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

Abstract

To provide device, method and program for processing information, and storage medium, which allow for efficiently facilitating traffic volume adjustment while suppressing the cost associated with granting of incentives.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: a traffic information acquisition unit configured to acquire traffic information indicating a target section subject to traffic volume adjustment; a request transmission unit configured to transmit to terminal devices traveling with vehicles a request for responses indicating detourable sections in the target section where the vehicles traveling toward the target section can circumvent and requested incentives, or incentives requested by occupants of the vehicles if the vehicles are to circumvent detourable sections; a reception unit for receiving the response; and a setting unit for setting detour-requested vehicles requested to circumvent the detourable sections according to the detourable sections and the incentives requested by the vehicle occupants as indicated in the responses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium that communicate with a terminal device that moves with a vehicle to process information related to traffic volume adjustment.

Background Art

[0002] A technique for dispersing traffic volume by prompting a vehicle to make a detour is known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle guidance system that gives privileges to vehicles that cooperate in alleviating traffic congestion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] For example, in order to further promote cooperation in alleviating traffic congestion by the vehicle guidance system of Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to give a greater incentive to vehicles that cooperate in alleviating traffic congestion.

[0006] However, simply giving a large number of incentives causes an increase in unnecessary costs and a decrease in the cost-effectiveness of traffic congestion alleviation, which is one of the problems.

[0007] In view of the above points, the present invention has been made, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium that can efficiently promote traffic volume adjustment while suppressing the expenses associated with giving incentives.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The invention according to claim 1 includes a traffic information acquisition unit that acquires traffic information indicating a target section that is a section for which traffic volume adjustment should be performed, a detourable section in the target section where a vehicle traveling toward the target section can make a detour, and a request transmission unit that transmits a request for a response indicating an incentive required by a passenger of the vehicle when the vehicle makes a detour through the detourable section to a terminal device that moves with the vehicle to obtain the response, a reception unit that receives the response, and a setting unit that sets a detour-requesting vehicle that requests a detour through the detourable section based on the detourable section indicated by the response and the incentive required by the passenger of the vehicle. It is characterized by having the above.

[0009] The invention according to claim 11 is an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus, the method including a traffic information acquisition step of acquiring traffic information indicating a target section that is a section for which traffic volume adjustment should be performed, a request transmission step of transmitting a request for a response indicating a detourable section in the target section where a vehicle traveling toward the target section can make a detour and an incentive required by a passenger of the vehicle when the vehicle makes a detour through the detourable section to a terminal device that moves with the vehicle to obtain the response, a reception step of receiving the response, and a setting step of setting a detour-requesting vehicle that requests a detour through the detourable section based on the detourable section indicated by the response and the incentive required by the passenger of the vehicle. It is characterized by having the above.

[0010] The invention according to claim 12 is an information processing program executed by an information processing apparatus including a computer, and causes the computer to execute a traffic information acquisition step of acquiring traffic information indicating a target section which is a section for which traffic volume adjustment is to be performed, a request transmission step of transmitting, to a terminal device that moves together with a vehicle, a request for obtaining a response indicating a detourable section where a vehicle traveling toward the target section can make a detour and an incentive required by an occupant of the vehicle when the vehicle makes a detour through the detourable section, a reception step of receiving the response, and a setting step of setting a detour-requesting vehicle that requests a detour through the detourable section based on the detourable section indicated by the response and the incentive required by the occupant of the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

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Figure 10

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Figure 16

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same or equivalent parts.

Embodiment

[0013] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the configuration of an information processing system 100 including an information processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment will be described.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 100 includes an information processing apparatus 10, a plurality of terminal devices 20, and a management server 50.

[0015] The information processing device 10 is a server device that communicates via a network NW with terminal devices 20 respectively mounted on a plurality of vehicles M. When traffic volume adjustment is required, such as when traffic congestion has occurred on a road, the information processing device 10 performs communication with the terminal device 20 to prompt a detour in exchange for giving an incentive to a predetermined vehicle traveling on the road. Note that the information processing device 10 and the management server 50 may be configured as an integrated device.

[0016] The terminal device 20 is a terminal device that exists in a plurality of vehicles M respectively and moves together with the vehicle. The terminal device 20 includes, for example, a touch panel display, and displays information received from the information processing device 10 on the display. Further, the terminal device 20 receives an input operation from an occupant of the vehicle M via the touch panel, and transmits the input information to the information processing device 10.

[0017] In this embodiment, the terminal device 20 is an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle. Note that the terminal device 20 is not limited to the in-vehicle device, and may be a terminal device carried by an occupant of the vehicle, such as a smartphone.

[0018] The management server 50 is a server device that manages the giving of incentives. The management server 50 receives information indicating an incentive to be given to an occupant of the vehicle from the information processing device 10, and performs information processing for giving the incentive.

[0019] For example, the management server 50 is a server that manages the collection of tolls on toll roads. Also, for example, the management server 50 is a server device that manages the giving of points in a point service, that is, in an enterprise that operates a point program.

[0020] The information processing device 10, the terminal device 20, and the management server 50 can transmit and receive data to and from each other via the network NW using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, for example. The connection between the terminal device 20 and the network NW can be made by mobile communication such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), or wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), for example.

[0021] In this embodiment, a case where a plurality of terminal devices 20 are registered terminals registered in advance in the information processing device 10 will be described. Also, in this embodiment, a vehicle M equipped with the terminal device 20 as a registered terminal, that is, a vehicle M that moves together with the terminal device 20 is also referred to as a registered vehicle.

