Information processing device

Abstract

To provide a technique that can distribute traffic throughout a region.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 comprises a control unit 13, wherein: the control unit 13 acquires information including at least one of traffic information and population information in an area; determines an incentive associated with a predetermined point on a map of the area based on the acquired information; and the control unit associates an incentive that is more beneficial to at least one of a predetermined point determined to have a lower traffic load based on the traffic information and a predetermined point determined to have a lower population density based on the population information; and when the control unit determines that a vehicle of a user has passed a predetermined point, the control unit provides the user with the incentive.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to ease traffic concentration, a technique is known in which a vehicle is notified of a detour route for a predetermined driving route and the vehicle is guided to travel along the detour route. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a traffic flow dispersion device that disperses traffic when a desired vehicle that wishes to travel along a planned driving route travels along the planned driving route. When a detour candidate vehicle traveling along the planned driving route travels along a detour route that detours around the planned driving route, the traffic flow dispersion device provides an incentive from the desired vehicle to the detour candidate vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-085980 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, it is only possible to distribute traffic along a predetermined travel route, and no sufficient consideration is given to dispersing traffic across an entire region.

[0005] The present disclosure provides techniques that can distribute traffic across an area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit, which acquires information including at least one of traffic information and population information in a region, determines an incentive to be associated with a specific point on a map of the region based on the acquired information, associates the incentive that is more beneficial to at least one of the specific point determined to have a lower traffic load based on the traffic information and the specific point determined to have a lower population density based on the population information, and grants the incentive to the user when it is determined that the user's vehicle has passed the specific point. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it becomes possible to distribute traffic throughout an entire region. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system including an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a functional block diagram showing schematic configurations of an information processing device, a vehicle, and a terminal device in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an information processing method executed by the information processing system of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system 1 including an information processing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An overview of the information processing system 1 including the information processing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be mainly described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing system 1 includes a vehicle 20 and a terminal device 30 in addition to the information processing device 10.

[0011] 1, for ease of explanation, only one each of the information processing device 10, the vehicle 20, and the terminal device 30 are illustrated, but the information processing system 1 may have two or more each of the information processing device 10, the vehicle 20, and the terminal device 30. Each of the information processing device 10, the vehicle 20, and the terminal device 30 is communicably connected to a network 40 including, for example, a mobile communication network and the Internet.

[0012] The information processing device 10 is one or more server devices that can communicate with each other. The information processing device 10 is not limited to these, and may be any general-purpose electronic device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone, or may be another electronic device dedicated to the information processing system 1.

[0013] The vehicle 20 is, for example, an automobile. The vehicle 20 is, for example, a vehicle that performs automatic driving. The automatic driving includes, for example, levels 1 to 5 defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), but is not limited to these and may be defined arbitrarily. The vehicle 20 is not limited to a vehicle that performs automatic driving, and may be any vehicle that is driven by a driver.

[0014] The terminal device 30 is, for example, a general-purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or a PC. The terminal device 30 is, for example, an electronic device used by a user of the vehicle 20. The terminal device 30 is not limited to these, and may be one or multiple server devices that can communicate with each other and are used by the user of the vehicle 20, or may be another electronic device dedicated to the information processing system 1.

[0015] As an overview of an embodiment, the information processing device 10 acquires information including at least one of traffic information and population information in a region. In this specification, "traffic information" includes information on traffic load, such as traffic volume, traffic congestion, and accident information. "Population information" includes, for example, population density. The information processing device 10 determines an incentive to be associated with a predetermined point on a map of the region based on the acquired information. In this specification, "incentive" includes any incentive that can be used in a game, such as a character, points, and parameters in the game. Without being limited thereto, the incentive may include any incentive that can be used by a user of the vehicle 20, such as coupons that can be used in a predetermined store, cash, gift certificates, credit card points, points that can be used on an EC (Electric Commerce) site and a shopping app, and points that can be used on public transportation.

[0016] For example, the information processing device 10 associates a more beneficial incentive with a predetermined point determined to have a lower traffic load based on traffic information. For example, the information processing device 10 associates a more beneficial incentive with a predetermined point determined to have a lower population density based on population information. The information processing device 10 grants an incentive to the user when it is determined that the user's vehicle 20 has passed the predetermined point.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of each of the information processing device 10, the vehicle 20, and the terminal device 30 in Fig. 1. With reference to Fig. 2, an example of the configuration of each of the information processing device 10, the vehicle 20, and the terminal device 30 included in the information processing system 1 will be mainly described.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0019] The communication unit 11 includes a communication module that connects to the network 40. For example, the communication unit 11 includes a communication module that supports mobile communication standards or Internet standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation). In one embodiment, the information processing device 10 is connected to the network 40 via the communication unit 11. The communication unit 11 transmits and receives various information via the network 40.

