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

Abstract

An information processing device (100) for outputting a speech guidance in accordance with the current position of a vehicle is characterized by comprising: an acquisition unit (132) that acquires current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and traveling history information indicating traveling history of the vehicle; and an estimation unit (135) that estimates duration time of a period in which outputting of the speech guidance is unnecessary, on the basis of the current position information and the traveling history information.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, information processing devices have been proposed that use map data to search for a route from a starting point to a destination set by a driver, and provide guidance on a route according to the search results. Such information processing devices output voice guidance such as route guidance (right / left turn guidance, etc.), traffic information (surrounding congestion, traffic regulations, accident-prone areas, etc.), and recommendation information (recommendations for nearby facilities, etc.) according to the current position of the vehicle. Note that such information processing devices output voice guidance such as traffic information and recommendation information even when a route is not set in the navigation function.

[0003] Among the above-mentioned information processing devices, there is known an information processing device that outputs advertising information at a predetermined timing and allows the navigation function to be used free of charge by applying the advertising fee. For example, there is known an information processing device that includes an output control means that causes an output means to output a voice advertisement at a predetermined timing that does not conflict with the output timing of a voice guidance that is output when moving to a destination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-58301 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above conventional technology does not necessarily improve the output effect of content including audio. For example, the above conventional technology merely outputs audio advertisements at a predetermined timing that does not conflict with the output timing of audio guidance output when moving to a destination, so that, for example, audio guidance may interrupt the output of an audio advertisement, hindering the output of the audio advertisement. Therefore, the above conventional technology has room for improvement in terms of improving the output effect of content including audio, such as audio advertisements.

[0006] The present disclosure provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can improve the output effect of content that includes audio. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing device according to claim 1 is an information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; an identification unit that identifies a frequent location where the vehicle has behaved in a predetermined manner more than a predetermined number of times based on the driving history information; a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location based on the current position information; and when the determination unit determines that the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location, a duration of the period during which the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location is determined. The duration of the period during which the voice guidance output is not required As and an estimation unit for estimating the difference.

[0008] An information processing method according to claim 10 is an information processing method executed by an information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, the information processing method including: acquiring current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; a step of identifying a frequent location where the number of times the vehicle has behaved in a predetermined manner exceeds a predetermined number of times based on the travel history information; a step of determining whether the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location based on the current position information; and, when it is determined by the step of determining that the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location, a duration of the period during which the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location. The duration of the period during which the voice guidance output is not required As and an estimation step of estimating the difference between the first and second estimating steps.

[0009] The information processing program according to claim 11 includes an information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, the information processing device including a computer that acquires current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; a step of identifying a frequent location where the vehicle has behaved in a predetermined manner more than a predetermined number of times based on the driving history information; a step of determining whether the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location based on the current position information; and, when it is determined by the step of determining that the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location, determining the duration of the period during which the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location. The duration of the period during which the voice guidance output is not required AsAn estimation procedure for estimating is executed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an information processing procedure according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of information processing according to the modified example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. Furthermore, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0012] (Embodiment) [1. Configuration of information processing system] First, the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a content device 10 and an information processing device 100. The content device 10 and the information processing device 100 are connected to each other via a predetermined network N so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. Note that the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 may include a plurality of content devices 10 and a plurality of information processing devices 100.

[0013] The content device 10 is a server device that distributes content including audio to the information processing device 100. For example, the content device 10 distributes content that is only audio, such as audio advertisements. The content device 10 may also distribute content that includes audio and video. In the following, when the term "content" is simply used, it refers to content that includes audio.

[0014] The information processing device 100 is an information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to the current position of the vehicle. Specifically, the information processing device 100 outputs voice guidance such as route guidance (right / left turn guidance, etc.), traffic information (surrounding congestion, traffic regulations, accident-prone locations, etc.), or recommendation information (recommendations of surrounding facilities, etc.) according to the current position of the vehicle. More specifically, the information processing device 100 is an information processing device equipped with a navigation function. For example, the information processing device 100 is a stationary navigation device installed in a vehicle. Note that the information processing device 100 is not limited to a navigation device, and may be a portable terminal device such as a smartphone used by a vehicle occupant. For example, the information processing device 100 may be a user's terminal device in which an application that realizes the navigation function is installed.

[0015] The information processing device 100 also estimates the duration of a period during which voice guidance output is unnecessary based on current location information indicating the current location of the vehicle and driving history information indicating the driving history of the vehicle. The information processing device 100 has a function that, while the vehicle is traveling on a frequently used travel route (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a familiar travel route), assumes that the driver of the vehicle is familiar with the travel route, and does not output voice guidance (i.e., omits voice guidance) that is repeated every time the vehicle travels on the travel route, such as route guidance (right / left turn guidance, etc.), traffic information (surrounding congestion, traffic regulations, accident-prone locations, etc.), or recommendation information (recommendations of surrounding facilities, etc.). Therefore, the information processing device 100 can omit output of voice guidance during the period during which the vehicle is traveling on a familiar travel route, and estimates that the period during which the vehicle is traveling on a familiar travel route is a period during which voice guidance output is unnecessary. That is, the information processing device 100 estimates the duration of the period during which the vehicle is traveling along a familiar travel route as the duration of the period during which the output of voice guidance is not required. The information processing device 100 also receives various contents from the content device 10. The information processing device 100 also selects, from the received contents, contents other than the voice guidance that are related to the familiar travel route currently being traveled and are repeated every time the travel route is traveled, and whose length falls within the duration of the period during which the output of voice guidance is not required (for example, the duration of the period during which the vehicle is traveling along a familiar travel route). The information processing device 100 also outputs the selected content during the period during which the output of voice guidance is not required.