[0022] When requesting a registered vehicle traveling toward a target section, which is a section where traffic such as traffic congestion on the road should be adjusted, to avoid passing at least a part of the section and detour, the information processing device 10 transmits a request for a response from the registered vehicle to the request or request information indicating the request to the terminal device 20. The response includes information indicating a request incentive, which is an incentive requested by the passengers of the registered vehicle as a reward for the detour, for the section of the target section where the registered vehicle can detour and when detouring through the section.

[0023] When it is possible to avoid passing only a part of the target section, for example, when the target section is on a highway and there is an interchange within the target section. By exiting the highway at the interchange before entering the target section and entering at the interchange within the target section, it is possible to avoid passing a part of the target section. Also, if exiting at the interchange within the target section, it is possible to avoid passing the part of the target section downstream of the interchange.

[0024] Needless to say, to avoid passing through the entire target section, for example, the vehicle M exits the highway at an interchange before entering the target section and enters from an interchange downstream of the target section.

[0025] In the following description, each section between adjacent interchanges, that is, each section that can be a unit of the section to avoid passing through, is defined as a road section and described. For example, a detourable section is a road section through which a registered vehicle can detour among the road sections at least partially included in the target section. Hereinafter, the road section included in the target section refers to a road section at least partially included in the target section.

[0026] In this embodiment, the incentive for detouring the detourable section is, for example, a discount on the toll of a toll road. Further, the incentive is, for example, points in a point service operated by a predetermined company.

[0027] The terminal device 20 receives a request from the information processing device 10, presents it to the passengers of the vehicle M, accepts an input operation indicating the response of the passengers to the request, and transmits the response to the information processing device 10.

[0028] The information processing device 10 receives a response from the terminal device 20, and based on the detourable section indicated by the response and the required incentive, sets a detour-requesting vehicle that requests a detour of the detourable section. Thereafter, the information processing device 10 transmits detour-request information indicating a request to detour the detourable section to the terminal device 20 that moves together with the set detour-requesting vehicle.

[0029] The registered vehicle that has received the detour request can receive an incentive corresponding to the required incentive by detouring the detourable section.

[0030] In this way, the information processing system 100 is a system that promotes the detour of registered vehicles by transmitting and receiving information between the information processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 and adjusts the traffic volume.

[0031] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the adjustment of traffic volume by the information processing system 100 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, ML indicates the main line of the highway under the management of the information processing system 100, with the leftward direction in the figure as the traveling direction.

[0032] In FIG. 2, CS indicates the section where the traffic volume on the main line ML should be adjusted, that is, the target section for traffic volume adjustment. FIG. 2 shows the target section CS as a section where congestion has occurred. Note that the target section CS may include a section where congestion is predicted, or may consist only of a section where congestion is predicted.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, there is an exit interchange IC (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the exit IC) upstream of the target section CS. In FIG. 2, PS indicates a predetermined section PS that is upstream of the exit IC.

[0034] The predetermined section PS is, for example, a road section between the exit IC located immediately before the target section CS and the previous exit IC. The predetermined section PS is not limited to this. For example, it may be two or more road sections including the exit IC immediately before the target section CS. Also, for example, the predetermined section PS may be determined based on the position of the exit IC two before the target section CS.

[0035] For example, the predetermined section PS is a section that extends several kilometers to a dozen kilometers in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the main line ML (rightward in the figure) from a position 1 to 2 km before the exit IC located immediately before the target section CS.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of vehicles M are traveling from the predetermined section PS upstream of the target section CS on the main line ML toward the target section CS. The information processing device 10 transmits a request to the terminal device 20 that moves together with the vehicle M traveling in the predetermined section PS, requesting a response indicating the detourable section and the required incentive in the target section CS. In other words, the vehicle to which the information processing device 10 transmits the request is the vehicle M traveling in the predetermined section PS.

[0037] For example, after responding to a request, a registered vehicle that receives detour request information and evacuates from the main line ML in response to the detour request can evacuate from the exit IC located immediately before the target section CS.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 10 is configured with each part connected via a system bus 11.

[0039] The mass storage device 13 is a storage device configured by, for example, a hard disk device, an SSD (solid state drive), a flash memory, or the like. The mass storage device 13 stores various programs executed in the information processing apparatus 10. Note that the various programs may be acquired from, for example, another server device or the like via a network, or may be recorded on a recording medium and read via various drive devices. For example, the mass storage device 13 stores an information processing program that is executed when request information for transmission to the terminal device 20 is created by the information processing apparatus 10.

[0040] The mass storage device 13 stores a database in which data necessary for executing various programs is stored.

[0041] The mass storage device 13 includes a registration information database (hereinafter referred to as the registration information DB) 13A. The registration information DB 13A stores registration information necessary for transmitting information to each of the terminal devices 20 as a destination.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows an example of the registration information TB1 stored in the registration information DB 13A. As shown in FIG. 4, in the registration information TB1, the "terminal ID" of the terminal device 20, the "vehicle ID" of the vehicle moving together with the terminal device 20, and the "vehicle type" of the vehicle are associated with each other.

[0043] The "terminal ID" is an identifier such as a MAC address, etc., and is an identifier necessary for the information processing apparatus 10 to transmit information to the terminal apparatus 20.

[0044] The "vehicle ID" is an identifier different from the identifier of the terminal apparatus 20, such as, for example, a motor vehicle registration number (so-called vehicle number), a chassis number, etc. or the ID of an on-vehicle ETC unit, and is an identifier capable of specifying the vehicle M.

