Information provision system

Abstract

To suppress a repeated notification of the same item in accident dangerous location information to a driver.SOLUTION: An information providing system comprises a storage device storing therein accident dangerous location information including a plurality of items. The plurality of items includes positional information of a point where an attention is required and precautions at the point. A CPU stores in the storage device history information indicating whether or not a driver is notified of each of the plurality of items. The CPU acquires information on a predetermined travel route of a vehicle which is driven by the driver (S300), extracts an item of which the driver is not notified (S302) while responding to points included in the predetermined travel route based on the accident dangerous location information, the history information, and the information on the predetermined travel route, and notifies the driver of the extracted item (S304) before the driver starts driving.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing system.

Background Art

[0002] The information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 notifies an alert message to the driver of a vehicle when the vehicle approaches an accident-prone area. The alert message prompts the driver to pay attention to the accident-prone area.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a driver repeatedly passes through the accident-prone area, the information processing apparatus notifies the driver of an alert message each time. Since the driver is repeatedly warned about the same matter, this may cause discomfort to the driver.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] Means for solving the above problem and the operational effects thereof are described below. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information provision system is provided comprising a storage device and a processing circuit, wherein the storage device stores accident risk location information including a plurality of items, each of the plurality of items including location information of a point requiring attention and precautions for that point, and the processing circuit is configured to store in the storage device history information indicating whether or not the driver has been notified about each of the plurality of items, to acquire information about the planned route of the vehicle driven by the driver, to extract items that correspond to points included in the planned route and have not been notified to the driver, based on the accident risk location information, the history information and the information about the planned route, and to notify the driver about the extracted items before the driver starts driving. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] With the above configuration, items that have already been notified to the driver will not be notified again. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the driver from being repeatedly notified of the same items. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an information provision system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of accident risk location information and history information. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the information provision system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following description of an information provision system according to one embodiment will be provided with reference to the drawings. <Schematic diagram of information provision system 10> Figure 1 shows the information provision system 10. The information provision system 10 comprises a CPU, RAM, a storage device 12, and a communication device 14. The storage device 12 is, for example, ROM. The CPU of the information provision system 10 can communicate with the administrator's terminal 20 and multiple driver terminals 30-1, 30-2, ..., 30-N via the communication device 14.

[0009] In this embodiment, the information provision system 10 is used when a driver, an employee of a delivery company, delivers a package. The terminals 30-1, 30-2, ..., 30-N of the multiple drivers are computers provided to each of the multiple drivers. These computers may be mobile terminals or desktop computers. For example, a driver inputs their planned route into the computer. In response, the information provision system 10 executes the process shown in Figure 3, which will be described later. The terminals 30-1, 30-2, ..., 30-N of the multiple drivers may be car navigation devices installed in the vehicles. In this case, the driver inputs their identification information and planned route into the car navigation device before starting to drive the vehicle. This allows the car navigation device to notify the information provision system 10 that the driver corresponding to the identification information is about to start driving the vehicle. In response, the information provision system 10 executes the process shown in Figure 3, which will be described later.

[0010] The storage device 12 of the information provision system 10 stores accident risk location information and history information, as will be described later with reference to Figure 2. The history information indicates whether or not the driver has been notified about each of the multiple items in the accident risk location information. The CPU of the information provision system 10 notifies the driver only about items that correspond to locations included in the planned driving route and that the driver has not been notified about before. The items that are notified are those that meet one or more of the conditions (if specified) described later.

[0011] <Example of accident risk location information and history information> Referring to Figure 2, an example of accident risk location information and history information will be explained. The storage device 12 stores accident risk location information that includes multiple items. Each of the multiple items includes location information of a point requiring attention, one or more conditions, and precautions for that point. One or more conditions are the direction of travel of the vehicle, the type of vehicle, the time of day, the day of the week, and the weather. For example, a precaution such as "Point P1 is an intersection without traffic lights, so drivers need to be careful" is associated with point P1. For example, a precaution such as "Point P2 is a steep slope, so drivers need to be careful" is associated with point P2. For points P1 and P2, the direction of travel of the vehicle, the type of vehicle, the time of day, the day of the week, and the weather are not specified. In other words, if any driver is planning to pass through point P1 for the first time, they will be notified of the precautions associated with point P1. Similarly, if any driver is planning to pass through point P2 for the first time, they will be notified of the precautions associated with point P2.

[0012] At location P3, large vehicles are specified as the vehicle type. For example, a warning such as "Location P3 is a narrow area, so drivers of large vehicles should be careful" is associated with location P3. At location P3, the direction of travel, time of day, day of the week, and weather are not specified. Therefore, all drivers of large vehicles will be notified of the warnings associated with location P3 if it is their first time passing through location P3. In contrast, drivers of medium-sized vehicles, for example, will not be notified of the warnings associated with location P3, regardless of whether it is their first time passing through location P3 or not.

