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

Abstract

To improve guidance support performance in route guidance.SOLUTION: An information processing device selects a leading vehicle from other vehicles to follow an object vehicle targeted for route guidance. The information processing device includes: a determination part which determines whether a predetermined condition for re-selecting a leading vehicle is satisfied or not; and a selection part which selects a new leading vehicle replacing the current leading vehicle on the basis of a predetermined guide point included in a guide route presented as route guidance whenever the predetermined condition is determined to be satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, techniques have been proposed for assisting route guidance by utilizing information from other vehicles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-342888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, the above-mentioned conventional technology provides attribute information of another vehicle to the driver of the vehicle when there is another vehicle with the same destination or route to the destination, but does not allow the other vehicle whose attribute information is presented to be switched depending on the situation.

[0005] For this reason, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, it is not always possible to select a new vehicle whose attribute information is presented depending on various situations, such as when the driver loses sight of another vehicle, and it can be said that there is room for improvement in terms of guidance assistance in route guidance.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can improve the performance of guidance support in route guidance, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing device described in claim 1 is an information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the subject of route guidance, and is characterized by having a judgment unit that judges whether a predetermined condition for re-selecting the lead vehicle is met, and a selection unit that selects a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in the guided route presented as the route guidance each time it is determined that the predetermined condition is met.

[0008] The information processing method described in claim 13 is an information processing method executed by an information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the subject of route guidance, and is characterized by including a determination step that determines whether or not a predetermined condition for reselecting the lead vehicle is satisfied, and a selection step that selects a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in the guided route presented as the route guidance each time it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0009] The information processing program described in claim 14 is an information processing program executed by an information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to chase a target vehicle that is the subject of route guidance, and is characterized in that the information processing device is made to execute a determination procedure that determines whether or not a predetermined condition for re-selecting the lead vehicle is satisfied, and a selection procedure that selects a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in the guided route presented as the route guidance, each time it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall image of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a route information database according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensor information database according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a driving behavior database according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an information processing procedure according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An example of a form for implementing an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program (hereinafter referred to as an "embodiment") will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program are not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0012] [Embodiment] [1. System Configuration] First, the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 shows an information processing system 1 as an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment.

[0013] 1, the information processing system 1 may include an in-vehicle device 10 and an information processing device 100. The in-vehicle device 10 and the information processing device 100 are connected to each other via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wired or wireless connection. The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 may include any number of in-vehicle devices 10 and any number of information processing devices 100.

[0014] The in-vehicle device 10 may be a dedicated navigation device built into or mounted on the vehicle VEx, or may be a recording device (drive recorder) installed in the vehicle VEx for crime prevention or to prevent aggressive driving.

[0015] The in-vehicle device 10 may also be configured with a navigation device and a recording device. As an example, the in-vehicle device 10 may be a composite device in which a navigation device and a recording device that are independent from each other are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. As another example, the in-vehicle device 10 may be a single device that has both a navigation function and a recording function.

[0016] Furthermore, a user can install a predetermined application into a portable terminal device (for example, a smartphone, tablet terminal, notebook PC, desktop PC, PDA, etc.) that they use on a daily basis, and use the device as the in-vehicle device 10. For example, a portable terminal device on which a predetermined navigation application or a predetermined recording application is installed can be understood as the in-vehicle device 10 referred to here. When the portable terminal device is used as the in-vehicle device 10, it is installed, for example, on the dashboard of the vehicle VEx while driving.

[0017] The in-vehicle device 10 may also include various sensors. For example, the in-vehicle device 10 may include various sensors such as a camera, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a GPS sensor, and an air pressure sensor. The information processing device 100, which will be described later, may acquire driving behavior data based on sensor information detected by these sensors (for example, by analyzing the sensor information). The information processing device 100 may also use sensor information detected by sensors provided in the vehicle VEx itself as a safe driving system, in addition to the sensors provided in the in-vehicle device 10.

[0018] The information processing device 100 is a device that performs information processing according to the embodiment. For example, the information processing device 100 performs a process of selecting a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the subject of route guidance. The information processing device 100 determines whether a predetermined condition for reselecting the lead vehicle is satisfied, and if the predetermined condition is satisfied, selects a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in the guidance route presented as route guidance. The information processing device 100 also performs notification control so that information about the selected lead vehicle is notified to the vehicle.

[0019] Here, if the in-vehicle device 10 is an edge computer that performs edge processing near the user, the information processing device 100 may be, for example, a cloud computer that performs processing on the cloud side. In other words, the information processing device 100 may be a server device.

[0020] [2. Overview of information processing] From here, an overview of information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of information processing according to the embodiment. In Fig. 2, the information processing according to the embodiment will be described using as an example a scene in which the information processing device 100 selects a lead vehicle to follow a vehicle VE1 (an example of a vehicle VEx) driven by a driver U1 from other vehicles in the vicinity, and the in-vehicle device 10 mounted on the vehicle VE1 notifies information about the other vehicle selected as the lead vehicle.

