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

Abstract

An information processing device according to the present invention comprises a first transmitting unit, a second transmitting unit, a route information acquisition unit, an appropriateness determination unit, and a presentation control unit. The first transmitting unit transmits, to a first external device that, when a desired condition of a user for a movement plan from a point of departure is input, presents proposed information including a recommended visit spot to which visit from the point of departure is recommended, a request for presentation of the desired condition and the proposed information. The second transmitting unit transmits, to a second external device that is different from the first external device, route search condition information based on the proposed information that is presented by the first external device in response to the request for presentation. The route information acquisition unit acquires route information pertaining to a movement route which has been retrieved by the second external device according to the route search condition information and which passes through the recommended visit spot. The appropriateness determination unit determines the appropriateness of the movement route on the basis of a comparison between the desired condition and the route information. The presentation control unit presents the movement route as a movement plan that is recommended to the user, when the movement route is determined to be appropriate.

Description

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

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

[0002] Recent AI chatbots have advanced text interpretation and generation capabilities through pre-training with large amounts of text data on the Internet. They can search for information on the web in response to user questions and requests, summarize the search results, and provide answers. These AI chatbots can also listen to user requests and provide suggestions for related information and services. Therefore, for example, by linking AI chatbots with APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), it is possible to create applications with recommendation functions.

[0003] Incidentally, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a chatbot is used for voice dialogue (conversational input) to repeatedly ask and answer questions with a user, and present recommended information tailored to the user.

[0004] JP 2018-92585 A

[0005] However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques do not always provide an appropriate travel plan.

[0006] For example, chatbots can use natural language processing technology to generate appropriate responses to user input, but because they require prior training, their responses may not reflect the latest situation, and as a result, they may present inaccurate information that is not based on the most up-to-date information.

[0007] For this reason, there is a need for a method that can present an appropriate travel plan to a user even when the travel plan is based on recommendation information output by a chatbot that may not be up to date with the latest information.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and proposes an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that are capable of presenting an appropriate travel plan.

[0009] The information processing device described in claim 1 is characterized in that it comprises: a first transmission unit that transmits a presentation request for the desired conditions and the proposed information to a first external device that presents proposed information including recommended visiting spots, which are spots that are recommended to be visited from a departure point when the user inputs the desired conditions for a travel plan from the departure point; a second transmission unit that transmits route search condition information based on the proposed information presented by the first external device in response to the presentation request to a second external device different from the first external device; a route information acquisition unit that acquires route information regarding a travel route that passes through the recommended visiting spots, searched by the second external device in accordance with the route search condition information; a validity determination unit that determines the validity of the travel route based on a comparison between the desired conditions and the route information; and a presentation control unit that, when the travel route is determined to be valid, causes the travel route to be presented as a recommended travel plan for the user.

[0010] The information processing method described in claim 8 is an information processing method executed by an information processing device, and includes: a first transmission step of transmitting a presentation request for the desired conditions and the proposed information to a first external device that presents proposed information including recommended visiting spots, which are spots that are recommended to be visited from a departure point when the user inputs the desired conditions for a travel plan from the departure point; a second transmission step of transmitting route search condition information based on the proposed information presented by the first external device in response to the presentation request to a second external device different from the first external device; a route information acquisition step of acquiring route information regarding a travel route that passes through the recommended visiting spots, searched by the second external device in accordance with the route search condition information; a validity determination step of determining the validity of the travel route based on a comparison between the desired conditions and the route information; and a presentation control step of presenting the travel route as a recommended travel plan for the user when the travel route is determined to be valid.

[0011] The information processing program according to claim 9 is an information processing program executed by an information processing device, and causes the information processing device to execute the following steps: a first transmission procedure for transmitting a presentation request for the desired conditions and the proposed information to a first external device that presents proposed information including recommended visiting spots, which are spots that are recommended to be visited from a departure point when the user inputs the desired conditions for a travel plan from the departure point; a second transmission procedure for transmitting route search condition information based on the proposed information presented by the first external device in response to the presentation request to a second external device different from the first external device; a route information acquisition procedure for acquiring route information regarding a travel route that passes through the recommended visiting spots, searched by the second external device in accordance with the route search condition information; a validity determination procedure for determining the validity of the travel route based on a comparison between the desired conditions and the route information; and a presentation control procedure for presenting the travel route as a recommended travel plan for the user when the travel route is determined to be valid.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of dialogue control according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram (1) illustrating an information processing procedure according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram (2) illustrating an information processing procedure according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the functions of a terminal device 10 according to an embodiment.

[0013] [Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0014] One or more embodiments (including examples, modifications, and application examples) described below can be implemented independently. However, at least a portion of the embodiments described below may be implemented in appropriate combination with at least a portion of another embodiment. These embodiments may include novel features that are different from one another. Therefore, these embodiments may contribute to solving different purposes or problems and may produce different effects.

[0015] 1. System Configuration First, the configuration of a system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a system 1 as an example of a system according to an embodiment. Information processing according to the proposed technology of the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as "information processing according to an embodiment") is realized in the system 1.

[0016] 1 , the system 1 includes a terminal device 10, a first external device 40, and a second external device 70. The terminal device 10, the first external device 40, and the second external device 70 are connected to each other via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wired or wireless connection. The system 1 may include any number of terminal devices 10, any number of first external devices 40, and any number of second external devices 70.

