Information processing method, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To generate a travel route that captures road connectivity, while reflecting human preferences.SOLUTION: A server (1) obtains track record information in which a starting point, an ending point, and an actual route that is a past travel route between the starting point and the ending point are associated, from a track record database (131); obtains a query including the starting point and the ending point; connects one or more track record routes recorded in a track record data group, to generate one or more recommended routes whose starting point and ending point match those of the query; and outputs the one or more recommended routes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for generating a route.

Background Art

[0002] Research and development of car navigation devices for taxis and personal vehicles, pedestrian navigation applications, and delivery plan generation applications in the delivery business are underway. These technologies include a function for determining an optimal movement route between two points. As technologies for determining an optimal movement route between two points, Non-Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 1 are known.

[0003] In Non-Patent Document 1, a technique related to Dijkstra's algorithm for determining a movement route with the shortest time or distance as the optimal movement route between two points based on topological data of a map is disclosed.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a road learning model for learning the driving history of roads actually traveled by skilled drivers is generated so that the road cost of roads frequently traveled by skilled drivers is reduced, and an optimal movement route between two points is determined using the generated road learning model.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0006]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, in the conventional technology described above, travel routes are generated by combining localized roads that have been scored, which means that human preferences are not reflected, and there is a possibility that travel routes with poor road connectivity may be calculated.

[0008] This disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a technology that can generate travel routes that reflect human preferences while also capturing road connectivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An information processing method in one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method in which a computer generates a route, the computer acquires a group of actual route information which records actual route information associated with a starting point, an ending point, and an actual route which is a past travel route between the starting point and the ending point, acquires a query which includes a starting point and an ending point, and generates one or more recommended routes in which the starting point and ending point match the starting point and ending point of the query by concatenating one or more actual routes recorded in the group of actual route information, and outputs the one or more recommended routes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, it is possible to generate travel routes that reflect human preferences while also capturing road connectivity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the information processing system in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows an example of the server configuration in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows an example of the configuration of an administrator terminal in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 4]It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a driver terminal in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a performance database in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of a server in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of a server in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a performance database in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing a first example of a display screen in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing a second example of a display screen in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of a server in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing a first example of a display screen in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing a second example of a display screen in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] (Background Leading to the Present Disclosure) In generating an optimal movement route between two points, an approach of determining a movement route with the shortest time or distance between two points is widely adopted (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). Here, this approach is called a mathematical optimization type solver.

[0013] However, the movement routes generated by mathematical optimization solvers often make the users of the application feel uncomfortable. This is because humans may feel that a route that is not the shortest for some reason is preferable. For example, humans do not always make rational judgments. Also, humans may determine the movement route from perspectives other than time and distance, such as ease of driving, safety, memorability, and ease of turning at intersections. Therefore, it is considered that the movement routes generated by mathematical optimization solvers will make humans feel uncomfortable. The fact that the preferences of humans regarding the selection of movement routes are not reflected in this way is a drawback of mathematical optimization solvers.

[0014] As a method for overcoming the drawbacks of mathematical optimization solvers, the method shown in Patent Document 1 described above is disclosed. Hereinafter, the method shown in Patent Document 1 is referred to as a route imitation solver. In the route imitation solver, feature quantities for each road (such as road distance information, left turn information of the road, road width information, etc.) are input, and a road learning model that outputs the road cost for each road is used. Here, the road cost is learned based on the driving history, and the better the road is run by a skilled driver, the lower the value it has. Then, in the route imitation solver, the movement route between two points is calculated by combining the roads with the minimum road cost.

[0015] Thus, in the route imitation solver, the movement route between two points is merely calculated by combining local roads with scores, and the connection relationship between roads and the preference of the movement route as a result of combining roads are not considered. Therefore, in the route imitation solver, human preferences are not reflected, and there is a possibility that a movement route with poor road connectivity will be calculated.

[0016] For example, it is known that humans tend to prefer a straight route without turning right or left as much as possible, even if a movement route with fine right and left turns is the shortest, but the route imitation solver cannot capture such a tendency.

[0017] This disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a technology that can generate travel routes that reflect human preferences while also capturing road connectivity.

[0018] An information processing method in one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method in which a computer generates a route, the computer acquires a group of actual route information which records actual route information associated with a starting point, an ending point, and an actual route which is a past travel route between the starting point and the ending point, acquires a query which includes a starting point and an ending point, and generates one or more recommended routes in which the starting point and ending point match the starting point and ending point of the query by concatenating one or more actual routes recorded in the group of actual route information, and outputs the one or more recommended routes.

[0019] This configuration generates recommended routes not by combining localized roads with assigned scores, but by combining actual routes chosen by users. This allows for the generation of travel routes that reflect human preferences while also capturing road connectivity.

[0020] In the above information processing method, the actual route information is further associated with driving conditions, and in the output of the recommended route, display data for a display screen that associates the driving conditions with the one or more actual routes that constitute each recommended route may be output.

[0021] With this configuration, the driving status is displayed in association with each actual route that makes up each recommended route, thus providing users with information to help them make a decision when selecting a recommended route.