[0045] The "vehicle type" is, for example, the vehicle type defined in the Road Traffic Law, and is attribute information indicating the attributes of a registered vehicle. The "vehicle type" is used when the information processing apparatus 10 selects and sets a detour request vehicle.

[0046] Also, the mass storage device 13 includes an incentive information database (hereinafter referred to as the incentive information DB) 13B. In the incentive information DB 13B, information necessary for the information processing apparatus 10 to perform information processing related to the granting of incentives is stored. For example, in the incentive information DB 13B, options for requested incentives are stored.

[0047] The control unit 15 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 15C, etc., and functions as a computer. Then, the CPU 15A reads and executes various programs stored in the ROM 15B and the mass storage device 13 to realize various functions.

[0048] The control unit 15 reads and executes the information processing program stored in the mass storage device 13, creates a request for obtaining a response indicating a detourable section and a requested incentive, and transmits it to the terminal apparatus 20.

[0049] In the execution of the information processing program, the control unit 15 acquires traffic information from facilities that collect and provide traffic information on toll roads and general roads, such as the Japan Road Traffic Information Center (registered trademark) (JARTIC (registered trademark)) and the Road Traffic Information Communication System (VICS (registered trademark)) Center (hereinafter also referred to as the "road traffic information center").

[0050] Also, in the execution of the information processing program, the control unit 15 functions as a setting unit that receives a response from the terminal device 20 and sets a detour-requesting vehicle based on the detourable section and the requested incentive indicated by the response. Further, the control unit 15 as the setting unit may acquire attribute information indicating an attribute determined based on the dimensions of the vehicle M that moves together with the terminal device 20 that transmitted the response, and set the detour-requesting vehicle based on the attribute information.

[0051] The communication unit 17 is a network adapter such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) connected to a wireless device (not shown). The communication unit 17 performs communication between the information processing device 10 and the outside according to an instruction from the control unit 15.

[0052] For example, the communication unit 17 performs communication when the information processing device 10 receives traffic information including information indicating a target section from a road traffic information center or the like. The control unit 15 functions as a traffic information acquisition unit that executes a traffic information acquisition step of acquiring traffic information via the communication unit 17.

[0053] Also, the communication unit 17 performs communication when the information processing device 10 transmits a request to the terminal device 20. The control unit 15 functions as a request transmission unit that executes a request transmission step of transmitting a request via the communication unit 17.

[0054] Further, the control unit 15 acquires the position information of the pre-registered terminal device 20 via the communication unit 17. In this embodiment, the control unit 15 constantly acquires the position information of the vehicle M while being connected to the terminal device 20. Note that there may be a position information collection server that collects the position information of the vehicle, and the control unit 15 may acquire information in which the identifier of the vehicle M and the position of the vehicle M are associated from the position information collection server.

[0055] The control unit 15 functions as a route acquisition unit that acquires the route information of the vehicle M from the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 17. The route information may be, for example, generated in the terminal device 20 or acquired from a car navigation device connected to the terminal device 20.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 15 may receive, via the communication unit 17, information indicating the vehicle ID and the entry / exit time acquired when the vehicle passes through the ETC gate from the ETC gate.

[0057] The control unit 15 may receive, via the communication unit 17, an acceptance indicating that it responds to the request from the terminal device 20 that has received the detour request information. In that case, the control unit 15 functions as an acceptance reception unit that receives a response indicating that it accepts the detour request and performs a retreat.

[0058] In addition, for example, when the vehicle M moving together with the terminal device 20 that has received the detour request information retreats from the main line ML, the control unit 15 generates incentive giving information indicating the incentive to be given. For example, the control unit 15 may generate the incentive giving information when the vehicle M enters the main line ML again after retreating from the main line ML.

[0059] In addition, the control unit 15 may set the target number of vehicles that retreat from the main line ML in response to the request based on the traffic information acquired via the communication unit 17.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 10 is configured such that each part is connected via a system bus 21. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 20 has a route generation function and a navigation function (so-called car navigation function). Note that the terminal device 20 itself may not have a car navigation function. In that case, the terminal device 20 may be connected to a car navigation device mounted on the vehicle M so as to be able to acquire route information.

[0061] The control unit 23 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 23A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23B, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23C, and is a computer that controls the operation of the terminal device 20. In the control unit 23, the CPU 23A reads and executes various programs stored in the ROM 23B and the like, thereby realizing various functions.

[0062] The communication unit 25 is a network adapter such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) connected to a wireless device (not shown). The communication unit 25 communicates with the information processing apparatus 10 and other external devices according to instructions from the control unit 23. For example, the communication unit 25 performs communication when the terminal device 20 receives a request from the information processing apparatus 10.

[0063] The output unit 27 is connected to the display of the touch panel display 29 and the speaker 31 provided in the vehicle M. The output unit 27 is an interface that supplies various information to the display and the speaker 31 according to instructions from the control unit 23.

[0064] The output unit 27 supplies, for example, a request received by the control unit 23 via the communication unit 25 to the display. In other words, the control unit 23 causes the request to be displayed on the display via the output unit 27. The output unit 27 may supply the request to the speaker 31, for example.

[0065] The input unit 33 is an interface that acquires data from the devices provided in the vehicle M. The input unit 33 is connected to the microphone 35 provided in the vehicle M and the touch panel of the touch panel display 29.

[0066] Also, the input unit 33 receives a selection input from an occupant of the vehicle M as a response operation to a request by receiving an input via the touch panel. For example, regarding bypassing the target section CS indicated by the request, it receives a selection of a bypassable section or an input or selection of a request incentive.