[0017] The terminal device 10 may be an information processing terminal used by a user U who wishes to receive various pieces of recommended information through a dialogue via a recommendation service realized by the system 1. In other words, the terminal device 10 is an information processing device that presents information related to a recommendation target to the user U based on a dialogue with the user U.

[0018] For example, the terminal device 10 is a smartphone, a wearable device, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like.

[0019] As another example, the terminal device 10 may be implemented as a navigation device built into or mounted on a vehicle, i.e., an in-vehicle device. The terminal device 10 as an in-vehicle device may have not only a navigation function but also a recording function (a drive recorder function).

[0020] The first external device 40 may be any server device that can realize a dialogue with the user U.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first external device 40 is a chatbot device that operates as a general-purpose chatbot. The first external device 40 may be equipped with so-called generative AI (artificial intelligence that can create various content and ideas, such as conversations, stories, images, videos, and music). In addition, the generative AI uses a machine learning model, and, for example, repeatedly learns to realize a highly accurate dialogue with the user U.

[0022] For example, if the first external device 40 obtains user U's desired conditions for a travel plan from the departure point during a dialogue with the user U, it can present suggested information (recommendation information) including recommended visiting spots, which are spots that are recommended to be visited from the departure point.

[0023] On the other hand, because the first external device 40 requires training, the latest situation may not be reflected in the answers, and as a result, inaccurate recommendation information may be output that is not based on the latest information. For example, when the first external device 40 is having a conversation with the user U about a topic related to recommended visiting spots, the first external device 40 may recommend a spot (e.g., a store) that existed in the past but no longer exists. Alternatively, even if the spot does exist, the first external device 40 may search for a route based on old road information, and present a route that is currently unrealistic.

[0024] Consider a service that provides a user U with a travel plan based on recommendation information. For example, if inaccurate recommendation information such as that described above is used, the user U may be presented with a travel plan that includes a stopover at a spot that no longer exists or that provides guidance along an unrealistic route, making it impossible to provide an appropriate travel plan. Therefore, in the information processing according to the embodiment, a search for a travel route based on the recommendation information output by the first external device 40 is performed by a highly accurate external device specialized in route search (route guidance), i.e., the second external device 70, and the searched travel route is also verified to determine whether it is appropriate and satisfies the user U's requirements.

[0025] According to the information processing of the embodiment, if the first external device 40 can output accurate recommendation information according to the conditions of the user U, it can be determined that the travel route is appropriate based on the search results by the second external device 70. On the other hand, if the first external device 40 outputs inaccurate recommendation information that does not match the conditions of the user U, it can be determined that the travel route is inappropriate based on the search results by the second external device 70.

[0026] For this reason, according to the information processing of the embodiment, even if the first external device 40 is one that outputs inaccurate recommendation information that is not based on the latest information, it is possible to control so that a travel plan based on inaccurate recommendation information is not provided.

[0027] Furthermore, in the information processing according to the embodiment, various commands are sent to the chatbot device so that the chatbot device can be used effectively, thereby customizing the chatbot device. In this way, in the information processing according to the embodiment, the recommendation function of the first external device 40 is utilized, while important processing related to realizing a service that provides an appropriate travel plan to the user U is verified by the reliable second external device 70.

[0028] 1 , the second external device 70 is a high-precision server device that is updated to accommodate the latest information and is specialized in route search (route guidance). In other words, the second external device 70 may be a cloud navigation device.

[0029] 2. Example of Dialogue Control An example of dialogue control implemented by the system 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of dialogue control according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates a scene in which a dialogue via voice (voice dialogue) takes place between the user U and the system 1. In the voice dialogue, the user U, for example, inputs a spoken response into the microphone of the terminal device 10 in response to the output voice. The output voice here refers to a question voice corresponding to a question generated by the first external device 40 operating as a chatbot, and is output from the speaker of the terminal device 10.

[0030] First, the terminal device 10 may receive from the user U a specification of a category to which the recommendation target belongs (hereinafter abbreviated as "category of recommendation target"). There may be multiple categories of recommendation targets, such as "visit spots," "cooking recipes," and "music content." In this example, the terminal device 10 may display categories of recommendation targets such as "visit spots," "cooking recipes," and "music content" on the display screen, and allow the user U to select one from these options. For example, the terminal device 10 may receive a specification of a category of recommendation targets by a touch operation on the screen, or may receive a specification of a category of recommendation targets by voice input.

[0031] However, the information processing according to the embodiment is executed only when the user U specifies "visit spots" as a category of recommendation targets.

[0032] 2 shows an example in which a user U inputs a speech saying, "Tell me some recommended weekend outings," into the microphone of the terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 recognizes from the speech that the user U is requesting a travel plan that includes some "visit spot," such as a certain store, as recommendation information, and as a result, accepts the designation of "visit spot" as a category of recommendation targets.

[0033] Here, the terminal device 10 stores in its storage template information TP in which "categories," "candidates for question request information," and "candidates for proposal request information" are associated with each other. Thus, the terminal device 10 compares the category of "visiting spots" to be recommended with the template information TP, and generates question request information that requests the first external device 40 to output a question for narrowing down the recommended visiting spots SP.

[0034] According to the template information TP, the category "visiting spots" is associated with a candidate question request information "Please output a question to narrow down the recommended visiting spots." In Fig. 2, in accordance with the example, the terminal device 10 generates the question request information QR saying, "You are a travel planner. You are consulting with a person who is looking for a weekend outing spot. Please output a question to search for potential outing destinations."