[0021] Here, the in-vehicle device 10 may have, for example, a function for searching for a leading vehicle. In the example of Fig. 2, it is assumed that the driver U1 requests route guidance to the destination with this search function set to ON. In this case, the information processing device 100 selects a leading vehicle from other vehicles to chase the vehicle VE1, which is the target vehicle for route guidance. Then, when the conditions for reselecting the leading vehicle are met, the information processing device 100 selects a new leading vehicle to replace the current leading vehicle.

[0022] 2(a) and 2(b), the selection process for selecting a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle will be specifically described. In the following description, vehicle VE1 will be referred to as target vehicle VE1.

[0023] First, the example of Figure 2(a) shows a scene in which, at a certain time TM1, a driver U1 is driving a target vehicle VE1 while referring to a guided route GR1 to the destination displayed on the screen of the in-vehicle device 10.

[0024] 2(a), the information processing device 100 once selects the other vehicle VE2 as a lead vehicle to be pursued by the target vehicle VE1, and the in-vehicle device 10 outputs a voice guidance instruction GD11 such as, "Please follow the tanker with license plate number N2 ahead!" The driver U1 then pursues the other vehicle VE2 in accordance with the guidance instruction GD11.

[0025] In such a state, the information processing device 100 may constantly perform a process of determining whether or not predetermined conditions (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "selection conditions") for reselecting a new lead vehicle are met based on the driving behavior DV1 of the target vehicle VE1 and the driving behavior DV2 of the other vehicle VE2.

[0026] For example, the in-vehicle devices 10 mounted on each of the target vehicle VE1 and the other vehicle VE2 may transmit sensor information detected by a sensor (e.g., sensor information indicating a driving situation) to the information processing device 100. Therefore, the information processing device 100 may detect driving behaviors DV1 and DV2 based on the sensor information acquired from each in-vehicle device 10, and determine whether or not a selection condition is satisfied based on the detected driving behaviors DV1 and DV2.

[0027] As an example, the information processing device 100 may determine whether the driver U1 of the target vehicle VE1 has lost sight of the other vehicle VE2, which is the current leading vehicle, based on the driving behavior DV1 of the target vehicle VE1 and the driving behavior DV2 of the other vehicle VE2. More specifically, based on the course of the target vehicle VE1 estimated from the driving behavior DV1 and the course of the other vehicle VE2 estimated from the driving behavior DV2, the information processing device 100 can determine that the driver U1 of the target vehicle VE1 has lost sight of the other vehicle VE2, which is the current leading vehicle. Note that the information processing device 100 may estimate the course of the target vehicle VE1 based on the guided route GR1.

[0028] Here, the explanation shifts to FIG. 2(b), where several minutes have passed since time TM1 in FIG. 2(a) and it is time TM2.

[0029] 2(b), it is estimated that the target vehicle VE1 will follow the guided route GR1, turn left at the intersection CR1, and proceed toward the destination, while the other vehicle VE2 has turned right at the intersection CR1, and therefore has selected a different route from that of the target vehicle VE1. In this case, the information processing device 100 determines that the driver U1 has lost sight of the other vehicle VE2.

[0030] When the information processing device 100 determines that the driver U1 has lost sight of the other vehicle VE2 (i.e., when it determines that the selection conditions are met), it performs a process of selecting a new leading vehicle other than the other vehicle VE2 to replace the current leading vehicle, the other vehicle VE2.

[0031] As an example, the information processing device 100 may detect other vehicles VEx that have a similar route up to a predetermined number of guide points that the target vehicle VE1 may pass in the future, among predetermined guide points that exist on the way to the destination in the route guidance. Then, the information processing device 100 may select a new leading vehicle to replace the other vehicle VE2 from the detected other vehicles VEx.

[0032] The guidance point referred to here may be a target point for which a guidance instruction such as "Turn left in 50 meters ahead!" is output, and a typical example of such a point is a general intersection. On the other hand, the guidance point may also be a special intersection where a driver is likely to hesitate to enter, such as a location where a first road (e.g., a main road) that is a road of a first type intersects with a second road (e.g., a side road that deviates from the main road) that is a road of a second type different from the first type.

[0033] In this case, in the example of FIG. 2(b), the information processing device 100 may detect another vehicle VEx whose travel route matches at least the travel route up to, for example, intersection CR2, which is the second guide point from the nearest intersection CR1, among the guide points included in the guide route GR1 along the way to the destination. For example, at time TM1 in FIG. 2(a), the information processing device 100 estimates, based on the travel route and driving conditions of another vehicle VE3 traveling from the south toward the target vehicle VE1, that the other vehicle VE3 will pass intersection CR1 earlier than the target vehicle VE1 and then reach intersection CR2. In this case, the information processing device 100 can select the other vehicle VE3 as a new lead vehicle to replace the other vehicle VE2.

