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

Abstract

To provide an information processor, a method for processing information, and an information processing program which can properly determine a proposed travel route.SOLUTION: The information processor according to the present application includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The acquisition unit acquires distance information as information regarding the distances of a plurality of travel routes from a first position to a second position, traffic amount information as information regarding the traffic amount of each of the travel routes, and control information of a signal light on each of the plurality of travel routes. The determination unit determines a travel route which satisfies a predetermined condition of the travel routes on the basis of the distance information, the traffic amount information, and the control information acquired by the acquisition unit. The notification unit delivers information of the travel route determined by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology that searches for a travel route to a destination specified by a user and notifies the user of the search result by displaying the search result on a map, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that searches for a travel route to a destination, and when the searched travel route includes a road where the travel speed is suppressed by controlling traffic signals, searches for and proposes a new travel route, thereby reducing the difference in time required to arrive at the destination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-060540 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional technology can search for travel routes that avoid roads where driving speeds are restricted by traffic signal controls, but there is room for further improvement in terms of more accurately determining the proposed travel routes.

[0005] The present application has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that are capable of more appropriately determining a proposed travel route. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to the present application includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The acquisition unit acquires distance information, which is information about the distance of each of a plurality of travel routes from a first position to a second position, traffic volume information, which is information about the traffic volume of each of the plurality of travel routes, and control information of traffic lights present on each of the plurality of travel routes. The determination unit determines a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of travel routes based on the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information acquired by the acquisition unit. The notification unit notifies information on the travel route determined by the determination unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, an effect is achieved in that a proposed travel route can be more appropriately determined. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reception form displayed on the display unit by the reception unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map displayed on the display unit by the notification unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the map displayed on the display unit by the notification unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing by the processing unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a travel route determination process by the processing unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application are not limited to these embodiments. In addition, each embodiment can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents are not contradictory. In addition, the same parts in each of the following embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] [1. An example of information processing] First, an example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment, which is executed by an information processing device 1.

[0011] 1 has installed thereon a route search application program (hereinafter, may be referred to as a route search app) that provides a route search service, and a user U can use a route search service that suggests a travel route for a vehicle in which the user U is riding, by operating the information processing device 1. The vehicle in which the user U is riding is an automobile (including a motorcycle), but may also be a bicycle, etc.

[0012] The information processing device 1 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), or a wearable device, and is a device carried by a user U. The wearable device is, for example, smart glasses or a smart watch, but is not limited to such examples.

[0013] First, the information processing device 1 accepts information on a destination input or selected by a user U (step S1). For example, the input or selection of a destination is performed by inputting or selecting an address, name, or telephone number of the destination, or may be performed by specifying the location of the destination on a map.

[0014] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can also accept information on a departure point input or selected by the user U, in addition to information on a destination input or selected by the user U. If the user U does not input or select a departure point, the information processing device 1 treats the current location of the user U as the departure point. The departure point is an example of a first location, and the destination is an example of a second location.

[0015] Next, the information processing device 1 searches for a plurality of travel routes from the departure point to the destination (step S2). These plurality of travel routes are at least partially different from each other. The information processing device 1 has, for example, road management information, and searches for a plurality of travel routes from the departure point to the destination based on the road management information.

[0016] The road management information includes, for example, a plurality of pieces of information on nodes such as intersections and T-junctions, and information on links that are roadways connecting the nodes. The node information includes, for example, information on traffic lights and information indicating the distance between nodes. The distance between nodes is the position between the ends of the nodes, such as the distance of an intersection or the distance of a T-junction.

[0017] The link information includes, for example, information on the driving direction of the roadway indicated by the link, information on the distance of the roadway indicated by the link, information on traffic signs provided on the roadway indicated by the link, etc. The distance of the roadway indicated by the link is the distance between the ends of the roadway indicated by the link. One end of the end of the roadway indicated by the link is, for example, the start position of the roadway indicated by the link, and the other end of the end of the roadway indicated by the link is, for example, the end position of the roadway indicated by the link.

[0018] The traffic signs are, for example, road signs such as guide signs, warning signs, regulatory signs, and directional signs. The regulatory signs are, for example, signs indicating road closures, speed restrictions, no U-turns, weight restrictions, and the like.

[0019] The information processing device 1, for example, identifies a travel route from the departure point to the destination by connecting links and nodes from the departure point to the destination, and searches for the travel route. The travel route information searched by the information processing device 1 includes information on the nodes and links from the departure point to the destination.

[0020] Next, the information processing device 1 acquires distance information, traffic volume information, and control information for each of the multiple travel routes searched in step S2 as route determination information (step S3). In step S3, the information processing device 1 acquires the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information for each of the multiple travel routes from an internal storage unit or the traffic information providing device 2.

[0021] The distance information is, for example, information relating to the distance of a travel route, and includes, for example, information indicating the distance (length) of each link and the distance (length) of each node of the travel route.

[0022] The traffic volume information is information related to the traffic volume of the travel route, and includes, for example, information indicating the number of vehicles at each link or each node included in the travel route. The number of vehicles at each link or each node is the real-time number of vehicles or the number of vehicles predicted based on the past traffic volume history.

[0023] The traffic volume may be indicated by an average moving speed instead of or in addition to the number of vehicles. The average moving speed is a real-time average moving speed or an average moving speed predicted based on a past traffic volume history. The predicted number of vehicles and the average moving speed are, for example, information for each day of the week and each time period, but are not limited to such examples.

[0024] The control information is control information for traffic lights present on the travel route, and includes, for example, information on the signal control pattern of the traffic lights present on the travel route and information on the signal control timing of the traffic lights present on the travel route. The information on the signal control pattern includes, for example, information indicating the period during which the signal indicated by the traffic light is green, information indicating the period during which the signal indicated by the traffic light is yellow, and information indicating the period during which the signal indicated by the traffic light is red.

[0025] The signal control timing information is the timing at which the signal indicated by the traffic light changes, and is, for example, information indicating the timing when the signal indicated by the traffic light last changed to a green light, but it may also be information indicating the timing when the signal indicated by the traffic light last changed to a red light, or other information.

[0026] The above-mentioned traffic lights present on the travel route are fixed-cycle traffic lights, but may also include sensor-responsive traffic lights. When the traffic lights present on the travel route are sensor-responsive traffic lights, the control information is, for example, control information predicted by the traffic information providing device 2 or the information processing device 1 based on the history of past signal changes. The control information predicted by the traffic information providing device 2 or the information processing device 1 is, for example, control information for each day of the week and each time period, but is not limited to such an example.

[0027] Based on the information of the travel route, the information processing device 1 acquires traffic volume information and control information from the traffic information providing device 2. For example, the information processing device 1 transmits an information transmission request including information on each node and each link indicated in the information of the travel route to the traffic information providing device 2 (step S3-1), thereby acquiring the traffic volume information, control information, and the like from the traffic information providing device 2 (step S3-2).

[0028] The traffic information providing device 2 transmits traffic light control information of each node indicated in the information transmission request and traffic volume information of each link and each node indicated in the information transmission request to the information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 acquires the traffic light control information of each node and the traffic volume information of each link and each node indicated in the information transmission request transmitted from the traffic information providing device 2. Note that the information processing device 1 can also acquire the control information of all nodes in advance from the traffic information providing device 2 before the processing of step S3.

[0029] The traffic information providing device 2 can also transmit information indicating the distance of each link and information indicating the distance of each node indicated in the information transmission request to the information processing device 1. In this case, the information processing device 1 can acquire information indicating the distance of each link and information indicating the distance of each node on the travel route from the traffic information providing device 2 as distance information of the travel route.

[0030] Next, the information processing device 1 determines a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple travel routes based on the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information acquired in step S3 (step S4).