[0035] The question request information QR can be said to be request information that requests the first external device 40 to output a question for prompting the user U to input desired conditions CD for the travel plan.

[0036] Then, the terminal device 10 transmits the question request information QR to the first external device 40 .

[0037] It is assumed that the first external device 40 generates a question QT such as “What kind of spots are you interested in?” in response to the question request information QR and outputs this to the terminal device 10 .

[0038] The terminal device 10 outputs a question voice synthesized from the question QT from the speaker. Fig. 2 shows an example in which the user U's speech response "Gourmet" to the question voice is input to the microphone. In this example, the user U's response "Gourmet" corresponds to the user U's desired condition CD for the travel plan.

[0039] When a response from the user U is obtained in this way, the terminal device 10 generates proposal request information that requests the first external device 40 to make a proposal regarding recommended visiting spots SP.

[0040] According to the template information TP, the category "visiting spot" is associated with a proposal request information candidate "name of visiting spot + location of visiting spot." In accordance with this example, Fig. 2 shows an example in which the terminal device 10 generates proposal request information PR1 stating, "Based on the client's response, please only respond with the 'name of visiting spot' and the 'location of recommended visiting spot.'"

[0041] In addition, the proposal request information PR1 can be said to be presentation request information that requests the first external device 40 to output proposal information in response to the user U's answer (desired conditions CD), specifically, recommendation information regarding recommended visiting spots SP in response to the user U's answer.

[0042] Then, the terminal device 10 transmits the proposal request information PR1 to the first external device 40. The terminal device 10 may transmit the proposal request information PR1 to the first external device 40 together with information indicating the response of the user U, i.e., the desired conditions CD of the user U.

[0043] Then, the first external device 40 identifies recommendation information RC regarding the recommended visiting spot SP based on the user U's answer "Gourmet" and the proposal request information PR1 "Name of visiting spot + location of visiting spot." Figure 2 shows an example in which the first external device 40 identifies the name of the visiting spot SP "Rusk Specialty Store NA" and the location of the recommended visiting spot SP "Takasaki City," and transmits the identified recommendation information RC to the terminal device 10.

[0044] Here, even if the first external device 40 is a device that may output inaccurate recommendation information RC that is not based on the latest information, the terminal device 10 uses the proposal request information to control the first external device 40 to search for detailed information that can uniquely identify the recommended visiting spot SP (the proper name and location of the recommended visiting spot SP). On the other hand, the terminal device 10 requests a second external device 70 that specializes in route search to search for a travel route using the recommendation information RC output by the first external device 40 and to determine the validity of the searched travel route.

[0045] Specifically, the terminal device 10 executes a route search including the location of the recommended visiting spot SP (a rusk specialty store NA in Takasaki City) by transmitting the recommendation information RC output by the first external device 40 as route search condition information SC to the second external device 70. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 10 transmits the route search condition information SC including the name of the visiting spot SP, "Rusk specialty store NA," and the location of the recommended visiting spot SP, "Takasaki City," to the second external device 70.

[0046] The second external device 70 generates route information RT regarding a travel route R that passes through recommended visiting spots SP based on the route search condition information SC.

[0047] Specifically, the second external device 70 searches for a travel route R. For example, the second external device 70 may search for a travel route R from the user U's departure point or current location to a recommended visiting spot SP, or may search for a travel route R from the user U's departure point or current location to the user U's destination that passes through the recommended visiting spot SP. The second external device 70 may also calculate a travel time T for the travel route R and a travel fare M required for traveling along the travel route R. The second external device 70 then generates route information RT including the travel route R, the travel time T, the travel fare M, etc.

[0048] Then, the second external device 70 transmits the route information RT to the terminal device 10 .

[0049] When the terminal device 10 acquires the route information RT from the second external device 70, the terminal device 10 determines the validity of the route information RT, whether the route information RT is valid to satisfy the desired conditions CD of the user U. Specifically, the terminal device 10 determines the validity of the travel route R based on a comparison between the desired conditions CD and the route information RT.

[0050] If the terminal device 10 determines that the travel route R is appropriate and satisfies the user's desired conditions CD (Yes), it presents the route information RT as a recommended travel plan for the user U. For example, the terminal device 10 may synthesize a voice that reads out the route information RT and output the synthesized voice from a speaker. Alternatively, the terminal device 10 may display the route information RT on a display screen.

[0051] On the other hand, if the terminal device 10 determines that the travel route R does not satisfy the user's desired conditions CD and is therefore inappropriate (No), it regenerates proposal request information requesting the first external device 40 to make proposals regarding recommended visiting spots SP. For example, the terminal device 10 generates proposal request information requesting the first external device 40 to make proposals regarding other recommended visiting spots SP using a similar method using template information TP. Here, other recommended visiting spots SP refer to spots other than the recommended visiting spot SP corresponding to the proposal request information PR1. Figure 2 shows an example in which the terminal device 10 generates proposal request information PR2 stating, "Based on the client's response, please only respond with the names and locations of other visiting spots."

[0052] The terminal device 10 transmits the proposal request information PR2 to the first external device 40. As a result, the process of identifying the recommendation information RC is executed again by the first external device 40. Furthermore, the process of generating the route information RT based on the re-identified recommendation information RC (route search conditions SC) is executed again by the second external device 70. Furthermore, the second external device 70 executes the validity determination process again by comparing the re-generated route information RT with the desired conditions CD.