[0022] In the above-described information processing method, the driving status may include at least one of the users who used the one or more actual routes that constitute each recommended route, and the date and time of use by the user.

[0023] This configuration displays at least one of the users who actually used each of the historical routes that make up each recommended route, as well as the date and time of travel by those users. This helps users feel more confident about the recommended routes. For example, if a trustworthy person is among those displayed, users can feel confident that the historical routes associated with that person are routes with good road connectivity. Also, users can feel confident that traffic congestion is not occurring and that traffic conditions are good during times close to the displayed travel date and time.

[0024] In the above information processing method, based on the performance data set, the top n (where n is an integer of 1 or more) users with the highest usage frequency for each of the one or more performance routes constituting each recommendation route, and the usage date and time for each user may be determined, and the display screen may display the determined top n users and the usage date and time for each user in association with the one or more performance routes constituting each recommendation route.

[0025] In this configuration, the top n users with the highest usage frequency are displayed for each actual route that makes up each recommended route. Therefore, for example, if the displayed individuals include a large number of trustworthy people, it can give users a sense of confidence that the actual routes associated with these individuals are likely to be travel routes with good road connectivity. In addition, the date and time of use for each user is also displayed, which can give users a sense of confidence that traffic conditions are likely to be good around the time of use.

[0026] In the above-described information processing method, the display screen may include a map screen in which one or more actual routes constituting each recommended route are displayed superimposed on a map in a distinguishable manner.

[0027] With this configuration, each actual route is displayed superimposed on the map in a distinguishable manner, allowing users to easily understand which section of the map each actual route corresponds to.

[0028] In the above-described information processing method, the display screen may include a list screen in which one or more actual routes constituting each recommended route are displayed in a distinguishable list.

[0029] With this configuration, each actual route is displayed in a distinguishable list, allowing users to easily understand each actual route.

[0030] In the above information processing method, when outputting one or more recommended routes, if the one or more recommended routes include multiple recommended routes, those with matching content may be classified into multiple groups, the number of recommended routes constituting each group may be determined, and recommended routes from the top m (where m is an integer of 1 or more) groups may be output.

[0031] According to this configuration, if one or more recommendation routes include multiple recommendation routes, each recommendation route is classified into multiple groups according to its content, and the recommendation routes of the top m groups are output, so that a variety of recommendation routes can be presented to the user.

[0032] In the above information processing method, selection information indicating one recommended route selected by the user from among the one or more recommended routes may be obtained, and in obtaining the performance data group, the performance routes constituting the one recommended route may be recorded in the performance data group.

[0033] This configuration allows the user's selection results for recommended routes to be reflected in the performance data set. Therefore, the recommended route selected by the user can be used as a performance route to generate new recommended routes.

[0034] In the above-described information processing method, the actual route may consist of multiple roads.

[0035] According to this configuration, since the actual route is composed of multiple roads, the actual route can be composed of a large network of roads rather than just local roads.

[0036] In the above information processing method, when generating one or more recommendation routes, the number of connections may be increased one by one while attempting to generate one or more recommendation routes, and the process may be terminated when one or more recommendation routes have been generated.

[0037] With this configuration, recommended routes with fewer connections are generated preferentially, thus shortening processing time and reducing processing load.

[0038] An information processing device in another aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device for generating routes, comprising: a performance acquisition unit that acquires a group of performance data in which performance route information is associated with a starting point, an ending point, and a performance route which is a travel route between the starting point and the ending point; a query acquisition unit that acquires a query including a starting point and an ending point; a generation unit that generates one or more recommended routes in which the starting point and ending point coincide with the starting point and ending point of the query by linking one or more performance routes recorded in the group of performance data; and an output unit that outputs the one or more recommended routes.

[0039] This configuration provides an information processing device that can achieve the same effects as the information processing method described above.

[0040] A program in yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer to function as an information processing device for generating routes, and functions as: a performance acquisition unit that acquires performance data group which records performance route information associated with a starting point, an ending point, and a performance route which is a travel route between the starting point and the ending point; a query acquisition unit that acquires queries including a starting point and an ending point; a generation unit that generates one or more recommended routes in which the starting point and ending point coincide with the starting point and ending point of the query by concatenating one or more performance routes recorded in the performance data group; and an output unit that outputs the one or more recommended routes.

[0041] This configuration allows us to provide a program that achieves the same effects as the information processing method described above.

[0042] This disclosure can also be implemented as an information processing system operated by such a program. Furthermore, it goes without saying that such a computer program can be distributed via computer-readable, non-temporary recording media such as CD-ROMs or via communication networks such as the Internet.

[0043] The embodiments described below are all specific examples of this disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, components, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, those not described in the independent claim representing the highest-level concept will be described as optional components. In addition, the contents of each embodiment can be combined.

[0044] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the information processing system 100 in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The information processing system 100 is, for example, a system that generates the travel routes of delivery vehicles in a transportation company. However, this is just an example, and the information processing system 100 may be a system that generates the travel routes of vehicles in a transportation company such as a bus or taxi company, or a system that generates the travel routes of vehicles in response to requests from general users. Furthermore, the travel routes generated by the information processing system 100 may be not only the travel routes of vehicles but also the travel routes of users. Vehicles may include not only automobiles but also bicycles.

