Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To forecast the demand for a mobile service for each region.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: a receiving unit which receives service information on the type of a mobile service and time information on a time zone; and an estimation unit which estimates, for each region, the number of users of the mobile service in the time zone, on the basis of the service information and the time information. The information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit which acquires region information on attributes of each region. The estimation unit estimates, for each region, demand information indicating the magnitude of the demand for the mobile service, on the basis of the region information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies related to on-demand car-hailing services that provide services in accordance with requests for service from users are known. For example, technologies for predicting service demand for each geographical area in consideration of at least any one of date and time information to be predicted, weather information, and event holding information are known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) that provides specific types of services, such as a service that dispatches a vehicle equipped with a nurse and medical functions near the home of a patient with difficulty in moving and conducts telemedicine with a doctor, is known.

[0005] As described above, there is a need for a technology that enables prediction of the demand for mobility services such as on-demand car-hailing services and MaaS that provide specific types of services for each region.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of predicting the demand for mobility services for each region.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The information processing apparatus according to the present application includes a reception unit that receives service information regarding the type of mobility service and time information regarding the time zone, and an estimation unit that estimates the number of users of the mobility service in the time zone for each region based on the service information and the time information.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to predict the demand for mobility services for each region.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and 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 apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application are not limited by this embodiment. Also, in the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0011] 〔1. First Embodiment〕 In the first embodiment, when the information processing apparatus 100 receives a designation of the type of mobile service and the time zone, the information processing apparatus 100 estimates the number of users of the designated type of mobile service in the designated time zone for each region.

[0012] 〔1-1. Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus〕 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, an input unit 130, an output unit 140, and a control unit 150.

[0013] (Communication Unit 110) The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like. The communication unit 110 is connected to the network by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from an external information processing apparatus.

[0014] For example, the communication unit 110 receives information regarding the reservation results of mobile services from a first external server managed by a carrier providing mobile services. Also, the communication unit 110 receives public information from a second external server that manages public information by a country or a local government. Further, the communication unit 110 receives pedestrian flow data, vehicle movement data, or information such as vehicle owners from a third external server that manages pedestrian flow data, vehicle movement data, or information such as vehicle owners. Note that the administrator of the information processing apparatus 100 may manually input the collected data, including not only open data but also data collected from local governments.

[0015] (Memory unit 120) The memory unit 120 is realized by, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and flash memory, or storage devices such as hard disks and optical disks. Specifically, the memory unit 120 stores the information processing program according to the embodiment. Also, the memory unit 120 stores various information received by the communication unit 110.

[0016] (Input unit 130) The input unit 130 receives various operations from the user. For example, the input unit 130 may receive various operations from the user via the display surface (e.g., the output unit 140) by the touch panel function. Also, the input unit 130 may receive various operations from buttons provided on the information processing apparatus 100 or from a keyboard or a mouse connected to the information processing apparatus 100.

[0017] (Output unit 140) The output unit 140 is a display screen realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like, and is a display device for displaying various types of information. The output unit 140 displays various types of information according to the control of the control unit 150. When a touch panel is adopted in the information processing apparatus 100, the input unit 130 and the output unit 140 are integrated. Also, in the following description, the output unit 140 may be described as a screen.

[0018] (Control unit 150) The control unit 150 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by various programs (corresponding to an example of an information processing program) stored in a storage device inside the information processing apparatus 100 being executed with the RAM as a work area by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like. Also, the control unit 150 is a controller and is realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0019] The control unit 150 has a reception unit 151, an estimation unit 152, and an output control unit 153 as functional units, and may realize or execute the operations of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 150 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and any other configuration may be used as long as it can perform the information processing described later. Also, each functional unit indicates the function of the control unit 150 and does not necessarily have to be physically distinct.

[0020] (Reception unit 151) The reception unit 151 receives service information regarding the type of mobility service and time information regarding the time zone. Specifically, the reception unit 151 receives service information and time information via the input unit 130. For example, the output unit 140 displays a plurality of types of mobility services in a selectable manner. The reception unit 151 receives, as service information, information regarding the type of mobility service (hereinafter also referred to as the designated mobility service) selected by the user from among a plurality of types of mobility services. Further, the output unit 140 displays a plurality of time zones (e.g., 9:00 - 10:00, 10:00 - 11:00, …, etc.) in a selectable manner. The reception unit 151 receives, as time information, information regarding the time zone (hereinafter also referred to as the designated time zone) selected by the user from among a plurality of time zones. Note that the output unit 140 may display each day of the week from Monday to Sunday in a selectable manner. The reception unit 151 may receive, as time information, information regarding the day of the week selected by the user from among a plurality of days of the week.

[0021] (Estimation unit 152) The estimation unit 152 estimates the number of users of the designated mobility service in the designated time zone for each region based on the service information and time information received by the reception unit 151. This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram in which the position information of the terminal devices of a plurality of users is plotted on a map. The output control unit 153 causes the map information MP1 in which the position information of the terminal devices of a plurality of users at a predetermined time is plotted to be displayed on the screen. Here, the predetermined time is a time corresponding to the start time of the designated time zone. For example, in FIG. 2, the points P1 and P2 indicated by black circles respectively correspond to the position information of different users U1 and U2 at the predetermined time.