[0031] The travel route that satisfies the above-mentioned predetermined condition is, for example, a travel route with the shortest travel time among the multiple travel routes, a travel route with the shortest stop time among the multiple travel routes, a travel route that can be traveled without stopping among the multiple travel routes, a travel route with the fewest number of stops among the multiple travel routes, etc. A travel route that can be traveled without stopping is a travel route with no stop time.

[0032] In the following, the travel route with the shortest travel time may be referred to as the shortest travel time route, the travel route with the shortest stop time may be referred to as the shortest stop time route, the travel route that can be traveled without stops may be referred to as the non-stop route, and the travel route with the fewest number of stops may be referred to as the minimum stop number route.

[0033] Based on the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information acquired in step S3, the information processing device 1 predicts the travel time of the travel route, whether or not to stop at each specific node, the stop time at each specific node, etc. The specific node is a node where a traffic light is installed.

[0034] Then, the information processing device 1 determines a travel route that satisfies predetermined conditions from among the multiple travel routes searched in step S2, based on the travel time of the travel route, whether or not there is a stop at each specific node, and the stop time at each specific node, etc.

[0035] For example, the information processing device 1 determines at least one of the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, the non-stop route, and the route with the fewest number of stops as a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple travel routes searched for in step S2.

[0036] Furthermore, in step S4, the information processing device 1 can determine a moving route that satisfies a predetermined condition and allows moving at a constant pace among the multiple moving routes searched in step S2. Furthermore, in step S4, the information processing device 1 can determine a moving route that satisfies a predetermined condition and allows moving at a constant pace among the multiple moving routes searched in step S2.

[0037] For example, the information processing device 1 determines a non-stop route among the multiple travel routes searched in step S2 as a travel route that allows travel at a constant pace. The constant pace is, for example, a pace within a predetermined speed range with respect to a speed limit. The information processing device 1 can also determine a non-stop route among the multiple non-stop routes along which the user U has traveled in the past at a constant pace as a travel route that allows travel at a constant pace.

[0038] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can also predict, for each departure time from the departure point, the travel time for each of a plurality of travel routes, whether or not there will be a stop at each specific node, and the stop time at each specific node. For example, the information processing device 1 predicts, for each of a plurality of travel routes, whether or not there will be a stop at each specific node, and the stop time at each specific node, for the current time and each future time in increments of unit time (for example, 5 minutes or 10 minutes) from the current time as the departure time.

[0039] In this case, the information processing device 1 can determine the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, the non-stop route, the route with the fewest number of stops, and the like for each departure time from the departure point.

[0040] Then, the information processing device 1 determines the shortest travel time route with the shortest travel time among the shortest travel time routes for each departure time as the selected shortest travel time route. Also, the information processing device 1 determines the shortest stop time route with the shortest stop time among the shortest stop time routes for each departure time as the selected shortest stop time route.

[0041] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 determines the non-stop route with the shortest travel time among the non-stop routes for each departure time as the selected non-stop route. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 determines the minimum stop number route with the fewest number of stops among the minimum stop number routes for each departure time as the selected minimum stop number route.

[0042] Next, the information processing device 1 notifies the user U of the information on the travel route determined in step S4 (step S5). For example, the information processing device 1 notifies the user U of the information on the travel route determined in step S4 by displaying map information in which the travel route determined in step S4 is highlighted on a map on a display unit or by outputting the information on the travel route determined in step S4 from a speaker.

[0043] For example, it is assumed that the travel route determined in step S4 is the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, the non-stop route, and the route with the fewest number of stops. In this case, the information processing device 1 displays on the display unit map information in which the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, the non-stop route, and the route with the fewest number of stops are highlighted in different ways (for example, colors, line thicknesses, etc.) on the map.

[0044] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 1 displays map information in which the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, and the route with the fewest stop count are each highlighted on the map in a different manner (such as line thickness).

[0045] Also, assume that the travel routes determined in step S4 are the selected shortest travel time route, the selected shortest stop time route, the selected non-stop route, and the selected route with the fewest number of stops. In this case, the information processing device 1 displays on the display unit map information in which the selected shortest travel time route, the selected shortest stop time route, the selected non-stop route, and the selected route with the fewest number of stops are highlighted in different ways (e.g., colors, line thicknesses, etc.) on the map.

[0046] In addition, the information processing device 1 displays on the display unit the above-mentioned map information further including information indicating the departure times of the selected shortest travel time route, the selected shortest stop time route, the selected non-stop route, and the selected route with the fewest stops.

[0047] The information processing device 1 can also accept desired arrival time information input or selected by the user U. The desired arrival time information includes information indicating a desired arrival time at a destination. In step S4, the information processing device 1 can also determine, among a plurality of travel routes, a travel route in which a predicted arrival time obtained from a predicted travel time is closest to the desired arrival time, as a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0048] In this case, the information processing device 1 determines, among the shortest travel time routes for each departure time, the shortest travel time route in which the predicted arrival time obtained from the predicted travel time is closest to the desired arrival time, as the travel route that satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0049] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 determines, among the shortest stop time routes for each departure time, the shortest stop time route in which the predicted arrival time obtained from the predicted travel time is closest to the desired arrival time, as the travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0050] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 determines, among the non-stop routes for each departure time, a non-stop route in which a predicted arrival time obtained from a predicted travel time is closest to a desired arrival time, as a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0051] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 determines, among the routes with the fewest stops for each departure time, the route with the fewest stops in which the predicted arrival time obtained from the predicted travel time is closest to the desired arrival time, as the travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0052] In addition, the information processing device 1 can determine, as the travel route that satisfies the predetermined conditions, the travel route whose predicted arrival time obtained from the predicted travel time is closest to the desired arrival time from among the shortest travel time route for each departure time, the shortest stop time route for each departure time, the non-stop route for each departure time, and the route with the fewest number of stops for each departure time.

[0053] In this way, the information processing device 1 acquires distance information indicating the distance of each of the multiple travel routes from a departure point (an example of a first location) to a destination (an example of a second location), traffic volume information which is information regarding the traffic volume of each of the multiple travel routes, and control information of traffic lights present on each of the multiple travel routes. Then, based on the acquired distance information, traffic volume information, and control information, the information processing device 1 determines a travel route among the multiple travel routes that satisfies a predetermined condition, and notifies information of the determined travel route.

[0054] This allows the information processing device 1 to determine a proposed travel route based on travel time including waiting times due to traffic lights, and therefore allows the information processing device 1 to more appropriately determine a proposed travel route.

[0055] The configuration of an information processing system including the information processing device 1 and the traffic information providing device 2 that perform such processing will be described in detail below.

[0056] 2. Configuration of the Information Processing System 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG 2, the information processing system 100 according to the embodiment includes an information processing device 1 and a traffic information providing device 2.

[0057] The information processing device 1 is used by different users U. The information processing device 1 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a wearable device. The wearable device is, for example, smart glasses or a smart watch, but is not limited to such examples. For example, the information processing device 1 may be an in-vehicle device provided in a vehicle. The in-vehicle device is, for example, a car navigation device. Furthermore, the vehicle is, for example, an automobile, but may be something other than an automobile.

[0058] The information processing device 1 and the traffic information providing device 2 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly via a network N. Note that the information processing system 100 shown in Fig. 2 may include a plurality of information processing devices 1 and traffic information providing devices 2.

[0059] The network N includes, for example, a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as the Internet and mobile communication networks such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), 4th Generation (4G), and 5th Generation (5G: fifth generation mobile communication system).

[0060] The information processing device 1 can communicate with the traffic information providing device 2 by connecting to a network N via a mobile communication network or short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0061] [3. Information Processing Device 1] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment includes a communication unit 10, a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a sensor group 13, a storage unit 14, and a processing unit 15.

