Information providing device, user terminal, information providing method and program

Abstract

[Problem] To improve the safety of a pedestrian who is moving in a prescribed area. [Solution] An information provision device comprising: a collection means that collects, from a user terminal, location information for the user terminal and behavior information indicating behavior which occurs in conjunction with a prescribed acceleration or greater of the user terminal; a map creation means that creates a danger level map in which an attention alerting place is shown on a prescribed map, said attention alerting place being based on the location where the behavior information was observed; and a map provision means that provides the danger level map to a prescribed terminal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device, a user terminal, a risk map providing system, an information providing method, and a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that creates a map and includes a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information, a geographical characteristic calculation unit that calculates geographical characteristics based on information obtained from a sensor, and a storage unit that stores the location information and the geographical characteristics in association with each other.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a slippage information output system that detects a vehicle's slippage state based on satellite positioning speed, sets a caution zone, and issues a warning to vehicles passing through this caution zone. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-132551 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-166428 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The information processing device in Patent Document 1 can create a map that associates geographical characteristics, including road gradients and the presence of stairs, based on user behavior information, but has the problem of being unable to notify potential dangers on roads or stairs.Even the slippage information output system in Patent Document 2 is unable to provide information on sidewalk defects that could cause pedestrians to fall, slip, or trip.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an information providing device, a user terminal, a risk map providing system, an information providing method, and a recording medium that can contribute to improving the safety of pedestrians moving in a specified area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first aspect, an information providing device is provided that includes a collection means for collecting from a user terminal location information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating behavior of the user terminal accompanied by a predetermined acceleration or greater, a map creation means for creating a risk map on a predetermined map showing warning points based on the locations where the behavior information was observed, and a map providing means for providing the risk map to the predetermined terminal.

[0008] According to a second aspect, there is provided a user terminal that includes a location information acquisition means and an acceleration sensor, and that transmits location information and behavior information indicating behavior accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value to the information providing device.

[0009] According to a third aspect, there is provided a risk map providing system including the above-mentioned information providing device and the above-mentioned user terminal.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect, an information provision method is provided which collects location information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating behavior of the user terminal accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value from the user terminal, creates a risk map on a specified map indicating warning points based on the locations where the behavior information was observed, and provides the risk map to the specified terminal.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium that stores a program that causes an information providing device to execute the following processes: collecting, from a user terminal, location information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating behavior of the user terminal accompanied by a predetermined acceleration or greater; creating, on a predetermined map, a risk map indicating warning locations based on the locations where the behavior information was observed; and providing the risk map to the predetermined terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, an information providing device, a user terminal, a risk map providing system, an information providing method, and a recording medium are provided that can contribute to improving the safety of pedestrians moving in a predetermined area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a risk map providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a fall occurrence situation map managed by the information providing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a risk map provided by the information providing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (updating of a risk map) of the risk map providing system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (provision of a risk map) of the risk map providing system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a risk map providing system according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (activation of calling attention based on a risk map) of the risk map providing system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a risk map providing system according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation (updating of a risk map) of a risk map providing system according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a fall occurrence situation map managed by an information providing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a risk map provided by an information providing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (updating of a risk map) of a risk map providing system according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the fall occurrence situation map provided by the information providing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a risk map provided by the information providing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer that constitutes the information providing apparatus of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] First, an overview of one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the reference numerals in this overview are used for convenience to identify each element as an example to facilitate understanding, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated form. Furthermore, connecting lines between blocks in the drawings and the like referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of main signals (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. A program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and, if necessary, a display device. Furthermore, this computer device is configured to be able to communicate with internal or external devices (including computers) via the communication interface, whether wired or wireless. Furthermore, ports or interfaces are present at the input / output connection points of each block in the drawings, but are not shown.

[0015] In one embodiment, the present invention can be realized by an information providing device 10 including a collection means 11, a map creation means 12, and a map providing means 13, as shown in FIG.

[0016] More specifically, the collection unit 11 collects, from a user terminal, position information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating behavior of the user terminal accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the collection unit 11 collects behavior information and position information indicating the position of a fall from a user terminal carried by a user who has fallen.

[0017] The map creation means 12 creates a risk map on a predetermined map, showing caution points based on the positions where the behavior information was observed. When behavior information such as that shown in Fig. 2 is obtained, the map creation means 12 creates a risk map, as shown in Fig. 3, showing the positions where the user fell as caution points ("fall caution points" in Fig. 2). Note that the "predetermined map" may be held by the information providing device 10, or the information providing device 10 may acquire the map from an external map server or the like.