[0067] Also, the input unit 33 is connected to the GPS receiver 37. The input unit 33 acquires data indicating the position of the vehicle M from the GPS receiver 37. Also, the acquired current position of the vehicle M is transmitted to the information processing device 10 and used for processing such as determining the transmission destination of a request in the information processing device 10.

[0068] The storage unit 39 is a storage device constituted by, for example, a hard disk device, an SSD (solid state drive), a flash memory, or the like. The storage unit 39 stores various programs executed in the terminal device 20. Note that the various programs may be acquired from, for example, other server devices or the like via a network, or may be recorded on a recording medium and read via various drive devices. For example, the storage unit 39 stores a program for displaying a request executed in the terminal device 20.

[0069] Also, the storage unit 39 stores a map information database (hereinafter referred to as map information DB) 37A. The map information DB 37A stores map information used for route search by the terminal device 20.

[0070] While referring to FIGS. 6 to 16, the information processing executed in the information processing system 100 in the present embodiment will be described.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a request transmission routine RT1 which is an example of a routine executed by the control unit 15 of the information processing apparatus 10. When the information processing apparatus 10 is powered on, for example, the control unit 15 starts acquiring traffic information. For example, when starting to acquire traffic information, the control unit 15 starts the request transmission routine RT1.

[0072] When the control unit 15 starts the request transmission routine RT1, it determines whether there is a target section which is a section for which traffic volume adjustment should be made based on the traffic information (step S101). In step S101, for example, the control unit 15 determines whether the target section CS exists based on the information indicating the traffic situation received from the road traffic information center.

[0073] The determination as to whether the target section CS exists may be made, for example, based on whether the information received from the road traffic information center includes information indicating the existence of a traffic jam section which is a section where a traffic jam has occurred, or whether it includes a traffic jam prediction section where a traffic jam is predicted to occur. In that case, for example, the traffic jam section or the traffic jam prediction section indicated in the information received from the road traffic information center is specified as the target section CS.

[0074] Also, the determination as to whether the target section exists may be made, for example, based on the information received from the road traffic information center, such as traffic volume or traffic flow information, etc., as to whether a traffic jam section where a traffic jam has occurred or a traffic jam prediction section where a traffic jam is predicted to occur is specified.

[0075] When the control unit 15 determines in step S101 that the target section exists (step S101: YES), it extracts the vehicle M that is traveling in a predetermined section heading for the target section (step S102). In step S102, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the vehicle M which is a registered vehicle traveling within a predetermined section between the interchange located immediately upstream of the target section CS and another interchange one further upstream is extracted.

[0076] In step S102, for example, the control unit 15 acquires the position information of the vehicle M, which is a registered vehicle registered in the registration information DB13A, and extracts the vehicle M traveling in a predetermined section.

[0077] Note that in step S101, when the control unit 15 determines that the target section exists (step S101: YES), it may set a target value for the number of vehicles that will retreat from the main line ML and detour for traffic volume adjustment for the target section. For example, the target value for the number of vehicles may be set based on the length of the target section CS or traffic conditions such as the time required for one vehicle to pass through the target section CS. For example, the target value for the number of vehicles may be set based on statistical data that accumulates data on past traffic congestion alleviation in addition to the current traffic conditions.

[0078] After executing step S102, the control unit 15 acquires the route information of the extracted registered vehicle (step S103). In step S103, for example, the control unit 15 transmits a request for requesting the transmission of route information to the terminal device 20 that moves together with the extracted registered vehicle via the communication unit 17, and acquires the route information from the terminal device 20. In step S103, the control unit 15 functions as a route acquisition unit that acquires the route information of the vehicle traveling on the road toward the target section.

[0079] For example, the terminal device 20 acquires the route information generated in the terminal device 20 or the route information from the car navigation device mounted on the vehicle M, and transmits the acquired route information to the control unit 15 as a response to the above request.

[0080] After executing step S103, the control unit 15 extracts the registered vehicles whose planned travel route includes the target section CS based on the route information acquired in step S103 (step S104).

[0081] In step S104, for example, vehicles whose planned travel route overlaps at least a part of the target section CS are extracted. The vehicles extracted in step S104 are the vehicles to which the information processing device 10 sends requests. In the following description, the extracted vehicles are also referred to as target vehicles.

[0082] After executing step S104, the control unit 15 generates a request for obtaining a response indicating a detourable section and a request incentive (step S105). In step S105, for example, in addition to the information indicating the target section CS, information including a message for requesting input or selection of a detourable section in which vehicle M can make a detour in the target section CS and a message for requesting input or selection of a request incentive is generated.

[0083] The request generated in step S105 may include information indicating the distance for each section together with the options of the detourable sections. Further, the request may include, for example, a message indicating that the granting of an incentive for detouring is performed by a bidding method. Specifically, for example, the request may include a message indicating that a vehicle with a low request incentive per unit distance of the detourable section is prioritized and an incentive is granted only when there is a detour request.

[0084] In step S105, for example, the options of the request incentive are set based on the setting criteria of the incentives stored in the incentive information DB13B.

[0085] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a request RQ1 which is an example of the information included in the request information generated in step S105. As shown in FIG. 7, in the request RQ1, information specifying a section on the main line ML and information indicating the distance of the section are associated with each other. The request RQ1 includes, as information for specifying a section, a section represented using a section ID and the position of an interchange. The request RQ1 also includes information indicating the distance for each section.

[0086] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the target section includes two sections, section A and section B. In FIG. 7, the detour distances are described for each of the cases where only section A is bypassed, only section B is bypassed, and both section A and section B are bypassed.