[0016] As a result, the information processing device 100 can predict the duration of the most recent unfilled time for outputting voice guidance based on the vehicle's driving history information, even if a route is not set in the navigation function of the information processing device 100. Furthermore, since the information processing device 100 can predict the duration of the most recent unfilled time for outputting voice guidance, it is possible to select and output content that fits within the duration. As a result, the information processing device 100 can output all at once, without interruption, content that is likely to lose the connection between the content before and after the interruption when the audio output is interrupted, such as news or advertisements. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can select and output an advertisement that fits within the duration from among a long version and a short version of an audio advertisement. Therefore, the information processing device 100 can make it easier for a viewer who watches content including audio to understand the content including audio, and can therefore improve the output effect of the content including audio.

[0017] 2. Configuration of Information Processing Device Next, the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a control unit 130, a sensor unit 140, an audio output unit 150, an input unit 160, and a display unit 170.

[0018] The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) or the like. The communication unit 110 is connected to the content device 10 via the network N in a wired or wireless manner, and is a communication interface that controls communication of information with the content device 10. When the communication unit 110 receives content from the content device 10, it outputs the received content to the control unit 130.

[0019] The sensor unit 140 includes various sensors. For example, the sensor unit 140 includes a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The GNSS sensor receives radio waves including positioning data transmitted from a navigation satellite using the GNSS. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information and the like. The GNSS used may be, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) or another system. The sensor unit 140 outputs the positioning data generated by the GNSS sensor to the control unit 130.

[0020] The sensor unit 140 also includes a vehicle speed sensor. The vehicle speed sensor detects the traveling speed of the vehicle and generates vehicle speed data corresponding to the traveling speed. The sensor unit 140 also outputs the vehicle speed data generated by the vehicle speed sensor to the control unit 130.

[0021] The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. For example, the storage unit 120 stores information (information processing programs and data) used for processing in the control unit 130.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 120 includes a map information storage unit 121 and a travel information storage unit 122. The map information storage unit 121 stores various information related to a map. The travel information storage unit 122 stores travel history information indicating the travel history of the vehicle. For example, the travel information storage unit 122 stores information related to the road and travel route on which the vehicle has traveled, as well as information in which the position information and speed information of the vehicle at each time are associated, as the travel history information. Here, the information related to the travel route stored in the travel information storage unit 122 may be any information related to the travel route actually traveled by the vehicle. For example, the travel information storage unit 122 stores information related to the travel route traveled by the vehicle when the route is not set in the navigation function of the information processing device 100. In addition, the travel information storage unit 122 may be information related to the travel route actually traveled by the vehicle among the travel routes proposed to the driver by the route guidance unit 131 when the route is set in the navigation function of the information processing device 100.

[0023] The control unit 130 is a controller, and is realized by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like, executing various programs (corresponding to an example of an information processing program) stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 100 using a storage area such as a RAM as a working area. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 130 has a route guidance unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, a specification unit 133, a determination unit 134, an estimation unit 135, and an output control unit 136.

[0024] The route guidance unit 131 executes the navigation function of the information processing device 100. Specifically, when the route guidance unit 131 receives a route setting from the driver, it searches for a route from the departure point set by the driver to the destination. For example, the route guidance unit 131 acquires information on the departure point and the destination corresponding to the input operation received by the input unit 160. Next, when the route guidance unit 131 acquires information on the departure point and the destination, it refers to the map information storage unit 121 to acquire map data. Next, the route guidance unit 131 searches for a route from the departure point to the destination using the map data. Next, the route guidance unit 131 proposes an optimal travel route to the driver according to the search result. In addition, when the proposed travel route is selected by the driver, the route guidance unit 131 controls the voice output unit 150 to output voice guidance regarding route guidance according to the travel route. In addition, the route guidance unit 131 may store information on the travel route actually traveled by the vehicle among the travel routes proposed to the driver in the travel information storage unit 122.

[0025] The acquisition unit 132 acquires current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle. Specifically, the acquisition unit 132 acquires positioning data generated by the GNSS sensor of the sensor unit 140 from the GNSS sensor of the sensor unit 140. Next, the acquisition unit 132 acquires latitude information and longitude information indicating the current position of the vehicle from the acquired positioning data as current position information of the vehicle.