[0018] The map providing means 13 provides the risk map to a predetermined terminal. This predetermined terminal may be a user terminal of a pedestrian passing through an area included in the risk map, or a terminal of a manager who manages the roads and sidewalks shown in the risk map.

[0019] Users (pedestrians) who view the risk map can refer to the number and distribution of fall-risk locations along the route to their destination and change their route or exercise caution when passing through such locations, thereby improving the safety of pedestrians moving through a specified area.

[0020] The above-described mechanism for the user terminal to transmit location information and behavior information to the information providing device 10 can be achieved by installing and running an application program that causes the user terminal to transmit this data. This application program may be a dedicated program, or may be implemented as a function of a widely used application program. Possible examples of such an application program include a pedometer application program and a map viewing application program.

[0021] The user terminal is not particularly limited as long as it has an acceleration sensor and a location information acquisition function. For example, a smartphone, a smart watch, or the like can be used as the user terminal of the present invention.

[0022] [First embodiment] Next, a first embodiment in which a risk map is created based on the occurrence of falls, etc. over a certain period of time in the past will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a risk map providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 4, the configuration includes a user terminal 200, an information providing device 100, and a terminal 300 to which the risk map is provided.

[0023] The user terminal 200 includes a location information determination means 201, an acceleration sensor 202, and a transmission means 203. The location information determination means 201 is a location information acquisition means that determines the location of the user terminal, and may use, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like.

[0024] The acceleration sensor 202 is a sensor that measures acceleration occurring in the user terminal. For example, an acceleration sensor used for a pedometer function or a game function of the user terminal can be used.

[0025] When the acceleration sensor 202 detects a change in acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined magnitude, the transmission means 203 transmits to the information providing device 100 the position information and behavior information measured by the position information identification means 201. This behavior information may include data indicating a time-dependent change in acceleration over a certain period of time measured by the acceleration sensor 202. Note that a program constituting the transmission means 203 of the user terminal 200 may determine whether the user has fallen, slipped, or stumbled, and transmit the determination result as behavior information. The transmission means 203 may also be configured to suppress transmission of behavior information when the user is in a vehicle or the like. Methods for determining whether the user is in a vehicle or the like may include the speed of the user terminal 200 (whether or not the speed is equal to or greater than a certain speed), the position information of the user terminal 200 (whether or not the user is on a roadway), and an explicit user operation (setting whether or not to transmit behavior information), etc.

[0026] The information providing device 100 includes a collection means 101 , a map creation means 102 , a map providing means 103 , a fall occurrence situation map storage means 104 , and a risk level map storage means 105 .

[0027] When the collecting means 101 receives the position information and behavior information from the user terminal 200 , it sends the received position information and behavior information to the map creating means 102 .

[0028] When the map creation means 102 receives the position information and behavior information, it analyzes the behavior information to determine whether the user's movement is a fall, a slip, or a stumble (hereinafter, when no particular distinction is made, these will also be referred to as "fall, etc."). If it is determined that the user's movement is not a fall, a slip, or a stumble, the map creation means 102 discards the behavior information. Note that, in the determination, the map creation means 102 may remove behavior information from the user terminal 200 of a user who is currently aboard a vehicle, etc. Methods for determining whether the user is currently aboard a vehicle, etc., include the speed of the user terminal 200 (whether or not it is above a certain speed), location information of the user terminal (whether or not it is on a roadway), etc.

[0029] On the other hand, when the map creating means 102 determines that the user's movement is a fall, a slip, or a stumble, it records the location where the fall or the like occurred in the fall or the like occurrence situation map in the fall or the like occurrence situation map storage means 104.

[0030] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a fall occurrence situation map managed by the fall occurrence situation map storage means 104. X marks in the figure indicate the locations where falls etc. occurred. In the example of Fig. 5, three falls etc. were observed at locations L1 and L2, and one fall etc. was observed at location L3.

[0031] Next, the map creation means 102 creates a risk map from the fall, etc. occurrence situation map at the timing of the passage of a certain time, reception of a certain number of times of behavior information, etc., and stores the risk map in the risk map storage means 105. At this time, the map creation means 102 creates a risk map in which points on the fall, etc. occurrence situation map where falls, etc. have been observed a predetermined number of times or more are set as attention-calling points.