[0053] In this way, if it is determined that the travel route R is not valid, the information processing according to the embodiment may be repeated until it is determined that the travel route R is valid.

[0054] Note that there may be a situation in which the travel route R continues to be determined to be invalid no matter how many times the information processing according to the embodiment is repeated. Therefore, an upper limit number N of times the information processing according to the embodiment is repeated may be set for the system 1. Furthermore, if the travel route R is determined to be invalid even after the upper limit number N has been reached, the terminal device 10 may be configured to cause the first external device 40 to change the content of the question, or to prompt the user U to re-enter an answer different from the previous answer (for example, a compromise answer).

[0055] 2 illustrates an example in which the terminal device 10 synthesizes a voice-based question voice from a question and outputs the synthesized voice-based question voice from a speaker. However, the terminal device 10 may also generate an image-based question voice from a question and display the generated question voice on a display screen. Furthermore, the user U may input a question by voice or by selecting a question on the screen. Furthermore, the number of questions used to narrow down the recommended visiting spots SP may be multiple, and the terminal device 10 may include information specifying the number of questions in question request information QR and transmit this information to the first external device 40. In other words, the number of questions to be output by the first external device 40 may be included in advance in the question request information of the template information TP held by the terminal device 10.

[0056] 3. Functional Configuration An example of the configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0057] (Communication Unit 11) The communication unit 11 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc. The communication unit 11 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from, for example, the first external device 40 and the second external device 70.

[0058] (Input Unit 12) The input unit 12 is an input device that accepts various inputs from the outside. For example, the input unit 12 is an operation device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or operation keys that the user U uses to perform various operations. If a touch panel is employed in the terminal device 10, the touch panel is also included in the input unit 12. In this case, the user U performs various operations by touching the touch panel. The input unit 12 also includes a microphone that accepts voice input by speaking.

[0059] (Output unit 13) The output unit 13 is a device that outputs various types of information to the outside, such as sound, light, vibration, and image. The output unit 13 outputs various types of information to the user U under the control of the control unit 15. The output unit 13 includes a display device that displays various types of information. The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display (OLED). The output unit 13 may be a touch panel display device. In this case, the input unit 12 and the output unit 13 may be considered to be an integrated configuration. The output unit 13 may also be a speaker.

[0060] (Storage Unit 14) The storage unit 14 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 14 may store, for example, data and programs related to the information processing according to the embodiment. Furthermore, according to the example of FIG. 3, the storage unit 14 may include a template storage unit 14a and a dialogue history storage unit 14b.

[0061] The template storage unit 14a stores template information TP. The dialogue history storage unit 14b stores history information of dialogues between the user U and the template storage unit 14a.

[0062] (Regarding the control unit 15) The control unit 15 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like using RAM as a work area to execute various programs (e.g., the information processing program according to the embodiment) stored in a storage device inside the terminal device 10. The control unit 15 is also realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0063] As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 15 includes a receiving unit 15a, a category designation unit 15b, a generation unit 15c, a first transmission unit 15d, a second transmission unit 15e, a receiving unit 15f, a validity determination unit 15g, and a presentation control unit 15h, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 15 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 3 and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below. Furthermore, the connection relationships between the processing units included in the control unit 15 are not limited to the connection relationships shown in Fig. 3 and may be other connection relationships.

[0064] (Reception unit 15a) The reception unit 15a receives information input via the input unit 12. For example, the reception unit 15a receives voice input by speaking via a microphone or touch input via a touch panel. For example, the reception unit 15a receives information indicating the user U's answer to a question.

[0065] The reception unit 15a also receives desired conditions of the user U. The desired conditions include a desired time required for the travel plan, a desired cost for the travel plan, and interesting spots to include in the travel plan. Therefore, the first external device 50 is controlled by the question request information to output a question that elicits these desired conditions from the user U.

[0066] (Category Designation Unit 15b) The category designation unit 15b accepts designation of a category to which a recommendation target that the user U desires to be proposed belongs from among a plurality of categories. For example, the category designation unit 15b may display categories of recommendation targets such as "visiting spots," "cooking recipes," and "music content" on the display screen and allow the user U to select one from these options, thereby accepting designation of the desired category.

[0067] As described above, the information processing according to the embodiment is executed when a designation of "visit spots" is accepted from the user U as a category of recommendation targets.

[0068] (Generation unit 15c) The generation unit 15c generates control information for controlling the first external device 40. For example, the generation unit 15c generates question request information that requests the first external device 40 to output a question for narrowing down recommended visiting spots. For example, the generation unit 15c generates the first external device 40 to output a question for prompting the user U to input desired conditions for a travel plan from a departure point. For example, when a designation of "visiting spots" as a category of recommendation targets is accepted from the user U, the generation unit 15c may generate the question request information based on template information TP in which "categories" and "candidates for question request information" are associated with each other.

[0069] Furthermore, the generation unit 15c generates proposal request information that requests a proposal regarding the recommended visiting spots SP from the first external device 40. For example, when a designation of "visiting spots" as a category of recommendation targets is accepted from the user U, the generation unit 15c may generate the proposal request information based on template information TP in which "categories" are associated with "candidates for proposal request information."