[0045] The information processing system 100 includes a server 1 (an example of an information processing device), an administrator terminal 2, and a driver terminal 3. The server 1, administrator terminal 2, and driver terminal 3 are connected to each other via network NT so that they can communicate with one another. Network NT consists of a wide-area communication network, such as the Internet communication network and a mobile phone communication network.

[0046] Server 1 consists of a cloud server containing one or more computers. Server 1 receives queries from administrator terminal 2. A query is a request to search for a travel route from a starting point to an ending point. Server 1 generates a recommended route, which is the travel route corresponding to the query, and sends the display data of the display screen showing the recommended route to administrator terminal 2. Server 1 may also receive queries from driver terminal 3 and generate a recommended route corresponding to that query. In the following description, it is assumed that queries are sent from administrator terminal 2.

[0047] Administrator terminal 2 is a terminal used by an administrator who manages vehicle dispatch at, for example, a transportation company's distribution center. Administrator terminal 2 may consist of, for example, a stationary computer, or it may consist of a portable terminal such as a smartphone or tablet computer.

[0048] The driver terminal 3 may consist of an in-vehicle terminal installed in the vehicle, or it may consist of a portable terminal carried by the vehicle's driver. The portable terminal may be a smartphone or a tablet computer.

[0049] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of Server 1 in Embodiment 1 of this Disclosure. Server 1 includes a communication circuit 11, a processor 12, and memory 13. Communication circuit 11 is a communication circuit that connects Server 1 to Network NT. Communication circuit 11 receives queries sent from administrator terminal 2. Communication circuit 11 sends display data of a display screen that displays recommended routes corresponding to the queries to administrator terminal 2. Communication circuit 11 may also send the display data to driver terminal 3. Furthermore, communication circuit 11 receives travel routes created by the administrator themselves. Furthermore, communication circuit 11 receives the driver's driving history.

[0050] The processor 12 is composed of electrical circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processor 12 includes a performance acquisition unit 121, a query acquisition unit 122, a generation unit 123, and an output unit 124.

[0051] The performance acquisition unit 121 acquires performance route information from the performance database 131. The acquired performance route information corresponds to an example of a performance data group. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the performance database 131 in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The performance database 131 records one or more performance route information 1310. The performance route information 1310 is information that associates a starting point, an ending point, and a performance route which is a past travel route between the starting point and the ending point.

[0052] An actual route is a travel path created or driven by a manager or driver through trial and error, using their own experience and knowledge, based on a given delivery plan. For example, a manager creates a delivery route that allows each delivery vehicle to efficiently deliver goods by passing through multiple delivery destinations, based on a delivery plan that associates delivery destinations with the goods to be delivered to those destinations. Drivers similarly devise delivery routes that allow for efficient delivery of goods and drive their delivery vehicles along these routes. One travel path from a distribution center to a delivery destination, or one travel path between delivery destinations, constitutes one actual route. The starting point of an actual route is the distribution center or delivery destination, and the ending point is the delivery destination or distribution center.

[0053] Thus, since the actual route information 1310 includes travel routes created by the administrator or driver using their experience and knowledge, the actual database 131 constitutes a collection of actual data containing the administrator's or driver's know-how. Therefore, after a predetermined number or more of the actual route information 1310 has been accumulated in the actual database 131, the server 1 executes the process of generating the recommended route shown below.

[0054] In the example in Figure 5, the actual route R1 shown in the first line of the actual route information 1310 consists of a group of roads connecting the starting point "A" and the ending point "B" with roads "c", "d", and "e". The symbols "c", "d", etc. are road IDs (identifiers) that uniquely identify the roads. The actual route R2 shown in the second line of the actual route information 1310 has the same content as the actual route R1 in the first line. In this way, the actual route database 131 stores actual route information 1310 for each record created by the administrator and the actual driving record of the driver.

[0055] In the example in Figure 5, there are three recorded routes R1, R2, and R3 that connect the starting point "A" and the ending point "B". Of these, two recorded routes corresponding to cde are shown by routes R1 and R2, but only one recorded route corresponding to fg is shown by route R3. Therefore, the recorded routes corresponding to cde are used more often than the recorded routes corresponding to fg, suggesting that they are more likely to be routes suited to human preferences.

[0056] The query retrieval unit 122 retrieves queries that include a starting point and an ending point. The starting point is the starting point of the travel route requested by the user, and the ending point is the ending point of the travel route requested by the user. Here, the starting and ending points of the query can be predetermined locations, for example. These predetermined locations can be, for example, the starting and ending points recorded in the performance database 131, i.e., collection and delivery centers or delivery destinations.

[0057] As for the input method for the start and end points of the query, for example, the administrator may be asked to select the start and end points of the query from a list of predetermined locations displayed on the administrator terminal 2. Alternatively, as for the input method for the start and end points of the query, the user may be asked to specify an arbitrary location from a map screen displayed on the administrator terminal 2, and the start and end points of the query may be determined based on the specified location. In this case, the query acquisition unit 122 can calculate the Euclidean distance between the specified location and each predetermined location, and determine the location where the calculated Euclidean distance is less than or equal to a threshold and is the smallest as the start or end point of the query.