[0034] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 notifies the in-vehicle device 10 of the target vehicle VE1 of information related to the other vehicle VE3 that has been newly selected as the lead vehicle. For example, the information processing device 100 may notify the in-vehicle device 10 of the target vehicle VE1 of location information and attribute information of the other vehicle VE3. Note that the attribute information here may be, for example, characteristic information such as the vehicle number, model, and color of the other vehicle VE3. The information processing device 100 may also notify an image of the model of the other vehicle VE3.

[0035] In response to notification control from the information processing device 100, the in-vehicle device 10 can output a guidance instruction GD12 by voice, such as "Next, follow the truck with license plate number N3 that is passing through the intersection ahead!" as shown in FIG. 2(b). The in-vehicle device 10 may display the guidance instruction GD12 on its own display screen instead of outputting it by voice. Furthermore, text indicating the content of the guidance instruction GD12 may be generated by the information processing device 100 or the in-vehicle device 10. The same applies to the guidance instruction GD11.

[0036] As explained above with reference to FIG. 2, the information processing according to the embodiment selects a new lead vehicle in response to various situations, such as when the driver loses sight of the lead vehicle. More specifically, each time various situations occur, a new lead vehicle is selected from specific other vehicles, and information about the selected other vehicle is notified to the driver. As such, the information processing according to the embodiment can realize a navigation system that is easy for the driver to use, thereby improving the performance of guidance assistance in navigation.

[0037] 3. Configuration of Information Processing Device From here, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0038] (Regarding the communication unit 110) The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the in-vehicle device 10, for example.

[0039] (Regarding the storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 120 may include a route information database 121, a sensor information database 122, and a driving behavior database 123.

[0040] (Regarding Route Information Database 121) The route information database 121 stores information about guided routes. An example of the route information database 121 according to the embodiment is shown in Fig. 4. In the example of Fig. 4, the route information database 121 has items such as "vehicle ID," "guidance ID," "route information," "guided route," and "update date and time."

[0041] The "vehicle ID" indicates identification information for identifying the driver's vehicle VEx. Note that the "vehicle ID" may be identification information for identifying the driver or the in-vehicle device 10 mounted on the vehicle VEx.

[0042] The "guidance ID" indicates identification information for identifying one route guidance that is linked to the driver's settings in response to a guidance request received from the driver. The "route information" corresponds to various information related to the route guidance identified by the "guidance ID." For example, the "route information" may include the start date and time when the guidance started, the departure point, the destination, etc.

[0043] The "guided route" is information indicating the guided route presented as route guidance. The "guided route" may include not only the one initially presented when route guidance begins, but also a route that has been appropriately regenerated (rerouted) depending on the driver's driving conditions. The "update date and time" indicates the date and time when the "guided route" was generated or the date and time when it was regenerated depending on the driver's driving conditions.

[0044] (About the sensor information database 122) The sensor information database 122 stores sensor information detected by a sensor included in the in-vehicle device 10 or a sensor included in the vehicle VEx itself. Fig. 5 shows an example of the sensor information database 122 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 5, the sensor information database 122 has items such as "vehicle ID," "detection date and time," and "sensor information."

[0045] "Vehicle ID" indicates identification information that identifies the vehicle VEx that sent the "sensor information." "Detection date and time" indicates information regarding the date and time when the "sensor information" was detected. "Sensor information" indicates information detected by a sensor possessed by the vehicle VEx indicated by the "vehicle ID."

[0046] 5 shows an example in which a vehicle ID "VE1", a detection date and time "TM11", and sensor information "SC11" are associated with each other. This example shows an example in which a sensor possessed by the vehicle VE1 (for example, a sensor possessed by the in-vehicle device 10 provided in the vehicle VE1, or a sensor possessed by the vehicle VE1 itself) detected the sensor information SC11 at the date and time TM11.

[0047] (About the Driving Behavior Database 123) The driving behavior database 123 stores information about the vehicle VEx detected from the sensor information. An example of the driving behavior database 123 according to the embodiment is shown in Fig. 6. In the example of Fig. 6, the driving behavior database 123 has items such as "vehicle ID" and "driving behavior."

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, examples of "driving behavior" include "driving position," "traveling direction," and "driving speed" on "driving date and time."

[0049] The "vehicle ID" is identification information for identifying the vehicle VEx for which the "vehicle information" was detected, and corresponds to the "vehicle ID" in FIG.