[0087] After executing step S105, the control unit 15 transmits the request information to the terminal device 20 that moves together with the target vehicle (step S106). In step S106, the control unit 15 transmits the request information generated in step S105, using each of the terminal devices 20 that move together with the target vehicle extracted in step S104 as the destination.

[0088] If the control unit 15 determines in step S101 that there is no target section (step S101: NO) or after executing step S106, the request transmission routine RT1 ends, and the request transmission routine RT1 is newly started.

[0089] In steps S103 and S104 of the request transmission routine RT1, the route information of the registered vehicles traveling in the predetermined section PS is acquired, and it has been described that a request is transmitted to the registered vehicles whose planned travel route includes the target section. However, it is not limited to this. The control unit 15 may transmit a request to all the registered vehicles traveling in the predetermined section PS without executing steps S103 and S104.

[0090] By executing steps S103 and S104, a request can be transmitted only to the registered vehicles whose planned travel route includes the target section. Therefore, even if there is no request, the registered vehicles that originally planned to bypass the target section can be excluded from the request transmission targets. As a result, unnecessary incentives are not given, and the costs associated with giving incentives can be suppressed.

[0091] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a response routine RT2, which is an example of a routine executed by the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20. The control unit 23 starts the response routine RT2, for example, when the terminal device 20 is activated.

[0092] When the control unit 23 starts the response routine RT2, it waits for a certain period of time to receive the request information from the information processing device 10 (step S201).

[0093] After executing step S201, the control unit 23 determines whether or not it has received the request information (step S202). In step S202, for example, the control unit 23 determines whether or not it has received the request information including the information specifying the target section CS and the information indicating the detour distance when detouring the section, as exemplified in FIG. 7, from the information processing device 10.

[0094] In step S202, when the control unit 23 determines that it has received the request information (step S202: YES), it presents the received request information to the passengers of the vehicle M moving together with the terminal device 20 (step S203). In step S203, for example, the control unit 23 causes the request information to be displayed on the display of the touch panel display 29 via the output unit 27.

[0095] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the request information displayed on the display of the touch panel display 29. As shown in FIG. 9, a map showing the current position of the own vehicle is displayed in a partial area of the screen. In the area other than the map on the screen, a message presenting the content indicated by the request information to the passengers of the vehicle is displayed.

[0096] In the example shown in FIG. 9, for the case where the target section CS is between "〇〇IC and △△IC" and the target section CS includes two road sections, section A and section B, a message for requesting the selection of the detourable section and the input of the number of desired points as a request incentive is displayed.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 9, the options for the detourable section are displayed as selectable buttons of "Detour via A", "Detour via B", or "Detour via A + B". Also, in the example shown in FIG. 9, a message indicating that points are awarded by the bidding method and an input field for the number of desired points are displayed.

[0098] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the request information displayed on the display of the touch panel display 29. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the options for the desired number of points are displayed as selection buttons that allow selection of any one of "100 points", "200 points", and "300 points".

[0099] After executing step S203, the control unit 23 determines whether a response operation has been made for the request (step S204). In step S204, for example, the control unit 23 determines whether an input operation via the touch panel has been made within a predetermined time.

[0100] In step S204, for example, when a detourable section is selected, the desired number of points is input or selected, and then the send button is pressed, it may be determined that a response operation has been made. Also, in step S204, for example, when the selection button for the detourable section and the selection button for the desired number of points are pressed, it may be determined that a response operation has been made. Note that in step S204, if the selection button or the send button is not pressed within the predetermined time, it may be regarded that no response operation has been made.

[0101] When the control unit 23 determines in step S204 that a response operation has been made (step S204: YES), the control unit 23 generates response information indicating a response to the request (step S205).

[0102] In step S205, the control unit 23 generates response information including information on the detourable section and the request incentive indicated by the response operation and the identifier (terminal ID) of the terminal device 20.

[0103] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing response information AW1 which is an example of the response information. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the response information AW1 includes information indicating the terminal ID "AA", the detourable section "A + B", and the request incentive "100 points".

[0104] After executing step S205, the control unit 23 transmits response information to the information processing apparatus 10 (step S206).

[0105] After executing step S206, or when it is determined in step S204 that no response operation has been performed (step S204: NO), the control unit 23 ends the presentation of the request information (step S207).

[0106] After executing step S207, or when it is determined in step S202 that the request information has not been received (step S202: NO), the control unit 23 ends the response routine RT2 and newly starts the response routine RT2.

[0107] In step S204, for example, even if a predetermined time has not elapsed, if the current position of the vehicle M is outside the predetermined section PS, that is, if the vehicle M has left the predetermined section PS, the display of the request information may be stopped.

[0108] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a detour request routine RT3, which is a routine executed by the control unit 15 of the information processing apparatus 10 after transmitting the request information. For example, when the control unit 15 transmits request information by the request transmission routine RT1, the control unit 15 starts the detour request routine RT3.

[0109] When starting the detour request routine RT3, the control unit 15 waits for a certain period of time for response information from the terminal device 20 that has received the request information (step S301). In step S301, for example, when the control unit 15 receives the response information, the control unit 15 creates a list of the response information. Specifically, for example, the terminal ID, detourable section, and request incentive of the terminal device 20 included in the response information are added to and accumulated in the list until a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0110] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a list SM1 which is an example of a list in which response information is accumulated. As shown in FIG. 13, for each terminal ID that identifies each of the terminal devices 20, a detourable section and a required incentive are associated and listed. In FIG. 13, the detour distance indicates the total distance of the detourable sections.