[0070] (First Transmission Unit 15d) The first transmission unit 15d transmits question request information and proposal request information to the first external device 40. For example, the first transmission unit 15d may transmit question request information when a category of “visiting spots” to be recommended is specified, and may transmit proposal request information when an answer from the user U to a question generated by the first external device 40 in response to the question request information is obtained.

[0071] If it is determined that the travel route is not valid, the first transmitting unit 15d transmits to the first external device proposal request information that requests the first external device 40 to make proposals regarding other recommended visiting spots that are different from the recommended visiting spots previously output by the first external device 40. The proposal request information for other recommended visiting spots is also generated by the generating unit 15c.

[0072] In addition, if the first transmission unit 15d determines that the travel route is invalid, it may generate information indicating the basis (reason) for determining that the route is invalid, and transmit the information indicating the basis to the first external device 40 as reference information (hint) for when the first external device 40 searches for other recommended visiting spots.

[0073] Furthermore, the first transmission unit 15d may also transmit the user U's desired conditions for the travel plan to the first external device 40. For example, when the user U inputs an answer to a question generated by the first external device 40 in response to the question request information, the first transmission unit 15d may transmit the input answer to the first external device 40 as the desired condition.

[0074] (Second Transmission Unit 15e) The second transmission unit 15e transmits route search condition information to the second external device 70. Specifically, the second transmission unit 15e generates route search condition information from the recommendation information output by the first external device 40 in response to the proposal request information, and transmits the generated route search conditions to the second external device 70.

[0075] (Receiving unit 15f) The receiving unit 15f receives, from the first external device 40, a question generated by the first external device 40 in response to question request information. The receiving unit 15f also receives, from the first external device 40, information on recommended visiting spots identified by the first external device 40 in response to proposal request information.

[0076] The receiving unit 15f also receives route information regarding a travel route that passes through recommended visiting spots and that is searched for in accordance with the route search condition information by the second external device 70. Thus, the receiving unit 15f corresponds to a route information acquiring unit.

[0077] (Validity Determination Unit 15g) The validity determination unit 15g determines the validity of a travel route based on a comparison between the desired conditions of the user U and the route information. For example, the validity determination unit 15g determines the validity of a travel route based on a comparison result between the desired required time of the user U and the travel time required to travel along the travel route. The validity determination unit 15g may determine that the travel route is valid if the desired required time of the user U is within the range of the travel time.

[0078] Furthermore, the validity determination unit 15g determines the validity of the travel route based on a comparison result between the travel fare and the desired fare of the user U. For example, the validity determination unit 15g determines the validity of the travel route based on a comparison result between the desired fare of the user U and the travel fare required for traveling along the travel route. The validity determination unit 15g may determine that the travel route is valid if the desired fare of the user U is within the range of the travel fare.

[0079] (Presentation control unit 15h) When the travel route is determined to be valid, the presentation control unit 15h presents route information regarding the travel route as a recommended travel plan for the user U. For example, the presentation control unit 15h may synthesize a voice that reads out the travel route and output the synthesized voice from a speaker. On the other hand, the presentation control unit 15h may display the travel route on a display screen.

[0080] 4 and 5, the procedure of information processing realized by the system 1 will be described. The scene illustrated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 corresponds to a detailed example of the content described in Fig. 2.

[0081] FIG. 4 is a diagram (1) showing an information processing procedure according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a user U inputs a speech, "Tell me some recommended weekend destinations," into the microphone of the terminal device 10. In this example, the category designation unit 15b recognizes that the user U is requesting a travel plan that includes "visiting spots" as recommendation information, and as a result, accepts the designation of "visiting spots" as a category of recommendation targets. In this way, the information processing according to the embodiment may proceed starting from the acceptance of the category of recommendation targets, "visiting spots."

[0082] For example, the generation unit 15c of the terminal device 10 generates control information for controlling the first external device 40 based on the template information TP, and transmits the generated control information to the first external device 40 (step S41).

[0083] For example, the generation unit 15c generates the category designation information CT based on the category "visit spots" of the recommendation target. Fig. 4 shows an example in which the generation unit 15c generates category designation information CT such as "You are a travel planner. You are consulting with people who are looking for weekend getaway spots." The category designation information CT can also be considered part of prompt information for requesting information from the first external device 40.

[0084] Furthermore, the generation unit 15c compares the category "visiting spots" to be recommended with the template information TP to generate question request information QR that requests the first external device 40 to output a question for narrowing down the recommended visiting spots SP. Fig. 4 shows an example in which the generation unit 15c generates question request information QR that reads, "To find potential destinations, please output a question sentence in accordance with the following conditions."

[0085] Furthermore, the generation unit 15c may further generate format specification information FM that defines, as an output format (output conditions) of the questions, the starting place [Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture], that the questions are in a format that allows free responses, the number of questions is [3], and that the questions are output one by one in sequence depending on the responses, depending on the content of the question request information QR. Note that the generation unit 15c may determine the starting place depending on the current location of the terminal device 10 or the content previously set by the user U, and may determine the number N of questions ("3" in the above example) depending on the content previously set by the user U.

[0086] Then, the first transmission unit 15d transmits the control information including the category designation information CT, the question request information QR, and the format designation information FM to the first external device 40. At this time, the first transmission unit 15d may transmit the proposal request information PR1 to the first external device 40 at the same time, or may transmit it later. In this embodiment, the proposal request information PR1 is transmitted later.