[0050] "Driving date and time" indicates information regarding the date and time when the vehicle VEx indicated by the "Vehicle ID" was traveling. "Driving date and time" also indicates information regarding the date and time when "Vehicle information" was detected based on the "Sensor information" (Figure 5) corresponding to the vehicle VEx indicated by the "Vehicle ID". "Driving position" is information indicating the position of the vehicle VEx at the "Driving date and time". "Traveling direction" is information indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle VEx at the "Driving date and time". "Traveling speed" is information indicating the speed of the vehicle VEx at the "Driving date and time".

[0051] 6 shows an example in which a vehicle ID "VE1", a travel date and time "TM11", a travel position "PT11", a traveling direction "DR11", and a travel speed "SP11" are associated with each other. This example shows that at the date and time TM11, the vehicle VE1 is traveling at the position PT11, facing in the direction DR11, and traveling at the speed SP11.

[0052] Although not shown in Figure 6, the information processing device 100 may calculate a driving route based on the "driving position," "traveling direction," and "driving speed," and store the calculated driving route as a driving behavior in the driving behavior database 123.

[0053] (Regarding the control unit 130) 3, the control unit 130 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like executing various programs (for example, the information processing program according to the embodiment) stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 100 using a RAM as a work area. The control unit 130 is also realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0054] As shown in Fig. 3, control unit 130 has acquisition unit 131, determination unit 132, estimation unit 133, selection unit 134, and notification control unit 135, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 3, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below. Furthermore, the connection relationship between each processing unit included in control unit 130 is not limited to the connection relationship shown in Fig. 3, and may be other connection relationships.

[0055] (Regarding the acquisition unit 131) The acquisition unit 131 acquires driving behavior data indicating the driving behavior of the vehicle VEx. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires driving behavior data indicating the driving behavior of the target vehicle VEx that is the target of route guidance. For example, the acquisition unit 131 may acquire sensor information from the in-vehicle device 10 of the target vehicle VEx, and, based on the acquired sensor information, detect the driving behavior when information indicating a guided route or information regarding a leading vehicle is output from the in-vehicle device 10, thereby acquiring driving behavior data indicating the detected driving behavior.

[0056] The acquisition unit 131 may also acquire driving behavior data indicating the driving behavior of the other vehicle VEx that is a leading vehicle that is chasing the target vehicle VEx. For example, the acquisition unit 131 may acquire sensor information from the in-vehicle device 10 of the other vehicle VEx, and may acquire driving behavior data indicating the detected driving behavior by detecting the driving behavior of the other vehicle VEx while it is the leading vehicle based on the acquired sensor information.

[0057] Furthermore, every time the acquiring unit 131 acquires sensor information, the acquiring unit 131 may store the acquired sensor information in the sensor information database 122. Furthermore, every time the acquiring unit 131 detects a driving behavior based on the sensor information, the acquiring unit 131 may store driving behavior data indicating the detected driving behavior in the driving behavior database 123.

[0058] The driving behavior may be detected by a processing unit other than the acquisition unit 131. For example, the information processing device 100 may include a detection unit (not shown) that detects the driving behavior.

[0059] (Regarding the determination unit 132) The determination unit 132 determines whether or not a predetermined condition for reselecting a leading vehicle is satisfied.

[0060] For example, the determination unit 132 may determine whether or not the driver of the target vehicle VEx has lost sight of the current leading vehicle based on information about the target vehicle VEx.

[0061] As an example, the determination unit 132 determines whether the driver of the target vehicle VEx has lost sight of the other vehicle VEx based on the path of the target vehicle VEx and the path of the other vehicle VEx currently selected as the lead vehicle, as information related to the target vehicle VEx. For example, the determination unit 132 may estimate the paths of the target vehicle VEx and the other vehicle VEx based on driving behavior data stored in the driving behavior database 123. Furthermore, when the in-vehicle device 10 of each vehicle VEx presents a guided route, the determination unit 132 may estimate the path of each vehicle VEx based on information about the guided route stored in the route information database 121. Then, for example, when it is determined that the other vehicle VEx has taken a path different from that of the target vehicle VEx, the determination unit 132 may determine that the driver of the target vehicle VEx has lost sight of the other vehicle VEx.

[0062] Furthermore, the determination unit 132 may determine whether the driver of the target vehicle VEx has lost sight of the other vehicle VEx based on the positional relationship between the target vehicle VEx and the other vehicle VEx as information about the target vehicle VEx. For example, the determination unit 132 may estimate position information of each of the target vehicle VEx and the other vehicle VEx based on driving behavior data stored in the driving behavior database 123. Then, for example, when it is determined based on the position information that the distance between the target vehicle VEx and the other vehicle VEx is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, the determination unit 132 may determine that the driver of the target vehicle VEx has lost sight of the other vehicle VEx.

