Information processing method, information processing device, and information processing system

Abstract

An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention: determines, on the basis of user information indicating an attribute or the like of a user and peripheral structure information which is information prepared in advance and related to a road structure or the like present at the boundary between a roadway and a sidewalk in a peripheral area of a desired getting on / off position where the user desires to get on / off, whether or not getting on / off at the desired getting on / off position is possible; and when getting on / off at the desired getting on / off position is not possible, sets a recommended getting on / off position, which is a position where getting on / off is possible in the peripheral area, as a getting on / off position.

Description

Information Processing Method, Information Processing Apparatus, and Information Processing System

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing system.

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques for appropriately setting the stop position (boarding / alighting position) of a vehicle for a user to board and alight have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a vehicle control device that determines the stop position of a vehicle so that a space for the user to board and alight is secured around the door of the vehicle used when the user boards and alights.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-111223

[0004] However, since the above-mentioned conventional technology does not consider the attributes and situations of the user, there is a problem that it may not be possible to set the stop position (boarding / alighting position) to a position where it is easy for the user to board the vehicle or alight from the vehicle. For example, when stopping at a position where the guardrail ends, depending on the physique of the passenger, some users may be able to pass through such an end, while other users may not be able to pass through such an end. Therefore, for some users, a situation may occur where they cannot pass through the end of the guardrail set as the stop position by the above-mentioned conventional technology and have to take a detour to move from the road to the sidewalk.

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its object is to provide an information processing method and an information processing apparatus capable of appropriately setting the boarding / alighting position where such a user boards and alights the vehicle according to the user.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method that causes a processor to perform a process of setting a boarding / alighting position, which is the position where a user boards or alights from a vehicle, wherein the processor performs the steps of: acquiring boarding / alighting desired position information, which indicates the boarding / alighting desired position, which is the position where the user wishes to board or alight from the vehicle; acquiring user information, which indicates at least one of the user's attributes and circumstances; and pre-prepared information, which concerns at least one of tactile paving blocks and road structures existing at the boundary between the roadway and the sidewalk in the area surrounding the boarding / alighting desired position. The system performs the following steps: acquiring information about surrounding structures; determining whether the user can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting location based on the user information and the surrounding structure information; and setting the boarding / alighting location, wherein if it is determined that the user can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting location, the desired boarding / alighting location is set as the boarding / alighting location; and if it is determined that the user cannot board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting location, the recommended boarding / alighting location, which is a location in the surrounding area where it is determined that the user can board or alight, is set as the boarding / alighting location based on the user information and the surrounding structure information.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing method and an information processing device that can appropriately set the boarding and alighting position for a user according to the user.

[0008] This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment. It shows an example of the boarding and alighting positions set for each user. It also shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. Finally, it illustrates an overview of the processing procedure of the information processing device according to the embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "this embodiment") will be described based on the drawings. However, this embodiment described below is merely illustrative in all respects of the present invention. Needless to say, various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, in carrying out the present invention, specific configurations according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted. Although the data appearing in this embodiment is described in natural language, more specifically, it is specified in pseudo-language, commands, parameters, machine code, etc., that can be recognized by a computer.

[0010] §1 Application Example Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the information processing system (information processing system Sys) according to this embodiment. The information processing system Sys is an information system that sets the boarding / alighting position BAP, which is the position where "user Us boards or alights from vehicle 1", and includes vehicle 1 and a server 2 configured to communicate with vehicle 1.

[0011] In the illustrated example, vehicle 1 includes an information processing device (information processing device 10), a vehicle transmission / reception unit 11, a vehicle control unit 12, a drive unit 13, and a detection unit 14 according to this embodiment, each of which is connected to each other by, for example, a CAN (Controller Area Network) or other in-vehicle LAN, and can communicate with each other.

[0012] The vehicle transmission / reception unit 11 enables wireless communication between the vehicle 1 and the server 2. The vehicle transmission / reception unit 11 includes a vehicle transmission unit that transmits predetermined information (for example, detection result information 212 described later) to the server 2, and a vehicle reception unit that receives predetermined information (for example, surrounding structure information ISS described later) from the server 2. The detection result information 212 indicates the detection result by the detection unit 14. The vehicle control unit 12 detects the state of the vehicle 1 and controls the state of the vehicle 1. The vehicle control unit 12 may be implemented by a so-called vehicle control ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The vehicle control unit 12 may be configured to enable autonomous driving of the vehicle 1, that is, the vehicle 1 may be an autonomous driving vehicle. The acceleration, deceleration, and steering of the vehicle 1 may be controlled by the driver's operation. The drive unit 13 enables the driving of the vehicle 1, and in this embodiment, the driving of the vehicle 1 is implemented according to the control of the vehicle control unit 12.

[0013] The detection unit 14 detects at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB located at the boundary between the roadway and the sidewalk. The detection unit 14 may, for example, detect the position, size, etc., of each of the multiple road structures SB to detect the interval between multiple adjacent road structures SB (the distance between the multiple road structures SB).