[0111] For example, as shown in FIG. 13, in the list SM1, the level of incentive per unit distance (hereinafter also referred to as the distance unit level) may be calculated from the detour distance and the required incentive and added to the list. In the example shown in FIG. 13, as the distance unit level, the number of points per 1 km of the detour distance is calculated and added to the list.

[0112] In step S301, for example, a fixed time for waiting for response information (hereinafter also referred to as the waiting time) may be set in consideration of the time required for the replacement of vehicles within a predetermined section PS. For example, the waiting time is set to several seconds to several tens of seconds.

[0113] In step S301, the control unit 15 functions as a receiving unit that executes a receiving step of receiving a response from the terminal device 20 that has received the request information.

[0114] After executing step S301, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the number of the terminal devices 20 that have responded has reached a certain number (step S302). In step S302, for example, it is determined whether or not the number of terminal IDs added to the list and associated with the detourable distance and the required incentive has reached a certain number by receiving the response information.

[0115] In step S302, when it is determined that the number of responding terminal devices 20 has reached a certain number (step S302: YES), a detour-requesting vehicle for requesting a detour of the detourable section is set (step S303). In step S303, the control unit 303 sets, as the detour-requesting vehicle, the vehicle selected based on the detourable section indicated by the response from the terminal device 20 and the level of the required incentive requested by the passengers of the vehicle moving together with the terminal device 20. In step S303, the control unit 15 functions as a setting unit that executes a setting step of setting the detour-requesting vehicle.

[0116] In step S303, for example, the control unit 15 sets the detour-requesting vehicle based on the level of the required incentive per unit distance. For example, in step S303, the vehicle excluding the vehicles with a distance unit level equal to or higher than a predetermined value is set as the detour-requesting vehicle.

[0117] In step S303, for example, the control unit 15 compares the distance unit levels, which are the levels of the required incentives per unit distance, with each other based on the response information from a plurality of terminal devices 20, and preferentially sets, as the detour-requesting vehicle, the vehicle with a lower distance unit level.

[0118] FIG. 14 shows an example in the case of selecting 10 terminal IDs in ascending order of the distance unit level from the list of response information and setting, as the detour-requesting vehicle, the vehicle moving together with the selected terminal device 20. In the list shown in FIG. 14, the portion surrounded by the broken line is the information regarding the vehicle set as the detour-requesting vehicle.

[0119] In this way, by preferentially setting, as the detour-requesting vehicle, the vehicle with a lower distance unit level, it is possible to set, as the detour-requesting vehicle, a vehicle for which the cost for providing the incentive is less.

[0120] Furthermore, in step S303, the control unit 15 may set a detour-request vehicle based on the attributes of the vehicle in addition to, for example, the distance unit level. For example, when there are a plurality of vehicles with the same distance unit level, assuming that a larger vehicle has a higher efficiency of alleviating traffic congestion per vehicle than a smaller vehicle, the control unit 15 may preferentially set a vehicle with a larger vehicle size as the detour-request vehicle.

[0121] FIG. 15 shows an example of setting a detour-request vehicle based on the vehicle type as an attribute of the vehicle determined based on the vehicle size when the distance unit levels are equal. FIG. 15 shows a case where 10 detour-request vehicles are selected.

[0122] In the example shown in FIG. 15, when the response information of each terminal device 20 is arranged in ascending order of the distance unit level, two vehicles with the same distance unit level are ranked 10th. In such a case, preferentially selecting a large vehicle (terminal ID “CC”) over an ordinary vehicle (terminal ID “DD”), the control unit 15 sets the top 10 vehicles from the lower distance unit level surrounded by the broken line as the detour-request vehicles.

[0123] In this way, when the distance unit levels are the same, by preferentially setting a vehicle with a high efficiency of adjusting the traffic volume per vehicle as the detour-request vehicle, the number of detour-request vehicles can be suppressed. Therefore, the cost for providing incentives can be suppressed.

[0124] After executing step S303, the control unit 15 generates detour-request information indicating a request for detouring in the detourable section (step S304).

[0125] After executing step S304, the control unit 15 transmits the detour-request information to the terminal device 20 that moves with the detour-request vehicle (step S305). In step S305, the control unit 15 functions as a detour-request transmission unit that transmits the detour-request information to the terminal device 20 that moves with the detour-request vehicle.

[0126] The terminal device 20 that has received the detour request information transmitted in step S305 accepts an input operation for answering (answer operation) whether to detour according to the detour request indicated by the detour request information, and transmits an answer indicating whether to detour to the information processing device 10.

[0127] After executing step S305, or when it is determined that the number of terminal devices 20 that responded in step S302 has not reached a certain number (step S302: NO), the control unit 15 ends the detour request routine RT3 and newly starts the detour request routine RT3.

[0128] For example, when newly starting the detour request routine RT3, the control unit 15 resets the list of response information created in the previously executed detour request routine RT3 and newly creates a list.

[0129] Note that the control unit 15 may set a detour request vehicle for each of the plurality of road sections included in the target section CS by executing the detour request routine RT3 for each of the plurality of road sections included in the target section CS.

[0130] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an incentive giving routine RT4 which is an example of a routine executed by the control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 after transmitting the detour request information (FIG. 12, step S305). When transmitting the detour request information, the control unit 15 starts the incentive giving routine RT4.

[0131] When starting the incentive giving routine RT4, the control unit 15 waits for an answer to the detour request indicated by the detour request information from the terminal device 20 that has received the detour request information (step S401). In step S401, for example, the control unit 15 waits for answer reception for a certain period of time, and stores and accumulates each answer as it is received.