[0013] At location P4, the direction of travel is specified as west, the time of day as evening, and the weather as sunny. For example, a warning such as "Location P4 is a place where the setting sun is dazzling, so drivers should be careful of the setting sun on sunny evenings" is associated with location P4. At location P4, the vehicle type and day of the week are not specified. Therefore, all drivers who plan to pass through location P4 for the first time in a westward direction on a sunny evening will be notified of the warning associated with location P4. In contrast, for example, a driver who plans to pass through location P4 in a southward direction will not be notified of the warning associated with location P4, regardless of whether it is their first time passing through location P4 or not.

[0014] The CPU of the information provision system 10 stores in the storage device 12 historical information indicating whether or not each of the multiple items has been notified to the driver. In the example shown in Figure 2, none of the cautionary notes associated with locations P1 to P4 have been notified to driver A. None of the cautionary notes associated with locations P1 to P4 have been notified to driver B. The historical information is used in step S302 shown in Figure 3, which will be described later, to extract items that have never been notified to the driver.

[0015] <Processing performed by the information provision system 10> Referring to FIG. 3, a process executed by the information providing system 10 will be described. Driver A has a terminal 30-1. Driver A inputs a scheduled travel route into the terminal 30-1. In response, the terminal 30-1 transmits information about the scheduled travel route to the information providing system 10. Accordingly, the information providing system 10 acquires information on the scheduled travel route of the vehicle driven by the driver (step S300). Next, the information providing system 10 extracts items based on accident hazard location information, history information of Driver A, and information on the scheduled travel route (step S302). The extracted items correspond to locations included in the scheduled travel route and are items that have not been notified to Driver A before. Next, before Driver A starts driving, the information providing system 10 notifies Driver A and the administrator of the extracted items (step S304). The CPU of the information providing system 10 causes the terminal 30-1 of Driver A to display a notification about the extracted items through communication by the communication device 14. The CPU of the information providing system 10 may cause the terminal 20 of Driver A's administrator to display a notification about the extracted items through communication by the communication device 14. The information providing system 10 stores, in the storage device 12, information indicating that the extracted items have been notified to Driver A (step S306).

[0016] <Operation of the Present Embodiment> Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the upward direction is north. It is stored in advance in the storage device 12 that Driver A drives a medium-sized vehicle.

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a scheduled travel route when Driver A travels through the area shown in FIG. 4 for the first time. The history information of Driver A indicates that notification has not been given for a plurality of items respectively corresponding to points P1, P2, P3, and P4 (see FIG. 2).

[0018] As described above, the information providing system 10 extracts items based on accident hazardous location information, the history information of driver A, and information on the scheduled travel route (step S302). As shown in FIG. 4, the scheduled travel route of driver A includes point P1 and point P4. As described above, when all drivers are scheduled to pass through point P1 for the first time, they are notified of precautions associated with point P1. Driver A is scheduled to pass through point P4 in an eastbound direction. The precautions associated with point P4 are not necessary if the driver does not pass through point P4 in a westbound direction. Therefore, the information providing system 10 extracts only the item related to point P1 based on the accident hazardous location information, the history information of driver A, and the information on the scheduled travel route.

[0019] Next, the CPU of the information providing system 10 notifies driver A of the item related to point P1 (step S304). Next, the CPU of the information providing system 10 stores, in the storage device 12, information indicating that the item related to point P1 has already been notified to driver A (step S306).

[0020] Figure 5 shows the case where driver A drives the route shown in Figure 4, and then drives a route that partially overlaps with the route shown in Figure 4. The route shown in Figure 5 includes points P1, P2, P3, and P4. Driver A has been notified of the items corresponding to point P1 before starting to drive the route shown in Figure 5. Driver A has not been notified of the items corresponding to points P2, P3, and P4. As mentioned above, all drivers are notified of the precautions associated with point P2 if it is their first time passing through point P2. Drivers of medium-sized vehicles are not notified of the precautions associated with point P3, regardless of whether it is their first time passing through point P3. Drivers who are going south through point P4 are not notified of the precautions associated with point P4, regardless of whether it is their first time passing through point P4. As shown in Figure 5, driver A is going south through point P4. Therefore, the information provision system 10 extracts only the items related to point P2 based on the accident risk location information, driver A's history information, and the planned driving route information (step S302). In other words, the items related to point P1 are not extracted this time.