[0032] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a risk map managed by the risk map storage means 105. In the example of Fig. 6, locations L11 and L12 where falls, etc. have been observed three or more times in the fall, etc. occurrence situation map are set as warning locations. For this reason, the location indicated by symbol L3 in Fig. 5 where one fall, etc. (white X mark) has been observed is not set as a warning location. The threshold value set as a warning location can be changed as appropriate depending on the use and update frequency of the risk map.

[0033] In response to a request from the terminal 300, the map providing means 103 reads the risk map storage means 105 and provides the map to the terminal 300. Although the user terminal 200 and the terminal 300 are depicted as separate devices in FIG. 4, the user terminal 200 and the terminal 300 may be the same device. In this case, the information providing device 100 provides the risk map to the user terminal 200. The terminal 300 may also be an in-vehicle terminal of a vehicle passing through the relevant area.

[0034] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (updating of the risk map) of the risk map providing system of the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 7, first, the user terminal 200 in which the user has fallen or the like transmits behavior information with location information to the information providing device 100 (step S001).

[0035] The information providing device 100 that has received the behavior information with the location information It is determined whether the user's movement is a fall, a slip, or a stumble (S002). The location where the behavior information received occurs is recorded in the fall occurrence situation map (step S00 3 For example, the information providing device 100 records the new location of the fall or other incident in the fall or other incident occurrence map of FIG.

[0036] Next, the information providing device 100 updates the risk map based on the updated fall occurrence situation map (step S00 4 For example, the information providing device 100 creates a risk map in which positions where falls or the like have occurred three or more times are set as attention-calling positions in the fall or the like occurrence situation map of FIG.

[0037] Next, the operation of providing the risk map by the information providing device 100 will be described. Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (provision of a risk map) of the risk map providing system of this embodiment. Referring to Fig. 8, first, the terminal 300 requests the information providing device 100 to provide a risk map (step S101). Note that this request for a risk map may be an explicit request to transmit the risk map, or an implicit request such as a request to view a map of an area that overlaps with the risk map.

[0038] Upon receiving the request for providing the risk map, the information providing device 100 retrieves the risk map requested by the terminal 300 from the risk map storage means 105 and transmits it to the terminal 300 (step S102).

[0039] The risk map transmitted as described above is displayed on the display device of the terminal 300. If the user of the terminal 300 is a pedestrian, the user refers to the number and distribution of fall-risk locations on the route to the destination and changes the route or pays attention when passing through the relevant locations. If the user of the terminal 300 is a road manager or the like, the user performs emergency measures at the fall-risk locations and warns nearby residents. Furthermore, if the terminal 300 is an in-vehicle terminal, the driver of the vehicle will drive more carefully in areas where falls and the like are likely to occur. As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the safety of pedestrians traveling in a specified area.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the user terminal 200 is described as transmitting behavior information to the information providing device 100 when it observes a change in acceleration of a predetermined magnitude or greater. However, the user terminal 200 may analyze the pattern of the change in acceleration and transmit the analysis results to the information providing device 100.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the information providing device 100 has been described as uniformly recording events in a fall occurrence situation map based on behavior information. However, the information providing device 100 may analyze the type of fall, etc., based on the pattern of acceleration change included in the behavior information. For example, the information providing device 100 identifies the type of fall, etc., such as whether the user fell, slipped, or stumbled, based on the pattern of acceleration change included in the behavior information. Then, the information providing device 100 records the location of the fall, etc., for each identified type of fall, etc., in the fall, etc. occurrence situation map. Then, the information providing device 100 creates a risk map that indicates warning locations for each type of fall, etc., by referring to the fall, etc. occurrence situation map. For example, if falls frequently occur at location L1 in FIG. 5 and tripping frequently occurs at location L2, it is possible to display the warning location L11 as a "location where falls frequently occur" and the warning location L11 as a "location where tripping frequently occurs" on the risk map in FIG. 6. Whether or not a fall has occurred can be determined by whether or not there is movement in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the user terminal. Similarly, whether or not there has been a slip can be determined by whether or not there is a period of movement at a nearly constant speed. Other behaviors can also be determined according to the characteristics of each behavior.