[0062] [3.1. Communication unit 10] The communication unit 10 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) etc. The communication unit 10 is connected to a network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the traffic information providing device 2 via the network N.

[0063] [3.2. Display section 11] The display unit 11 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0064] [3.3. Operation unit 12] The operation unit 12 includes, for example, a keyboard including keys for inputting letters, numbers, and spaces, an enter key, and arrow keys, a mouse, a power button, etc. When the display unit 11 is a touch panel compatible display, the operation unit 12 includes a touch panel.

[0065] [3.4. Sensor Group 13] The sensor group 13 includes, for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, a positioning sensor, a microphone, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an image sensor, etc. The positioning sensor is a position sensor that detects the position of the information processing device 1.

[0066] The temperature sensor is a sensor that detects the temperature around the information processing device 1. The humidity sensor is a sensor that detects the humidity around the information processing device 1. The illuminance sensor is a sensor that detects the illuminance around the information processing device 1. The microphone is a sensor that detects the sound around the information processing device 1.

[0067] The acceleration sensor is a sensor that detects the acceleration of the information processing device 1. The gyro sensor is a sensor that detects the attitude, such as the tilt and rotation, of the information processing device 1. The geomagnetic sensor is a sensor that detects geomagnetism. The image sensor is a sensor that captures an image of the surroundings of the information processing device 1.

[0068] [3.5. Storage section 14] The storage unit 14 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.

[0069] The memory unit 14 stores, for example, information transmitted from the traffic information providing device 2 and acquired by the processing unit 15 via the network N and the communication unit 10, detection information which is information detected by the sensor group 13, and the like.

[0070] The storage unit 14 includes a road information storage unit 20, a user information storage unit 21, and a setting information storage unit 22.

[0071] [3.5.1. Road information storage unit 20] The road information storage unit 20 stores road management information, traffic volume information, etc. The road management information includes, for example, a plurality of pieces of information on nodes such as intersections and T-junctions, and a plurality of pieces of information on links, which are roadways connecting the nodes.

[0072] The node information includes, for example, traffic light information and information indicating the node distance. The traffic light information includes, for example, information for identifying a traffic light. The information for identifying a traffic light is, for example, traffic light identification information. The node distance is the position between the ends of the node, for example, information indicating the distance of an intersection or information indicating the distance of a T-junction. The node distance is the position between the ends of the node, for example, information indicating the distance of an intersection or the distance of a T-junction.

[0073] The link information includes, for example, information on the direction of travel of the roadway indicated by the link, information on the distance of the roadway indicated by the link, information on traffic signs provided on the roadway indicated by the link, etc. The distance of the roadway indicated by the link is the distance between the ends of the roadway indicated by the link. One end of the end of the roadway indicated by the link is, for example, the start position of the roadway indicated by the link, and the other end of the end of the roadway indicated by the link is, for example, the end position of the roadway indicated by the link.

[0074] The traffic signs are, for example, road signs such as guide signs, warning signs, regulatory signs, and directional signs. The regulatory signs are, for example, signs indicating road closures, speed restrictions, no U-turns, weight restrictions, and the like.

[0075] The road management information also includes control information and regulation information, etc. The control information is control information for traffic signals present on the travel route, and includes, for example, information on the signal control pattern of the traffic signals present on the travel route and information on the signal control timing of the traffic signals present on the travel route.

[0076] The information on the traffic light control pattern includes, for example, information indicating the period during which the signal indicated by the traffic light is green, information indicating the period during which the signal indicated by the traffic light is yellow, and information indicating the period during which the signal indicated by the traffic light is red.

[0077] The signal control timing information is, for example, information indicating the timing when the signal indicated by the traffic light last changed to a green light, but it may also be information indicating the timing when the signal indicated by the traffic light last changed to a red light, or other information.

[0078] The above-mentioned traffic lights present on the travel route are fixed-cycle traffic lights, but may also include sensor-responsive traffic lights. When the traffic lights present on the travel route are sensor-responsive traffic lights, the control information is, for example, control information predicted by the traffic information providing device 2 or the processing unit 15 based on the history of past signal changes. The control information predicted by the traffic information providing device 2 or the processing unit 15 is, for example, control information for each day of the week and each time period, but is not limited to such an example.

[0079] The restriction information includes, for example, information indicating the location of a specific travel restriction in a link or node, information indicating the type of the specific travel restriction in the link or node, etc. The specific travel restriction is a travel restriction that restricts (for example, prohibits) the movement of the user U, such as a temporary road ban, a temporary road closure, or a temporary one-way street, but is not limited to these travel restrictions and may be of any type that restricts the movement of the user U.

[0080] The traffic volume information is information related to the traffic volume of the travel route, and includes, for example, information indicating the number of vehicles at each link or each node included in the travel route. The number of vehicles at each link or each node is the real-time number of vehicles or the number of vehicles predicted based on the past traffic volume history.

[0081] The traffic volume may be indicated by an average moving speed instead of or in addition to the number of vehicles. The average moving speed is a real-time average moving speed or an average moving speed predicted based on a past traffic volume history. The predicted number of vehicles and the average moving speed are, for example, information for each day of the week and each time period, but are not limited to such examples.

[0082] [3.5.2. User information storage unit 21] The user information storage unit 21 includes user information that is information about the user U. The user information includes attribute information that is information indicating the attributes of the user U, movement history information that is information about movement routes selected by the user U in the past, and the like.

[0083] The attributes of the user U are, for example, demographic attributes, psychographic attributes, etc. The demographic attributes are demographic attributes, and include a plurality of attribute items such as age, sex, occupation, place of residence, annual income, and family structure.

[0084] Psychographic attributes are psychological attributes, and include, for example, a plurality of attribute items related to lifestyle, values, interests, etc. For example, each of the plurality of attribute items in the psychographic attributes is an object of interest to the user U, such as a car, clothes, travel, games, camping, motorcycle, train, home appliance, or computer.

[0085] The movement history information includes information indicating a movement route previously selected by the user U, information indicating the past movement state of the user U along the movement route previously selected by the user U, etc. The information indicating the movement route includes, for example, information indicating the start point and end point of the movement route, and information indicating each of the links and nodes included in the movement route.

[0086] The past movement state of the user U includes, for example, information on the movement position and movement speed of the user U. The movement speed of the user U includes, for example, information on the movement speed of each link and information on the movement speed of each node. The movement position and movement speed of the user U are positions indicated by position information included in the detection information output from the sensor group, and speeds calculated based on such position information, but are not limited to such examples.

[0087] 3.5.3. Setting information storage unit 22 The setting information storage unit 22 stores setting information, which is information previously set by the user U. The setting information includes, for example, information on a travel route set by the user U, information on a departure point set by the user U, information on a destination set by the user U, and the like.

[0088] The setting information also includes information indicating the type of travel route to be notified to the user U with priority from among the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, the non-stop route, and the route with the fewest number of stops, for example.

[0089] [3.6. Processing section 15] The processing unit 15 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 1 using the RAM as a working area.

[0090] The processing unit 15 may be partially or entirely realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processing unit 15 functions as a functional unit including an acquisition unit 30, a reception unit 31, a search unit 32, a determination unit 33, and a notification unit 34 by executing the above-mentioned route search application on an OS (Operating System), etc.

[0091] [3.6.1. Acquisition part 30] The acquisition unit 30 acquires various pieces of information from the traffic information providing device 2, an external information processing device, and the like via the communication unit 10, and stores the acquired various pieces of information in the storage unit .

