Information processing device

Abstract

To improve a method of guiding moving users to stopover spots.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a memory unit, a communication unit, a time information provision unit, and a control unit. The memory unit stores spot information including position information for each of a plurality of spots registered or selected by a user and time zone information associated with each of the plurality of spots. The communication unit can communicate with an information terminal possessed by the user and an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle that the user gets on, and can acquire current position information of at least one of the information terminal and the vehicle. The time information provision unit provides current time information. The control unit determines a virtual region based on the current position information, extracts a spot located in the virtual region based on the spot information, and determines whether or not to generate a notification about the extracted spot based on the position information of the extracted spot, the time zone information associated with the extracted spot, the current position information, and the current time information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] There has been proposed a system that searches for tourist spots within a predetermined range of the route to the destination for a user who is riding in a vehicle and traveling, and generates and displays detour guidance information via the searched tourist spots (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the prior art, there were points to be improved in guiding a moving user to a tourist spot at an appropriate time.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve a method of guiding a moving user to a stopover spot.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure that solves the above problems is characterized by comprising: a storage unit for storing spot information, which includes location information for each of a plurality of spots registered or selected by a user and time zone information associated with each of the plurality of spots; a communication unit that can communicate with an information terminal owned by the user and an in-vehicle device installed in a vehicle in which the user is riding, and which can acquire current location information indicating the current location of at least one of the information terminal and the vehicle; a time information providing unit that provides current time information indicating the current time; and a control unit that determines a virtual area based on the current location information, extracts spots located within the virtual area based on the spot information, and determines whether or not to generate a notification regarding the extracted spots based on the location information of the extracted spots, the time zone information associated with the extracted spots, the current location information, and the current time information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure can improve how users are guided to points of interest while on the move. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows a schematic configuration of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows a virtual area defined for vehicles traveling on a road, and an example of a spot located within that virtual area. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the steps of the processing performed by the information processing device. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the process for determining whether or not to generate a notification. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a virtual area when a user is moving on foot. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a virtual space when a user is traveling by train. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (System Configuration) Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a system 1 including an information processing device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. System 1 includes the information processing device 10, a plurality of information terminals 20, and an in-vehicle device 30. The information processing device 10, the information terminals 20, and the in-vehicle device 30 can communicate with each other via a network 40, such as the Internet and a mobile communication network. For the sake of simplicity of explanation, the information terminals 20 and the in-vehicle device 30 are shown together in Figure 1. The functions of the information processing device 10 may be distributed across multiple hardware components.

[0011] System 1 is a system that provides information about nearby spots to a user U who is traveling by vehicle, train, bicycle, or on foot. In this disclosure, "vehicle" mainly means an automobile, in particular an automobile used by an individual user U. Also in this disclosure, "spot" is a place that user U may visit. "Spot" can be rephrased as "stopover spot". "Spot" includes restaurants, retail stores, tourist facilities, and tourist destinations. User U registers spots of interest in advance with the information processing device 10. Alternatively, user U selects a spot of interest from a plurality of spots that have been pre-registered in the information processing device 10. When user U is traveling near a spot of interest, the information processing device 10 provides information about the spot to an information terminal 20 carried by user U or an in-vehicle device 30 in the vehicle user U is riding in.

[0012] For example, consider a scenario where user U is riding in a vehicle and driving on a road. As shown in Figure 2, the information processing device 10 can extract spots located within a virtual area Av determined based on user U's current location and provide information about those spots to the in-vehicle device 30 of the vehicle user U is riding in. In this way, when user U passes near a spot that they have previously registered and are interested in, they will receive a notification that this spot is there and can stop at it.

[0013] The components of Figure 1 will be explained in more detail below.

[0014] (Information processing device) The information processing device 10 is a computer owned by a business operator that provides the functions of System 1 to User U. The information processing device 10 comprises a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, and a time information provision unit 14.

[0015] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control unit 11 controls each part of the information processing device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0016] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or at least two combinations thereof. The storage unit 12 functions, for example, as a main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores programs and data used for the operation of the information processing device 10, and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. The information stored in the storage unit 12 may be updateable with information obtained from the network 40, for example, via the communication unit 13.