[0042] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment in which the information providing device 100 issues a warning based on a risk map instead of providing a risk map will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a risk map providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The differences from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are that a terminal location management server 400 is shown and that warning means 106 is added to the information providing device 100a. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the following description will focus on the differences.

[0043] Terminal location management server 400 manages the location of terminal 300 and provides it to information providing device 100a. Such terminal location management server 400 can be a server that collects location information from application programs running on terminal 300 and provides services and advertisements according to the location.

[0044] The warning means 106 identifies the terminal 300 that has approached a dangerous location (warning location) on the risk map based on the location information of the terminal 300 acquired from the terminal location management server 400. Furthermore, the warning means 106 transmits a warning message to the identified terminal 300, urging the terminal 300 to enter the warning location.

[0045] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the risk map providing system of this embodiment (activation of alert based on the risk map). Referring to Fig. 10, first, the information providing device 100a requests the location of the terminal 300 from the terminal location management server 400 (step S201).

[0046] Upon receiving the request for the terminal location, terminal location management server 400 transmits the location information of terminal 300 to information providing device 100a (step S202). Note that the range of terminals 300 for which terminal location management server 400 provides location information to information providing device 100a may be limited to terminals 300 that have a function for receiving warning messages and are located in the service area of ​​information providing device 100a.

[0047] The information providing device 100a that has received the position information of the terminal 300 refers to the risk map and extracts the terminal 300 that is approaching the warning location (step S203). Note that whether or not the terminal 300 is approaching the warning location can be determined based on the distance between the position information of the terminal 300 and the warning location on the risk map. Note that different criteria may be used for determining whether or not the terminal 300 is approaching the warning location depending on the type of fall, etc.

[0048] In a more preferable embodiment, the information providing device 100a may determine whether or not to issue a warning to the terminal 300 and change the content of the warning based on the direction and speed of movement of the terminal 300. For example, the information providing device 100a may exclude a terminal 300 that is moving away from a warning location from the targets for sending a warning message. Furthermore, the information providing device 100a may add a terminal 300 that is moving at high speed, such as running, to the targets for sending a warning message with a more effective warning effect. The direction and speed of movement of the terminal 300 can be calculated by repeatedly obtaining location information from the terminal location management server 400.

[0049] Next, the information providing device 100a transmits an attention message to the terminal 300 approaching the attention location, informing the terminal 300 of the presence of the attention location (step S204).

[0050] The attention alert message transmitted as described above is output as a display on the screen of the terminal 300 or as a sound. Based on the output attention alert message, the user of the terminal 300 changes the route or pays attention when passing through the relevant location. As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to accurately alert users located in the target area.

[0051] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment in which a risk map is created using camera images in addition to behavior information from a user terminal 200 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a risk map providing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is that an information providing device 100b can acquire images from cameras 500 installed around roads, such as on streets or along roadsides, and that the information providing device 100b also uses these images to create a risk map. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the following description will focus on the differences.

[0052] The camera 500 is installed at any position in the area where the risk map is created by the information providing device 100b, and provides the captured image to the information providing device 100b. This camera 500 can be any of various security cameras or traffic flow monitoring cameras installed near intersections or roads.

[0053] The map creation means 112 uses the position information and behavior information, as well as the images captured by the camera 500, to determine whether the user's movement is a fall, a slip, or a stumble (hereinafter, when there is no particular distinction between these, they will also be referred to as "fall, etc."). Here, if it is determined that the user's movement is not a fall, a slip, or a stumble, the map creation means 102 discards the behavior information, as in the first embodiment.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the user's movements ascertained from the behavior information indicate the possibility of a fall, slip, or stumble, if the user who has fallen or the like is not captured in the camera image, the map creation means 112 will discard the behavior information, assuming that a fall or the like has not occurred.

[0055] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a fall occurrence situation map managed by the information providing device 100b. In the figure, X marks indicate the locations where falls occurred. Among these, open X marks indicate locations where falls could not be confirmed by the camera 500. Therefore, in the example of Fig. 12, three falls were observed at the location indicated by symbol L1, and one fall was observed at each of the locations indicated by symbols L2 and L3.

[0056] The map creation means 112 creates a risk map from the fall, etc. occurrence situation map updated as described above, and stores the risk map in the risk map storage means 105. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a risk map created from the fall, etc. occurrence situation map of Fig. 12. The difference from the first embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is that the only caution location is location L11 where falls, etc. have been observed three or more times in the fall, etc. occurrence situation map. Although behavior information was transmitted three times from location L12, it was not confirmed in the image from camera 500, so the number of falls, etc. is counted as one, and it is not set as a caution location.