[0092] For example, the acquisition unit 30 acquires traffic volume information, control information, regulation information, etc. from the traffic information providing device 2 or an external information processing device via the communication unit 10, and stores the acquired traffic volume information, control information, regulation information, etc. in the road information storage unit 20.

[0093] In addition, the acquisition unit 30 can acquire information indicating the attributes of user U from an external information processing device or the like via the communication unit 10, and store the acquired information indicating the attributes of user U in the user information storage unit 21.

[0094] The acquisition unit 30 also acquires various types of information from the storage unit 14. For example, the acquisition unit 30 acquires road management information, traffic volume information, and the like from the road information storage unit 20. The acquisition unit 30 also acquires user information, which is information about a user U, from the user information storage unit 21. The acquisition unit 30 also acquires setting information set by the user U from the setting information storage unit 22.

[0095] For example, when a route search request is received by the receiving unit 31, the acquiring unit 30 acquires distance information, traffic volume information, and control information of each of the multiple travel routes searched by the searching unit 32 from the road information storage unit 20 as route determination information. The departure point is an example of a first location, and the destination is an example of a second location. The route determination information is an example of route information.

[0096] The distance information is information relating to the distance of the travel route searched for by the search unit 32, and includes, for example, information indicating the distance of each link and the distance of each node of the travel route searched for by the search unit 32.

[0097] The acquiring unit 30 can also acquire, as distance information of the travel route, information indicating the distance of each node and the distance of each distance on the travel route from the traffic information providing device 2. In this case, the acquiring unit 30 transmits an information transmission request including information on each node and information on each link indicated in the information of the travel route to the traffic information providing device 2, and the traffic information providing device 2 transmits, as distance information of the travel route, information indicating the distance of each link and information indicating the distance of each node indicated in the information transmission request to the information processing device 1.

[0098] In addition, when a route search request is accepted by the accepting unit 31, if traffic volume information and control information for the multiple travel routes searched by the searching unit 32 are not stored in the memory unit 14, the acquiring unit 30 can also acquire traffic volume information and control information for the travel route from the traffic information providing device 2 as distance information of the travel route.

[0099] In addition, when the movement state of the movement route of the user U does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the acquisition unit 30 can acquire, at an intermediate position, which is a position before arriving at the destination, distance information, traffic volume information, and control information of each of a plurality of next movement routes from the intermediate position to the destination as re-route determination information. The intermediate position is an example of a third position. The re-route determination information is an example of route information.

[0100] The distance information of the next moving route is information indicating the distance of the next moving route, i.e., information indicating the distance from the starting point (intermediate position) to the destination on the next moving route. The traffic volume information is information on the traffic volume on the next moving route. The control information of the next moving route is control information for traffic lights present on the next moving route.

[0101] [3.6.2. Reception Unit 31] The reception unit 31 receives various information and requests input or selected by the user U through operation of the operation unit 12 by the user U.

[0102] For example, the reception unit 31 receives information indicating a departure point and a destination input or selected by the user U through the user U's operation of the operation unit 12. When the departure point is not input or selected by the user U, the reception unit 31 receives the current location of the user U detected by a positioning sensor of the sensor group 13 as the departure point.

[0103] The starting point and destination can be input or selected, for example, by inputting or selecting the address, name, or telephone number of the starting point or destination, but may also be input or selected by specifying the position of the starting point or destination on a map.

[0104] The reception unit 31 also receives a route search request and a route guidance request. A route search request is generated, for example, when the user U operates the operation unit 12 to select a route search button, and a route guidance request is generated, for example, when the user U operates the operation unit 12 to select a route guidance button.

[0105] The reception unit 31 also receives information indicating a desired arrival time input or selected by the user U through the user U's operation of the operation unit 12. The information indicating the desired arrival time is information indicating the arrival time at the destination. The reception unit 31 can also receive information indicating a departure time input or selected by the user U through the user U's operation of the operation unit 12.

[0106] Furthermore, the reception unit 31 receives setting information input or selected by the user U through operation of the operation unit 12 by the user U, and stores the received setting information in the user information storage unit 21.

[0107] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a reception form displayed on the display unit 11 by the reception unit 31 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. The reception form 50 shown in Fig. 4 includes a departure point input box 51, a destination input box 52, a route search button 53, a route guide button 54, a departure time selection area 55, a desired arrival time input box 56, and a map 60. The map 60 is a map showing the departure point, destination, travel route, etc.

[0108] The departure point input box 51 is an input box for inputting information indicating the departure point, and the user U can input information indicating the departure point into the departure point input box 51 by operating the operation unit 12, or can input information indicating the departure point into the departure point input box 51 by selecting a position on the map 60.

[0109] The destination input box 52 is an input box for inputting information indicating the destination, and the user U can input information indicating the destination into the destination input box 52 by operating the operation unit 12, or can input information indicating the destination into the destination input box 52 by selecting a position on the map 60.

[0110] The route search button 53 is a button for requesting the route search app to search for a travel route from the departure point indicated in the departure point input box 51 to the destination indicated in the destination input box 52. The route guidance button 54 is a button for requesting the route search app to provide guidance on a travel route that has been searched by the route search app by pressing the route search button 53, is shown on the map 60, and is selected by the user U.

[0111] The departure time selection area 55 is an area for selecting whether to set the departure time to the current time or the optimal time. The optimal time is, for example, the departure time of the selected shortest travel time route, the selected shortest stop time route, the selected no stop route, and the selected minimum stop number route, etc.

[0112] The desired arrival time input box 56 is an input box for inputting information indicating the arrival time at the destination desired by the user U, and the user U can input information indicating the arrival time at the destination into the desired arrival time input box 56 by operating the operation unit 12.

[0113] The reception unit 31 receives information indicating the departure point input in a departure point input box 51, information indicating the destination input in a destination input box 52, information on the departure time specified in a departure time selection area 55, and information indicating the desired arrival time input in a desired arrival time input box 56. The reception unit 31 also receives a route search request made by the user U selecting (pressing) a route search button 53, and receives a route guidance request made by the user U selecting (pressing) a route guidance button 54.

[0114] [3.6.3. Search unit 32] When a route search request is received by the reception unit 31, the search unit 32 searches for a plurality of travel routes from the departure point to the destination received by the reception unit 31. The plurality of travel routes searched by the search unit 32 differ from each other in at least some of the nodes and links.

[0115] The search unit 32 searches for a plurality of travel routes from a departure point to a destination based on, for example, the road management information acquired by the acquisition unit 30. The road management information acquired by the acquisition unit 30 includes information on a plurality of nodes and information on a plurality of links.

[0116] The search unit 32, for example, identifies a travel route from the departure point to the destination by connecting links and nodes from the departure point to the destination, and searches for the travel route. The information on the travel route searched by the search unit 32 includes information on the nodes and links from the departure point to the destination.

[0117] The search unit 32 can, for example, search for a predetermined number of travel routes in ascending order of distance from the departure point to the destination, or search for travel routes whose distance from the departure point to the destination is within a threshold. The threshold is, for example, a value within n times the distance of the travel route with the shortest distance from the departure point to the destination, but is not limited to such an example. n is a value larger than 1, for example, a value such as 1.3 or 1.5.

[0118] [3.6.4. Judgment unit 33] The determination unit 33 determines a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple travel routes searched by the search unit 32, based on the route determination information including the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information acquired by the acquisition unit 30. The travel route that satisfies the predetermined condition is the travel route that is notified to the user U as a travel route search result by the information processing device 1.

[0119] The travel route that satisfies the predetermined condition is, for example, at least one of the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, the non-stop route, and the route with the fewest number of stops. Also, the travel route that satisfies the predetermined condition may be, for example, at least one of the selected shortest travel time route, the selected shortest stop time route, the selected non-stop route, and the selected route with the fewest number of stops.