[0023] In addition, the output control unit 153 may display on the screen map information plotting the history of the position information of the terminal devices of multiple users (for example, the position information at each time from the start time to the end time of a specified time period). For example, the output control unit 153 may display on the screen map information plotting so-called human flow data. Here, the human flow data is information collected based on the position information of terminal devices such as smartphones used by users. For example, the human flow data is information indicating "who (such as age and gender)", "when (time period, day of the week, specific day, etc.)", "where in which area (position information)", "how to move (movement route, means, etc.)", "what facility is in (facility information)".

[0024] In FIG. 2, the output control unit 153 causes map information MP1 corresponding to an elliptical area (hereinafter also referred to as the entire area) to be displayed on the screen. The entire area is divided into six areas A to F. The six areas A to F may be administrative divisions (regions) such as municipalities, for example. For example, the entire area is Minato Ward in Tokyo, and the six areas A to F respectively correspond to each region within Minato Ward such as Shinbashi, Akasaka, or Roppongi.

[0025] In addition, the output control unit 153 causes map information MP1 divided in mesh units to be displayed on the screen. For example, among the entire area, the multiple meshes dividing area A are each identified by mesh identification information such as A-1, A-2,.... Note that the size of the mesh may be changed as appropriate. Also, when one mesh straddles multiple areas, the mesh shall be classified into the area with the largest area occupied within the mesh.

[0026] The mesh on the map may be a standard regional mesh or an arbitrarily set mesh. If it is a standard regional mesh, it may be any of the primary mesh, secondary mesh, and tertiary mesh. It may also be a divided regional mesh. If it is a divided regional mesh, it may be any of the 1 / 2 regional mesh, 1 / 4 regional mesh, and 1 / 8 regional mesh. It may also be an integrated regional mesh. If it is an integrated regional mesh, it may be any of the 2-fold regional mesh, 5-fold regional mesh, and 10-fold regional mesh. It may also be a 100m mesh or a 50m mesh.

[0027] Figure 3 is a table showing the number of movers who have moved from a predetermined area to other areas. The estimation unit 152 generates data corresponding to the table 121 shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, the case where the position information of the terminal devices of 200 users was confirmed in the entire area shown in Figure 2 at a predetermined time will be described. Hereinafter, the position information of the user's terminal device will be abbreviated as "position information". Also, in Figure 3, out of 200 users (hereinafter also referred to as all users) whose position information was confirmed in the entire area shown in Figure 2, 10 users whose position information was confirmed in the mesh of A-1, and among them, the case where 6 users whose position information was also confirmed in the mesh of A-2 will be described.

[0028] The rows of the table 121 shown in Figure 3 indicate the mesh where the user was located at a predetermined time. For example, the first row of the table 121 indicates that the mesh where the user was located at a predetermined time was the mesh of A-1. Also, the second row of the table 121 indicates that the mesh where the user was located at a predetermined time was the mesh of A-2. Also, the columns of the table 121 shown in Figure 3 indicate the mesh where the user was located at the time when a time of Δt has elapsed from a predetermined time. Here, the time of Δt is a time corresponding to the time length from the start time to the end time of the designated time zone. For example, the second column of the table 121 indicates that the mesh where the user was located at the time when a time of Δt has elapsed from a predetermined time was the mesh of A-2.

[0029] In addition, the numerical values of the cells corresponding to each row and each column of Table 121 shown in FIG. 3 indicate the ratio of the number of users among the total 200 users whose location information was confirmed in a predetermined mesh at a predetermined time and whose location information was confirmed in another mesh at a time Δt after the predetermined time. For example, the numerical value of the cell indicated by 121A indicates that among the total 200 users, 6 users whose location information was confirmed in the A-1 mesh at a predetermined time and whose location information was confirmed in the A-2 mesh at a time Δt after the predetermined time. Here, a user whose location information was confirmed in the A-1 mesh at a predetermined time and whose location information was confirmed in the A-2 mesh at a time Δt after the predetermined time is considered to be a mover who moved from the A-1 mesh to the A-2 mesh during the time Δt. Therefore, the estimation unit 152 calculates the ratio of the number of movers who moved from the A-1 mesh to the A-2 mesh among the total 200 users as "6 / 200". In this way, the estimation unit 152 calculates, for each region (for example, for each mesh), the ratio of the number of movers who moved from a predetermined region (for example, a predetermined mesh) to another region (for example, another mesh) during a specified time period.

[0030] Subsequently, when the estimation unit 152 calculates the ratio of the number of movers who have moved from a predetermined area to other areas, it estimates the number of movers who have moved from the predetermined area to other areas for each area in the specified time period by performing an expansion estimation based on the calculated ratio and the total population of the area. For example, when the total population of the area is 1 million, the estimation unit 152 multiplies the ratio of the number of movers who have moved from mesh A-1 to mesh A-2, which is "6 / 200", by the total population of the area, which is 1 million, to estimate the number of movers who have moved from mesh A-1 to mesh A-2 in the specified time period as "(6 / 200) × 1 million". In this way, the estimation unit 152 estimates the number of movers who have moved from a predetermined area to other areas for each area based on the history of the location information of the terminal devices of a plurality of users in the specified time period. Note that there may be a difference in the number of histories of the location information of the terminal devices that can be acquired by age group (hereinafter also referred to as the number of logs). For example, the number of logs of the elderly may be less than that of the young. Therefore, when estimating the number of estimated movers considering the number of logs that can be acquired by age group, for example, when estimating the number of movers of the elderly with a small number of logs, an expansion estimation may be performed by multiplying by a slightly larger coefficient K (K is an arbitrary number). For example, the estimation unit 152 may estimate the number of elderly movers who have moved from mesh A-1 to mesh A-2 in the specified time period as "K × (6 / 200) × 1 million".