[0058] The generation unit 123 generates one or more recommended routes whose start and end points match the start and end points of the query by concatenating one or more actual routes recorded in the actual route database 131. Here, the generation unit 123 attempts to generate one or more recommended routes by increasing the number of concatenations by one each time, and terminates processing when one or more recommended routes have been generated.

[0059] The output unit 124 outputs one or more recommended routes by transmitting the display data of a display screen showing one or more recommended routes generated by the generation unit 123 to the administrator terminal 2 and the driver terminal 3 using the communication circuit 11. Here, if the one or more recommended routes generated by the generation unit 123 include multiple recommended routes, the output unit 124 classifies those with matching content into multiple groups, determines the number of recommended routes constituting each group, and outputs the recommended route of the group with the largest number of routes.

[0060] Memory 13 consists of non-volatile, rewritable storage devices such as HDDs (hard disk drives) and SSDs (solid-state drives). Memory 13 stores the performance database 131.

[0061] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the administrator terminal 2 in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The administrator terminal 2 includes a communication circuit 21, a processor 22, a display 23, and an operation unit 24. The communication circuit 21 is an electrical circuit that connects the administrator terminal 2 to the network NT. The communication circuit 21 sends queries to the server 1. The communication circuit 21 receives display data for a display screen showing recommended routes sent from the server 1.

[0062] The processor 22 consists of electrical circuits such as a CPU and is responsible for the overall control of the administrator terminal 2. For example, the processor 22 generates a display screen based on the display data received by the communication circuit 21 and displays the display screen on the display 23. When the operation unit 24 receives an operation from a user to input a query, the processor 22 sends the query to the server 1 using the communication circuit 21.

[0063] The display 23 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The operation unit 24 is composed of an operating device including a keyboard and a mouse. The operation unit 24 receives operations from users who input queries. If the administrator terminal 2 is composed of a mobile terminal, the operation unit 24 may be composed of a touch panel.

[0064] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the driver terminal 3 in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The driver terminal 3 includes a communication circuit 31, a processor 32, a display 33, and an operation unit 34.

[0065] The communication circuit 31 is an electrical circuit that connects the driver terminal 3 to the network NT. The communication circuit 31 receives display data for a display screen showing recommended routes, which is transmitted from the server 1. The processor 32 is composed of electrical circuits such as a CPU and is responsible for the overall control of the driver terminal 3. For example, the processor 32 generates a display screen based on the display data received by the communication circuit 31 and displays the display screen on the display 33.

[0066] The display 33 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display. The operation unit 24 is composed of an operation device including operation buttons and a touch panel.

[0067] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of Server 1 in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. It is assumed that prior to the execution of this flowchart, a predetermined number or more of actual route information 1310 have been accumulated in the actual database 131.

[0068] In step S1, the query acquisition unit 122 acquires the query sent from the administrator terminal 2.

[0069] In step S2, the generation unit 123 sets the variable K, which indicates the number of connections of the actual routes, to its initial value of 1.

[0070] In step S3, the generation unit 123 searches the performance database 131 for K joinable performance routes such that their start and end points match the start and end points of the query obtained in step S1, and generates one or more recommended routes based on the search results. In this way, the generation unit 123 generates one or more recommended routes consisting of K performance routes.

[0071] When K=2, and the query starts at "A" and ends at "C", the following three recommended paths are found in the example in Figure 5 from the performance database 131.

[0072] Actual route R1 + Actual route R4 "AcdeBhC" Actual route R2 + Actual route R4 "AcdeBhC" Actual route R3 + Actual route R4 "AfgBhC"

[0073] The "+" symbol indicates the combination of actual routes. "AcdeBhC" represents a travel route from the starting point "A" through roads "c", "d", "e", point "B", and "h" to the endpoint "C". The travel route obtained in this way is the recommended route. Actual routes R1 and R2 have the same content, but they are combined independently. This is to count the number of entries used when determining the final recommended route to output.

[0074] In step S4, the generation unit 123 determines whether the number of recommended routes generated in step S3 is 0, that is, whether or not recommended routes could not be generated in step S3. For example, if K=1, in the example in Figure 5, there is no actual route that directly connects the starting point "A" and the ending point "C", so the number of recommended routes is 0. If there are more than 0 recommended routes (NO in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5.

[0075] In step S5, the output unit 124 determines whether there are multiple recommended routes generated in step S4. If there is only one recommended route (NO in step S5), the output unit 124 outputs one recommended route (step S9).

[0076] If there are multiple recommended routes (YES in step S5), the output unit 124 groups the multiple recommended routes by those that share the same actual route (step S6).

[0077] In step S7, the output unit 124 counts the number of recommended routes that make up each group. For example, in the above example, the group "AcdeBhC" is counted as having 2 recommended routes, and the group "AfgBhC" is counted as having 1 recommended route.