[0063] Note that the predetermined conditions for reselecting the leading vehicle are not limited to the conditions for determining whether or not the target vehicle VEx has lost sight of the current leading vehicle. For example, the determination unit 132 may determine whether or not the target vehicle VEx has approached an area where the driver of the target vehicle VEx is predicted to lose sight of the current leading vehicle. For example, because many vehicles are intertwined at an intersection, it is likely that another vehicle will cut in between the current leading vehicles. Therefore, the determination unit 132 may determine whether or not the target vehicle VEx has approached an intersection area, which is an area where the driver of the target vehicle VEx is predicted to lose sight of the current leading vehicle. In this case, the selection unit 134, which will be described later, selects a new leading vehicle when it is determined that the target vehicle VEx has approached the intersection area.

[0064] The predetermined condition for reselecting the leading vehicle is not limited to the above-described condition for determining whether or not the vehicle has been lost. As another example, the determination unit 132 may determine whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the other vehicle VEx was selected as the leading vehicle. In this case, the selection unit 134, which will be described later, selects a new leading vehicle when it determines that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the current other vehicle VEx became the leading vehicle. For example, using the example of FIG. 2, if the target vehicle VE1 continues to lead the other vehicle VE2, the driver of the other vehicle VE2 may become suspicious of the target vehicle VE1. However, according to this process, for example, regardless of whether the driver of the target vehicle VE1 has lost sight of the other vehicle VE2, a new leading vehicle other than the other vehicle VE2 is selected to replace the other vehicle VE2 as time passes. This prevents the driver of the other vehicle VE2 from becoming suspicious.

[0065] (Regarding the estimation unit 133) When the determination unit 132 determines that a predetermined condition for reselecting a leading vehicle is satisfied, the estimation unit 133 detects a candidate vehicle VEx that could become a new leading vehicle and estimates a movement route of the detected candidate vehicle VEx. For example, the estimation unit 133 detects a candidate vehicle VEx from among the other vehicles VEx based on position information of the target vehicle VEx and position information of the other vehicles VEx. Then, the estimation unit 133 may estimate the movement route of the candidate vehicle VEx based on driving behavior data corresponding to the candidate vehicle VEx or route information indicating a guidance route for the candidate vehicle VEx.

[0066] (Regarding the selection unit 134) Each time the determination unit 132 determines that the selection condition is satisfied, the selection unit 134 selects a new leading vehicle to replace the current leading vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in the guidance route presented to the target vehicle VEx.

[0067] For example, when it is determined that the driver of the target vehicle VEx has lost sight of the current leading vehicle, the selection unit 134 selects a new leading vehicle to replace the current leading vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point.

[0068] In addition, when the selection unit 134 determines that the target vehicle VEx has approached an area where the driver of the target vehicle VEx is predicted to lose sight of the current lead vehicle, the selection unit 134 may select a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point.

[0069] Furthermore, when it is determined that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the current lead vehicle was selected, the selection unit 134 may select a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point.

[0070] Furthermore, the selection unit 134 may select a new lead vehicle by the following method. The selection unit 134 may select a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle from other vehicles VEx that are estimated to have a similar route up to a predetermined number of guide points that the target vehicle VEx may pass in the future, among predetermined guide points that exist on the guide route presented to the target vehicle VEx, For example, the selection unit 134 may determine, based on the movement route of the candidate vehicle VEx estimated by the estimation unit 133, whether or not there is a candidate vehicle VEx whose route is the same up to two guide points that the target vehicle VEx may pass in the future, and if it is determined that there is such a candidate vehicle, select the candidate vehicle VEx as a new lead vehicle to replace the current other vehicle VEx.

[0071] The selection unit 134 may select a leading vehicle based on the destination of the target vehicle VEx. For example, if there is a candidate vehicle VEx whose destination is the same as (or similar to) the target vehicle VEx, the selection unit 134 may select the candidate vehicle VEx as a new leading vehicle to replace the current other vehicle VEx. Furthermore, if there is a candidate vehicle VEx whose traveling direction to the destination is the same as (or similar to) the target vehicle VEx, the selection unit 134 may select the candidate vehicle VEx as a new leading vehicle to replace the current other vehicle VEx.

[0072] (Regarding notification control unit 135) The notification control unit 135 notifies a predetermined vehicle of information relating to the leading vehicle selected by the selection unit 134.

[0073] For example, the notification control unit 135 notifies the in-vehicle device 10 of the target vehicle VEx of at least one of the position information and attribute information of the leading vehicle selected by the selection unit 134, thereby controlling the output of this information as a guidance instruction. As described in FIG. 2, the notification control unit 135 may generate text indicating the content of the guidance instruction and notify the in-vehicle device 10 of the generated text. Alternatively, the in-vehicle device 10 may generate the text. Furthermore, the guidance instruction may be synthesized as audio content based on the text, or may be synthesized as text content displayed on the screen, for example.