[0017] The storage unit 12 of the information processing device 10 stores user information associated with each user U of the system 1. The user information includes identification information for identifying and authenticating user U, and spot information for spots of interest to user U. The spot information includes location information for the spot and time zone information associated with the spot. Location information may be expressed by longitude and latitude. Time zone information indicates the time of day when user U is suitable to visit the spot. Time zone information may include, for example, the operating hours of restaurants, shops, and tourist facilities, and the time of day when tourist spots are suitable for sightseeing. For example, if the spot is an outdoor tourist spot with excellent scenery, the daytime hours from sunrise to sunset may be considered suitable for visiting. Also, for example, if the spot is a tourist spot famous for its night view, the time of day from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. may be considered suitable for visiting. The storage unit 12 further has map information including road, railway, and bus route information. The location of a spot is associated with its location on the map information.

[0018] The memory unit 12 may further store, as user information, free time zone information indicating free time zones during which the user U can visit a spot for each user U, or non-notification time zone information indicating time zones during which the information processing apparatus 10 itself sets not to notify the user U of spot information. For example, when the user U has a time zone with no schedule on a specific day, the user U may register that time zone as free time zone information from the input unit 24 of the information terminal 20. The communication unit 23 of the information terminal 20 may transmit the free time zone information to the information processing apparatus 10 under the control of the control unit 21. The control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 may receive the free time zone information of the user U via the communication unit 13 and store it in the memory unit 12. Also, for example, when the user U uses a car for commuting, it is considered that the user U will not stop by even if passing near a spot of interest during the commuting time zone. Therefore, the control unit 11 may store the commuting time zones from Monday to Friday in the memory unit 12 as non-notification time zone information. The control unit 11 may automatically recognize the non-notification time zone information from the movement pattern of the user U and register it in the memory unit 12. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may store the date and time data of the user U's stop in the memory unit 12 and learn the time when the user U does not stop based on this data. The control unit 11 may add time zones not included in the non-notification time zone information as free time zones to the free time zone information.

[0019] The communication unit 13 includes at least one external communication interface connected to the network 40. The external communication interface may be either a wired communication or a wireless communication interface.

[0020] The communication unit 13 is configured to be communicable with the information terminal 20 held by the user U and the in-vehicle device 30 mounted on the vehicle in which the user U rides. The communication unit 13 is configured to be continuously receivable of current position information indicating the current position of at least one of the vehicle on which the information terminal 20 and the in-vehicle device 30 are mounted. In the present application, the current position of the vehicle on which the information terminal 20 and the in-vehicle device 30 are mounted may be expressed as the current position of the user U.

[0021] The time information providing unit 14 outputs current time information indicating the current time. The time information providing unit 14 can use the clock built into the information processing device 10.

[0022] Although the information processing device 10 in Figure 2 of this embodiment does not show an input unit and an output unit, the information processing device 10 may further include an input unit and an output unit. That is, in addition to receiving (inputting) and transmitting (outputting) information via the communication unit 13, the information processing device 10 may also perform information input and output using an input unit and an output unit.

[0023] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a program relating to the method of this disclosure on a processor corresponding to the control unit 11. In other words, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The program causes the computer to function as the information processing device 10 by having the computer execute the operations of the information processing device 10. In other words, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by executing the operations of the information processing device 10 according to the program.

[0024] In this embodiment, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes non-temporary computer-readable media, such as a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0025] (Configuration of information terminals and in-vehicle devices) Information terminal 20 is an information device used by user U. Information terminal 20 includes, for example, a smartphone, a portable information terminal, a tablet PC, etc. In-vehicle device 30 is a computer installed in a vehicle. The same user U may use both information terminal 20 and in-vehicle device 30. For example, user U may use the in-vehicle device 30 when traveling by vehicle and use the information terminal 20 when traveling on foot or by public transport. In-vehicle device 30 includes a navigation system. Information terminal 20 and in-vehicle device 30 include common or similar components.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the information terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, an output unit 25, and a position detection unit 26.

[0027] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The control unit 21 controls each part of the information terminal 20 and executes processes related to the operation of the information terminal 20.

[0028] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or at least two combinations thereof. The storage unit 22 stores programs and data used for the operation of the information terminal 20, and data obtained through the operation of the information terminal 20. The information stored in the storage unit 22 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 40, for example, via the communication unit 23. The storage unit 22 may store application programs corresponding to system 1 and data used by said applications.

[0029] The communication unit 23 includes at least one external communication interface connected to the network 40. The communication unit 23 receives data used for the operation of the information terminal 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information terminal 20 to an external device (e.g., the information processing device 10). The communication unit 23, under the control of the control unit 21, continuously transmits the current location information detected by the location detection unit 26 (described later) to the information processing device 10.