[0020] The storage unit 12 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, but is not limited to these. The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 10. For example, the storage unit 12 stores a system program, an application program, and various information received or transmitted by the communication unit 11. The information stored in the storage unit 12 can be updated, for example, with information received from the network 40 via the communication unit 11.

[0021] The control unit 13 includes one or more processors. In one embodiment, the "processor" is a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited thereto. The control unit 13 is communicably connected to each component of the information processing device 10, and controls the operation of the information processing device 10 as a whole.

[0022] The following mainly describes the configuration of the vehicle 20 included in the information processing system 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle 20 has a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, an acquisition unit 23, an input unit 24, an output unit 25, and a control unit 26. The communication unit 21, the storage unit 22, the acquisition unit 23, the input unit 24, the output unit 25, and the control unit 26 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via an in-vehicle network such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) or a dedicated line.

[0023] The communication unit 21 includes a communication module that connects to the network 40. For example, the communication unit 21 includes a communication module that supports mobile communication standards such as 4G and 5G. In one embodiment, the vehicle 20 is connected to the network 40 via the communication unit 21. The communication unit 21 transmits and receives various information via the network 40.

[0024] The storage unit 22 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these. The storage unit 22 functions, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the vehicle 20. For example, the storage unit 22 stores system programs, application programs, and various information received or transmitted by the communication unit 21. The information stored in the storage unit 22 can be updated, for example, with information received from the network 40 via the communication unit 21.

[0025] The acquisition unit 23 includes one or more receivers compatible with any satellite positioning system. For example, the acquisition unit 23 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. The acquisition unit 23 acquires measurement values ​​of the position of the vehicle 20 as position information. The position information includes, for example, an address, latitude, longitude, and altitude. The acquisition unit 23 may acquire the position information of the vehicle 20 constantly, or may acquire the information periodically or non-periodically.

[0026] The input unit 24 includes, for example, one or more input interfaces that receive an input operation by a user in the cabin of the vehicle 20 and acquire input information based on the user's input operation. For example, the input unit 24 includes an input interface that constitutes a car navigation device. For example, the input unit 24 includes a touch screen that is integral with a liquid crystal monitor that constitutes the car navigation device. The input unit 24 receives, for example, an input operation by a user based on a touch operation by the user.

[0027] The input unit 24 is not limited to this, and may include any input interface capable of detecting a user's input operation and acquiring input information based on the user's input operation. The input unit 24 may include, for example, physical keys, capacitive keys, and a microphone that accepts voice input.

[0028] The output unit 25 includes, for example, one or more output interfaces that output information to a user in the cabin of the vehicle 20. For example, the output unit 25 includes an output interface that constitutes a car navigation device. For example, the output unit 25 includes a liquid crystal monitor that constitutes a car navigation device. For example, the output unit 25 outputs information by at least one of an image and a sound.

[0029] The output unit 25 is not limited thereto, and may include any output interface that affects at least one of the vision and hearing of the user of the vehicle 20. The output unit 25 may include, for example, any audio output interface other than a car navigation device that mainly affects the hearing of the user of the vehicle 20. The output unit 25 may include, for example, any image output interface other than a car navigation device that mainly affects the vision of the user of the vehicle 20.

[0030] The control unit 26 includes one or more processors. In one embodiment, the "processor" is, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. For example, the control unit 26 may include an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The control unit 26 is communicatively connected to each component of the vehicle 20 and controls the operation of the entire vehicle 20.

[0031] The following mainly describes the configuration of the terminal device 30 included in the information processing system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0032] The communication unit 31 includes a communication module that connects to the network 40. For example, the communication unit 31 includes a communication module that supports mobile communication standards or Internet standards such as 4G and 5G. In one embodiment, the terminal device 30 is connected to the network 40 via the communication unit 31. The communication unit 31 transmits and receives various information via the network 40.