[0074] In addition, the notification control unit 135 may notify the target vehicle VEx to output information that a search will be performed for a new lead vehicle to replace the lost lead vehicle if the driver of the target vehicle VEx is expected to lose sight of the currently notified lead vehicle.

[0075] For example, if it is estimated that the other vehicle VEx selected as the lead vehicle will take a different route from the target vehicle and the driver of the target vehicle VEx is expected to lose sight of the other vehicle VEx, the notification control unit 135 may control the in-vehicle device 10 to output information that a new lead vehicle will be searched for.

[0076] As another example, if the other vehicle VEx selected as the lead vehicle moves far away from the target vehicle VEx and it is expected that the driver of the target vehicle VEx will lose sight of the other vehicle VEx, the notification control unit 135 may control the in-vehicle device 10 to output information that a new lead vehicle is being searched for.

[0077] According to the notification control described above, the in-vehicle device 10 can output a voice guidance instruction GD13 such as, "Even if you lose sight of the vehicle, we will search for the next leading vehicle, so don't worry, keep going!".

[0078] Here, when the target vehicle VEx arrives near the destination in the route guidance, the selection unit 134 may cancel the selection of the leading vehicle. Furthermore, in response to the cancellation of the selection of the leading vehicle, the notification control unit 135 may notify the target vehicle VEx of route guidance to a parking space near the destination. For example, when the selection of the leading vehicle is canceled, the notification control unit 135 searches for parking spaces near the destination and routes to the parking spaces. Then, the notification control unit 135 notifies the searched information to the in-vehicle device 10, thereby controlling the in-vehicle device 10 to output this information as guidance instructions.

[0079] Furthermore, the notification control unit 135 may notify the current lead vehicle of the presence of a following vehicle that is following the host vehicle. Using the example of FIG. 2(a), the notification control unit 135 notifies the in-vehicle device 10 of the other vehicle VE2, which is selected as the lead vehicle at time TM1, to output content suggesting the presence of the target vehicle VE1. In this case, the in-vehicle device 10 of the other vehicle VE2 can output voice guidance such as, for example, "There is a following vehicle following you, but it is a vehicle using the search function, so don't worry about it!"

[0080] 2(a), the notification control unit 135 notifies the in-vehicle device 10 of the other vehicle VE2, which is selected as the lead vehicle at time TM1, to output content suggesting the presence of the target vehicle VE1. In this case, the in-vehicle device 10 of the other vehicle VE2 can output voice guidance such as, for example, "There is a vehicle following you, but it is a vehicle using the search function, so don't worry about it!"

[0081] [4. Processing Procedure] Next, the procedure of information processing realized by the information processing method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of information processing according to the embodiment. In Fig. 7, the procedure of information processing according to the embodiment will be described using as an example a scene in which the information processing device 100 has once selected another vehicle VE2 as a leading vehicle to be chased by the target vehicle VE1.

[0082] In this example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires driving behavior data indicating the driving behavior DV1 of the target vehicle VE1 (step S701). For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires driving behavior data indicating the driving behavior DV1 detected based on sensor information corresponding to the target vehicle VEx.

[0083] The acquisition unit 131 also acquires driving behavior data indicating the driving behavior DV2 of the other vehicle VE2 that is currently the leading vehicle (step S702). For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires driving behavior data indicating the driving behavior DV2 detected based on sensor information corresponding to the other vehicle VE2.

[0084] Next, the determination unit 132 determines whether a predetermined condition for reselecting a leading vehicle is satisfied (step S703). Specifically, the determination unit 132 determines whether the driver of the target vehicle VE1 has lost sight of the other vehicle VE2 based on the driving behavior data acquired in steps S701 and S702. For example, the determination unit 132 may determine whether the driver of the target vehicle VE1 has lost sight of the other vehicle VE2 based on the course of the target vehicle VE1 estimated from the driving behavior data and the course of the other vehicle VE2 estimated from the driving behavior data. Furthermore, the determination unit 132 may determine whether the driver of the target vehicle VE1 has lost sight of the other vehicle VE2 based on position information of the target vehicle VE1 estimated from the driving behavior data and position information of the other vehicle VE2 estimated from the driving behavior data.

[0085] Furthermore, the determination unit 132 may determine that the condition is satisfied when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the other vehicle VE2 was selected as the leading vehicle and a guidance instruction to follow the other vehicle VE2 was output. This allows the information processing device 100 to periodically change the leading vehicle, thereby reducing the possibility of causing discomfort to the leading vehicle.

[0086] While the judgment unit 132 determines that the predetermined conditions for reselecting a leading vehicle are not satisfied (step S703; No), it waits until it can determine that the predetermined conditions for reselecting a leading vehicle are satisfied.