[0026] The acquisition unit 132 also acquires driving history information indicating the driving history of the vehicle. For example, the acquisition unit 132 acquires the position information of the vehicle at each time from the GNSS sensor of the sensor unit 140. Then, the acquisition unit 132 identifies the roads and travel routes on which the vehicle has traveled based on the position information of the vehicle at each time. The acquisition unit 132 also acquires vehicle speed data generated by the vehicle speed sensor of the sensor unit 140 from the vehicle speed sensor of the sensor unit 140. Then, the acquisition unit 132 acquires speed information indicating the driving speed of the vehicle from the acquired vehicle speed data. Then, the acquisition unit 132 stores, as driving history information, information on the roads and travel routes on which the vehicle has traveled, and information in which the position information and speed information of the vehicle at each time are associated with each other in the driving information storage unit 122.

[0027] The identification unit 133 identifies a frequent location where the vehicle has behaved in a predetermined manner more than a predetermined number of times based on the travel history information. As an example, the identification unit 133 identifies a travel route that the vehicle is familiar with as the frequent location. More specifically, the identification unit 133 acquires the travel history information of the vehicle by referring to the travel history information storage unit 122. Next, the identification unit 133 identifies a frequent travel route (e.g., a commuting route) that is a travel route where the vehicle has been traveled more than a first number of times as a travel route that the vehicle is familiar with based on the travel history information. In addition, the identification unit 133 may identify, from the travel history information, the departure place, destination, time zone of departure, and day of departure when the vehicle has traveled along the frequent travel route in the past, in addition to the frequent travel route. The identification unit 133 may identify a frequent location where the vehicle has behaved in a predetermined manner more than a predetermined number of times based on the travel history information acquired within the most recent predetermined period (e.g., six months).

[0028] The determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is behaving in a predetermined manner at a frequent location based on the current position information of the vehicle. Specifically, the determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is behaving in a manner that travels toward a first destination (e.g., home) on a frequent travel route. For example, when a travel route is set by the route guidance unit 131, the determination unit 134 compares the travel route currently set by the route guidance unit 131 and the destination of the travel route with the frequent travel route and the destination of the frequent travel route identified by the identification unit 133, and when a first frequent travel route that matches both is found, the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is currently behaving in a manner that travels toward the first destination using the first frequent travel route. Alternatively, for example, when a travel route has not been set by the route guidance unit 131, the judgment unit 134 compares the conditions of the vehicle's current location (starting point), the time period corresponding to the current time, and the current day of the week with the conditions of the starting point, destination, time period of departure, and day of departure when the frequent travel route was traveled in the past, which are identified by the identification unit 133 together with the frequent travel route, and when a first frequent travel route that matches the conditions is found, it predicts that regular travel will also be performed this time, and judges that the vehicle is behaving as if it is traveling using the first frequent travel route toward the first destination corresponding to the first frequent travel route.

[0029] The estimation unit 135 estimates the duration of the period during which the output of voice guidance is unnecessary based on the current position information and the travel history information. Specifically, when the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is behaving in a predetermined manner at a frequent location, the estimation unit 135 estimates the duration of the period during which the vehicle is behaving in a predetermined manner at the frequent location, and estimates the duration of the estimated period as the duration of the period during which the output of voice guidance is unnecessary. For example, when the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is behaving in a manner of traveling toward a first destination on a frequent travel route, the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the first destination. For example, the estimation unit 135 estimates the travel distance along the frequent travel route from the current position to the first destination based on the current position information of the vehicle and the position information of the first destination acquired by the acquisition unit 132. The estimation unit 135 also refers to the travel information storage unit 122 to estimate the average travel speed of the vehicle on the frequent travel route. Furthermore, the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the first destination by dividing the travel distance from the current position to the first destination by the average traveling speed of the vehicle. The estimation unit 135 may estimate the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the first destination by correcting it based on current traffic information (traffic congestion, etc.). Next, the estimation unit 135 estimates the estimated time required as the duration of the period during which voice guidance output is not required.

[0030] The output control unit 136 controls the output of the content. Specifically, the output control unit 136 acquires the content from the communication unit 110. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is traveling toward the first destination on the frequent travel route, the output control unit 136 selects, from the acquired content, content that is related to the currently traveling frequent travel route and that is not a voice guidance that is repeated every time the vehicle travels on the frequent travel route, and that fits within the duration of the period during which the output of the voice guidance is not required, such as content related to news or audio advertisements, estimated by the estimation unit 135. Hereinafter, the "period during which the output of the voice guidance is not required estimated by the estimation unit 135" may be referred to as the "period estimated by the estimation unit 135". In addition, below, the "duration of the period during which the output of the voice guidance is not required estimated by the estimation unit 135" may be referred to as the "duration of the period estimated by the estimation unit 135". For example, the output control unit 136 compares the duration of the period estimated by the estimation unit 135 with the playback time of each acquired content, and selects, from the acquired content, a content whose playback time is shorter than the duration of the period estimated by the estimation unit 135. For example, the output control unit 136 selects an advertisement that fits within the duration from among a long version and a short version of an audio advertisement. Next, the output control unit 136 controls the audio output unit 150 to output the audio included in the selected content during the period estimated by the estimation unit 135. Note that, if the selected content includes video, the output control unit 136 controls the display unit 170 to display the video included in the selected content during the period estimated by the estimation unit 135.