[0057] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 14 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (updating of the risk map) of the risk map providing system of this embodiment. The difference from the operation of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7 is that the information providing device 100b adds a process (step S401) in which, after making a determination based on behavior information, the information providing device 100b acquires an image from the camera 500 and checks whether the determination in step S002 is correct. The other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted.

[0058] For example, if a user accidentally drops the user terminal 200, the user terminal 200 may report to the information providing device 100b that abnormal acceleration has been detected. According to the present embodiment, such behavior information is treated as a false detection, so that a more accurate risk map can be created.

[0059] In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, a warning means may be added to the information providing device 100b. In this case, the information providing device 100b can also issue a warning based on a more accurate risk map.

[0060] [Fourth embodiment] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image from camera 500 is used to confirm the determination result of a fall or the like based on behavior information sent from user terminal 200, but the occurrence of a fall or the like may be detected using only the image from camera 500. Next, a fourth embodiment will be described in which the occurrence of a fall or the like is grasped based on the image acquired from camera 500, separately from the behavior information from user terminal 200. Since the fourth embodiment can be realized with a configuration similar to that of the third embodiment, the following description will mainly focus on the differences in operation.

[0061] 14 is a sequence diagram showing an additional operation (updating of a risk map) of the risk map providing system of the fourth embodiment. Referring to Fig. 14, first, the information providing device 100b acquires image data from the camera 500 (step S501).

[0062] The information providing device 100b performs object recognition processing on the image acquired from the camera 500, and determines whether or not a person captured in the image has fallen over or the like (step S502).

[0063] When the information providing device 100b determines that a person in the image has fallen, etc., it identifies the position of the person who has fallen based on the position of the camera 500 that sent the image data and the position in the image, and records the position in a fall, etc. occurrence situation map (step S502).

[0064] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a fall occurrence situation map managed by the information providing device 100b. The Xc marks in the diagram indicate the locations of falls, etc., detected from image data from the camera 500. As shown in Fig. 16, according to this embodiment, it is possible to grasp the occurrence of falls, etc., even in places where there are few pedestrians carrying user terminals 200.

[0065] The map creation means 112 creates a risk map from the fall, etc. occurrence situation map updated as described above, and stores it in the risk map storage means 105. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a risk map created from the fall, etc. occurrence situation map of Fig. 16. The difference from the first embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is that a warning point L14 due to a fall, etc. detected from image data of the camera 500 is added.

[0066] As described above, it is possible to create and update a risk map using not only behavior information but also image data from the camera 500.

[0067] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and further modifications, substitutions, and adjustments can be made without departing from the basic technical concept of the present invention. For example, the network configurations, element configurations, and data representation formats shown in the drawings are examples intended to aid in understanding the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in these drawings.

[0068] For example, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, an example was given of creating a risk map based on the occurrence of falls and the like in urban areas, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to such applications. For example, the present invention can also be suitably applied to alerting drivers when roads are frozen or snow is falling in urban areas. In this case, by starting to collect behavior data and starting to update the fall and other occurrence situation map in response to the publication or observation of a forecast of frozen roads or snow, it becomes possible to create a more accurate risk map when roads are frozen or when snow is falling.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the detection of a pedestrian's fall, slip, or stumble has been described. However, it is also possible to exclude any of the falls, slips, or stumbles in a specific area from the determination. For example, accelerations similar to those of a fall, slip, or stumble may be observed on stairs or escalators inside a building. While a method of identifying these on the information providing device side is possible, a configuration can also be adopted in which the user terminal 200 is configured to suppress transmission of behavior information in these areas. Specifically, the user terminal 200 may be configured to suppress transmission of behavior information based on location information of the user terminal 200 (whether or not it is within a specific area) and an explicit user operation (setting to allow or disallow transmission of behavior information).

[0070] As another modified example, the map creation means 102 of the information providing device can be configured to remove behavior information from the user terminal 200 in a specific area. The location information of the user terminal 200 can be used as a method for determining whether the behavior information is from this specific area.

[0071] The specific area can include not only the inside of a building but also private land such as a store parking lot. Conversely, even if it is not a public road, parking lots managed by local governments such as public facilities and other facility areas can also be included in the specific area.