[0078] In step S8, the output unit 124 outputs the recommended route of the group with the largest number of recommended routes among all groups. In the example above, the recommended route "AcdeBhC" is output. In this case, for example, the administrator terminal 2 will display a screen indicating that the recommended route corresponding to the query is "AcdeBhC". If there are multiple recommended routes with the largest number of routes, the output unit 124 should output all of these recommended routes.

[0079] In step S4, if there are 0 recommended routes (YES in step S4), the generation unit 123 increments the variable K by 1 (step S10).

[0080] In step S11, the generation unit 123 determines whether the variable K is greater than or equal to a specified value. If the variable K is greater than or equal to a specified value (YES in step S11), the generation unit 123 outputs a failure flag (step S12). In this case, for example, an error message indicating that the search for a recommended route corresponding to the query failed is displayed on the administrator terminal 2.

[0081] In step S11, if variable K is less than a predetermined value (NO in step S11), the process returns to step S3. The predetermined value is a value predetermined to prevent the process from failing in step S3, for example. Thus, the flowchart in Figure 6 employs an algorithm in which variable K is increased one by one, and the process terminates when a recommended path is generated. This prioritizes the search for recommended paths with fewer connections, thereby shortening processing time and reducing processing load.

[0082] Thus, according to Embodiment 1, recommended routes are generated not by combining local roads with assigned scores, but by combining actual routes selected by individuals. This makes it possible to generate travel routes that reflect human preferences while capturing road connectivity.

[0083] (Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 associates driving conditions with actual routes when outputting recommended routes. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of server 1A in Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. In Embodiment 2, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0084] The processor 12A of server 1A includes a performance acquisition unit 121, a query acquisition unit 122, a generation unit 123, and an output unit 124A.

[0085] The output unit 124A outputs display data for a display screen that associates driving conditions with each actual route that constitutes each recommended route generated by the generation unit 123. The driving conditions include at least one of the person who used each actual route that constitutes each recommended route and the date and time of use by that person. Here, the driving conditions are described as including the person and the date and time of use.

[0086] Memory 13A includes the performance database 131A. Figure 9 shows an example of the data structure of the performance database 131A in Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. The performance route information 1310A is associated with the starting point, ending point, and performance route, as well as the person who used it and the date and time of use.

[0087] For example, in the recorded route R1, "Hamada" is recorded as the user, and the date and time of use is recorded as "October 4, 2020, 8:00:02 AM," so it is a recorded route used by the driver, Hamada, on October 4, 2020, at 8:00:02 AM. In the recorded route R2, the road group that makes up the route is the same as in recorded route R1, but the user is Tanaka, and the date and time of use is January 4, 2019, at 9:33:21 AM.

[0088] The display screen may include a map screen in which each actual route constituting each recommended route is displayed superimposed on a map in a distinguishable manner, or it may include a list screen in which each actual route constituting each recommended route is displayed in a distinguishable manner.

[0089] Figure 10 shows a display screen G1 of the first example in Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. Display screen G1 overlays the recommended route, which consists of actual route 1010 and actual route 1020, onto the map. Display screen G1 also displays actual route 1010 and actual route 1020 in different colors. This allows the user to easily understand the sections of the actual route that make up the recommended route.

[0090] The actual route 1010 is associated with the driving status display frame 1011. The actual route 1020 is associated with the driving status display frame 1021.

[0091] Driving status display frames 1011 and 1021 each display the user and the date and time of use recorded in the performance database 131A. Driving status display frame 1011 shows that Mr. Yoshida used performance route 1010 at 12:33:12 on July 4, 2019. Driving status display frame 1021 shows that Mr. Hamada used performance route 1020 at 8:00:02 on October 4, 2020.

[0092] By displaying the actual route associated with the person who used it, it is possible to give users a sense of confidence that, for example, if the person using the route is a trustworthy individual, then the actual route should be a travel route that captures road connectivity. Furthermore, by displaying the date and time of use for the actual route, it is possible to give users a sense of confidence that traffic conditions should be good around that time.

[0093] For example, if the performance database 131A records multiple users as users of the performance route 1010, the output unit 124A should display the user with the highest number of uses in the driving status display frame 1011. Furthermore, if the performance database 131A records multiple usage dates and times for the performance route 1010 for the user with the highest usage count, the output unit 124A should display a usage date and time that represents these multiple usage dates and times in the driving status display frame 1011.

[0094] The driving status display frame 1021 shows "1 other." This is because, in addition to the recorded route 1020, there was another recorded route with the same start and end points as recorded route 1020. This is just one example, and "1 other person" could be displayed instead of "1 other." "1 other person" indicates that there was one other person besides Hamada who used recorded route 1020. This allows users to understand the popularity of recorded route 1020.

[0095] The representative usage date and time could be, for example, the most recent usage date and time, or it could be the average of multiple usage dates and times. Alternatively, the representative usage date and time could be a time slot that is frequently used.

[0096] Figure 11 shows a display screen G2 of a second example in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. Display screen G2 includes a list screen that displays the actual route 1110 and the actual route 1120 in a list.

[0097] Actual route 1110 is a travel route from point "A" to point "B" via roads "c", "d", and "e". Actual route 1120 is a travel route from point "B" to point "C" via road "h". Point "A" is the starting point of the recommended route, and point "C" is the ending point of the recommended route.