[0033] The storage unit 32 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, but is not limited to these. The storage unit 32 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 32 stores any information used in the operation of the terminal device 30. For example, the storage unit 32 stores a system program, an application program, and various information received or transmitted by the communication unit 31. The information stored in the storage unit 32 can be updated, for example, with information received from the network 40 via the communication unit 31.

[0034] The input unit 33 includes one or more input interfaces that detect a user input and acquire input information based on a user operation. For example, the input unit 33 includes physical keys, capacitive keys, a touch screen that is integrated with the display of the output unit 34, and a microphone that accepts voice input.

[0035] The output unit 34 includes one or more output interfaces that output information to notify the user. For example, the output unit 34 may be, but is not limited to, a display that outputs information as a video or a speaker that outputs information as an audio.

[0036] The control unit 35 includes one or more processors. In one embodiment, the "processor" is a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited thereto. The control unit 35 is communicably connected to each component of the terminal device 30 and controls the operation of the entire terminal device 30.

[0037] Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of an information processing method executed by the information processing system 1 of Fig. 1. With reference to Fig. 3, an example of the information processing method executed by the information processing system 1 of Fig. 1 will be explained. The sequence diagram shown in Fig. 3 shows a basic process flow of the information processing method executed by the information processing system 1.

[0038] In step S100, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 acquires traffic information in a region. For example, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives traffic information from an external device not included in the information processing system 1 via the network 40 and the communication unit 11.

[0039] In step S101, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 acquires population information in a region. For example, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives the population information from an external device not included in the information processing system 1 via the network 40 and the communication unit 11.

[0040] In step S102, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 determines an incentive to be associated with a predetermined point on the map of the area based on at least one of the traffic information and the population information acquired in step S100 and step S101, respectively. For example, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 associates a more beneficial incentive with a predetermined point determined to have a lower traffic load based on the traffic information acquired in step S100. For example, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 associates a more beneficial incentive with a predetermined point determined to have a lower population density based on the population information acquired in step S101.

[0041] In step S103, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 transmits the incentive information determined in step S102 to the vehicle 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 40. As a result, the control unit 26 of the vehicle 20 receives the incentive information determined in the information processing device 10 from the information processing device 10 via the network 40 and the communication unit 21. Based on the received incentive information, the control unit 26 of the vehicle 20 uses the output unit 25 to display the incentive information at a predetermined point on the map of the area, superimposed on the map. For example, the control unit 26 of the vehicle 20 uses the output unit 25 to display an icon of a character in a game at a predetermined point on the map of the area, superimposed on the map.

[0042] In step S104, the vehicle 20 passes a predetermined point on the map associated with the incentive determined by the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 in step S102. For example, the control unit 26 of the vehicle 20 controls the traveling of the vehicle 20 so that the vehicle 20 passes the predetermined point by automatic driving. More specifically, the user uses the input unit 24 to select a specific icon from among a plurality of icons as incentive information displayed on the map by the output unit 25. The control unit 26 of the vehicle 20 identifies the specific icon selected by the user based on input information from the input unit 24. The control unit 26 of the vehicle 20 controls the traveling of the vehicle 20 so that the vehicle 20 passes the predetermined point associated with the specific icon. Without being limited thereto, the user may check a plurality of icons as incentive information displayed on the map by the output unit 25, and drive the vehicle 20 by himself / herself to the predetermined point associated with the incentive that the user himself / herself desires to obtain.

[0043] In step S105, the control unit 26 of the vehicle 20 transmits the position information of the vehicle 20 acquired by the acquisition unit 23 to the information processing device 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 40. As a result, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives the position information of the vehicle 20 from the vehicle 20 via the network 40 and the communication unit 11. The control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 determines that the user's vehicle 20 has passed a predetermined point, based on the position information of the vehicle 20 acquired in this manner.

[0044] In step S106, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 determines whether to give to the user an incentive associated with the predetermined point through which the vehicle 20 has passed in step S104.

[0045] In step S107, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 transmits the incentive to be granted to the user to the terminal device 30 via the communication unit 11 and the network 40 in accordance with the determination process in step S106. As a result, the control unit 35 of the terminal device 30 receives the incentive determined to be granted by the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 in step S106 from the information processing device 10 via the network 40 and the communication unit 31. The control unit 35 of the terminal device 30 displays the content of the received incentive on the output unit 34. This allows the user to confirm that the incentive associated with the specified point has been acquired without fail as a result of the vehicle 20 passing through the specified point.