[0031] Subsequently, the estimation unit 152 estimates the number of users of the designated mobility service in each region based on the estimated number of movers. For example, the estimation unit 152 estimates the number of users (hereinafter also referred to as targets) who use the designated mobility service among the estimated number of movers. Specifically, the estimation unit 152 estimates the number of targets based on the results of a questionnaire previously conducted on the residents of each region regarding whether they use the designated mobility service to move from a predetermined region to another region during the designated time period. More specifically, the estimation unit 152 calculates, based on the questionnaire results, the ratio (e.g., 30%) of the number of residents who answered that they use the designated mobility service to the number of residents who were the subjects of the questionnaire. Subsequently, the estimation unit 152 estimates the number of users of the designated mobility service in each region by multiplying the estimated number of movers who move from a predetermined region to another region by the calculated ratio of the number of residents. For example, the estimation unit 152 multiplies the number of movers estimated to move from mesh A-1 to mesh A-2, which is "(6 / 200)×1,000,000", by the ratio (e.g., 30%) of the number of residents who answered that they use the designated mobility service to move from mesh A-1 to mesh A-2 to estimate the number of users of the designated mobility service in mesh A-1.

[0032] Alternatively, the estimation unit 152 may estimate the number of targets based on the actual number of users of the designated movement service in a reference area different from the target area (e.g., the entire area shown in FIG. 2). More specifically, the estimation unit 152 calculates the similarity between the regional information of the target area and the regional information of a plurality of reference areas, respectively. Subsequently, the estimation unit 152 selects a reference area whose similarity exceeds a first threshold value from among the plurality of reference areas. Further, the estimation unit 152 calculates the number of pieces of position information in each mesh of the reference area and the number of pieces of position information in each mesh of the target area in the designated time period. Subsequently, the estimation unit 152 selects a mesh of the reference area whose similarity with the number of pieces of position information in a predetermined mesh of the target area exceeds a second threshold value from among the plurality of meshes of the reference area. Subsequently, the estimation unit 152 estimates the actual number of users of the designated movement service in the designated time period in the selected mesh of the reference area as the number of targets in the predetermined mesh.

[0033] (Output control unit 153) The output control unit 153 controls the output unit 140 to display map information visualizing the number of users of the designated movement service (hereinafter referred to as the number of users) in each region estimated by the estimation unit 152 in the designated time period. For example, the output control unit 153 may control the output unit 140 to display map information color-coded according to the number of users of the designated movement service. For example, the output control unit 153 may control the output unit 140 to display map information representing the number of users of the designated movement service in the designated time period as a heat map by changing the shade or gradation of the color according to the number of users of the designated movement service.

[0034] [1-2. Modified example] Hereinafter, a modified example will be described. In the first embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus 100 estimates the number of movers in each area during a specified time period and estimates the number of users of a specified mobility service in each area based on the estimated number of movers was described. In a modified example according to the first embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus 100 estimates the number of visitors who visited a location providing a specific type of service during a specified time period and estimates the number of users of a specified mobility service in each area based on the estimated number of visitors will be described.

[0035] A modified example according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the case where a specific type of service is a medical service and the location providing the specific type of service is a hospital will be described. Also, in FIG. 4, for simplicity, the case where there is only one hospital located in Area B (hereinafter also referred to as the hospital in Area B) among all areas will be described. FIG. 4 is a table showing the number of users (number of logs) estimated from the location information of the terminal device and the actual number of users who used the mobility service to move to the hospital. The estimation unit 152 generates data corresponding to the table 122 shown in FIG. 4.

[0036] The first row of the table 122 in FIG. 4 indicates each day of the week. Also, the second row of the table 122 indicates the time periods of each day of the week. Also, the third row of the table 122 indicates the number of pieces of location information in each time period. For example, the value "12" in the cell corresponding to the 8 o'clock time period (8:00 - 9:00) on Monday in the third row of the table 122 is the number of unique users who logged in to the hospital, and it is assumed that the number of visitors who visited the hospital in Area B during the 8 o'clock time period on Monday is 12. The estimation unit 152 estimates the number of visitors who visited the hospital during a specified time period based on the history of the location information of the terminal devices of a plurality of users. For example, when the specified time period is "8:00 - 9:00", the estimation unit 152 refers to the value in the cell corresponding to the 8 o'clock time period on Monday in the third row of the table 122 and estimates that the number of visitors who visited the hospital is "12".