[0072] The present invention can also be suitably applied to alerting users of mountain trails, hiking courses, etc. In this case, it can be used as a system for sharing the locations where climbers or hikers who have previously used mountain trails or hiking courses have fallen, or for issuing alerts.

[0073] (About hardware configuration) In each embodiment of the present disclosure, each component of each device represents a functional block. Some or all of the components of each device are realized by any combination of an information processing device 900 and a program, for example, as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 that realizes each component of each device. The information processing device 900 includes, as an example, the following configuration. ·CPU(Central Processing Unit)901 ROM (Read Only Memory) 902 ·RAM(Random Access Memory)903 Program 904 loaded into RAM 903 A storage device 905 for storing a program 904 A drive device 907 for reading and writing data from and to the recording medium 906 A communication interface 908 for connecting to a communication network 909 Input / output interface 910 for inputting and outputting data Bus 911 connecting each component

[0074] Each component of each device in each embodiment is realized by the CPU 901 acquiring and executing a program 904 that realizes the function. That is, the CPU 901 in FIG. 18 executes a data collection program and a map update program, and performs an update process for each calculation parameter stored in the RAM 903, the storage device 905, or the like. The program 904 that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in the storage device 905 or the ROM 902 in advance, for example, and is read out by the CPU 901 as needed. The program 904 may be supplied to the CPU 901 via the communication network 909, or may be stored in advance on the recording medium 906, and the drive device 907 may read out the program and supply it to the CPU 901.

[0075] Furthermore, this program 904 can display the processing results, including intermediate states, at each stage as necessary on a display device, or can communicate with the outside via a communication interface. Furthermore, this program 904 can be recorded on a computer-readable (non-transitive) recording medium.

[0076] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 900 and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components of each device may be realized by any combination of a single information processing device 900 and a program. That is, each unit (processing means, function) of the information providing device shown in the first to fourth embodiments can be realized by a computer program that causes a processor installed in the device to execute each of the above-mentioned processes using its hardware.

[0077] In addition, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by other general-purpose or dedicated circuits, processors, etc., or a combination of these. These may be configured by a single chip, or by multiple chips connected via a bus.

[0078] Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits and programs.

[0079] When some or all of the components of each device are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in a form in which each device is connected via a communication network.

[0080] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. In other words, those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the above-described embodiments to construct various modified forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0081] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0082] [Appendix 1] a collection means for collecting, from a user terminal, position information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating a behavior of the user terminal accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value; a map creating means for creating a risk map showing positions where the collected behavior information was observed on a predetermined map; and a map providing means for providing the risk map to a predetermined terminal. [Appendix 2] the behavior information collected by the information providing device is information indicating a change over time in acceleration of the user terminal measured by an acceleration sensor provided in the user terminal, The map creation means of the information providing device described above can be configured to create a risk map showing the location where a fall, slip, or stumble of a user holding the user terminal occurs based on the change in acceleration. [Appendix 3] The map creating means of the information providing device may be configured to create the risk map based on the number of times behavior information of a plurality of user terminals is observed within a predetermined period of time. [Appendix 4] The information providing device described above is The system can be configured to start collecting the behavior information when a forecast of frozen roads or snowfall is announced or observed within a specified area corresponding to the map, and to create a risk map for frozen roads or snowfall. [Appendix 5] The information providing device can acquire images from cameras installed around the road, The map creation means can be configured to create a risk map showing the location where a user holding the user terminal falls, slips, or stumbles, based on images from cameras installed around the road. [Appendix 6] The map creation means of the information providing device described above may be configured to determine whether the user has fallen, slipped, or stumbled, using both the behavior information and the camera image. [Appendix 7] The information providing device further includes: The system may be configured to include a warning means for transmitting a warning message to a user terminal that is heading toward a dangerous location on the risk map, based on the risk map. [Appendix 8] The device includes a position information acquisition means and an acceleration sensor, A user terminal that transmits position information and behavior information indicating behavior accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value to the information providing device. [Appendix 9] a user terminal including a location information acquiring means and an acceleration sensor, the user terminal transmitting location information and behavior information indicating behavior accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value to the information providing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5; a collection means for collecting, from the user terminal, position information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating behavior of the user terminal accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value; a map creating means for creating a risk map showing positions where the collected behavior information was observed on a predetermined map; an information providing device including a map providing means for providing the risk map to a predetermined terminal; A risk map providing system including: [Appendix 10] Collecting, from a user terminal, location information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating a behavior of the user terminal accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value; creating a risk map showing the locations where the collected behavior information was observed on a predetermined map; An information providing method for providing the risk map to a predetermined terminal. [Appendix 11] A process of collecting, from a user terminal, location information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating a behavior of the user terminal accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value; A process of creating a risk map showing positions where the collected behavior information was observed on a predetermined map; and a computer-readable recording medium that stores a program that causes an information providing device to execute a process of providing the risk map to a predetermined terminal. Note that, like Supplementary Note 1, the embodiments of Supplementary Note 9 to Supplementary Note 11 can be developed into the embodiments of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 7.