[0098] The actual route 1110 is associated with the driving status display frame 1111. The actual route 1120 is associated with the driving status display frame 1121.

[0099] The contents of the driving status display frame 1111 and the driving status display frame 1121 are the same as those of the driving status display frame 1021 and the driving status display frame 1011, respectively.

[0100] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of server 1A in Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. In Figure 8, the same reference numerals are used for the same processes as in Figure 6, and their descriptions are omitted. Note that steps S8 and S9 shown in Figure 6 are omitted in Figure 8. Also, if the answer in step S5 is NO, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0101] In step S20, following step S7, the output unit 124A determines the recommended route for the group with the largest number of recommended routes among all groups.

[0102] In step S21, the output unit 124A refers to the performance database 131A and determines the top user of each performance route that constitutes the single recommendation route to be output.

[0103] In step S22, the output unit 124A determines the usage date and time for the highest-ranking user of each actual route. If multiple usage dates and times are recorded in the actual route for the highest-ranking user, the output unit 124A only needs to determine a representative usage date and time from these multiple usage dates and times.

[0104] In step S23, the output unit 124A outputs display data for a display screen that shows one recommended route to be output, and the users and usage dates and times of each actual route that constitutes the recommended route. Here, the display data is sent to the administrator terminal 2 and the driver terminal 3. The administrator terminal 2 and the driver terminal 3 display the display screen based on the received display data. As a result, display screen G1 or display screen G2 is displayed to the administrator terminal 2 and the driver terminal 3.

[0105] Thus, according to Embodiment 2, since the driving status is displayed in association with the actual route, it is possible to provide users with information to help them make a decision when selecting a recommended route.

[0106] (Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 outputs the top m-ranked recommended route when multiple recommended routes are generated. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of server 1B in Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. In Embodiment 3, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in Embodiments 1 and 2, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0107] The processor 12B of server 1B includes a performance acquisition unit 121B, a query acquisition unit 122, a generation unit 123, and an output unit 124B. The performance acquisition unit 121B acquires selection information indicating one recommended route selected by the user from among multiple output recommended routes. The selection information is transmitted from the administrator terminal 2 or the driver terminal 3 and received by the communication circuit 11. The performance acquisition unit 121B records the performance routes that constitute the one recommended route indicated by the selection information in the performance database 131A.

[0108] If the recommended routes generated by the generation unit 123 include multiple recommended routes, the output unit 124B classifies those with matching content into multiple groups, determines the number of recommended routes in each group, and outputs the recommended routes of the groups up to the top m (where m is an integer of 2 or more) in terms of the number of routes.

[0109] Figure 14 shows a display screen G3 of the first example in Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. Display screen G3 overlays two recommended routes on the map: a first recommended route consisting of actual route 1410 and actual route 1450, and a second recommended route consisting of actual route 1430 and actual route 1450. Display screen G3 also displays actual route 1410, actual route 1430, and actual route 1450 in different colors.

[0110] The first display frame 1420 is associated with the actual route 1410. The second display frame 1440 is associated with the actual route 1430. The first display frame 1420 shows the driving status for the first recommended route. The second display frame 1440 shows the driving status for the second recommended route.

[0111] The first display frame 1420 includes the driving status display frame 1421, the driving status display frame 1422, and the selection button 1423. The driving status display frame 1421 displays the person who used the actual route 1410 and the date and time of use by that person. The driving status display frame 1422 displays the person who used the actual route 1450 and the date and time of use by that person.

[0112] Since the recorded route 1410 was used by Mr. Sakiyama at 10:33:11 on August 4, 2019, the driving status display frame 1421 displays this information. The reason why the driving status display frame 1421 displays Mr. Sakiyama as the user is that Mr. Sakiyama had the highest number of entries for recorded route 1450 recorded in the recorded database 131A. Also, the usage date and time displayed in the driving status display frame 1421 is a representative usage date and time from the usage date and time of the user with the highest number of entries, as in Embodiment 2. These points are the same for the other driving status display frames 1422, 1441, and 1442.

[0113] Since route 1450 was used by Mr. Yoshida on July 4, 2019 at 12:33:12, the driving status display frame 1422 will display this information.

[0114] The selection button 1423 is a button that accepts user input to select the first recommended route. When the selection button 1423 is selected, selection information indicating that the first recommended route has been selected is sent from the administrator terminal 2 or the driver terminal 3 to the server 1. Also, when the selection button 1423 is selected, the driver terminal 3 may start navigation to the first recommended route.

[0115] The second display frame 1440 includes the driving status display frame 1441, the driving status display frame 1442, and the selection button 1443. The driving status display frame 1441 displays the person who used the actual route 1430 and the date and time of use by that person. Since the actual route 1430 was used by Hamada on October 4, 2020 at 8:00:02, the driving status display frame 1441 displays this information.

[0116] The driving status display frame 1442 displays the person who used the actual route 1450 and the date and time of use by that person. Here, the driving status display frame 1442, like the driving status display frame 1422, displays the driving status of the actual route 1450, and therefore its content is identical to that of the driving status display frame 1422.