[0037] Here, visitors who visit a hospital, which is the provider of medical services, are considered to be highly likely users of "MaaS for providing medical services" (hereinafter also referred to as medical MaaS), or an on-demand car-sharing service (hereinafter also referred to as demand) with the hospital as the destination. Also, visitors who visit a hospital are considered to be highly likely to use a designated mobility service from the region where the visitor's place of residence is located. Therefore, the estimation unit 152 estimates the estimated place of residence of each visitor who visited the hospital during the designated time period. The process by which the estimation unit 152 estimates the visitor's estimated place of residence will be described later. For example, among the "12" visitors who visited the hospital during the designated time period of "8:00 - 9:00", the number of visitors whose place of residence is in mesh A-1 is "3", the number of visitors whose place of residence is in mesh A-2 is "4", and so on. Subsequently, since the number of visitors whose place of residence is in mesh A-1 among the visitors who visited the hospital during the designated time period of "8:00 - 9:00" is "3", the estimation unit 152 estimates that the number of users of the designated mobility service during the designated time period in mesh A-1 is "3". Similarly, since the number of visitors whose place of residence is in mesh A-2 among the visitors who visited the hospital during the designated time period of "8:00 - 9:00" is "4", the estimation unit 152 estimates that the number of users of the designated mobility service during the designated time period in mesh A-2 is "4". In this way, the estimation unit 152 estimates the number of users of the designated mobility service during the designated time period for each region based on the estimated number of visitors.

[0038] Also, the fourth row and below of Table 122 shown in FIG. 4 show the number of reservationists who reserved an on-demand car-sharing service (hereinafter also referred to as demand) with a hospital in Area B as the destination for each time period. For example, the value "3" in the cell corresponding to the 10 o'clock time period on Monday in the fourth row of Table 122 indicates that the number of reservationists who reserved demand with a hospital in Area B as the destination from the position of mesh A-1 at 10 o'clock on Monday is 3.

[0039] Here, a person who reserves demand for a hospital as a provider of medical services is considered to be a user who is likely to use Medical MaaS or demand with a hospital as the destination. Also, for example, a person who reserves demand with a hospital as the destination from the position of the mesh of A-1 is considered to be likely to use the designated mobility service from the position of the mesh of A-1. Therefore, when the designated time period is "10:00 - 11:00", the estimation unit 152 refers to the numerical value of the cell corresponding to the 10 o'clock time period on Monday in the 4th row of Table 122, and estimates that the number of users of the designated mobility service in the mesh of A-1 during the designated time period is "3" persons. In this way, the estimation unit 152 estimates the number of users of the designated mobility service for each region based on the actual number of users who used the mobility service to move to a place that provides a specific type of service during the designated time period.

[0040] [2. Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, a case where the information processing apparatus 100A estimates demand information indicating the height of demand for the mobility service for each region based on region information regarding the attributes of each region will be described. Note that descriptions of the same points as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0041] [2-1. Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100A according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 100A includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, an input unit 130, an output unit 140, and a control unit 150A. Note that descriptions of the same points as in the information processing apparatus 100 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0042] (Control Unit 150A) The control unit 150A is a controller, which is realized, for example, by executing various programs (corresponding to an example of an information processing program) stored in a storage device inside the information processing apparatus 100A using a CPU, MPU, etc. with the RAM as a work area. Further, the control unit 150A is a controller, which is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0043] The control unit 150A has a reception unit 151A, an acquisition unit 152A, an estimation unit 153A, and an output control unit 154A as functional units, and may realize or execute the operations of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 150A is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, and may be any other configuration as long as it can perform the information processing described later. Also, each functional unit represents the function of the control unit 150A and does not necessarily have to be physically distinct.

[0044] (Reception unit 151A) The reception unit 151A receives information related to the designated movement service in the same manner as the reception unit 151.

[0045] (Acquisition unit 152A) The acquisition unit 152A acquires regional information regarding the attributes of each region. Specifically, the acquisition unit 152A acquires, as an example of regional information, resident information regarding the attributes of the residents in each region. More specifically, the acquisition unit 152A acquires resident information corresponding to each item in Table 123 shown in FIG. 6. Note that hereinafter, the attributes of the residents in each region may sometimes be described as "perspectives" indicating the characteristics of the residents in each region. FIG. 6 is a table showing the height of demand for movement services inferred from the attribute information of each region. In FIG. 6, the acquisition unit 152A acquires resident information such as the proportion of the population aged a predetermined age (for example, 70 years old, 80 years old, etc.) or older in each region, the proportion of people owning a car (also referred to as the car ownership rate or car utilization rate), the presence or absence of public transportation other than movement services (or ease of movement), the average value (and median, standard deviation) of the highest age in the household, and the average value (and median, standard deviation) of the number of people in the household in each region. In this way, the acquisition unit 152A acquires resident information regarding each of the multiple attributes of the residents in each region.

[0046] (Estimation Unit 153A) Based on the regional information, the Estimation Unit 153A estimates, for each region, demand information indicating the level of demand for the designated mobility service. The Estimation Unit 153A may associate a numerical value with the level of demand for the designated mobility service. For example, the Estimation Unit 153A may associate a larger numerical value with a higher demand for the designated mobility service.