[0031] When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is not traveling on a frequent travel route, the output control unit 136 controls the audio output unit 150 to output audio guidance of route guidance (right / left turn guidance, etc.) and traffic information (surrounding congestion, traffic regulations, accident-prone locations, etc.) according to the current position of the vehicle. In addition, the output control unit 136 controls the audio output unit 150 to output audio guidance of recommendation information (recommendations of surrounding facilities, etc.) related to the currently traveling travel route from among the contents acquired from the communication unit 110. Note that even if a route is not set in the route guidance unit 131, the output control unit 136 controls the audio output unit 150 to output audio guidance of traffic information, recommendation information, etc. according to the current position of the vehicle.

[0032] The audio output unit 150 includes a speaker, and outputs various sounds from the speaker under the control of the output control unit 136. The audio output unit 150 outputs, for example, news or audio advertisements as sounds included in the content selected by the output control unit 136.

[0033] The input unit 160 receives various operations input from a user. For example, the input unit 160 may receive various operations from a user via a display surface (for example, the display unit 170) using a touch panel function. For example, the input unit 160 receives an input operation of information relating to a departure point and a destination from a driver of a vehicle. The input unit 160 may also receive various operations from buttons provided on the information processing device 100 or a keyboard or mouse connected to the information processing device 100.

[0034] The input unit 160 also includes a voice recognition function (for example, a microphone, etc.) and recognizes the user's voice. The input unit 160 may accept various operations from the user by the user's voice.

[0035] The display unit 170 is a display screen realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and is a display device for displaying various information. The display unit 170 displays various information according to the control of the control unit 130. For example, the display unit 170 displays a travel route and map data proposed by the route guidance unit 131. In addition, the display unit 170 displays an image included in the content selected by the output control unit 136 according to the control of the output control unit 136. Note that, when a touch panel is adopted in the information processing device 100, the input unit 160 and the display unit 170 are integrated. In addition, in the following description, the display unit 170 may be described as a screen.

[0036] [3. Information processing flow] Next, a procedure of information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the acquisition unit 132 of the information processing device 100 acquires driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle (step S1). Furthermore, the identification unit 133 of the information processing device 100 identifies a frequent location where the number of times the vehicle has performed a predetermined behavior exceeds a predetermined number of times, based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit 132 (step S2). Furthermore, the acquisition unit 132 of the information processing device 100 acquires current location information indicating the current location of the vehicle (step S3). Furthermore, the determination unit 134 of the information processing device 100 determines whether the vehicle is performing a predetermined behavior in the frequent location, based on the current location information acquired by the acquisition unit 132 (step S4).

[0037] When the estimation unit 135 of the information processing device 100 determines that the vehicle is not behaving in a predetermined manner in the frequent location (step S4; No), the acquisition unit 132 of the information processing device 100 acquires current location information indicating the current location of the vehicle again (step S3). On the other hand, when the estimation unit 135 of the information processing device 100 determines that the vehicle is behaving in a predetermined manner in the frequent location (step S4; Yes), it estimates the duration of the period during which the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner in the frequent location, and estimates the duration of the estimated period as the duration of the period during which voice guidance output is unnecessary (step S5).

[0038] 4. Modifications The processing according to the above-described embodiment may be implemented in various different forms other than the above embodiment.

[0039] [4-1. Determining how long you have been on a familiar road] In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the estimation unit 135 estimates, as the duration of a period during which voice guidance output is unnecessary, a required time for a vehicle traveling on a frequent travel route on which the vehicle has been traveled more than a first number of times to arrive at a destination. Here, a case will be described in which the estimation unit 135 estimates, as the duration of a period during which voice guidance output is unnecessary, a required time for a vehicle traveling on a frequent road on which the vehicle has been traveled more than a second number of times to arrive at a point at which the frequent road connects with another main road (excluding narrow streets) that is not specified as a frequent road, at the vehicle's destination.

[0040] The information processing device 100 has a function that can not output (i.e., omit voice guidance) route guidance (right / left turn guidance, etc.) for a travel route, traffic information (surrounding congestion, traffic regulations, accident-prone locations, etc.), or recommendation information (recommendations of nearby facilities, etc.) that is repeated every time the vehicle travels along the travel route while the vehicle is traveling along a road that the vehicle frequently uses (hereinafter, may be referred to as a familiar road). The information processing device 100 of this modified example can omit output of voice guidance during a period in which the vehicle is predicted to travel along a familiar road even when a destination is not set or the destination cannot be predicted, and therefore estimates the period in which the vehicle is traveling along a familiar road as a period in which output of voice guidance is not required. In other words, the information processing device 100 estimates the duration of the period in which the vehicle is traveling along a familiar road as the duration of the period in which output of voice guidance is not required.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of information processing according to a modified example. A current position P1 shown in FIG. 4 indicates the current position of the vehicle VEx. Roads R1 and R2 indicate roads that the vehicle VEx is familiar with. Road R3 indicates another trunk road that the vehicle VEx is not familiar with, which branches off from road R1 and connects. A connection point P2 indicates the connection position between roads R1 and R3. In the following, the reference numerals of the vehicle VEx will be omitted.

[0042] The identification unit 133 identifies roads that the vehicle is familiar with as frequent locations. More specifically, the identification unit 133 acquires driving history information of the vehicle by referring to the driving information storage unit 122. Next, the identification unit 133 identifies, as roads that the vehicle is familiar with, frequent roads that are roads on which the vehicle has traveled a number of times that exceeds a second number, based on the driving history information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, roads R1 and R2 correspond to frequent roads.