[0117] The selection button 1443 is a button that accepts user input to select the second recommended route. When the selection button 1443 is selected, selection information indicating that the second recommended route has been selected is sent from the administrator terminal 2 or the driver terminal 3 to the server 1. Also, when the selection button 1443 is selected, the driver terminal 3 may start navigation to the second recommended route.

[0118] In Figure 14, two recommended routes are displayed because the output unit 124B outputs the top two recommended routes out of multiple recommended routes. When the top m recommended routes are output, the display screen G3 displays m recommended routes.

[0119] Figure 15 shows a display screen G4 of a second example in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. Display screen G4 includes a first list screen 1510 and a second list screen 1520. The first list screen 1510 displays a list of actual routes that constitute the first recommended route. The second list screen 1520 displays a list of actual routes that constitute the second recommended route.

[0120] The first list screen 1510 includes the actual route 1511, the actual route 1512, the driving status display frame 1513, the driving status display frame 1514, and the selection button 1515.

[0121] Actual route 1511 is the route from point "A" to point "B" via road "f" and road "g". Actual route 1512 is the route from point "B" to point "C" via road "h". The contents of the driving status display frames 1513 and 1514 are the same as the driving status display frames 1421 and 1422 shown in Figure 14, respectively.

[0122] The selection button 1515 is the same as the selection button 1423 shown in Figure 14.

[0123] The second list screen 1520 includes the actual route 1521, the actual route 1522, the driving status display frame 1523, the driving status display frame 1524, and the selection button 1525. The actual route 1521 and the actual route 1522 are the same as the actual route 1110 and the actual route 1120 shown in Figure 11, respectively. The driving status display frame 1523 and the driving status display frame 1524 are the same as the driving status display frame 1441 and the driving status display frame 1442 shown in Figure 14, respectively. The selection button 1525 is the same as the selection button 1443 shown in Figure 14.

[0124] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of server 1B in Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. In the flowchart of Figure 13, the same reference numerals are used for the same processes as in Figure 8, and their descriptions are omitted. In Figure 13, if the answer is NO in step S5, the process proceeds to step S32.

[0125] In step S31, following step S7, the output unit 124B determines the recommended routes of the top m groups to be output. For example, suppose the processing result of step S7 yields 2 recommended routes for the group "AcdeBhC" and 1 recommended route for the group "AfgBhC". Also, suppose m=2. In this case, the recommended routes "AcdeBhC" and "AfgBhC" from the top two groups are determined to be output.

[0126] In step S32, the output unit 124B determines the highest-ranking user of each actual route that constitutes each of the top m-rank recommended routes determined in step S31.

[0127] In step S33, the output unit 124B determines the date and time of use for the highest-ranking user of each actual route.

[0128] In step S34, the output unit 124B outputs display data for a display screen that shows the recommended routes up to the top m-th rank, and the users and usage dates and times for each actual route that constitutes each of the recommended routes up to the top m-th rank. As a result, display screen G3 or display screen G4 is displayed on the administrator terminal 2 and the driver terminal 3.

[0129] In step S35, the performance acquisition unit 121B acquires selection information indicating the 1 recommended route selected by the user from among the top m recommended routes. This selection is made by selecting the selection button 1423 or selection button 1443 shown on display screen G3, or the selection button 1515 or selection button 1525 shown on display screen G4.

[0130] In step S36, the performance acquisition unit 121B records the recommended route 1 indicated by the selection information in the performance database 131A. For example, if the recommended route 1 consists of the performance route R1 and performance route R4 shown in Figure 5, the performance acquisition unit 121B can decompose the recommended route 1 into performance route R1 and performance route R4, and record the decomposed performance route R1 and performance route R4 in the performance database 131A. In this case, the performance acquisition unit 121B can record the selected user as the user and the selected date and time as the usage date and time in the performance database 131A. Furthermore, in this case, the administrator terminal 2 or driver terminal 3 can include the name of the selected user and the selected date and time in the selection information and send it to the server 1.

[0131] Thus, according to Embodiment 3, recommended routes for groups up to the top m-th rank are output, allowing for the presentation of a diverse range of recommended routes to the user. Furthermore, since the user's selection results for the recommended routes are reflected in the performance database 131A, the recommended routes selected by the user can be used as performance routes to generate new recommended routes.

[0132] The following modifications may be adopted for this disclosure.

[0133] (Variation 1) If the result in step S11 in Figure 6 is determined to be YES, instead of outputting a failure flag (step S12), the generation unit 123 may use a conventional pathfinding solver, such as a mathematical programming solver or a path imitation solver, to search for a recommended path corresponding to the query.

[0134] (Modification 2) If other actual routes with the same start and end points as each actual route constituting the recommended route to be output are recorded in the actual route databases 131 and 131A, the output unit 124 may select one of the other actual routes and output the selected actual route. For example, the output unit 124 may output the actual routes up to the highest number r (where r is an integer greater than or equal to 1) among the other actual routes. In this case, the output unit 124 may also display the driving status associated with the selected actual route.