[0087] The first external device 40 generates a first question QT11 in response to the control information and transmits the generated question QT11 to the terminal device 10 (step S42). Fig. 4 shows an example in which the first external device 40 transmits the question QT11, "What means of transportation will you use?" to the terminal device 10.

[0088] When the receiving unit 15f receives the first question QT11, the presentation control unit 15h of the terminal device 10 synthesizes a voice-format question QS11 from the question QT11 and outputs the voice question QS11 from the speaker (step S43).

[0089] In response to the question voice QS11, the user U inputs an answer AN11, "My car," into the microphone. In this case, in response to the answer AN11 being accepted by the accepting unit 15a, the first transmitting unit 15d transmits information indicating the answer AN11 to the first external device 40 (step S44).

[0090] The first external device 40 then generates a second question QT12 in response to the control information and transmits the generated question QT12 to the terminal device 10 (step S45). Fig. 4 shows an example in which the first external device 40 transmits the question QT12, "How long can you spend driving?" to the terminal device 10.

[0091] When the receiving unit 15f receives the second question QT12, the presentation control unit 15h synthesizes a voice-format question QS12 from the question QT12 and outputs the voice question QS12 from the speaker (step S46).

[0092] In response to the question voice QS12, the user U inputs the answer AN12, "within six hours," into the microphone. In this case, in response to the answer AN12 being accepted by the accepting unit 15a, the first transmitting unit 15d transmits information indicating the answer AN12 to the first external device 40 (step S47).

[0093] The first external device 40 then generates a third question QT13 in response to the control information and transmits the generated question QT13 to the terminal device 10 (step S48). Fig. 4 shows an example in which the first external device 40 transmits the question QT13, "What kind of spots are you interested in?" to the terminal device 10.

[0094] When the receiving unit 15f receives the third question QT13, the presentation control unit 15h synthesizes a voice-format question QS13 from the question QT13 and outputs the voice question QS13 from the speaker (step S49).

[0095] In response to the question voice QS13, the user U inputs the answer AN13, "Gourmet," into the microphone. In this case, in response to the answer AN13 being accepted by the accepting unit 15a, the first transmitting unit 15d transmits information indicating the answer AN13 to the first external device 40 (step S50).

[0096] Here, at the time of step S50, question voices corresponding to a specified number of three question sentences (N=3) have been presented one by one in sequence according to the user U's answers, and answers to each question voice have been obtained.

[0097] Now, we move on to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram (2) illustrating an information processing procedure according to the embodiment. The generation unit 15c generates first proposal request information PR1 as proposal request information PR requesting a proposal regarding recommended visiting spots SP from the first external device 40, and the first transmission unit 15d transmits the proposal request information PR1 to the first external device 40 (step S51).

[0098] For example, the generation unit 15c generates the first proposal request information PR1 by comparing the category "visiting spots" to be recommended with the template information TP. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the generation unit 15c generates proposal request information PR1 that reads, "Based on the client's answer, please only respond with the 'name of the recommended visiting spot' and the 'location of the recommended visiting spot'. Please separate the name of the visiting spot and the location of the visiting spot with a comma." Note that the reason the "name of the recommended visiting spot" and the "location of the recommended visiting spot" are separated by a comma is to enable the terminal device 10 to distinguish between the text indicating the name of the recommended visiting spot and the text indicating the location of the recommended visiting spot.

[0099] The first external device 40 identifies recommendation information RC related to recommended visiting spots SP based on the responses AN11 to AN13 and the proposal request information PR1 "name of visiting spot + location of visiting spot" (step S52). Figure 5 shows an example in which the first external device 40 identifies recommendation information RC related to multiple recommended visiting spots SP. Specifically, the example shows the first external device 40 identifying a pair of the visiting spot SP name "Rusk Specialty Store NA" and the recommended visiting spot SP location "Takasaki City," and further identifying a pair of the visiting spot SP name "Pasta Specialty Store NB" and the recommended visiting spot SP location "Isesaki City."

[0100] It can be said that the first external device 40 performs a search process to search for recommended visiting spots SP based on the answers AN11 to AN13 and the proposal request information PR1 "name of visiting spot + location of visiting spot." Here, the user U may be able to input search criteria such as the planned date of visit and the number of visitors, regardless of the question from the first external device 40. For example, the receiving unit 15a of the terminal device 10 may receive input of search criteria from the user U, and when the user U inputs search criteria, the first transmitting unit 15d may transmit the search criteria input by the user U to the first external device 40.

[0101] When the first external device 40 receives search conditions (e.g., the planned date of visit and the number of visitors) input by the user U, it may search for recommended visiting spots SP that further take into consideration the search conditions input by the user U.

[0102] In addition, the first external device 40 transmits the recommendation information RC to the terminal device 10 (step S53).

[0103] When the receiving unit 15f receives the recommendation information RC, the second transmitting unit 15e of the terminal device 10 transmits the received recommendation information RC as route search condition information SC to the second external device 70 (step S54). As shown in Fig. 5, the second transmitting unit 15e transmits the route search condition information SC including the pair of the name of the visiting spot SP "Rusk Specialty Store NA" and the location of the recommended visiting spot SP "Takasaki City" to the second external device 70. The second transmitting unit 15e also transmits the route search condition information SC including the pair of the name of the visiting spot SP "Pasta Specialty Store NB" and the location of the recommended visiting spot SP "Isesaki City" to the second external device 70.