[0132] For example, the control unit 15 may set a time limit from when the detour request information is transmitted until a response is received, and in step S401, it waits until the time limit elapses. For example, if the time limit has elapsed since the detour request information indicating the detour request that is the target of reception in step S401 was transmitted, it may be regarded as not being accepted for the detour request information.

[0133] After executing step S401, the control unit 15 determines whether acceptance information has been received (step S402). In step S402, for example, the control unit 15 determines whether the received response includes acceptance information indicating acceptance of the detour request. In step S402, for example, the control unit 15 determines that acceptance information has been received when acceptance information from at least one terminal device 20 is received.

[0134] If it is determined in step S402 that acceptance information has been received (step S402: YES), it waits for a certain period of time to obtain evacuation information indicating that the registered vehicle that transmitted the acceptance information has evacuated from the main line ML (step S403).

[0135] In step S403, for example, the control unit 15 waits to receive information indicating the position and time when the vehicle M that transmitted the acceptance information passed through the ETC (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the exit ETC) gate of the exit IC.

[0136] After executing step S403, the control unit 15 determines whether evacuation information has been obtained (step S404). For example, the control unit 15 determines that evacuation information has been obtained when it receives, via the communication unit 17 from the exit ETC gate, information including the identifier (for example, the ETC in-vehicle unit ID) of the vehicle M that transmitted the acceptance information. In step S404, for example, the control unit 15 may obtain evacuation information by determining, based on the position information of the vehicle M, that the vehicle M has evacuated from the main line ML.

[0137] In step S404, when it is determined that evacuation information has been received (step S404: YES), the control unit 15 generates incentive grant information indicating the level of incentive to be given to the vehicle M that moves together with the terminal device 20 indicated by the evacuation information (step S405).

[0138] In step S405, the control unit 15 determines the level of the requested incentive included in the response information from the terminal device 20 indicated by the evacuation information as the level of incentive to be given to the vehicle M that moves together with the terminal device 20, and generates incentive grant information.

[0139] In step S405, for example, the number of points described in the requested incentive column in the list of response information shown in FIG. 13 is determined as the level of incentive to be given.

[0140] In step S405, the control unit 15 functions as an information generation unit that generates incentive grant information indicating the incentive to be given to the detour request vehicle.

[0141] After executing step S405, the control unit 15 transmits the incentive grant information to the management server 50 that manages incentives (step S406).

[0142] If the control unit 15 determines in step S402 that the acceptance information has not been received (step S402: NO), determines in step S404 that the evacuation information has not been received (step S404: NO), or ends the incentive grant routine RT4 after executing step S406. Note that the control unit 15 may transmit the next new detour request information without waiting for the end of the incentive grant routine RT4, for example. In that case, a new incentive grant routine RT4 corresponding to the new detour request information is newly executed.

[0143] When the incentive granting routine RT4 corresponding to the new detour request information is executed, the currently executed incentive granting routine RT4 may be terminated as if the time limit has elapsed, or may be executed in parallel with the newly executed incentive granting routine RT4.

[0144] In addition, in the incentive granting routine RT4, it is not necessary to execute steps S401 and S402. In other words, without determining whether the acceptance information has been received, for all vehicles that have received the detour request information, when they retreat from the main line ML, it may be regarded that they have accepted the detour request information.

[0145] As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a traffic information acquisition unit that acquires traffic information indicating a target section that is a section for which traffic volume adjustment should be performed, and among the target sections, a detourable section where a vehicle traveling toward the target section can make a detour, and a request transmission unit that transmits a request for a response indicating a required incentive, which is an incentive required by the passengers of the vehicle when the vehicle makes a detour in the detourable section, to a terminal device that moves with the vehicle. Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a reception unit that receives a response indicating the detourable section and the required incentive, and a setting unit that sets a detour request vehicle that requests a detour of the detourable section based on the detourable section indicated by the response and the incentive required by the passengers of the vehicle.

[0146] With such a configuration, according to the present embodiment, instead of requesting all vehicles that have responded to the request to make a detour, it is possible to request a detour to the detour request vehicle set based on the detourable section indicated by the response and the required incentive. As a result, while giving an incentive for detouring to the passengers of the vehicle traveling in the target section, it is possible to suppress the required incentive from becoming a heavy burden on the giving side.

[0147] According to this embodiment, for example, a detour-requesting vehicle can be set based on the level of the required incentive per unit distance in a detourable section. For example, a vehicle with a low required incentive per unit distance can be preferentially set as a detour-requesting vehicle.

[0148] Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium that can efficiently promote traffic volume adjustment while suppressing the cost associated with providing incentives.

[0149] In the above embodiment, an example of transmitting a request to a registered vehicle has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a request may be transmitted to all vehicles traveling in a predetermined section regardless of registration using, for example, a vehicle-to-roadside communication system or the like.

[0150] In the above embodiment, a case where the target section for traffic volume adjustment is on an expressway has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the target section may be a section where traffic volume adjustment should be performed, such as a toll road other than an expressway or a general road, where congestion has occurred or congestion is predicted.

[0151] In the above embodiment, an example of setting a predetermined section to be the target of a request transmission based on the position of an exit interchange when making a detour without passing through the target section has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, When the detour is an expressway or an automobile exclusive road, the predetermined section may be determined based on the branching point to the junction.

[0152] Note that the information processing apparatus 10 may generate incentive-providing information for the required incentive for each point service in response to a plurality of point services provided by a plurality of companies.