[0083] The disclosures of the above-cited patent documents are incorporated herein by reference and may be used as the basis or part of the present invention, as necessary. Modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), and further based on its basic technical concept. Furthermore, various combinations and selections (including partial deletions) of the various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible within the scope of the disclosure of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally embraces various modifications and alterations that would be possible by a person skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure and technical concept, including the claims. In particular, with regard to the numerical ranges set forth herein, any numerical value or subrange within that range should be construed as specifically set forth, even if not otherwise specified. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above-cited documents, when used in part or in whole in combination with the disclosures herein as part of the disclosure of the present invention, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, are also deemed to be included in the disclosures of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10, 100, 100a, 100b Information providing device 11, 101 Collection methods 12, 102, 112 Map Creation Methods 13, 103 Map provision method 104 Fall occurrence situation map storage means 105 Risk map storage means 106 Alert means 200 user terminals 201 Location information identification means 202 Acceleration Sensor 203 Transmission Method 300 devices 400 Terminal location management server 500 cameras 900 Information Processing Equipment 901 CPU(Central Processing Unit) 902 ROM (Read Only Memory) 903 RAM (Random Access Memory) 904 Program 905 Storage device 906 Recording Media 907 Drive unit 908 Communication Interface 909 Communication Network 910 Input / Output Interface 911 Bus

Claims

1. A collection means for collecting, from a user terminal, location information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating behavior of the user terminal accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value, when a forecast of road surface ice or snowfall is announced or observed within a predetermined area corresponding to a predetermined map; a map creation means for creating a risk map of road icy conditions or snowfall on the predetermined map, the map indicating caution points based on the positions where the behavior information was observed; and a map providing means for providing the risk map to a predetermined terminal.

2. the behavior information is information indicating a change over time in acceleration occurring in the user terminal measured by an acceleration sensor provided in the user terminal, 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the map creation means creates a risk map showing the location where a fall, slip, or stumble of a user holding the user terminal occurs based on the change in acceleration.

3. 3. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the map creating means creates the risk map based on the number of times behavior information of a plurality of user terminals is observed within a predetermined period of time.

4. An information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the map creation means creates the risk map by excluding the behavior information observed in a specific area.

5. It is possible to acquire images from cameras installed around the road, 5. An information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the map creation means creates a risk map showing the location where a fall, slip, or stumble of a user carrying the user terminal occurs based on images from a camera installed around the road.

6. 6. The information providing device according to claim 5, wherein the map creating means uses both the behavior information and the image captured by the camera to determine whether the user has fallen, slipped, or stumbled.

7. moreover, 6. The information providing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a warning means for transmitting a warning message to a user terminal that is heading toward a dangerous location on the danger map, based on the danger map.

8. The device includes a position information acquisition means and an acceleration sensor, 8. A user terminal that transmits, to the information providing device according to claim 1, location information and behavior information indicating behavior accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

9. When a forecast of road surface ice or snowfall is announced or observed within a predetermined area corresponding to a predetermined map, location information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating behavior of the user terminal accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value are collected from the user terminal; A risk map of road ice or snowfall is created on the predetermined map, showing caution points based on the positions where the behavior information was observed, An information providing method for providing the risk map to a predetermined terminal.

10. A process of collecting, from a user terminal, location information of the user terminal and behavior information indicating behavior of the user terminal accompanied by acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value, when a forecast of road surface ice or snowfall is announced or observed within a predetermined area corresponding to a predetermined map; A process of creating a risk map of road icy conditions or snowfall on the predetermined map, which indicates caution points based on the positions where the behavior information is observed; and a program that causes the information providing device to execute a process of providing the risk map to a predetermined terminal.

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