[0104] In addition, when search conditions (e.g., the planned date of visit or the number of visitors) are input by user U, the second transmission unit 15e may also transmit the search conditions input by user U to the second external device 70.

[0105] The second external device 70 generates route information RT regarding the travel route R that passes through the recommended visiting spots SP based on the route search condition information SC (step S55).

[0106] Specifically, the second external device 70 searches for a travel route R. For example, the second external device 70 may search for a travel route R from the user U's departure point or current location to the recommended visiting spot SP, or may search for a travel route R from the user U's departure point or current location to the user U's destination that passes through the recommended visiting spot SP.

[0107] Furthermore, the second external device 70 may calculate the travel time T for the travel route R and the travel fare M required for travel along the travel route R. When the user U inputs search conditions (for example, the planned date of visit and the number of visitors), the second external device 70 can calculate the travel time T and the travel fare M based on the search conditions input by the user U.

[0108] The second external device 70 then generates route information RT including the travel route R, travel time T, travel fare M, etc. The travel time T may be calculated by adding the average stay time at the visiting spot SP to the time required for travel, and if the means of travel is a personal car, the travel fare M may be calculated by adding the road toll and the energy fee for the personal car.

[0109] In the above example, two visiting spots SP, "Rusk Specialty Store NA" and "Pasta Specialty Store NB," are obtained by the search of the first external device 40. In this example, the second external device 70 may search for one travel route R that passes through both visiting spots SP at once, or may search for two travel routes R that pass through each of the two visiting spots SP individually.

[0110] The second external device 70 may also acquire the word-of-mouth reviews, business days, business hours, or average customer spending of the visiting spots SP as additional information to be presented together with the route information RT.

[0111] The second external device 70 transmits route information RT including the recommendation information RC to the terminal device 10 (step S56). Fig. 5 shows an example in which the second external device 70 transmits route information RT including recommendation information RC and information on the travel route R to the terminal device 10, such as "I recommend a pasta specialty store NA in Takasaki City. Directions to get there are...".

[0112] When the receiving unit 15f receives the route information RT, the validity determining unit 15g of the terminal device 10 determines whether the travel route R in the route information RT is valid and satisfies the desired conditions CD of the user U (step S57). Specifically, the validity determining unit 15g determines the validity of the travel route R based on a comparison between the desired conditions CD and the route information RT.

[0113] 5, the answers AN11 to AN13 of the user U correspond to the desired condition CD. Therefore, the validity determination unit 15g may determine whether the travel route R satisfies at least one of the answers AN11 to AN13 or all of the answers AN11 to AN13.

[0114] For example, when the answer AN12 indicates the user U's desired required time CD12 (an example of the desired condition CD), the validity determination unit 15g compares the user U's desired required time CD12 with the travel time T required for travel along the travel route R, and determines the validity of the travel route R based on the comparison result. If the user U's desired required time CD12 is within the range of the travel time T, the validity determination unit 15g may determine that the travel route R is valid. Alternatively, when the desired condition CD indicates the user U's desired fare, the validity determination unit 15g may compare the user U's desired fare with the travel fare M required for travel along the travel route R, and determine the validity of the travel route R based on the comparison result. If the user U's desired fare is within the range of the travel fare M, the validity determination unit 15g may determine that the travel route R is valid. Alternatively, the validity determination unit 15g may determine the validity of the travel route R based on the comparison result between the user U's desired fee and the total cost obtained by adding the travel fee M to a fee based on the average customer price at the visiting spot SP.

[0115] If the travel route R satisfies the desired conditions CD of the user U (step S57; Yes), the validity determination unit 15g determines that the travel route R is a valid route that can satisfy the user U (step S58). Then, the presentation control unit 15h presents the route information RT as a recommended travel plan for the user U (step S59). For example, the presentation control unit 15h may synthesize a voice that reads out the route information RT and output the synthesized voice from a speaker. Meanwhile, the presentation control unit 15h may display an image of the route information RT on a display screen. Furthermore, the presentation control unit 15h may output both the voice of the route information RT and an image of the recommendation information RC.

[0116] On the other hand, if the travel route R does not satisfy the user's desired conditions CD (step S57; No), the validity determination unit 15g determines that the travel route R is an invalid route that cannot satisfy the user U (step S60). Note that the travel route R may also be determined to be an invalid route if the second external device 70 is unable to search for the travel route R because, for example, the visiting spot SP proposed by the first external device 4 does not currently exist.

[0117] In this way, if it is determined that the travel route R does not satisfy the user's desired conditions CD and is therefore inappropriate, the generation unit 15c regenerates proposal request information PR that requests the first external device 40 to make proposals regarding recommended visiting spots SP.

[0118] Specifically, the generation unit 15c generates the second proposal request information PR2 as proposal request information PR requesting a proposal regarding the recommended visiting spot SP from the first external device 40, and the first transmission unit 15d transmits the proposal request information PR2 to the first external device 40 (step S61).

[0119] For example, the generation unit 15c generates proposal request information PR2 requesting the first external device 40 to make proposals regarding other recommended visiting spots SP using a similar method using the template information TP. Here, the other recommended visiting spots SP refer to spots other than the recommended visiting spots SP ("Rusk Specialty Store NA" and "Pasta Specialty Store NB") corresponding to the proposal request information PR1. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the generation unit 15c generates proposal request information PR2 that reads, "Based on the client's response, please only respond with the names of other visiting spots and their locations. Please separate the names of the visiting spots and their locations with a comma." At this time, the first transmission unit 15d may include information indicating the basis (reason) for determining that the travel route is inappropriate in the proposal request information PR2 and transmit it to the first external device 40. For example, if the proposal request information PR2 contains information to the effect that the previously proposed visiting spot SP would take too long, the first external device 40 can suggest a visiting spot SP that is closer to the user U's departure point or current location than the previous one.