[0153] In addition, the incentives in the present invention are not limited to the examples given in the above embodiments. For example, as the incentive, cash or goods may be given.

[0154] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the request information transmitted by the information processing apparatus 10 is displayed on the display of the touch panel display, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be presented to the vehicle occupants by voice via a speaker.

[0155] For example, when the control unit 15 sets a target value for the number of vehicles to be detoured in step S101 of the request transmission routine RT1, the request transmission routine RT1 may be repeated until the number of vehicles detouring in response to the transmitted request reaches the target value. For example, regarding the number of vehicles detouring in response to the request, it may be obtained by accepting acceptance from the detour-requesting vehicle and counting the number of acceptances.

[0156] In addition, when the number of vehicles detouring in response to the transmitted request reaches the target value, the control unit 15 may stop transmitting the request and transmit information to cancel the request to vehicles that have not responded with an acceptance after receiving the request.

[0157] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which incentive-giving information is generated when the vehicle that has received the detour request information retreats from the main line of the highway, but it is not limited to this. For example, incentive-giving information may be generated when the retreated vehicle enters the main line again. Thereby, for example, when the section where the vehicle actually detoured is shorter than the detourable section, it is possible to prevent the incentive from being given as per the requested incentive, and it is possible to reduce the cost of giving the incentive.

[0158] The configurations and routines in the above-described embodiments are merely examples and can be appropriately selected and changed according to the application and the like.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0159] 10 Information processing device 13 Mass storage device 13A Registered information DB 13B Incentive information DB 15 Control unit 17 Communication unit 20 Terminal device 23 Control unit 25 Communication unit 27 Output unit 29 Touch panel display 33 Input unit 39 Storage unit 50 Management server 100 Information processing system M Vehicle CS Target section PS Predetermined section

Claims

1. A request transmission unit that transmits a request for inputting a required incentive, which is an incentive required by a passenger of each vehicle as a reward when each vehicle in a plurality of vehicles traveling toward a target section, which is a section for which traffic volume adjustment should be performed, detours through a detourable section in the target section that each vehicle can detour through; A receiving unit that receives a response transmitted from the terminal device in response to the request; A setting unit that sets, as a detour-requesting vehicle, a vehicle selected based on the detourable section indicated by the response and the required incentive from among the vehicles corresponding to the terminal device that transmitted the response, and requests the vehicle to detour through the detourable section; An information processing apparatus, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets, as the detour-requesting vehicle, a vehicle selected based on the level of the required incentive per unit distance of the detourable section.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit compares the distance unit levels, which are the levels of the required incentive per unit distance of the detourable section indicated by a plurality of the responses, with each other, preferentially selects a vehicle with a lower distance unit level, and sets the vehicle as the detour-requesting vehicle.

4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the setting unit sets the detour-requesting vehicle when it is determined that the number of responses has reached a predetermined number.

5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the request transmission unit transmits the request including a message indicating that incentive provision is performed by an auction method.

6. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the setting unit acquires attribute information indicating an attribute determined based on the dimensions of the vehicle moving together with the terminal device that transmitted the response, and sets, as the detour-requesting vehicle, a vehicle selected based on the attribute information.

7. A detour request transmission unit that transmits detour request information indicating a request to detour through the detourable section to a terminal device moving together with the detour-requesting vehicle set by the setting unit; When acquiring a response indicating that the request from the terminal device that has received the detour request information is accepted and a detour is to be made, an information generation unit that generates incentive giving information indicating an incentive to be given to the detour request vehicle The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by having

8. A terminal device that can communicate with the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and moves together with a vehicle, A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the information processing apparatus Among the target sections that are sections where traffic volume should be adjusted and are included in the request from the information processing apparatus received by the communication unit, a detourable section that can be detoured, and a request incentive that is an incentive requested by the vehicle occupants as a reward when the vehicle detours through the detourable section A display unit that displays information indicating the input of An input unit that receives input from the vehicle occupants of the detourable section and the request incentive Comprising The communication unit is characterized in that it transmits a response including the input detourable section and the request incentive to the information processing apparatus. A terminal device

9. An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus, A request transmission step of transmitting a request to a terminal device that moves together with each of a plurality of vehicles traveling toward a target section that is a section where traffic volume should be adjusted, asking for an input of a detourable section that each vehicle can detour within the target section, and a request incentive that is an incentive requested by the vehicle occupants of each vehicle as a reward when each vehicle detours through the detourable section A receiving step of receiving a response transmitted from the terminal device in response to the request A setting step of setting, as a detour request vehicle that requests a detour through the detourable section, a vehicle selected based on the detourable section indicated by the response and the request incentive among the vehicles corresponding to the terminal device that transmitted the response An information processing method characterized by having

10. An information processing program executed by an information processing apparatus including a computer, the computer A request transmission step of transmitting a request for inputting a required incentive, which is an incentive required by a passenger of each of a plurality of vehicles traveling toward a target section that is a section for which traffic volume adjustment should be performed, to a terminal device that moves together with each vehicle; a detourable section in the target section that each vehicle can detour, and a required incentive that is an incentive required by the passenger of each vehicle as a reward when each vehicle detours the detourable section. A receiving step of receiving a response transmitted from the terminal device in response to the request. A setting step of setting, as a vehicle for which a detour is requested, a vehicle selected based on the detourable section indicated by the response and the required incentive from among the vehicles corresponding to the terminal device that transmitted the response. An information processing program for causing the above to be executed.

11. A computer-readable recording medium storing the information processing program according to Claim 10.

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