[0043] The determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is behaving as if it were traveling on a frequent road. For example, the determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is located on a frequent road based on the current position information of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit 132 and the position information of the frequent road identified by the identification unit 133. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is located on a frequent road, it determines whether the vehicle is traveling. For example, the determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is in a traveling state based on the vehicle speed data generated by the vehicle speed sensor of the sensor unit 140. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is in a traveling state, it determines that the vehicle is behaving as if it were traveling on a frequent road. In the example shown in FIG. 4, it determines that the vehicle VEx is behaving as if it were traveling on the road R1, which is a frequent road.

[0044] When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is behaving as if it is traveling on a frequent road, the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for the vehicle to reach a point at which the frequent road connects to another main road that is not a frequent road at the vehicle's destination. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for the vehicle to reach a connection point P2 at which the road R1, which is a frequent road, connects to a road R3, which is a main road that is not a frequent road, at the vehicle's destination. For example, the estimation unit 135 estimates the travel distance from the current position P1 to the connection point P2 based on the current position information indicating the current position P1 of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit 132 and the position information indicating the position of the connection point P2. The estimation unit 135 also refers to the travel information storage unit 122 to estimate the average travel speed of the vehicle on the frequent road. The estimation unit 135 also estimates the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the connection point P2 by dividing the travel distance from the current position P1 to the connection point P2 by the average traveling speed of the vehicle. Next, the estimation unit 135 estimates the estimated time required as the duration of the period during which output of voice guidance is not required.

[0045] [4-2. Judging regular pick-up stops] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for a vehicle traveling on a frequent travel route where the number of times the vehicle has traveled exceeds a first number to arrive at a destination as the duration of a period in which output of voice guidance is not required. Here, a case will be described in which the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for a vehicle stopped at a stop location where the number of times the vehicle has stopped exceeds a third number to depart from the stop location as the duration of a period in which output of voice guidance is not required.

[0046] When the vehicle is stopped at a stop where the vehicle always stops for a fixed time, the information processing device 100 estimates, based on the travel history information, that the time required for the vehicle to depart from the usual stop is the period during which voice guidance output is unnecessary, since there is an idle time before the vehicle departs. In other words, the information processing device 100 estimates the time required for the vehicle to depart from the usual stop as the duration of the period during which voice guidance output is unnecessary.

[0047] The identification unit 133 identifies a stop location where the vehicle always stops as a frequent stop location. More specifically, the identification unit 133 acquires the travel history information of the vehicle by referring to the travel information storage unit 122. Next, the identification unit 133 identifies a frequent stop location where the vehicle always stops, which is a stop location where the number of times the vehicle stops exceeds a third number, as a stop location where the vehicle always stops, based on the travel history information. Furthermore, the identification unit 133 may acquire a stop start time at which the vehicle starts stopping at the stop location, in addition to the stop locations where the vehicle frequently stops, based on the travel history information, and may identify an average time of the stop start time when the stop start times are concentrated in a predetermined time period.

[0048] The determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is behaving as if it were stopping at a frequent stop location. For example, the determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is located at a frequent stop location based on the current position information of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit 132 and the position information of the frequent stop location identified by the identification unit 133. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is located at a frequent stop location, it determines whether the vehicle is stopped. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is in a stopped state, it determines that the vehicle is behaving as if it were stopping at a frequent stop location. In addition, when the identification unit 133 identifies an average time of the stop start time at a stop location, the determination unit 134 may determine that the vehicle is behaving as if it were stopping at the frequent stop location when the stop at the stop location starts during a predetermined time period including the average time of the stop start time, that is, when the vehicle is stopped at the usual stop location at the usual time.

[0049] When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is behaving to stop at a frequent stop location, the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for the vehicle to depart from the frequent stop location. For example, the estimation unit 135 estimates the departure time of the vehicle from the frequent stop location based on the average time from stopping to departing at the frequent stop location detected from the travel history information, or the shortest time from stopping to departing, and the start time of stopping at the frequent stop location, and estimates the time until the estimated departure time as the time required for the vehicle to depart. Next, the estimation unit 135 estimates the estimated time required as the duration of the period during which voice guidance output is not required. In addition, if the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle has stopped at the usual stopping location at the usual time, the estimation unit 135 may estimate the departure time of the vehicle from the frequent stopping location based on the average departure time or the earliest departure time from the frequent stopping location detected from the driving history information, and may estimate the time until the estimated departure time to be the time required for the vehicle to depart.

[0050] [4-3. Judging normal idling] In the above embodiment, the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for a vehicle traveling along a frequent travel route where the number of times the vehicle has traveled exceeds the first number of times to arrive at the destination as the duration of the period during which the output of voice guidance is not required. Here, a case will be described in which the estimation unit 135 estimates the idling time of the vehicle as the duration of the period during which the output of voice guidance is not required.