[0120] The determination unit 33 predicts, for example, the travel time of the travel route, whether or not there will be a stop at each specific node, and the stop time at each specific node, based on the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information acquired by the acquisition unit 30. The specific node is a node where a traffic light is installed.

[0121] Then, the determination unit 33 determines a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition from among the multiple travel routes searched by the search unit 32, based on, for example, the travel time of the travel route, whether or not there is a stop at each specific node, and the stop time at each specific node.

[0122] For example, the determination unit 33 predicts the stop time of the moving route based on the stop time at each specific node on the moving route, and predicts the number of stops of the moving route based on the presence or absence of stops at specific nodes on the moving route. Then, the determination unit 33 determines a moving route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple moving routes searched by the search unit 32 based on the moving time of the moving route, the stop time of the moving route, and the number of stops of the moving route.

[0123] Furthermore, the determination unit 33 can determine a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition and allows travel at a constant pace from among the multiple travel routes searched by the search unit 32. Furthermore, the determination unit 33 can determine a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition and allows travel at a constant pace from among the multiple travel routes searched by the search unit 32.

[0124] In addition, the determination unit 33 determines a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition among multiple next travel routes from an intermediate position to the destination, based on distance information, traffic volume information, and control information for each of multiple next travel routes from an intermediate position (a position before arrival at the destination on the travel route) acquired by the acquisition unit 30 as information for re-route determination to the destination.

[0125] Furthermore, the determination unit 33 predicts, for each departure time from the departure point, the travel time for each of the multiple travel routes, whether or not there will be a stop at each specific node, the stop time at each specific node, etc. For example, the determination unit 33 can predict, for each of the multiple travel routes, the travel time for each of the multiple travel routes, whether or not there will be a stop at each specific node, the stop time at each specific node, etc., by setting the current time and each future time in increments of unit time (e.g., 5 minutes or 10 minutes) from the current time as departure times.

[0126] In this case, the determination unit 33 can determine the shortest travel time route, the selected shortest stop time route, the selected non-stop route, the route with the fewest number of stops, etc. for each departure time from the departure point.

[0127] The determination unit 33 then determines the shortest travel time route with the shortest travel time among the shortest travel time routes for each departure time as the selected shortest travel time route. Also, the determination unit 33 determines the shortest stop time route with the shortest stop time among the shortest stop time routes for each departure time as the selected shortest stop time route.

[0128] The determination unit 33 determines the non-stop route with the shortest travel time among the non-stop routes for each departure time as the selected non-stop route. The determination unit 33 also determines the minimum stop number route with the smallest number of stops among the minimum stop number routes for each departure time as the selected minimum stop number route.

[0129] The determination unit 33 includes a prediction processing unit 40 that predicts the travel time, number of stops, stop duration, etc. of each of the multiple travel routes, and a determination processing unit 41 that determines which of the multiple travel routes satisfies predetermined conditions based on the travel time, number of stops, stop duration, etc. predicted by the prediction processing unit 40.

[0130] Hereinafter, a more detailed description will be given of each of the prediction processing unit 40 and the determination processing unit 41. Note that, although a method for determining a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition based on route determination information will be described below, a method for determining a next travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition based on re-route determination information is the same.

[0131] 3.6.4.1. Prediction Processing Unit 40 The prediction processing unit 40 predicts at least one of the travel time, the number of stops, and the stop time for each of the multiple travel routes based on the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information acquired by the acquisition unit 30.

[0132] In addition, the prediction processing unit 40 can predict the travel speed of each of the multiple travel routes based on the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information acquired by the acquisition unit 30. Hereinafter, an example of a method for predicting the travel time, the number of stops, the stop time, and the travel speed by the prediction processing unit 40 will be specifically described.

[0133] The prediction processing unit 40 predicts, for example, the passing time required to pass through the first section, the passing time required to pass through each second section, the passing time required to pass through the third section, and the like for each travel route. The first section is a section from the starting point of the travel route to the end position of the first link of the travel route. The second section is a section of links or a section of nodes on the travel route. The third section is a section from the starting point of the last link on the travel route to the end point of the travel route.

[0134] The prediction processing unit 40 predicts the passing time for each of the above sections based on, for example, the traffic volume of each link and each node and the speed limit information of each link and each node. The link information and node information include information on the speed limit of the link and the speed limit information of the node as traffic sign information, and the prediction processing unit 40 predicts the passing time for each of the above sections based on the traffic volume information and road management information.

[0135] The prediction processing unit 40 can also predict the movement speed of the user U based on, for example, the user U's past movement history, and predict the passing time of each of the above-mentioned sections based on the predicted movement speed. The movement speed of the user U is, for example, the movement speed in each of the above-mentioned sections. For example, the prediction processing unit 40 predicts the movement speed of the user U of each link and each node based on the user U's past movement history, and predicts the passing time of each of the above-mentioned sections based on the predicted movement speed of each link and each node.

[0136] In addition, the prediction processing unit 40 can predict the movement speed of user U in each of the above-mentioned sections based on traffic volume information, road management information, and user U's past movement history, and can also predict the passing time of each of the above-mentioned sections based on the predicted movement speed.

[0137] The travel speed for each section predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 includes a stop section travel speed, which is the travel speed for the section when stopping within the section, a post-stop section travel speed, which is the travel speed for the section when stopping within the preceding section, and a non-stop section travel speed, which is the travel speed for the section when not stopping within the section. The prediction processing unit 40 predicts the passing time for each of the above-mentioned sections based on the predicted stop section travel speed, predicts the passing time for each of the above-mentioned sections based on the predicted post-stop section travel speed, and predicts the passing time for each of the above-mentioned sections based on the predicted non-stop section travel speed.

[0138] The prediction processing unit 40 selects the i-th specific node from among multiple specific nodes included in the travel route for each travel route searched by the search unit 32. The specific node is a node where a traffic light is located. i is an integer from 1 to N, and N is the number of specific nodes included in the travel route.

[0139] The prediction processing unit 40 predicts the travel time, which is the time required to reach the i-th specific node from the starting point position, based on the passing time of each section described above, and predicts the arrival time at the i-th specific node based on the predicted travel time. The starting point position is, for example, the starting point position of the mobile node when i=1, and the starting point position of the j-th specific node when i=j. j is an integer from 2 to N. The starting point position of a node is the same as the end point position of the link connected to that node.

[0140] Based on the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 30, the prediction processing unit 40 determines the signal state of the traffic light at the i-th specific node at the predicted arrival time at the start position of the i-th specific node, and predicts whether it will be necessary to stop movement at the i-th specific node.

[0141] When it is predicted that it will be necessary to stop movement at the starting position of the i-th specific node, the prediction processing unit 40 predicts the stopping time at the starting position of the i-th specific node based on the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 30.

[0142] Then, the prediction processing unit 40 predicts the passing time, which is the time at which the i-th specific node will be passed, based on the stopping time at the start position of the i-th specific node and the passing time required to pass through the i-th specific node.

[0143] The prediction processing unit 40 increments i by one from 1 and executes the above-mentioned process to predict the arrival time at the start position of each specific node, whether or not to stop at the start position of each specific node, the stopping time at the start position of each specific node, the passing time of each specific node, etc. The passing time of the i-th specific node is used to predict, for example, the arrival time at the start position of the i+1-th specific node.

[0144] The prediction processing unit 40 predicts the stop time and the number of stops on the travel route based on the presence or absence of stops at each specific node and the stop time at each specific node. For example, the prediction processing unit 40 predicts the number of stops at specific nodes on the travel route as the number of stops on the travel route, and predicts the total stop time at specific nodes on the travel route as the stop time on the travel route. In this way, the prediction processing unit 40 predicts the stop time and the number of stops on each of the multiple travel routes based on the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information acquired by the acquisition unit 30.