[0021] Next, the CPU of the information provision system 10 notifies driver A of the items related to location P2 (step S304). Then, the CPU of the information provision system 10 stores in the storage device 12 information indicating that driver A has been notified of the items related to location P2 (step S306).

[0022] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The information provision system 10 comprises a storage device 12 and a CPU. The storage device 12 stores accident risk location information that includes multiple items. Each of the multiple items includes location information of a point requiring attention and precautions for that point. The CPU is configured to store history information in the storage device 12 indicating whether or not the driver has been notified about each of the multiple items, to acquire information about the planned route of the vehicle being driven by the driver, to extract items that correspond to points included in the planned route and have not been notified to the driver, based on the accident risk location information, history information and the planned route information, and to notify the driver about the extracted items before the driver starts driving.

[0023] With the above configuration, items that have already been notified to the driver will not be notified again. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the driver from being repeatedly notified of the same items. (2) The information provision system 10 includes a communication device 14. The CPU is configured to display a notification about the extracted items on the terminal 30-1 of driver A through communication via the communication device 14.

[0024] With the above configuration, it is possible to convey precautions to driver A. Therefore, it helps prevent accidents. (3) The information provision system 10 includes a communication device 14. The CPU is configured to display a notification about the extracted items on the driver administrator's terminal 20 via communication from the communication device 14.

[0025] The above configuration makes it easier for managers to advise drivers on safety precautions, thus contributing to accident prevention. <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0026] In the above embodiment, each of the multiple items includes location information of the point requiring attention, the direction of travel of the vehicle, the type of vehicle, the time of day, the day of the week, the weather, and any precautions for that point. However, this is merely an example. For example, each of the multiple items could also include only location information of the point requiring attention and any precautions for that point.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the four items correspond to locations P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively. However, this is merely an example. For example, multiple items may correspond to location P1.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the information provision system 10 notifies the driver and the administrator of the extracted items before the driver starts driving (step S304). However, this is merely an example. For example, notification to the administrator may be omitted. Alternatively, notification to the driver may be omitted.

[0029] In the above embodiment, the CPU of the information provision system 10 can communicate with the administrator's terminal 20 and the terminals 30-1, 30-2, ..., 30-N of multiple drivers via the communication device 14. However, this is merely an example. For example, one computer may function as the information provision system 10, the administrator's terminal 20, and the terminals 30-1, 30-2, ..., 30-N of multiple drivers. In this case, the driver logs into the computer using their identification information. The driver inputs their planned route into the computer. The computer can use the inputted identification information to extract items that have not been previously notified to the driver.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the information provision system 10 includes a CPU, RAM, and a storage device 12 to execute software processing. However, this is merely an example. For example, the information provision system 10 may include a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that processes at least a part of the software processing performed in the above embodiment. That is, the information provision system 10 may have any of the following configurations (a) to (c): (a) The information provision system 10 includes a processing unit that executes all processing according to a program and a program storage device such as a ROM that stores the program. That is, the information provision system 10 includes a software execution unit. (b) The information provision system 10 includes a processing unit that executes part of the processing according to a program and a program storage device. Furthermore, the information provision system 10 includes a dedicated hardware circuit that executes the remaining processing. (c) The information provision system 10 includes a dedicated hardware circuit that executes all processing. Here, there may be multiple software execution units and / or dedicated hardware circuits. That is, the above processing can be executed by a processing circuitry that includes at least one of a software execution unit and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processing circuit may include multiple software execution devices and dedicated hardware circuits. The program storage device, i.e., computer-readable media, includes any available media accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 10... Information provision system, 12... Storage device, 14... Communication device, 20... Administrator's terminal, 30-1~30-2... Driver's terminal

Claims

1. Memory device and An information provision system comprising a processing circuit, The aforementioned storage device stores accident risk location information, which includes multiple items. Each of the aforementioned items includes location information of a point requiring attention, conditions for the vehicle's direction of travel, and precautions for that point. The aforementioned processing circuit is For each of the aforementioned items, historical information indicating whether or not the driver has been notified is stored in the storage device, To obtain information on the planned route of the vehicle driven by the aforementioned driver, Based on the accident risk location information, the history information, and the planned route information, extract items that correspond to points included in the planned route that meet the conditions when the vehicle passes through them, and that have not been notified to the driver. The system is configured to notify the driver of the extracted items before the driver starts driving, Information provision system.

2. Equipped with further communication devices, The processing circuit is configured to display a notification regarding the extracted items on the driver's terminal via communication by the communication device. The information provision system according to claim 1.

3. Equipped with further communication devices, The processing circuit is configured to display a notification regarding the extracted items on the driver administrator's terminal via communication by the communication device. The information provision system according to claim 1.

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