[0051] When the vehicle is idling at an idling place where the vehicle usually idles, the information processing device 100 estimates, based on the travel history information, that the time required for the vehicle to depart from the usual idling place is the period during which the output of voice guidance is not required, since there is a vacant time before the vehicle departs. In other words, the information processing device 100 estimates the time required for the vehicle to depart from the usual idling place as the duration of the period during which the output of voice guidance is not required.

[0052] The storage unit 120 stores, as the travel history information, information in which the starting point of the vehicle's engine, the start date and time of the vehicle's engine, and the idling time of the vehicle (the time from engine start to departure) are associated with each other.

[0053] The sensor unit 140 may include an idling sensor capable of detecting an idling state of the vehicle. For example, the sensor unit 140 may include an idling sensor capable of detecting the start of the engine of the vehicle and the time from the start of the engine to the departure of the vehicle. When the idling sensor detects the idling state of the vehicle, it generates idle data including the start of the engine of the vehicle and the time from the start of the engine to the departure of the vehicle.

[0054] The identification unit 133 identifies an idling location where the vehicle is always idling as a frequent location. More specifically, the identification unit 133 acquires driving history information of the vehicle by referring to the driving information storage unit 122. Next, the identification unit 133 identifies a frequent idling location where the vehicle is always idling, which is an idling location where the number of times the vehicle has been idling exceeds a fourth number, as an idling location where the vehicle is always idling, based on the driving history information.

[0055] The determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is idling at a frequent idling location. For example, the determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is located at a frequent idling location based on the current location information of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit 132 and the location information of the frequent idling location identified by the identification unit 133. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is located at a frequent idling location, the determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is idling. For example, the determination unit 134 acquires idle data generated by the idling sensor of the sensor unit 140 from the idling sensor of the sensor unit 140. Next, the determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is in an idling state from the acquired idle data. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is in an idling state, the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is idling at a frequent idling location.

[0056] When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is idling at a frequent idling location, the estimation unit 135 estimates the idling time from when the vehicle starts the engine to when the vehicle departs. For example, the estimation unit 135 estimates the average idling time at the frequent idling location based on the driving history information, and estimates the estimated average idling time as the time required for the vehicle to depart from the frequent idling location. Next, the estimation unit 135 estimates the estimated required time as the duration of the period during which voice guidance output is not required.

[0057] The estimation unit 135 may also calculate the idling time for each starting point, starting time, and starting date of the engine by the vehicle based on the travel history information, and estimate the calculated idling time statistics as the duration of the period during which the output of voice guidance is not required. For example, the estimation unit 135 may calculate the idling time statistics for each season. This is because, for example, idling time is considered to tend to be longer in winter.

[0058] 5. Effects As described above, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment is an information processing device 100 that outputs voice guidance according to the current position of the vehicle, and includes the acquisition unit 132 and the estimation unit 135. The acquisition unit 132 acquires current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating the driving history of the vehicle. The estimation unit 135 estimates the duration of a period during which output of voice guidance is not required, based on the current position information and the driving history information.

[0059] As a result, even if a route is not set in the navigation function of the information processing device 100, for example, the information processing device 100 can predict the duration of the most recent free time for outputting voice guidance based on the vehicle's driving history information and current position information. Furthermore, since the information processing device 100 can predict the duration of the most recent free time for outputting voice guidance, it is possible to select and output content that fits within the duration. As a result, the information processing device 100 can output all at once, without interruption, content that is likely to lose the connection between the content before and after the interruption when the audio output is interrupted, such as news or advertisements. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can select and output an advertisement that fits within the duration from among a long version and a short version of an audio advertisement. Therefore, the information processing device 100 can make it easier for a viewer who watches content including audio to understand the content including audio, and can therefore improve the output effect of the content including audio.

[0060] The information processing device 100 further includes an identification unit 133 and a determination unit 134. The identification unit 133 identifies a frequent location where the number of times the vehicle has behaved in a predetermined manner exceeds a predetermined number, based on the travel history information. The determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is behaving in a frequent location based on the current position information. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is behaving in a frequent location, the estimation unit 135 estimates the duration of a period during which the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner in the frequent location, and estimates the duration of the estimated period as the duration of a period during which voice guidance output is not required.

[0061] As a result, the information processing device 100 can appropriately estimate the duration of the period during which the vehicle is behaving in a specified manner at a frequent location as the duration of the most recent vacant time for output of voice guidance, based on the vehicle's driving history information and current location information, even if a route is not set in the navigation function of the information processing device 100, for example.

[0062] Furthermore, the identification unit 133 identifies, as a frequent location, a travel route where the number of times the vehicle has behaved as traveling toward the first destination exceeds a first number of times. The determination unit 134 determines whether or not the vehicle is behaving as traveling toward the first destination on the travel route. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is behaving as traveling toward the first destination on the travel route, the estimation unit 135 estimates a required time for the vehicle to arrive at the first destination, and estimates the estimated required time as the duration of a period during which output of voice guidance is not required.

[0063] As a result, the information processing device 100 can appropriately estimate the duration of the period during which the vehicle is traveling along a familiar route as the duration of the most recent gap in the output of voice guidance, even if a route is not set in the navigation function of the information processing device 100, for example.