[0047] Specifically, for each of the plurality of attributes of the residents in each region acquired by the Acquisition Unit 152A, the Estimation Unit 153A estimates demand information indicating the level of demand for the designated mobility service. For example, the Estimation Unit 153A estimates that a region with a higher proportion of the population aged a predetermined age or above has a higher demand for the designated mobility service. Also, the Estimation Unit 153A estimates that a region with a higher vehicle ownership rate has a higher demand for the designated mobility service. Further, the Estimation Unit 153A estimates that a region with public transportation other than the mobility service (or well-developed public transportation) has a lower demand for the designated mobility service. Subsequently, based on the demand information estimated for each of the plurality of attributes of the residents in each region, the Estimation Unit 153A estimates demand information indicating the overall level of demand for the designated mobility service in each region. For example, the Estimation Unit 153A calculates, as a total numerical value indicating the overall level of demand for the designated mobility service in each region, a numerical value obtained by adding a first numerical value indicating the level of demand related to the proportion of the population aged a predetermined age or above, a second numerical value indicating the level of demand related to the vehicle ownership rate, a third numerical value indicating the level of demand related to the presence or absence of public transportation other than the mobility service, and so on. The Estimation Unit 153A estimates that a region with a higher total numerical value has a higher demand for the designated mobility service.

[0048] (Output Control Unit 154A) The output control unit 154A controls the output unit 140 to display map information obtained by visualizing the demand information for each region estimated by the estimation unit 153A. For example, the output control unit 154A may control the output unit 140 to display map information that represents the height of demand for the designated mobility service in each region as a heat map by changing the shade or gradation of color according to the total numerical value.

[0049] 〔2-2. Modified Example〕 Hereinafter, a modified example will be described. In the second embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus 100A estimates demand information indicating the height of demand for the designated mobility service for each region based on resident information regarding the attributes of residents in each region as an example of region information has been described. In a modified example according to the second embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus 100A estimates demand information indicating the height of demand for the designated mobility service for each region based on other region information other than the resident information will be described.

[0050] 〔2-2-1. Facility Information〕 The acquisition unit 152A acquires facility information regarding facilities located in each region as an example of region information. More specifically, the acquisition unit 152A acquires facility information corresponding to each item in Table 124 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a table showing the relationship between the facility information regarding facilities located in each region and the level of population inflow to each region. In FIG. 7, the acquisition unit 152A acquires, as the facility information, information regarding the number of facilities essential for life, such as medical institutions and commercial facilities, located in each region. In addition, the acquisition unit 152A acquires, as the facility information, information regarding the number of large facilities and small and medium-sized facilities located in each region. For example, the acquisition unit 152A acquires information regarding the number of medical institutions corresponding to large facilities and the number of medical institutions corresponding to small and medium-sized facilities located in each region. Also, for example, the acquisition unit 152A acquires information regarding the number of commercial facilities corresponding to large facilities and the number of commercial facilities corresponding to small and medium-sized facilities located in each region.

[0051] Based on the facility information acquired by the acquisition unit 152A, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information indicating the level of demand for the designated movement service for each region. Specifically, the estimation unit 153A sets points for large facilities and small and medium-sized facilities respectively. For example, it is considered that the inflow of population is larger in the region where a large facility is located than in the region where a small and medium-sized facility is located. Therefore, the estimation unit 153A may set a higher point for a large facility than the point for a small and medium-sized facility. Subsequently, the estimation unit 153A calculates a value obtained by multiplying the number of large facilities located in each region by the point of the large facility (hereinafter also referred to as the large point value), and a value obtained by multiplying the number of small and medium-sized facilities located in each region by the point of the small and medium-sized facility (hereinafter also referred to as the small and medium-sized point value). Subsequently, the estimation unit 153A uses the value obtained by adding the calculated large point value and small and medium-sized point value as a value indicating the level of population inflow in each region. Here, since people gather in regions with a high level of population inflow, it is considered that the demand for the designated movement service is high. Therefore, the estimation unit 153A may calculate the value obtained by adding the calculated large point value and small and medium-sized point value as a total value indicating the overall level of demand for the designated movement service in each region.

[0052] 〔2-2-2. Residence Information〕 The acquisition unit 152A acquires residence information regarding the estimated residence of visitors who visit places that provide a specific type of service as an example of regional information. More specifically, the acquisition unit 152A acquires residence information corresponding to each item in Table 125 shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, a case where a specific type of service is a medical service and a place that provides the specific type of service is a hospital will be described. FIG. 8 is a table that estimates the residence from the night-time staying location of the location information of the terminal information of visitors who visited the hospital and tabulates the number of logs. In FIG. 8, the acquisition unit 152A acquires, for example, the history of the location information of visitors who visited the hospital in Area B described in FIG. 4. For example, the acquisition unit 152A acquires the location information of a visitor who visited the hospital in Area B at night (such as in the late-night time zone) on a certain day. Here, usually, at night, it is considered that the user stays at the residence for sleeping or the like. Therefore, the night-time staying location of a visitor who visited the hospital is considered to be the estimated residence of the visitor. Thus, the acquisition unit 152A calculates the number of night-time location information of visitors who visited the hospital for each region. In FIG. 8, the acquisition unit 152A calculates the number of location information of visitors located in the mesh of A-1 as "0", the number of location information of visitors located in the mesh of A-2 as "3",... Subsequently, the acquisition unit 152A acquires the calculated number of location information as residence information in each region.