[0030] The input unit 24 includes at least one input interface. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key such as a keyboard, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touchscreen integrated with a display. The input interface may also be, for example, a microphone that accepts voice input or a camera that accepts image input. The input unit 24 accepts operations to input data used for the operation of the information terminal 20. The input unit 24 may be connected to the information terminal 20 as an external input device instead of being provided on the information terminal 20.

[0031] The output unit 25 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as video, or a speaker that outputs information as sound. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 25 outputs data received from the information processing device 10, or data obtained by the operation of the information terminal 20. Instead of being provided on the information terminal 20, the output unit 25 may be connected to the information terminal 20 as an external output device.

[0032] The position detection unit 26 detects the current location of the information terminal 20. The location detected by the position detection unit 26 can be an absolute position expressed as latitude, longitude, etc. The position detection unit 26 may include a receiver compatible with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). A GNSS-compatible receiver includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. Using the signal from the GPS receiver, information on the latitude and longitude of the current location of the information terminal 20 can be obtained.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the in-vehicle device 30 comprises a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, an input unit 34, an output unit 35, and a position detection unit 36. The control unit 31, storage unit 32, communication unit 33, input unit 34, output unit 35, and position detection unit 36 ​​of the in-vehicle device 30 are identical or similar to the control unit 21, storage unit 22, communication unit 23, input unit 24, output unit 25, and position detection unit 26 of the information terminal 20, respectively, so their explanation is omitted. The position information of the in-vehicle device 30 detected by the position detection unit 36 ​​can be considered as the position information of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device 30 is mounted.

[0034] (Processing executed by the control unit) Next, the contents of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 will be explained with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 show the processing for a specific user U. The control unit 11 performs these processing in parallel for multiple users U.

[0035] First, user U launches an application corresponding to system 1 on the information terminal 20 and / or in-vehicle device 30. As a result, the control unit 11 receives notification of user U's identification information from the information terminal 20 and / or in-vehicle device 30 and recognizes user U as the target of management (step S11). The control unit 11 obtains user information corresponding to the identification information of user U, who has become the target of management, from the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 also continuously obtains user U's current location information via the communication unit 13. From there, the control unit 11 monitors user U's movement.

[0036] Next, the control unit 11 identifies the user U's mode of transportation (step S12). When the control unit 11 receives notification of user U's identification information from the in-vehicle device 30, it recognizes that the user is traveling by vehicle. Also, when the control unit 11 receives notification from the user's information terminal 20, it may determine the user U's current mode of transportation from among multiple modes of transportation, including at least one of vehicle, train, route bus, bicycle, and walking, based on at least one of the user's speed of movement and current location information. For example, if user U's speed of movement is 5 km / h or less, the control unit 11 may determine that user U's mode of transportation is "walking". Also, if user U's movement trajectory overlaps with a specific train route included in the map information, and the user's speed of movement is approximately 30 km / h to 200 km / h on average, the control unit 11 may determine that user U's mode of transportation is "train". Even if user U is using a bus, the mode of transportation can be determined to be "bus" because user U's movement trajectory overlaps with the route of a route bus on the road. The control unit 11 may change the mode of movement as appropriate if it determines that the user U has changed the means of movement while moving.

[0037] Following step S12, the control unit 11 acquires the current location information of user U via the communication unit 13 (step S13). As described above, the control unit 11 continuously acquires the current location of user U.

[0038] The control unit 11 sets a virtual area Av based on the current location information of user U obtained in step S13 (step S14). The virtual area Av is the area that will be used to search for spots. The virtual area Av is determined based on the mode of movement. For example, as shown in Figure 2, if user U is moving in a vehicle, that is, if the mode of movement is "vehicle", the virtual area Av will be a wide area in the direction of user U's movement. The virtual area Av can be, for example, a circular area centered on a point that has traveled for a predetermined time in the direction of user U's movement. This is because the vehicle continues to move even while user U is considering stopping at a spot. In this way, the control unit 11 can provide user U, who is moving in a vehicle, with spot information within an appropriate range.

[0039] When user U is moving on foot, that is, when the mode of movement is "walking," the virtual area Av can be a circular area centered on user U, as shown in Figure 5. In this case, user U can stop and consider visiting the spot. Therefore, by doing so, the control unit 11 can provide user U, who is moving on foot, with information on spots within an appropriate range centered on their current location.