[0087] When it is determined that the predetermined condition for reselecting the leading vehicle is satisfied (step S703; Yes), the estimation unit 133 detects whether or not another vehicle VEx other than the other vehicle VE2 that was previously the leading vehicle is present within a predetermined range ahead of the target vehicle VE1 (step S704). While the estimation unit 133 cannot detect the other vehicle VEx (step S704; No), it waits until it can detect the other vehicle VEx.

[0088] On the other hand, if the other vehicle VEx is detected (step S704; Yes), the estimation unit 133 determines the other vehicle VEx as a candidate vehicle VEx that may become a new leading vehicle, and estimates the movement route of the candidate vehicle VEx (step S705). For example, the estimation unit 133 may estimate the movement route of the candidate vehicle VEx based on driving behavior data corresponding to the candidate vehicle VEx or route information indicating a guidance route for the candidate vehicle VEx.

[0089] Next, the selection unit 134 acquires information on the guided route GR1 that is presented as route guidance to the target vehicle VE1 (step S706).

[0090] Then, based on the guided route GR1 and the route of travel of the candidate vehicle VEx, the selection unit 134 determines whether there is a candidate vehicle VEx whose route matches the route up to the next intersection that the target vehicle VE1 may pass next among the intersections that are located on the way to the destination on the guided route GR1 and are the subject of guidance instructions (step S707).

[0091] If the selection unit 134 determines that there is no candidate vehicle VEx whose route matches at least up to the next two intersections that the target vehicle VE1 may pass (step S707; No), it restarts the processing from step S704 in response to the movement of the target vehicle VE1.

[0092] On the other hand, if the selection unit 134 determines that there are candidate vehicles VEx whose routes match at least up to the next two intersections that the target vehicle VE1 may pass through in the future (step S707; Yes), it selects from among the candidate vehicles VEx the one traveling at a position closest to the target vehicle VE1 as the new leading vehicle to replace the other vehicle VE2 (step S708).

[0093] Finally, the notification control unit 135 notifies the in-vehicle device 10 of the target vehicle VEx of at least one of the location information and the attribute information as information about the leading vehicle selected by the selection unit 134, thereby controlling the output of this information as guidance instructions (step S709).

[0094] [5. Removal of restrictions] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been shown in which the information processing according to the embodiment is realized in the information processing system 1 by transmitting and receiving information between the in-vehicle device 10 and the information processing device 100. However, the information processing according to the embodiment may be realized only on the edge side, i.e., the in-vehicle device 10.

[0095] In such a case, the in-vehicle device 10 may have the processing units described as being included in the information processing device 100 using Fig. 3. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 10 may have a function capable of communicating with an in-vehicle device 10 installed in a vehicle VEx other than the host vehicle.

[0096] For the above reasons, instead of the information processing device 100 illustrated as an example, the in-vehicle device 10 may be implemented as the information processing device according to the embodiment.

[0097] [6. Hardware Configuration] The information processing device 100 and the in-vehicle device 10 according to the above-described embodiments are realized, for example, by a computer 1000 configured as shown in Fig. 8. The information processing device 100 will be described below as an example. Fig. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device 100. The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, an HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0098] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 starts up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0099] The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via a predetermined communication network and sends it to the CPU 1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the predetermined communication network.

[0100] The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs generated data to the output devices via the input / output interface 1600.

[0101] Media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in recording medium 1800 and provides it to CPU 1100 via RAM 1200. CPU 1100 loads the program or data from recording medium 1800 onto RAM 1200 via media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. Recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0102] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 1200 to realize the functions of the control unit 130. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 may obtain these programs from another device via a predetermined communication network.

[0103] [7. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in each of the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0104] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0105] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0106] [8. Summary] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the embodiments described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and that have undergone various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Onboard equipment 100 Information processing device 120 Storage section 121 Route Information Database 122 Sensor Information Database 123 Driving Behavior Database 130 Control Unit 131 Acquisition Department 132 Judgment section 133 Estimation Department 134 Selection Section 135 Notification control section

Claims

1. An information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the target of route guidance, a determination unit that determines whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a selection unit that selects a new leading vehicle to replace the current leading vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in a guided route presented as the route guidance, every time it is determined that the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; and the determination unit determines whether the target vehicle has approached an area where a driver of the target vehicle is predicted to lose sight of a current leading vehicle; When it is determined that the target vehicle has approached the area, the selection unit selects a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on the predetermined guide point.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. The determination unit determines whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle based on the course of the target vehicle and the course of the current leading vehicle as information related to the target vehicle.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The determination unit determines whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle based on a positional relationship between the target vehicle and a current leading vehicle as information about the target vehicle.

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

4. the determination unit determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the current lead vehicle was selected, When it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsed, the selection unit selects a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on the predetermined guide point.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a computer.