[0046] According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to disperse traffic throughout the region. For example, the information processing device 10 associates a more beneficial incentive with a predetermined location determined to have a lower traffic load based on traffic information. This makes the user feel that the incentive is beneficial to the user himself / herself and desire to obtain it. As a result, the information processing device 10 is able to guide the user's vehicle 20 to a predetermined location with a lower traffic load. For example, the information processing device 10 associates a more beneficial incentive with a predetermined location determined to have a lower population density based on population information. This makes the user feel that the incentive is beneficial to the user himself / herself and desire to obtain it. As a result, the information processing device 10 is able to guide the user's vehicle 20 to a predetermined location with a lower population density.

[0047] When the information processing device 10 determines that the user's vehicle 20 has passed a predetermined point, it grants an incentive to the user. This allows the user to obtain a desired incentive through the terminal device 30. For example, the user can obtain a desired in-game character and use the character in the corresponding game. For example, the user can obtain a coupon that can be used at a predetermined store, travel to the store using the vehicle 20, and use the coupon at the store.

[0048] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each configuration or each step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple configurations or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0049] For example, at least a part of the processing operations executed in the information processing device 10 in the above-described embodiment may be executed in the vehicle 20 or the terminal device 30. For example, instead of the information processing device 10, the vehicle 20 itself may execute the above-described processing operations related to the information processing device 10. At least a part of the processing operations executed in the vehicle 20 or the terminal device 30 may be executed in the information processing device 10.

[0050] For example, a general-purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or a computer can be configured to function as the information processing device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment is stored in the memory of the electronic device, and the program is read and executed by a processor of the electronic device. Therefore, the disclosure according to one embodiment can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

[0051] Alternatively, the disclosure according to an embodiment may be realized as a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program executable by one or more processors to cause the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment to execute each function. It should be understood that these are also included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0052] For example, the information processing device 10 described in the above embodiment may be mounted on the vehicle 20. In this case, the information processing device 10 may directly communicate information with the vehicle 20 without going through the network 40.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 10 acquires information including both traffic information and population information in the area, but is not limited to this. The information processing device 10 may acquire information including either traffic information or population information in the area.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 10 has been described as associating a more beneficial incentive with both a predetermined point determined to have a lower traffic load based on traffic information and a predetermined point determined to have a lower population density based on population information, but is not limited thereto. The information processing device 10 may associate a more beneficial incentive with either a predetermined point determined to have a lower traffic load based on traffic information or a predetermined point determined to have a lower population density based on population information.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 10 has been described as transmitting the incentive information determined by the information processing device 10 to the vehicle 20, but this is not limited thereto. The information processing device 10 may transmit the incentive information determined by the information processing device 10 to the terminal device 30 instead of or in addition to the vehicle 20.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 10 transmits the incentive to be given to the user to the terminal device 30 in accordance with the decision process in the information processing device 10, but this is not limited to the above. The information processing device 10 may transmit the incentive to be given to the user to the vehicle 20 instead of or in addition to the terminal device 30 in accordance with the decision process in the information processing device 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Information Processing Systems 10. Information processing device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control section 20 Vehicles 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Acquisition Department 24 Input section 25 Output section 26 Control Unit 30 Terminal Equipment 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Input section 34 Output section 35 Control section 40 Network

Claims

1. An information processing device including a first control unit; A vehicle including a second control unit; An information processing system comprising: The first control unit is Acquire information including at least one of traffic information and population information in a region; determining an incentive associated with a predetermined location on a map of the region based on the obtained information; Associating the incentive more advantageously with at least one of the predetermined location determined to have a lower traffic load based on the traffic information and the predetermined location determined to have a lower population density based on the population information; when it is determined that the user's vehicle has passed the predetermined point, the incentive is given to the user; The second control unit is acquiring, from the information processing device, information on the incentive determined by the information processing device; based on the acquired incentive information, displaying the incentive information at the predetermined point on a map of the area by overlaying the map with the incentive information; Identifying a specific icon selected by the user from among a plurality of icons as the incentive information displayed on the map of the region; Controlling the travel of the vehicle so as to pass through the predetermined point associated with the specific icon; Information processing system.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The incentives include incentives that can be used in games. Information processing system.

3. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, the incentive includes a character in the game; the second control unit displays an icon of the character in the game superimposed on the map at the predetermined point on the map of the area, Information processing system.

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