[0120] As a result, the process returns to step S52, and the system 1 executes the processes from step S52 onwards again.

[0121] 5. Hardware Configuration The terminal device 10 described above may be realized, for example, by a computer 1000 configured as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment. The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, a HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0122] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 starts up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0123] The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via a predetermined communication network and sends it to the CPU 1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the predetermined communication network.

[0124] The CPU 1100 controls an output device such as a display and an input device such as a keyboard via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input device via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs generated data to the output device via the input / output interface 1600.

[0125] Media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in recording medium 1800 and provides it to CPU 1100 via RAM 1200. CPU 1100 loads the program or data from recording medium 1800 onto RAM 1200 via media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. Recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0126] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 1200 to realize the functions of the control unit 15. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 may obtain these programs from another device via a predetermined communication network.

[0127] [6. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in each of the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0128] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0129] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0130] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the aspects described in the "present invention" section and that have been modified and improved in various ways based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0131] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 System 10 Terminal device 12 Input unit 13 Output unit 14 Storage unit 15 Control unit 15a Reception unit 15b Category designation unit 15c Generation unit 15d First transmission unit 15e Second transmission unit 15f Reception unit 15g Validity determination unit 15h Presentation control unit

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a first transmission unit that transmits a presentation request for the desired conditions and the proposed information to a first external device that presents proposed information including recommended visiting spots that are spots that are recommended to be visited from a departure point when the user's desired conditions for a travel plan from a departure point are input; a second transmission unit that transmits route search condition information based on the proposed information presented by the first external device in response to the presentation request to a second external device different from the first external device; a route information acquisition unit that acquires route information regarding a travel route that passes through the recommended visiting spots and is searched by the second external device in accordance with the route search condition information; a validity determination unit that determines the validity of the travel route based on a comparison between the desired conditions and the route information; and a presentation control unit that, when the travel route is determined to be valid, causes the travel route to be presented as a recommended travel plan for the user.

2. The information processing device of claim 1, characterized in that the desired conditions include a desired travel time for the travel plan, the route information acquisition unit acquires the route information including the travel time for the travel route, and the validity determination unit determines the validity of the travel route based on a comparison result between the desired travel time and the travel time.

3. The information processing device of claim 1, characterized in that the desired conditions include a desired fee for the travel plan, the route information acquisition unit acquires the route information including a travel fee for travel along the travel route, and the validity determination unit determines the validity of the travel route based on a comparison result between the desired fee and the travel fee.

4. An information processing device as described in claim 1, further comprising a generation unit that generates question request information requesting the first external device to output a question for inputting the desired conditions to the user, wherein the presentation control unit causes the question output from the first external device in response to the question request information to be presented to the user, and the first transmission unit transmits the desired conditions including the user's answer to the question and the presentation request to the first external device.

5. The information processing device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the proposal information including a plurality of the recommended visiting spots is presented by the first external device, the second transmission unit transmits the route search condition information based on the proposal information including the plurality of the recommended visiting spots to the second external device, and the route information acquisition unit acquires the route information regarding the travel route that passes through the plurality of the recommended visiting spots.

6. The information processing device of claim 1, characterized in that, when the travel route is determined to be invalid, the first transmission unit transmits to the first external device a request for presentation of other recommended visiting spots different from the recommended visiting spots previously presented by the first external device.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, when the travel route is determined to be invalid, the first transmission unit generates information indicating the reason why the travel route is determined to be invalid, and transmits the information indicating the reason to the first external device as reference information for the first external device when searching for other recommended visiting spots.

8. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, comprising: a first transmission step of transmitting a presentation request for the desired conditions and the proposed information to a first external device that presents proposed information including recommended visiting spots that are spots that are recommended to be visited from a departure point when the user's desired conditions for a travel plan from a departure point are input; a second transmission step of transmitting route search condition information based on the proposed information presented by the first external device in response to the presentation request to a second external device different from the first external device; a route information acquisition step of acquiring route information regarding a travel route that passes through the recommended visiting spots and is searched by the second external device in response to the route search condition information; a validity determination step of determining the validity of the travel route based on a comparison between the desired conditions and the route information; and a presentation control step of presenting the travel route as a recommended travel plan for the user when the travel route is determined to be valid.

9. An information processing program executed by an information processing device, comprising: a first transmission step of transmitting a presentation request for the desired conditions and the proposed information to a first external device that presents proposed information including recommended visiting spots that are spots that are recommended to be visited from a departure point when the user's desired conditions for a travel plan from a departure point are input; a second transmission step of transmitting route search condition information based on the proposed information presented by the first external device in response to the presentation request to a second external device different from the first external device; a route information acquisition step of acquiring route information regarding a travel route that passes through the recommended visiting spots and is searched by the second external device in response to the route search condition information; a validity determination step of determining the validity of the travel route based on a comparison between the desired conditions and the route information; and a presentation control step of presenting the travel route as a recommended travel plan for the user when the travel route is determined to be valid.

Images