[0145] Furthermore, the prediction processing unit 40 predicts the travel time and arrival time of the travel route based on, for example, the departure time of the travel route, the passing time of the Nth specific node, the travel time from the end position of the Nth specific node to the end position (destination) of the travel route, etc. In this way, the prediction processing unit 40 can predict the travel time and arrival time of the travel route.

[0146] The travel speed predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 is, for example, the travel speed of each section, but may also be the average travel speed from the start point to the end point of the travel route. The travel time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 is the travel time of the travel route, but may also be the travel time of each link or each node included in the travel route.

[0147] The prediction processing unit 40 can also predict the travel time, stop time, and number of stops of each of the multiple travel routes for each departure time from the departure point. For example, the prediction processing unit 40 can predict the travel time, stop time, and number of stops of each of the multiple travel routes for each departure time, which is the current time and each future time in increments of unit time (e.g., 5 minutes or 10 minutes) from the current time.

[0148] [3.6.4.2. Judgment processing unit 41] The determination processing unit 41 determines a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition from among the multiple travel routes searched by the search unit 32, based on at least one of the travel time, the number of stops, and the stop time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40.

[0149] The travel route that satisfies the predetermined condition is, for example, at least one of the above-mentioned shortest travel time route, shortest stop time route, non-stop route, and route with the fewest number of stops.

[0150] For example, the determination processing unit 41 determines the travel route having the shortest travel time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 among the multiple travel routes searched by the search unit 32 as the above-mentioned shortest travel time route.

[0151] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 41 determines the travel route with the shortest stop time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 from among the multiple travel routes searched by the search unit 32 as the above-mentioned shortest stop time route.

[0152] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 41 determines the travel route with the least number of stops predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 from among the multiple travel routes searched by the search unit 32 as the above-mentioned minimum stop number route.

[0153] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 41 determines, among the multiple travel routes, a travel route that can be traveled without stopping at traffic lights as the above-mentioned non-stop route. Furthermore, when there are multiple non-stop routes among the multiple travel routes, the determination processing unit 41 can determine, among the multiple non-stop routes, a non-stop route with the shortest travel time as a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition. A travel route that can be traveled without stopping at traffic lights is a travel route with zero stop time and zero stop count.

[0154] In addition, the determination processing unit 41 can also determine, among the multiple travel routes, the travel route whose predicted arrival time, obtained from the travel time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40, is closest to the desired arrival time as the travel route that satisfies the predetermined conditions.

[0155] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 41 can determine the shortest travel time route with the shortest travel time among the shortest travel time routes for each departure time as the selected shortest travel time route, and determine the departure time of the selected shortest travel time route.

[0156] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 41 can determine the shortest stop time route having the shortest stop time among the shortest stop time routes for each departure time as the selected shortest stop time route, and determine the departure time of the selected shortest stop time route.

[0157] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 41 can determine the non-stop route with the shortest travel time among the non-stop routes for each departure time as the selected non-stop route, and determine the departure time of the selected non-stop route.

[0158] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 41 can determine the shortest route with the fewest number of stops among the routes with the fewest number of stops for each departure time as the selected route with the fewest number of stops, and determine the departure time of the selected route with the fewest number of stops.

[0159] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 41 can determine, among the multiple travel routes, the travel route in which the arrival time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 is closest to the desired arrival time, as the travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0160] In addition, the determination processing unit 41 can also determine, as a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition, the travel route in which the arrival time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 is closest to the desired arrival time, among the above-mentioned shortest travel time route, shortest stop time route, non-stop route, and route with the fewest number of stops.

[0161] In addition, the determination processing unit 41 can also determine, as a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition, the travel route whose arrival time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 is closest to the desired arrival time among the above-mentioned shortest travel time route for each departure time, the shortest stop time route for each departure time, the non-stop route for each departure time, and the route with the fewest number of stops for each departure time.

[0162] [3.6.5.Notification section 34] The notification unit 34 notifies the user U of various information. For example, the notification unit 34 notifies the user U of information on the travel route determined by the determination unit 33.

[0163] For example, the notification unit 34 notifies information on the travel route determined by the determination unit 33 by displaying on the display unit 11 map information in which the travel route determined by the determination unit 33 is highlighted on a map, or by outputting information on the travel route determined by the determination unit 33 from a speaker (audio output unit) not shown.

[0164] For example, it is assumed that the travel route determined by the determination unit 33 is the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, the non-stop route, and the route with the fewest number of stops. In this case, the notification unit 34 displays on the display unit 11 map information in which the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, the non-stop route, and the route with the fewest number of stops are highlighted in different ways (for example, colors, line thicknesses, etc.) on the map.

[0165] Also, it is assumed that the travel routes determined by the determination unit 33 are the selected shortest travel time route, the selected shortest stop time route, the selected non-stop route, and the selected route with the fewest number of stops. In this case, the notification unit 34 displays on the display unit 11 map information in which the selected shortest travel time route, the selected shortest stop time route, the selected non-stop route, and the selected route with the fewest number of stops are highlighted in different ways (e.g., colors, line thicknesses, etc.) on the map.

[0166] Furthermore, when notifying information on a non-stop route or a selected non-stop route, for example, the notification unit 34 notifies information on the non-stop route or the selected non-stop route determined by the determination processing unit 41 to have the shortest travel time. In this case, the notification unit 34 notifies information on the departure time of the non-stop route or the selected non-stop route determined by the determination processing unit 41 to have the shortest travel time.

[0167] Furthermore, the notification unit 34 notifies information indicating the movement speed of the movement route determined to satisfy the predetermined condition by the determination processing unit 41. Such a movement speed is a predicted movement speed as described above, and is, for example, the movement speed of each section, but may also be an average movement speed from the start point to the end point of the movement route.

[0168] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a map 60 displayed on the display unit 11 by the notification unit 34 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the information processing device 1 displays map information in which the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, and the route with the fewest stop count are each highlighted in a different manner (such as line thickness) on the map.

[0169] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a map 60 displayed on the display unit 11 by the notification unit 34 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the information processing device 1 displays map information in which a selected non-stop route, a selected shortest stop time route, and a selected least number of stop routes are each highlighted in a different manner (such as line thickness) on the map.

[0170] The highlighted line indicating the selected non-stop route shown in Fig. 6 is associated with the character string "8:10" as departure time information. Also, the highlighted line indicating the selected shortest stop time route shown in Fig. 6 is associated with the character string "8:15" as departure time information, and "3 minutes" as stop time information.

[0171] In addition, the highlighted line indicating the selected route with the least number of stops shown in FIG. 6 is associated with the character string "8:20" as departure time information, and "2 stops" as the number of stops.

[0172] 4. Processing Procedure Next, a procedure of information processing by the processing unit 15 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing by the processing unit 15 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0173] As shown in Fig. 7, the processing unit 15 of the information processing device 1 determines whether or not a route search request has been received (step S10). When the processing unit 15 determines that the route search request has been received (step S10: Yes), it performs a movement route determination process (step S11). The movement route determination process of step S11 is the process of steps S20 to S25 shown in Fig. 8, and will be described in detail later. When the processing unit 15 ends the process of step S11, it notifies the user U of the movement route (step S12).

[0174] When the processing of step S12 is completed or when it is determined that a route search request has not been received (step S10: No), the processing unit 15 determines whether or not a route guidance request has been received (step S13). When the processing unit 15 determines that a route guidance request has been received (step S13: Yes), it starts route guidance (step S14). The route guidance is performed by guiding the movement of the user U's vehicle along the travel route selected by the user U. The route guidance process is performed by using well-known technology.