[0135] (Variation 3) In step S21 of Figure 8, the output unit 124A determines the highest-ranking user for each performance route. However, it may also determine the top n (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) users for each performance route to be displayed. Furthermore, in this case, in step S22, it may also determine the usage date and time to display the usage date and time for each of the top n users. These considerations are also applicable to the flowchart in Figure 13.

[0136] (Modification 4) Each block of the processor 12 is provided by server 1, but this disclosure is not limited to this, and may also be provided by administrator terminal 2 and driver terminal 3. Alternatively, server 1 may provide some of the blocks of the processor 12, and administrator terminal 2 and driver terminal 3 may provide the remaining blocks. In these embodiments, the performance database 131 may be provided by server 1, by administrator terminal and driver terminal 3, or by a server other than server 1. [Industrial applicability]

[0137] This disclosure is useful in route search applications because it can generate travel routes that reflect human preferences while also capturing road connectivity.

Claims

1. A computer is a method of information processing that generates paths, A set of actual data is obtained that records actual route information, which is a combination of an actual route, which is the past travel route between the starting point and the ending point, and an actual route information. The query that includes the start and end points recorded in the aforementioned performance data set is retrieved. The system searches for the actual route information from the actual data set, and by concatenating one or more actual routes recorded in the actual data set corresponding to the searched actual route information, it generates one or more recommended routes whose starting point and ending point match the starting point and ending point of the query. Output one or more recommended routes as described above. In the output of the one or more recommendation routes, if the one or more recommendation routes include multiple recommendation routes, the number of matching entries in each recommendation route is determined, and the one or more recommendation routes that include the recommendation route with the largest number of matching entries are output. Information processing methods.

2. The aforementioned actual route information is further associated with driving conditions, In the output of the recommended route, display data for a display screen is output that associates the driving status with the one or more actual routes that constitute each recommended route. The information processing method according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned driving conditions include at least one of the users who used the one or more actual routes that constitute each recommended route, and the date and time of use by the user. The information processing method according to claim 2.

4. Furthermore, based on the aforementioned performance data set, the top n (where n is an integer of 1 or more) users with the highest usage frequency for each of the one or more performance routes constituting each recommendation route, and the date and time of use for each user are determined. The display screen shows the determined top n users and the date and time of use for each user, in association with the one or more actual routes that constitute each recommendation route. The information processing method according to claim 3.

5. The driving conditions include the person who used the one or more actual routes that constitute each recommended route, The information processing method according to claim 2.

6. The driving status includes, based on the performance data set, the top n (where n is an integer of 1 or more) users with the highest usage frequency for each of the one or more performance routes that constitute each recommended route, The information processing method according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned display screen includes a map screen in which one or more actual routes constituting each recommended route are displayed superimposed on a map in a distinguishable manner. The information processing method according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. The aforementioned display screen includes a list screen in which one or more actual routes constituting each recommended route are displayed in a distinguishable list. The information processing method according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

9. In the output of the one or more recommendation routes, if the one or more recommendation routes include multiple recommendation routes, those with matching content are classified into multiple groups, the number of recommendation routes constituting each group is determined, and the recommendation routes of the groups up to the top m (where m is an integer of 1 or more) are output. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Furthermore, selection information is obtained that indicates one recommendation route selected by the user from among the one or more recommendation routes mentioned above. In acquiring the aforementioned performance data set, the performance routes that constitute the recommended route described in 1 above are recorded in the performance data set. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The aforementioned actual route consists of multiple roads. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. In generating the one or more recommended routes, the one or more recommended routes are generated such that the number of connections of the one or more actual routes is minimized. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. In generating one or more recommendation paths, the number of connections is increased one by one as the process attempts to generate one or more recommendation paths, and the process terminates when one or more recommendation paths have been generated. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. An information processing device for generating routes, A performance acquisition unit acquires a set of performance data that records performance route information, which is a combination of a starting point, an ending point, and a performance route which is the travel path between the starting point and the ending point. A query acquisition unit that acquires queries including the start and end points recorded in the aforementioned performance data set, A generation unit that searches for the actual route information from the actual data set, and generates one or more recommended routes whose starting point and ending point coincide with the starting point and ending point of the query by concatenating one or more actual routes recorded in the actual data set corresponding to the searched actual route information, The system includes an output unit that outputs one or more recommended routes, The output unit, when the one or more recommendation routes include multiple recommendation routes, determines the number of matching recommendation routes and outputs the one or more recommendation routes that include the recommendation route with the largest number of matching routes. Information processing device.

15. A program that causes a computer to function as an information processing device that generates routes, A performance acquisition unit acquires a set of performance data that records performance route information, which is a combination of a starting point, an ending point, and a performance route which is the travel path between the starting point and the ending point. A query acquisition unit that acquires queries including the start and end points recorded in the aforementioned performance data set, A generation unit that searches for the actual route information from the actual data set, and generates one or more recommended routes whose starting point and ending point coincide with the starting point and ending point of the query by concatenating one or more actual routes recorded in the actual data set corresponding to the searched actual route information, It functions as an output unit that outputs one or more recommended routes. The output unit, when the one or more recommendation routes include multiple recommendation routes, determines the number of matching recommendation routes and outputs the one or more recommendation routes that include the recommendation route with the largest number of matching routes. program.

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