5. The selection unit selects a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle from other vehicles that are estimated to have a similar route up to a predetermined number of guide points that the target vehicle may pass in the future, among predetermined guide points that exist on the way to the destination in the route guidance.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

6. An information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the subject of route guidance, a determination unit that determines whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a selection unit that selects a new leading vehicle to replace the current leading vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in a guided route presented as the route guidance, every time it is determined that the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of a current leading vehicle; a notification control unit that notifies the target vehicle of information regarding the leading vehicle selected by the selection unit; and The notification control unit notifies the target vehicle to output information that a new lead vehicle will be searched for to replace the lost lead vehicle when it is predicted that the driver of the target vehicle will lose sight of the currently notified lead vehicle.

1. An information processing device comprising:

7. An information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the subject of route guidance, a determination unit that determines whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a selection unit that selects a new leading vehicle to replace the current leading vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in a guided route presented as the route guidance, every time it is determined that the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of a current leading vehicle; a notification control unit that notifies the target vehicle of information regarding the leading vehicle selected by the selection unit; and the selection unit cancels the selection of the leading vehicle when the target vehicle arrives near a destination in route guidance; The notification control unit notifies the target vehicle of route guidance to a parking space near the destination in response to the selection of the lead vehicle being canceled.

1. An information processing device comprising:

8. The notification control unit notifies the target vehicle of at least one of position information and attribute information of the leading vehicle selected by the selection unit.

8. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein:

9. The notification control unit notifies the current leading vehicle of the presence of a following vehicle following the vehicle.

9. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein:

10. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the target of route guidance, comprising: a determining step of determining whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a selection step of selecting a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on a predetermined guide point included in the guide route presented as the route guidance, every time it is determined that the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current lead vehicle; Including, the determining step determines whether the target vehicle has approached an area where a driver of the target vehicle is predicted to lose sight of a current leading vehicle; The selection step selects a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on the predetermined guide point when it is determined that the target vehicle has approached the area. An information processing method comprising:

11. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the subject of route guidance, comprising: a determining step of determining whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a selection step of selecting a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in a guide route presented as the route guidance, every time it is determined that the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current lead vehicle; a notification control step of notifying the target vehicle of information regarding the leading vehicle selected in the selection step; Including, The notification control step notifies the target vehicle to output information indicating that a new lead vehicle will be searched for to replace the lost lead vehicle when it is predicted that the driver of the target vehicle will lose sight of the currently notified lead vehicle. An information processing method comprising:

12. An information processing method executed by an information processing device for selecting a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the subject of route guidance, comprising: a determining step of determining whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a selection step of selecting a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in a guide route presented as the route guidance, every time it is determined that the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current lead vehicle; a notification control step of notifying the target vehicle of information regarding the leading vehicle selected in the selection step; Including, the selection step cancels the selection of the leading vehicle when the target vehicle arrives near a destination in route guidance; The notification control step notifies the target vehicle of route guidance to a parking space near the destination in response to the cancellation of the selection of the lead vehicle. An information processing method comprising:

13. An information processing program executed by an information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the target of route guidance, a determination step of determining whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a selection step of selecting a new leading vehicle to replace the current leading vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in the guidance route presented as the route guidance, every time it is determined that the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; causing an information processing device to execute the above; The determination step includes determining whether the target vehicle has approached an area where a driver of the target vehicle is predicted to lose sight of a current leading vehicle; The selection step selects a new lead vehicle to replace the current lead vehicle based on the predetermined guide point when it is determined that the target vehicle has approached the area. Information processing program for.

14. An information processing program executed by an information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the subject of route guidance, comprising: a determination step of determining whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a selection step of selecting a new leading vehicle to replace the current leading vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in the guidance route presented as the route guidance, every time it is determined that the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a notification control procedure for notifying the target vehicle of information regarding the leading vehicle selected by the selection procedure; causing an information processing device to execute the above; The notification control procedure notifies the target vehicle to output information that a new lead vehicle will be searched for to replace the lost lead vehicle when the driver of the target vehicle is predicted to lose sight of the currently notified lead vehicle. Information processing program for.

15. An information processing program executed by an information processing device that selects a lead vehicle from other vehicles to follow a target vehicle that is the subject of route guidance, a determination step of determining whether the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a selection step of selecting a new leading vehicle to replace the current leading vehicle based on a predetermined guidance point included in the guidance route presented as the route guidance, every time it is determined that the driver of the target vehicle has lost sight of the current leading vehicle; a notification control procedure for notifying the target vehicle of information regarding the leading vehicle selected by the selection procedure; causing an information processing device to execute the above; the selection step cancels the selection of the leading vehicle when the target vehicle arrives near a destination in route guidance; The notification control step notifies the target vehicle of route guidance to a parking space near the destination in response to the cancellation of the selection of the lead vehicle. Information processing program for.

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