[0175] When the process of step S14 is completed or when it is determined that the route guidance request has not been received (step S13: No), the processing unit 15 determines whether or not a route re-search trigger has occurred (step S15). The route re-search trigger is, for example, a timing when the movement of the user U's vehicle deviates from the movement route determined in step S11 after route guidance for the movement route determined in step S11 has started, but may also be a timing when the user U makes a search re-request.

[0176] When the processing unit 15 determines that a route re-search trigger has occurred (step S15: Yes), it performs a moving route re-determination process (step S16). The moving route re-determination process in step S16 is the same as the moving route determination process in step S11, but differs from the moving route determination process in step S11 in that the starting point is an intermediate position on the moving route (a position before arriving at the destination of the moving route). When the processing unit 15 ends the process of step S16, it notifies the user U of the moving route re-determined in step S16 (step S17).

[0177] When the process of step S17 is completed or when it is determined that the time to search for a route again has not come (step S15: No), the processing unit 15 determines whether or not the operation end timing has come (step S18). The processing unit 15 determines that the operation end timing has come when, for example, the power supply of the information processing device 1 is turned off.

[0178] If the processing unit 15 determines that the operation end time has not arrived (step S18: No), it transitions to step S10, and if the processing unit 15 determines that the operation end time has arrived (step S18: Yes), it terminates the processing shown in FIG. 7.

[0179] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a travel route determination process by the processing unit 15 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG 8, the processing unit 15 searches for a plurality of travel routes from a departure point to a destination (step S20).

[0180] Next, the processing unit 15 acquires distance information, traffic volume information, and control information of each travel route searched in step S20 from the storage unit 14 (step S21). Then, the processing unit 15 predicts the travel time of each travel route based on the information acquired in step S21 (step S22). The processing unit 15 also predicts the stop time of each travel route based on the information acquired in step S21 (step S23). The processing unit 15 predicts the number of stops of each travel route based on the information acquired in step S21 (step S24).

[0181] The processing unit 15 determines a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple travel routes based on the travel time, stop time, number of stops, etc. of each travel route predicted in steps S22 to S24 (step S25), and terminates the processing shown in FIG. 8.

[0182] [5. Other] The determination processing unit 41 can also determine a travel route whose score, obtained by weighting and adding the travel distance, travel speed, travel time, number of stops, and stop time, is equal to or greater than a threshold value as a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition. In this case, the notification unit 34 can notify the user U of a higher proposed rank (recommended rank) for a travel route with a higher score calculated by the determination processing unit 41. The notification unit 34 can notify the user U of a travel route with a higher proposed rank by highlighting the route with a higher degree of emphasis.

[0183] The weighting described above is determined, for example, based on the attributes of the user U. For example, the determination processing unit 41 has weighting information in which the weighting values ​​of the moving distance, moving speed, moving time, number of stops, and stop time are associated with each type of attribute of the user U, and can calculate the above-mentioned score using such weighting information. The attributes of the user U are indicated, for example, by a combination of gender, age, occupation, place of residence, etc., but are not limited to such examples.

[0184] In addition, when there are two or more users U on board the vehicle, the judgment processing unit 41 can also calculate the above-mentioned score using the average value or weighted addition result of each weighted value of the attributes of the two or more users U.

[0185] In this case, for example, the weighting values ​​of each user U are set so that the weighting decreases in the order of the driver user U, the passenger seat user U, and the rear seat user U, and the above-mentioned score can be calculated using the weighted sum result of each weighting value of each of the attributes of two or more users U.

[0186] The weighting value described above may be a value according to a combination of the attributes of the user U, as well as the range of the travel route, the time period, the day of the week, the season, and the like.

[0187] In addition, when the travel route determined by the determination unit 33 is the shortest travel time route, the shortest stop time route, the non-stop route, and the route with the fewest number of stops, the notification unit 34 can notify the user U of the travel route by giving it a higher suggested rank (recommended rank) the more frequently it has been selected by the user U in the past.

[0188] In addition, when the travel route determined by the determination unit 33 is the selected shortest travel time route, the selected shortest stop time route, the selected non-stop route, or the selected route with the fewest number of stops, the notification unit 34 can also notify the user U of a higher proposed rank (recommended rank) for the travel route that has been selected more frequently by the user U in the past.

[0189] In addition, the determination unit 33 may be configured to be included in the search unit 32, in which case information on the travel route determined by the function of the determination unit 33 is notified by the notification unit 34 as information on the travel route searched for by the search unit 32.

[0190] [6. Hardware Configuration] The information processing device 1 according to the embodiment described above is realized by a computer 200 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the computer 200 that realizes the functions of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. The computer 200 has a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204, a communication interface (I / F) 205, an input / output interface (I / F) 206, and a media interface (I / F) 207.

[0191] The CPU 201 operates and controls each unit based on a program stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204. The ROM 203 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 201 when the computer 200 is started up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 200, and the like.

[0192] The HDD 204 stores programs executed by the CPU 201, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 205 receives data from other devices via a network N (see FIG. 2) and sends it to the CPU 201, and transmits data generated by the CPU 201 to other devices via the network N.

[0193] The CPU 201 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input / output interface 206. The CPU 201 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 206. The CPU 201 also outputs generated data to the output devices via the input / output interface 206.

[0194] The media interface 207 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 208 and provides it to the CPU 201 via the RAM 202. The CPU 201 loads the program from the recording medium 208 onto the RAM 202 via the media interface 207, and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 208 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.

[0195] For example, when the computer 200 functions as the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment, the CPU 201 of the computer 200 executes a program loaded on the RAM 202 to realize the function of the processing unit 15. In addition, the HDD 204 stores data in the storage unit 14. The CPU 201 of the computer 200 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 208, but as another example, these programs may be obtained from another device via the network N.

[0196] [7. Other] In addition, among the processes described in the above embodiments, 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.

[0197] 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.

[0198] For example, the above-mentioned information processing device 1 may be realized by a terminal device and a server computer, or may be realized by multiple server computers. Also, depending on the functions, the configuration can be flexibly changed, such as by calling an external platform using an API or network computing.

[0199] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents are not contradictory.

[0200] 8. Effects As described above, the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 30, a determination unit 33, and a notification unit 34. The acquisition unit 30 acquires distance information, which is information about the distance of each of a plurality of moving routes from a first position to a second position, traffic volume information, which is information about the traffic volume of each of the plurality of moving routes, and control information of traffic lights present on each of the plurality of moving routes. The determination unit 33 determines a moving route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of moving routes based on the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information acquired by the acquisition unit 30. The notification unit 34 notifies information on the moving route determined by the determination unit 33. As a result, the information processing device 1 can determine a proposed moving route based on a moving time including a waiting time due to a traffic light, and therefore can more appropriately determine a proposed moving route.

[0201] The determination unit 33 includes a prediction processing unit 40 that predicts at least one of the travel time, the number of stops, and the stop time of each of the multiple travel routes based on the distance information, traffic volume information, and control information acquired by the acquisition unit 30, and a determination processing unit 41 that determines a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple travel routes based on at least one of the travel time, the number of stops, and the stop time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40. This allows the information processing device 1 to more appropriately determine a travel route to be proposed.

[0202] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 41 determines, among the multiple travel routes, at least one of the travel route with the shortest travel time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40, the travel route with the fewest number of stops predicted by the prediction processing unit 40, and the travel route with the shortest stop time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 as a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition. This allows the information processing device 1 to more appropriately determine the travel route to be proposed.

