortens the predetermined interval as time passes from the specific time. Information processing device.

10. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Including, acquiring a travel distance from the departure point to the destination based on the first information; determining the predetermined time based on the travel distance; Information processing methods.

11. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Including, The first information includes a method of travel for the user to travel from the departure point to the destination, determining the predetermined time based on the travel method; Information processing methods.

12. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Including, the first information includes fourth information on traffic conditions on a route from the departure point to the destination at the first scheduled time that was predicted at the time of determining the first scheduled time; determining the predetermined time based on the fourth information; Information processing methods.

13. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Including, determining a predetermined interval based on the first information; repeatedly acquiring, at predetermined timings, third information regarding a traffic situation predicted at the predetermined timings, the predetermined timings being repeated at the predetermined intervals from the specific time; repeatedly determining the second scheduled time based on the first information and the third information at the predetermined timing; Further comprising: Information processing device.

14. Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Including, repeatedly acquiring, at predetermined timings, third information regarding a traffic situation predicted at the predetermined timings, the third information being repeated at predetermined intervals from the specific time; repeatedly determining the second scheduled time based on the first information and the third information at the predetermined timing; Further comprising: The longer the time elapses from the specific time, the shorter the predetermined interval becomes. Information processing methods.

15. A program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, The information processing method includes: A user's destination, a starting point from which the user will travel to the destination, and an estimated time of arrival at the destination and acquiring first information including information about a first scheduled time to start traveling from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Including, acquiring a travel distance from the departure point to the destination based on the first information; determining the predetermined time based on the travel distance; program.

16. A program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, The information processing method includes: Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Including, The first information includes a method of travel for the user to travel from the departure point to the destination, In the information processing method, the predetermined time is determined based on the method of travel. program.

17. A program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Including, the first information includes fourth information on traffic conditions on a route from the departure point to the destination at the first scheduled time that was predicted at the time of determining the first scheduled time; In the information processing method, the predetermined time is determined based on the fourth information. program.

18. A program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Including, determining a predetermined interval based on the first information; repeatedly acquiring, at predetermined timings, third information regarding a traffic situation predicted at the predetermined timings, the predetermined timings being repeated at the predetermined intervals from the specific time; repeatedly determining the second scheduled time based on the first information and the third information at the predetermined timing; Further comprising: program.

19. A program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, Obtaining first information including information about a destination of a user, a departure point from which travel to the destination will commence, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, and a first estimated time to commence travel from the departure point to the destination; At a specific time that is a predetermined time before the first scheduled time, second information on traffic conditions predicted at the specific time is acquired, and based on the first information and the second information, a second scheduled time is determined at which the user should start moving from the departure point to the destination in order to arrive at the destination by the scheduled arrival time; Including, repeatedly acquiring, at predetermined timings, third information regarding a traffic situation predicted at the predetermined timings, the third information being repeated at predetermined intervals from the specific time; repeatedly determining the second scheduled time based on the first information and the third information at the predetermined timing; Further comprising: In the information processing method, the predetermined interval is made shorter as the time elapses from the specific time. program.

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