[0053] Here, a region where the number of night-time location information of visitors who visited the hospital is large is considered to be a region where there are many users who are likely to use Medical MaaS or the demand for a destination of the hospital compared to a region where the number of night-time location information of visitors who visited the hospital is small. Therefore, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information indicating the height of the demand for the designated mobility service for each region based on the residence information acquired by the acquisition unit 152A. For example, the estimation unit 153A estimates that a region where the number of location information acquired by the acquisition unit 152A is larger has a higher demand for the designated mobility service.

[0054] [2-2-3. Example of combination of type of mobility service and regional information] In addition to the above-mentioned demand and medical MaaS, various types of mobility services can be considered. For example, there is a mobility service (hereinafter referred to as medical MaaS (1)) that dispatches a vehicle equipped with a nurse and medical functions near the patient's home for telemedicine with a doctor for patients who have difficulty moving. Also, there may be a mobility service (hereinafter referred to as medical MaaS (2)) that dispatches a vehicle equipped with a nurse and medical functions near the patient's home for telemedicine with a doctor for children in families who are unable to take their children to the hospital. There may also be a mobility service (hereinafter referred to as retail MaaS) in which a supermarket or shopping street sends a mobile sales vehicle to a difficult-to-shop area for sales.

[0055] In addition, there may be a mobility service (hereinafter referred to as health check MaaS) that circulates a health check car that can perform simple health checkups for busy business people in the office streets in urban areas. Also, there may be a mobility service (hereinafter referred to as administrative MaaS) that delivers a vehicle equipped with necessary equipment for various administrative services such as My Number card applications to a place where it is easier for residents to access. There may also be a mobility service (hereinafter referred to as pick-up and drop-off for extracurricular activities MaaS) that substitutes for pick-up and drop-off when an urgent matter prevents a parent from picking up or dropping off their child for extracurricular activities. There may also be a mobility service (hereinafter referred to as HR MaaS) that enables job interview in the vehicle during commuting hours for those who are job hunting while continuing to work at a company.

[0056] In addition, for those who have been thinking about insurance products and the like but have not had the opportunity or time to consider them, a mobile service (hereinafter referred to as Mobile Sales as a Service, or Mobile MaaS) where product explanations can be received in a shuttle vehicle for pick-up and drop-off from the workplace to home may be available. Also, there may be a mobile service (hereinafter referred to as Entertainment MaaS (1)) that provides entertainment services (for example, an e-Sports environment using high-performance PCs for students from a young age to high school students) in the car and allows users to enjoy them around their homes. Additionally, there may be a mobile service (hereinafter referred to as Entertainment MaaS (2)) that offers entertainment services (such as a mobile karaoke box or a home game console) in the car and enables users to have fun around their homes. Moreover, there may be a mobile service (hereinafter referred to as Entertainment MaaS (3)) that provides entertainment services (such as izakaya or snack services) in the car and allows users to enjoy them around their homes.

[0057] Furthermore, there may be a mobile service (hereinafter referred to as Event MaaS) that provides a demand-responsive shuttle to event venues with poor access from the station, such as concerts or sports games, offers transportation in accordance with the start and end times of the event, and provides comfortable transportation especially during bad weather. Also, at outdoor spots where people gather frequently (such as parks, tourist attractions, BBQ venues, etc.), during summer when people want to change clothes after sweating, a mobile sales car or a store pick-up and drop-off car may be dispatched, and during winter when it is colder than expected, a mobile sales car or a store pick-up and drop-off car may be arranged as a mobile service (hereinafter referred to as Apparel MaaS).

[0058] In addition, in order to ensure that people can eat what they want in response to sudden weather changes, during the summer, when it suddenly gets colder than expected, a food truck that sells warm drinks and food may be dispatched, and during the winter, when it suddenly gets hotter than expected, a food truck that sells cold drinks and food may be dispatched (hereinafter referred to as Food and Beverage MaaS). Also, there may be a mobile recycling shop (hereinafter referred to as Recycling MaaS), where people can purchase clothes on the spot when they want to change clothes due to climate issues and sell them after use. Further, there may be a direct waste collection service (hereinafter referred to as Waste Collection MaaS (1)), where combustible waste is separated from food waste and collected and transformed into compost. Additionally, there may be a mobile service (hereinafter referred to as Waste Collection MaaS (2)) that collects all kinds of waste during free time.

[0059] Figures 9 and 10 are tables showing combinations of types of mobile services and regional information considered usable for predicting needs. In Table 123A shown in Figure 9, when the designated mobile service is in demand, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information (hereinafter referred to as demand information), which indicates the level of demand for the designated mobile service, for each region based on age information, vehicle ownership rate, facility and transportation information, and public transportation information. Also, when the designated mobile service is Medical MaaS (1), the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on age information, vehicle ownership rate, facility and transportation information, health insurance utilization history, and public transportation information. Further, when the designated mobile service is Medical MaaS (2), the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on household information, caregiver and disabled person information, and employment form information.