[0040] The size of the virtual area Av, or its radius if the virtual area Av is circular, may be determined according to the user U's mode of movement or speed. If the user U's mode of movement is "vehicle" and the speed of movement is high, the user U can easily visit relatively distant spots, so the virtual area Av can be made wider. On the other hand, if the mode of movement is "on foot," the virtual area Av will be within the range that the user U can reach on foot. Therefore, the control unit 11 can present spots within an appropriate range according to the user U's mode of movement.

[0041] When user U is traveling by train, that is, when the mode of travel is "train," the virtual area Av can be an area centered on the next train's stops, as shown in Figure 6. In this case, it is assumed that user U will get off the train at the next station and visit a spot. Therefore, by presenting spots around the next station, the control unit 11 can provide user U, who is traveling by train, with appropriate spot information.

[0042] The virtual area Av may have different sizes for each classification of multiple spots. The classification of multiple spots includes categories such as tourist spots and restaurants. The classification of multiple spots may further include categories such as retail stores and tourist facilities. The size of the virtual area Av, or the radius if the virtual area Av is circular, may differ for each classification of spot. For example, the size or radius of the virtual area Av may be specified in advance by the user U from the information terminal 20 or in-vehicle device 30. In this way, it is possible to accommodate the user U's preferences, such as being willing to travel far to visit a restaurant, but not wanting to travel too far to visit a retail store.

[0043] Furthermore, the virtual region Av is not limited to a circular area; it may be a rectangular area or an area of ​​other shape. Also, the virtual region Av may be an area defined by a range of latitude and longitude.

[0044] After step S14, the control unit 11 extracts the spots located within the virtual area Av from the spot information stored in the memory unit 12 (step S15). For example, in the example in Figure 2, the control unit 11 extracts spots S1 to S3, but does not extract spots S4 and S5.

[0045] The control unit 11 determines whether it is appropriate to notify the user U about the extracted spots (step S16). The determination procedure in step S16 is shown in Figure 4.

[0046] The control unit 11 obtains free time information and / or non-notification time information from the user information stored in the memory unit 12, and determines whether user U requires notification based on the current time and day of the week information obtained from the time information provision unit 14 (step S21). If the current time is within a time period when user U does not require notification (step S21: No), the control unit 21 determines that it will not generate a notification for user U and proceeds to step S17. If the current time is within a time period when user U requires notification (step S21: Yes), the control unit 11 proceeds to the process in step S22.

[0047] In step S22, the time zone information of the spot extracted in step S15 is obtained from the control unit 11 and the storage unit 12.

[0048] For each spot, the control unit 11 predicts the possible arrival time based on the spot's location information, the user U's current location information, and the current time information obtained from the time information provision unit 14 (step S23). When predicting the possible arrival time, the control unit 11 may consider traffic congestion information on the road leading to the spot's location, obtained from an external information source.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 11 determines whether user U can arrive at each spot within an appropriate time based on the predicted arrival time in step S23 and the spot's time zone information (step SS24). For example, in the example in Figure 2, assume that the time zone information for spot S1 indicates the store's business hours, which are from 10:00 to 17:00, Monday through Saturday. If the current time is 16:30, the control unit 11 may determine whether user U can arrive at spot S1 by 17:00 if they travel to spot S1 by the shortest distance. The control unit 11 may also consider the shortest possible stay time required by user U at each spot. For example, the control unit 11 may assume that user U needs at least 15 minutes to look around the store and determine whether user U can arrive at spot S1 by 16:45. If user U can arrive at each spot within an appropriate time, the control unit 11 determines that it may generate a spot notification. After step S24, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S17 in Figure 3.

[0050] In step S17, if it was determined in step S16 that it is acceptable to send a spot notification (step S17: Yes), the process proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, if, as a result of steps S21 and S24, it is determined in step S17 that a spot notification should not be sent (step S17: No), the control unit 11 proceeds to the process in step S19.

[0051] In step S18, the control unit 11 transmits a notification to the information terminal 20 or in-vehicle device 30 via the communication unit 13, relating to the spot that was determined to be reachable at an appropriate time in step S24. The notification regarding the spot may include the time information of the spot and additional information. The additional information may include the date and time when user U registered the spot, and / or, if the spot is a store, information about famous products of that store. If there are multiple spots in the virtual area Av, the control unit 11 may transmit information for all spots, or it may select and transmit information for only one spot.