[0064] Furthermore, the identification unit 133 identifies a road on which the vehicle has behaved as a frequent location more than a second number of times. The determination unit 134 determines whether the vehicle is behaving as a vehicle traveling on the road identified as a frequent location. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is behaving as a vehicle traveling on the road identified as a frequent location, the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for the vehicle to reach a point where the road identified as the frequent location connects with another road not identified as a frequent location in the vehicle's travel destination, and estimates the estimated time required as the duration of the period during which the output of voice guidance is not required. Furthermore, the other roads are roads other than narrow streets, and the estimation unit 135 can estimate a more realistic duration of the period during which the output of voice guidance is not required by excluding narrow streets into which the vehicle is relatively unlikely to enter from the target of estimation.

[0065] As a result, the information processing device 100 can, for example, identify the period during which the vehicle is reliably traveling on familiar roads even when a route is not set in the navigation function of the information processing device 100 and the course cannot be predicted, and can appropriately estimate the duration of the most recent gap in the output of voice guidance.

[0066] Furthermore, the identification unit 133 identifies a stop location where the number of times the vehicle has stopped exceeds a third number as a frequent location. The determination unit 134 determines whether or not the vehicle is stopping at the stop location. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is stopping at the stop location, the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for the vehicle to depart from the stop location, and estimates the estimated time required as the duration of a period during which output of voice guidance is not required.

[0067] As a result, the information processing device 100 can appropriately estimate the duration of the period during which the vehicle is parked at the usual stopping place as the duration of the most recent vacant time for outputting voice guidance, even if a route is not set in the navigation function of the information processing device 100, for example.

[0068] Furthermore, the estimation unit 135 estimates the time required for the vehicle to depart from the average departure time of the vehicle at the stop location or the time until the earliest departure time of the vehicle.

[0069] This allows the information processing device 100 to appropriately estimate the duration of the period during which the vehicle is stopped at the usual stopping place as the duration of the most recent vacant time for outputting voice guidance.

[0070] Furthermore, the identification unit 133 identifies an idling location where the number of times the vehicle has behaved as an idling location exceeds a fourth number as a frequent location. The determination unit 134 determines whether or not the vehicle is behaving as an idling location. When the determination unit 134 determines that the vehicle is behaving as an idling location, the estimation unit 135 estimates an idling time from when the vehicle starts the engine to when the vehicle departs, and estimates the estimated idling time as the duration of a period during which output of voice guidance is not required.

[0071] As a result, the information processing device 100 can appropriately estimate the duration of the period during which the vehicle is parked at the idling location where it normally idles, as the duration of the most recent unfilled time for outputting voice guidance, even if a route is not set in the navigation function of the information processing device 100, for example.

[0072] In addition, the estimation unit 135 calculates the idling time for each starting point, starting time, and starting date of the engine by the vehicle, and estimates the statistical value of the calculated idling time as the duration of the period during which output of voice guidance is not required.

[0073] As a result, the information processing device 100 can appropriately estimate, for example, the idling time, which varies depending on the season, as the duration of the most recent unspent time for outputting voice guidance, even if a route is not set in the navigation function of the information processing device 100.

[0074] [6. Hardware Configuration] Moreover, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment described above is realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 5, for example. Fig. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device 100. The computer 1000 includes a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, a HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0075] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on a program stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 is started up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0076] The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via a predetermined communication network and sends it to the CPU 1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the predetermined communication network.

[0077] The CPU 1100 controls an output device such as a display and an input device such as a keyboard via an input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input device via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs generated data to the output device via the input / output interface 1600. Note that instead of the CPU 1100, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) may be used since it requires a large amount of calculation power.

[0078] The media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 1800 and provides it to the CPU 1100 via the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 loads the program from the recording medium 1800 onto the RAM 1200 via the media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0079] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 100, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 1200 to realize the functions of the control unit 130. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 may obtain these programs from other devices via a predetermined communication network.

[0080] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the Disclosure of the Invention section.

[0081] [7. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments and modifications, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

[0082] In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0083] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents are not contradictory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Content Devices 100 Information processing device 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Map information storage unit 122 Travel information storage unit 130 Control section 131 Route Guidance Department 132 Acquisition Department 133 Specific part 134 Judgment section 135 Estimation Department 136 Output control section 140 Sensor section 150 Audio output section 160 Input section 170 Display section

Claims

1. An information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, an acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating a current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; an identification unit that identifies a frequent location where the number of times the vehicle has performed a predetermined behavior satisfies a predetermined condition based on the driving history information; a determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle is exhibiting the predetermined behavior at the frequent location based on the current position information when a planned route of the vehicle is not set; an estimation unit that, when it is determined by the determination unit that the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner in the frequent location, estimates a duration of a period during which the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner in the frequent location as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required; 13. An information processing device comprising:

2. The identification unit is A frequent travel route is identified as the frequent location, the frequent travel route being a travel route in which the number of times the vehicle has traveled toward the first destination satisfies the predetermined condition; The determination unit is When a planned route of the vehicle is not set, whether or not the vehicle is traveling toward the first destination on the frequent travel route is determined based on the current position information, the current date and time, and the travel history information; The estimation unit is When the determination unit determines that the vehicle is traveling toward the first destination on the frequently-used travel route, a required time for the vehicle to arrive at the first destination is estimated as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The identification unit is A frequent road is identified as the frequent location, the frequent road being a road on which the number of times the vehicle has traveled satisfies the predetermined condition; The determination unit is When a planned route of the vehicle is not set, it is determined whether the vehicle is exhibiting the traveling behavior on the frequently-occurring road; The estimation unit is When the determination unit determines that the vehicle is exhibiting the behavior of traveling on the frequently-occurring road, a required time for the vehicle to reach a point at which the vehicle's destination connects with another road that is not specified as a frequently-occurring road by the specification unit is estimated as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

4. The other roads are roads other than narrow streets.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. An information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, an acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating a current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; an identification unit that identifies a frequent stop location, which is a stop location where the number of times the vehicle has stopped satisfies a predetermined condition, based on the travel history information; a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is stopping at the frequent stopping location based on the current position information; an estimation unit that, when it is determined by the determination unit that the vehicle is behaving as stopping at the frequent stop location, estimates a required time for the vehicle to depart from the frequent stop location based on the travel history information as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required; 13. An information processing device comprising:

6. The estimation unit is an average time of departure times of the vehicle from the frequent stop locations where the vehicle is stopped, or a time until the earliest departure time of the vehicle is estimated as a required time until the vehicle departs; 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,

7. An information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, an acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating a current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; an identification unit that identifies a frequent idling location, which is an idling location where the number of times the vehicle has been idling satisfies a predetermined condition, based on the driving history information; a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is idling at the frequent idling location based on the current position information; an estimation unit that, when it is determined by the determination unit that the vehicle is idling at the frequent idling location, estimates an idling time from when the vehicle starts an engine to when the vehicle starts, as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required, based on the travel history information; 13. An information processing device comprising:

8. The estimation unit is calculating the idling time for each starting point, starting time, and starting date of the engine by the vehicle, and estimating a statistical value of the calculated idling time as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required; 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,

9. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, an acquisition step of acquiring current position information indicating a current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; a step of identifying a frequent location where the number of times the vehicle has performed a predetermined behavior satisfies a predetermined condition based on the driving history information; a determination step of determining whether or not the vehicle is exhibiting the predetermined behavior at the frequent location based on the current position information when a planned route of the vehicle is not set; an estimation step of estimating, when it is determined by the determination step that the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location, a duration of a period during which the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required; 13. An information processing method comprising:

10. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring current position information indicating a current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; a step of identifying a frequent stop location, which is a stop location where the number of times the vehicle has stopped satisfies a predetermined condition, based on the travel history information; a determination step of determining whether or not the vehicle is performing the behavior of stopping at the frequent stopping location based on the current position information; an estimation step of estimating, when it is determined by the determination step that the vehicle is behaving as stopping at the frequent stop location, a required time for the vehicle to depart from the frequent stop location based on the travel history information as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required; 13. An information processing method comprising:

11. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring current position information indicating a current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; a step of identifying a frequent idling location, which is an idling location where the number of times the vehicle has been idling satisfies a predetermined condition, based on the travel history information; a determination step of determining whether the vehicle is idling at the frequent idling location based on the current position information; an estimation step of estimating, based on the driving history information, an idling time from when the engine of the vehicle is started until when the vehicle starts to travel, as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required, when the determination step determines that the vehicle is idling at the frequent idling location; 13. An information processing method comprising:

12. A computer included in an information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, an acquisition step of acquiring current position information indicating a current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; a step of identifying a frequent location where the number of times the vehicle has performed a predetermined behavior satisfies a predetermined condition based on the travel history information; a determination step of determining whether or not the vehicle is exhibiting the predetermined behavior at the frequent location based on the current position information when a planned route of the vehicle is not set; an estimation step of estimating, when it is determined by the determination step that the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location, a duration of a period during which the vehicle is behaving in the predetermined manner at the frequent location as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required; An information processing program for executing the above.

13. A computer of an information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, an acquisition step of acquiring current position information indicating a current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; a step of identifying a frequent stop location, which is a stop location where the number of times the vehicle has stopped satisfies a predetermined condition, based on the travel history information; a determination step of determining whether or not the vehicle is performing the behavior of stopping at the frequent stopping location based on the current position information; an estimation step of estimating, based on the travel history information, a time required for the vehicle to depart from the frequent stop location as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required, when it is determined by the determination step that the vehicle is behaving as stopping at the frequent stop location; An information processing program for executing the above.

14. A computer of an information processing device that outputs voice guidance according to a current position of a vehicle, an acquisition step of acquiring current position information indicating a current position of the vehicle and driving history information indicating a driving history of the vehicle; a step of identifying a frequent idling location, which is an idling location where the number of times the vehicle has been idling satisfies a predetermined condition, based on the driving history information; a determination step of determining whether the vehicle is idling at the frequent idling location based on the current position information; an estimation step of estimating, based on the driving history information, an idling time from when the engine of the vehicle is started until when the vehicle starts to travel, as a duration of a period during which output of the voice guidance is not required, when the determination step determines that the vehicle is idling at the frequent idling location; An information processing program for executing the above.

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