[0203] Furthermore, the prediction processing unit 40 predicts at least one of the travel time, the number of stops, and the stop time of each of the multiple travel routes for each departure time from the first position, the determination processing unit 41 determines the departure time of at least one of the travel route with the shortest travel time, the travel route with the fewest number of stops, and the travel route with the shortest stop time among the multiple travel routes, and the notification unit 34 notifies information on the departure time determined by the determination processing unit 41. This allows the information processing device 1 to more appropriately determine the travel route to be proposed.

[0204] The prediction processing unit 40 predicts the travel time of each of the multiple travel routes, and the determination processing unit 41 determines the travel route that does not stop at traffic lights and has the shortest travel time among the multiple travel routes as the travel route that satisfies the predetermined conditions. This allows the information processing device 1 to more appropriately determine the travel route to be proposed.

[0205] Moreover, the prediction processing unit 40 predicts the movement speed and movement time of each of the multiple movement routes, the determination processing unit 41 determines, among the multiple movement routes, the movement route that can be traveled without stopping at traffic lights and has the shortest movement time as the movement route that satisfies the predetermined condition, and the notification unit 34 notifies information indicating the movement speed of the movement route determined by the determination processing unit 41 to satisfy the predetermined condition. This allows the information processing device 1 to more appropriately determine the movement route to be proposed.

[0206] The information processing device 1 also includes a receiving unit 31 that receives information indicating a desired arrival time at the second location, a prediction processing unit 40 predicts the arrival time of each of the multiple travel routes, and a determination processing unit 41 determines, among the multiple travel routes, a travel route in which the arrival time predicted by the prediction processing unit 40 is closest to the desired arrival time as a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition. This allows the information processing device 1 to more appropriately determine a travel route to be proposed.

[0207] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 30 acquires, at the third position before arrival at the second position, route information including distance information indicating the distance of each of the multiple next movement routes from the third position to the second position, traffic volume information which is information regarding the traffic volume of each of the multiple next movement routes, and control information of traffic lights present on each of the multiple next movement routes, and the determination unit 33 determines a movement route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the multiple next movement routes from the third position to the second position based on the route information acquired by the acquisition unit 30. This allows the information processing device 1 to more appropriately determine the movement route to be proposed.

[0208] The above describes the embodiment of the present application in detail based on the drawings, but this is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include 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.

[0209] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit", etc. For example, an acquisition section can be read as an acquisition means or an acquisition circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0210] 1. Information processing device 2 Traffic information provision device 10. Communications Department 11 Display section 12 Control section 13 Sensor Group 14 Storage section 15 Processing section 20 Road information storage section 21 User information storage unit 22 Setting information storage unit 30 Acquisition Department 31 Reception 32 Search section 33 Judgment section 34 Notification Department 40 Prediction processing unit 41 Judgment processing unit 50 Reception Form 51 Departure point input box 52 Destination input box 53 Route search button 54 Route guidance button 55 Departure time selection area 56 Desired arrival time input box 60 Map 100 Information Processing Systems U User

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires distance information, which is information about the distance of each of a plurality of travel routes from a first position to a second position, traffic volume information, which is information about the traffic volume of each of the plurality of travel routes, and control information of traffic lights present on each of the plurality of travel routes; a determination unit that determines a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of travel routes based on the distance information, the traffic volume information, and the control information acquired by the acquisition unit; a notification unit that notifies information about the movement route determined by the determination unit, The determination unit is a prediction processing unit that predicts a travel time, a number of stops, and a stop time for each of the plurality of travel routes based on the distance information, the traffic volume information, and the control information acquired by the acquisition unit; a determination processing unit that determines, among the plurality of travel routes, a travel route with the shortest travel time predicted by the prediction processing unit, a travel route with the fewest number of stops predicted by the prediction processing unit, and a travel route with the shortest stop time predicted by the prediction processing unit, as travel routes that satisfy the predetermined condition, based on the travel time, the number of stops, and the stop time predicted by the prediction processing unit.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. The prediction processing unit: predicting a travel time, a number of stops, and a stop time of each of the plurality of travel routes for each departure time from the first location; The determination processing unit: determining the departure time of at least one of the travel route having the shortest travel time, the travel route having the fewest number of stops, and the travel route having the shortest stop time among the plurality of travel routes; The notification unit is notifying information on the departure time determined by the determination processing unit; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The prediction processing unit: predicting the travel time for each of the plurality of travel routes; The determination processing unit: Among the plurality of travel routes, a travel route that can be traveled without stopping at the traffic lights and has the shortest travel time is determined as a travel route that satisfies the predetermined condition.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

4. The prediction processing unit: predicting a travel speed and a travel time for each of the plurality of travel routes; The determination processing unit: determining, from among the plurality of travel routes, a travel route that can be traveled without stopping at the traffic lights and that has the shortest travel time as a travel route that satisfies the predetermined condition; The notification unit is notifying information indicating the travel speed of the travel route that is determined by the determination processing unit to satisfy the predetermined condition; 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

5. a reception unit that receives information indicating a desired time of arrival at the second location, The prediction processing unit: predicting an arrival time for each of the plurality of travel routes; The determination processing unit: Among the plurality of travel routes, a travel route in which the arrival time predicted by the prediction processing unit is closest to the desired arrival time is determined as a travel route that satisfies the predetermined condition.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

6. The acquisition unit is acquiring, at a third location before arriving at the second location, route information including distance information indicating a distance of each of a plurality of next movement routes from the third location to the second location, traffic volume information which is information regarding a traffic volume of each of the plurality of next movement routes, and control information of a traffic light present on each of the plurality of next movement routes; The determination unit is Based on the route information acquired by the acquisition unit, a travel route that satisfies the predetermined condition is determined from among the plurality of next travel routes from the third location to the second location.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

7. The control information is When a sensor-based traffic light is included in the traffic lights present on the travel route, the sensor-based traffic light control information includes control information of the sensor-based traffic light predicted based on a history of past signal changes at the sensor-based traffic light.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

8. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring distance information, which is information regarding the distance of each of a plurality of travel routes from a first position to a second position, traffic volume information, which is information regarding the traffic volume of each of the plurality of travel routes, and control information of traffic lights present on each of the plurality of travel routes; a determination step of determining a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of travel routes based on the distance information, the traffic volume information, and the control information acquired by the acquisition step; a notification step of notifying information of the movement route determined by the determination step, The determination step includes: a prediction processing step of predicting a travel time, a number of stops, and a stop time for each of the plurality of travel routes based on the distance information, the traffic volume information, and the control information acquired by the acquisition step; and a determination process step of determining, among the plurality of movement routes, a movement route having the shortest movement time predicted by the prediction process step, a movement route having the fewest number of stops predicted by the prediction process step, and a movement route having the shortest stop time predicted by the prediction process step, as a movement route satisfying the predetermined condition, based on the movement time, the number of stops, and the stop time predicted by the prediction process step.

23. An information processing method comprising:

9. an acquisition step of acquiring distance information, which is information about the distance of each of a plurality of travel routes from a first location to a second location, traffic volume information, which is information about the traffic volume of each of the plurality of travel routes, and control information of traffic lights present on each of the plurality of travel routes; a determination step of determining a travel route that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of travel routes based on the distance information, the traffic volume information, and the control information acquired by the acquisition step; a notification step of notifying information on the movement route determined by the determination step; The determination procedure includes: a prediction processing step of predicting a travel time, a number of stops, and a stop time for each of the plurality of travel routes based on the distance information, the traffic volume information, and the control information acquired by the acquisition step; a determination process step of determining, among the plurality of travel routes, a travel route having the shortest travel time predicted by the prediction process step, a travel route having the fewest number of stops predicted by the prediction process step, and a travel route having the shortest stop time predicted by the prediction process step, as travel routes that satisfy the predetermined condition, based on the travel time, the number of stops, and the stop time predicted by the prediction process step.

2. An information processing program comprising:

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