[0060] In addition, when the designated mobility service is retail MaaS, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on the vehicle ownership rate, facility and transportation information, household information, and information on care recipients and disabled persons. Also, when the designated mobility service is administrative MaaS, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on facility and transportation information, household information, and occupation type information. Further, when the designated mobility service is health check MaaS, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on age information, facility and transportation information, and pedestrian flow data. Additionally, when the designated mobility service is extracurricular activity and pick-up MaaS, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on age information, facility and transportation information, and household information.

[0061] Moreover, when the designated mobility service is HR MaaS, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on age information and job hunting site information. Also, when the designated mobility service is mobile sales MaaS, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on age information and occupation type information.

[0062] In Table 123B shown in FIG. 10, when the designated mobility service is entertainment MaaS (1), the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on age information, facility and transportation information, and household information. Also, when the designated mobility service is entertainment MaaS (2), the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on age information, facility and transportation information, and household information. Further, when the designated mobility service is entertainment MaaS (3), the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on age information, facility and transportation information, household information, and taxi operation information.

[0063] Further, when the designated mobility service is Event MaaS, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on facility and transportation information, taxi operation information, event information, and weather information. Further, when the designated mobility service is Apparel MaaS, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on facility and transportation information, pedestrian flow data, and weather information. Further, when the designated mobility service is Food and Drink MaaS, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on facility and transportation information, pedestrian flow data, and weather information. Further, when the designated mobility service is Recycling MaaS, the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on age information, facility and transportation information, household information, and weather information.

[0064] Further, when the designated mobility service is Garbage Collection MaaS (1) or Garbage Collection MaaS (2), the estimation unit 153A estimates demand information for each region based on household information.

[0065] [3. Effects] As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a reception unit 151 and an estimation unit 152. The reception unit 151 receives service information regarding the type of mobility service and time information regarding the time zone. The estimation unit 152 estimates the number of users of the mobility service in the time zone for each region based on the service information and the time information.

[0066] Thereby, the information processing apparatus 100 can predict the demand for the mobility service for each region.

[0067] Further, the estimation unit 152 estimates, for each region, the number of movers who have moved from a predetermined region to another region in the time zone based on the history of the location information of the terminal devices of a plurality of users, and estimates, for each region, the number of users of the mobility service in the time zone based on the estimated number of movers.

[0068] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 can appropriately predict the demand for the mobility service for each region based on the number of movers who have moved from a predetermined region to another region.

[0069] Further, the estimation unit 152 estimates the number of visitors who have visited a location where a specific type of service is provided in a time zone based on the history of the location information of the terminal devices of a plurality of users, and estimates the number of users of the mobility service in the time zone for each region based on the estimated number of visitors.

[0070] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 can appropriately predict the demand for the mobility service for each region based on the number of visitors who have visited a location where a specific type of service is provided.

[0071] Further, the estimation unit 152 estimates the number of users of the mobility service in the time zone for each region based on the actual number of users who have used the mobility service to move to a location where a specific type of service is provided in the time zone.

[0072] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 can appropriately predict the demand for the mobility service for each region based on the actual number of users who have used the mobility service.

[0073] Further, the information processing apparatus 100A according to the second embodiment further includes an acquisition unit 152A. The acquisition unit 152A acquires region information regarding the attributes of each region. The estimation unit 153A estimates demand information indicating the level of demand for the mobility service for each region based on the region information.

[0074] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100A can appropriately predict the demand for the mobility service for each region based on the region information.

[0075] Further, the region information is resident information regarding the attributes of the residents of each region.

[0076] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100A can appropriately predict the demand for the mobility service for each region based on the resident information.

[0077] Also, the regional information is facility information regarding facilities located in each region.

[0078] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100A can appropriately predict the demand for the mobility service for each region based on the facility information.

[0079] Also, the regional information is residence information regarding the estimated residence of visitors who visit places that provide a specific type of service.

[0080] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100A can appropriately predict the demand for the mobility service for each region based on the residence information.

[0081] Also, the information processing apparatus 100A further includes an output control unit 154A. The output control unit 154A controls the output unit 140 to display map information obtained by visualizing the demand information for each region estimated by the estimation unit 153A.

[0082] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100A can grasp the demand information for each region at a glance.

[0083] 〔4. Hardware Configuration〕 Also, an information processing apparatus such as the information processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment or the information processing apparatus 100A according to the second embodiment described above is realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 11, for example. Hereinafter, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described as an example. FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing apparatus. The computer 1000 includes a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, an HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0084] The CPU 1100 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400 and controls each part. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 starts up, programs dependent on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0085] The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by such programs, and the like. The communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via a predetermined communication network and sends it to the CPU 1100, and sends data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via a predetermined communication network.

[0086] The CPU 1100 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 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 1600. Also, the CPU 1100 outputs the generated data to the output devices via the input / output interface 1600.

[0087] The media interface 1700 reads the programs or data stored in the recording medium 1800 and provides them to the CPU 1100 via the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 loads such programs from the recording medium 1800 onto the RAM 1200 via the media interface 1700 and executes the loaded programs. The recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), PD (Phase change rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory, etc.

[0088] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 realizes the functions of the control unit 150 by executing the programs loaded onto the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800. As another example, these programs may be acquired from other devices via a predetermined communication network.

[0089] As described above, some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the aspects described in the column of the disclosure of the invention.