[0052] When the information terminal 20 receives a notification from the information processing device 10 via the communication unit 23, the control unit 21, which is running an application for system 1, displays the notification content on the display, which is the output unit 25. The display may show a pop-up message, for example, "There is a recommended coffee shop nearby." Along with the message, a guidance button to activate directions may also be displayed, and when user U presses this button, the guidance function of the information terminal 20 is activated and directions to the spot are provided. After step S18, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S19.

[0053] In step S19, unless the information processing device 10 receives a signal from the information terminal 20 or the in-vehicle device 30 indicating the end of processing (step S19: No), it returns to step S13 and repeats the processing in steps S13 to S19. As a result, both user U and virtual area Av move. When virtual area Av moves and a new spot of interest to user U enters virtual area Av, the control unit 11 determines whether it is appropriate to sequentially notify about that spot. For spots that the control unit 11 determines are appropriate, it notifies user U's information terminal 20 or in-vehicle device 30 of the spot information.

[0054] On the other hand, in step S19, if the information processing device 10 receives a signal from the information terminal 20 or the in-vehicle device 30 indicating the end of processing (step S19: No), it terminates processing. The application installed on the information terminal 20 or the in-vehicle device 30 may transmit a signal indicating the end of processing to the information processing device 10 via the communication units 23 and 33 when the user U arrives at a pre-set destination. Also, when the user U terminates the application of this system 1 on the information terminal 20 or the in-vehicle device 30, the control units 21 and 31 may transmit a signal indicating the end of processing to the information processing device 10 via the communication units 23 and 33.

[0055] In this way, according to System 1 of the present disclosure, information about a spot of interest to User U is displayed on the output unit 25 of User U's information terminal 20 or the output unit 35 of the in-vehicle device 30 when User U passes near that spot. This reduces the possibility that User U may not realize they are passing near a spot and thus miss the opportunity to stop by.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 11 generates and sends a notification regarding the spot to the user if the current time falls within the available time slot or not within the non-notification time slot. This reduces the likelihood of the user receiving unnecessary notifications when they are not visiting the spot.

[0057] Furthermore, in System 1 of this disclosure, the control unit 11 determines the user's movement mode from a plurality of movement modes and determines the virtual area Av based on the movement mode, so that the user can be notified of spots that correspond to the characteristics of the movement mode. This allows the user to be guided to more appropriate places to stop by.

[0058] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and numerous modifications or alterations are possible. For example, the functions included in each means, step, etc., can be rearranged in a way that is not logically contradictory, and multiple means or steps, etc., can be combined into one or divided. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 10 Information Processing Devices 11 Control Unit 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 14 Time information provision department 20 Information terminals 30 Onboard equipment 21,31 Control Unit 22,32 Storage part 23,33 Communications Department 24,34 Input section 25,35 Output section 26,36 Position detection unit 40 Networks

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores spot information, including the location information of each of the multiple spots registered or selected by the user and the time period information associated with each of the multiple spots, A communication unit capable of communicating with an information terminal owned by the user and an in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle in which the user is riding, the communication unit being capable of acquiring current location information indicating the current location of at least one of the information terminal and the vehicle, A time information providing unit that provides current time information indicating the current time, A control unit that determines a virtual area based on the current location information, extracts spots located within the virtual area based on the spot information, and determines whether or not to generate a notification regarding the extracted spots based on the location information of the extracted spots, the time period information associated with the extracted spots, the current location information, and the current time information. Equipped with, The control unit determines the user's mode of movement from a plurality of modes of movement, including at least one of vehicle, train, bus, and walking, based on information obtained from at least one of the information terminal and the in-vehicle device, and determines the virtual area based on the mode of movement. When the user's mode of movement is a vehicle, the control unit sets the virtual area to a circular area centered on a point reached a predetermined time in the user's direction of travel. The aforementioned spots are classified into multiple types, and the control unit defines the virtual area as a circular area with a different radius for each type of spot. Information processing device.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit generates a notification regarding the spot when it determines that the user can arrive at the spot during the time period included in the time period information, and causes the communication unit to transmit the notification to the information terminal or the in-vehicle device.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to acquire available time slot information indicating available time slots during which the user can visit the spot, and the control unit determines that it will not generate a notification regarding the extracted spot if the current time is not included in the available time slot.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when the user's mode of movement is a train, sets the virtual area to an area centered on the next train's stopping stations.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores map information, and the control unit determines the movement mode based on the map information and the current location information.

Images