[0090] 〔5. Others〕 Also, among the respective processes described in the above embodiments and modification examples, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be manually performed, or all or part of the processes described as being manually performed can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition, regarding the processing procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings, they can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each figure is not limited to the illustrated information.

[0091] In addition, each component of each illustrated device is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the specific form of the distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figures, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage situations, etc.

[0092] In addition, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents do not conflict.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0093] 100 Information processing device 110 Communication unit 120 Storage unit 130 Input unit 140 Output unit 150 Control unit 151 Reception unit 152 Estimation unit 153 Output control unit 100A Information processing device 150A Control unit 151A Reception unit 152A Acquisition unit 153A Estimation unit 154A Output control unit

Claims

A receiving unit that receives service information regarding the type of a designated movement service specified by a user of an information processing apparatus and time information regarding a designated time period specified by the user of the information processing apparatus; When the service information and the time information are received, based on the history of the location information of a terminal user who is a user of a terminal device for which location information in a target area has been confirmed in the designated time period, in the designated time period, for each of the predetermined areas, a moving person ratio which is the ratio of the number of movers who have moved from a predetermined area in the target area to another area different from the predetermined area to the number of the terminal users is calculated, and based on the calculated moving person ratio and the population of the target area, by performing an expansion estimation, for each of the predetermined areas, the number of estimated movers who are estimated to have moved from the predetermined area to the other area in the designated time period is estimated, and based on the result of answering a questionnaire regarding whether or not to use the designated movement service that moves from the predetermined area to the other area in the designated time period, a user ratio which is the ratio of the number of respondents who answered that they use the designated movement service to the number of target persons who are the targets of the questionnaire is calculated, and by multiplying the number of estimated movers by the user ratio, for each of the predetermined areas, the number of users of the designated movement service in the designated time period is estimated; an estimation unit; An information processing apparatus comprising the same.

2. The estimation unit Based on the history of the location information of the terminal devices of a plurality of users, in the designated time period, estimates the number of visitors who have visited a place that provides a specific type of service, and based on the history of the location information of the terminal devices of the visitors, estimates an estimated place of residence where the visitors are estimated to reside, and estimates the number of the visitors who are estimated to reside in the estimated place of residence as the number of users who use a movement service corresponding to the specific type of service in the designated time period from the area where the estimated place of residence is located. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The estimation unit In the designated time period, estimates the actual number of users who have used a movement service that moves to a place that provides the specific type of service as the number of users who use a movement service corresponding to the specific type of service in the designated time period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. It further includes an acquisition unit that acquires regional information regarding the attributes of each region, The estimation unit estimates demand information indicating the level of demand for the specified mobility service for each region based on the regional information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The regional information is residential information regarding the attributes of the residents in each region. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The regional information is facility information regarding the facilities located in each region. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

7. The regional information is residential information regarding the estimated residence of visitors who visit locations providing specific types of services. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

8. It further includes an output control unit that controls the output unit to display map information visualizing the demand information for each region estimated by the estimation unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

9. An information processing method realized by a program executed by an information processing apparatus, a reception step of receiving service information regarding the type of specified mobility service designated by a user of the information processing apparatus and time information regarding the specified time period designated by the user of the information processing apparatus; When the service information and the time information are received, based on the history of the location information of terminal users who are users of terminal devices for which location information in the target area has been confirmed in the specified time period, in the specified time period, for each of the predetermined regions, the ratio of the number of movers who moved from the predetermined region to another region different from the predetermined region to the number of terminal users is calculated as the mover ratio, and based on the calculated mover ratio and the population of the target area, an extrapolation is performed to estimate the number of estimated movers who are estimated to have moved from the predetermined region to the other region for each of the predetermined regions. Based on the results of a questionnaire regarding whether or not to use the specified mobility service that moves from the predetermined region to the other region in the specified time period, a user ratio is calculated, which is the ratio of the number of respondents who answered that they use the specified mobility service to the number of target persons who are the subjects of the questionnaire. By multiplying the number of estimated movers by the user ratio, an estimation step of estimating the number of users of the specified mobility service in the specified time period for each of the predetermined regions is performed. An information processing method including the above.

10. A reception procedure for receiving service information regarding the type of designated movement service specified by a user of an information processing apparatus and time information regarding a designated time period specified by the user of the information processing apparatus; When the service information and the time information are received, based on the history of the location information of the terminal user who is the user of the terminal device for which the location information in the target area has been confirmed in the designated time period, in the designated time period, for each of the predetermined areas, a migrant ratio which is the ratio of the number of migrants who have moved from a predetermined area in the target area to another area different from the predetermined area to the number of the terminal users is calculated, and based on the calculated migrant ratio and the population of the target area, an extrapolation is performed to estimate, for each of the predetermined areas, the number of estimated migrants who are estimated to have moved from the predetermined area to the other area in the designated time period. Based on the result of the questionnaire regarding whether or not to use the designated movement service that moves from the predetermined area to the other area in the designated time period, a user ratio which is the ratio of the number of respondents who answered that they use the designated movement service to the number of target persons who are the targets of the questionnaire is calculated, and by multiplying the number of estimated migrants by the user ratio, an estimation procedure for estimating, for each of the predetermined areas, the number of users of the designated movement service in the designated time period; An information processing program that causes a computer to execute.

Images