[0014] Road structures SB may include at least one of guardrails, planted trees, curbs, poles, and utility poles. Curbs include objects that create a step between the roadway and the sidewalk. The information processing device 10 determines, for example, the space between multiple adjacent road structures SB as a position where user Us can get on and off (recommended boarding / alighting position RP). When guardrails, etc. are detected as road structures SB, the information processing device 10 can determine the gap in such guardrails, etc. (i.e., the space between multiple adjacent guardrails, etc.) as a recommended boarding / alighting position RP.

[0015] As illustrated in Figure 1, the detection unit 14 may include at least one of the following imaging unit 14A and object detection unit 14E. That is, the imaging unit 14A images objects (targets) around the vehicle 1 and is implemented, for example, by a camera. The distance detection unit 14B measures the distance from the vehicle 1 to the target and also measures the size of the target (vertical height, horizontal length, etc.). The position detection unit 14C detects the position of the target. The direction detection unit 14D detects the direction from the vehicle 1 to the target. The object detection unit 14E detects the target. It is not essential for the detection unit 14 to include at least one of the imaging unit 14A and object detection unit 14E. The detection unit 14 may include radar, LiDAR, etc. instead of at least one of the imaging unit 14A and object detection unit 14E, or in addition to the imaging unit 14A and object detection unit 14E.

[0016] The detection unit 14 may detect at least one of the user Us's attributes and circumstances. For example, at least one of the user Us's attributes and circumstances may be detected from the captured image of the user Us captured by the imaging unit 14A.

[0017] In the illustrated example, server 2 includes a server transmitting / receiving unit 20, a server storage area 21, and a location information acquisition unit 22. The server transmitting / receiving unit 20 enables communication between server 2 and vehicle 1. The server transmitting / receiving unit 20 includes a server transmitting unit that transmits predetermined information (e.g., surrounding structure information ISS) to vehicle 1, and a vehicle receiving unit that receives predetermined information (e.g., detection result information 212) from vehicle 1. The server storage area 21 stores the detection result information 212 received by the vehicle receiving unit from vehicle 1. As described above, the detection result information 212 indicates the detection result of the detection unit 14 and is information indicating the location, size, etc., for at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB detected by the detection unit 14.

[0018] The server storage area 21 may store a passenger table 214, and the passenger table 214 may store at least one of the boarding / alighting location information IDP and user information IUS. The boarding / alighting location information IDP indicates the boarding / alighting location DP specified by the user Us as the location where they wish to board or alight from vehicle 1. The user information IUS indicates at least one of the user Us's attributes and circumstances, for example, at least one of the user Us's age, build, width, presence or absence of luggage, size of luggage, clothing, and presence or absence of physical disability. The information processing device 10 uses the user information IUS to extract a recommended boarding / alighting location RP for each user Us. The information processing device 10 can use the user information IUS, which indicates the user Us's age, etc., to extract a recommended boarding / alighting location RP for each user Us, taking into account the user Us's age, etc.

[0019] In this embodiment, user information IUS may be stored in the server storage area 21 of server 2. For example, user Us may register their user information IUS with server 2 before boarding vehicle 1. The information processing device 10 may then obtain user information IUS from server 2 when user Us boards vehicle 1. With this configuration, the information processing device 10 can extract recommended boarding / alighting locations RP for each user Us using the user information IUS that user Us has registered in advance. In addition, user Us may register their desired boarding / alighting location information IDP with server 2 before boarding vehicle 1.

[0020] The information processing device 10 may use at least one of the user Us attributes and status detected by the detection unit 14 of the vehicle 1 as user information IUS. User information IUS may be at least one of the information input by user Us and the information detected by the detection unit 14 of the vehicle 1. With this configuration, the information processing device 10 can extract a recommended boarding / alighting position RP for each user Us using at least one of the user information IUS input by user Us and the user information IUS detected by the detection unit 14.

[0021] The server storage area 21 illustrated in Figure 1 also stores unsuitable boarding / alighting information 216. The unsuitable boarding / alighting information 216 defines the conditions (unsuitable conditions) for a location (unsuitable boarding / alighting location USP) where it is determined that user Us cannot board or alight from vehicle 1, by associating them with at least one of user Us's attributes and circumstances.

[0022] The location information acquisition unit 22 acquires the location of at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB detected by the detection unit 14, and registers the location in the detection result information 212.

[0023] The information processing device 10 sets the boarding / alighting position BAP. When the user Us specifies the desired boarding / alighting position DP, the information processing device 10 sets the boarding / alighting position BAP using the user information IUS and the detection result information 212 (in particular, the surrounding structure information ISS) that is prepared in advance on the server 2. The surrounding structure information ISS is information about at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB in the surrounding area SA of the desired boarding / alighting position DP. If the detection result information 212 prepared in advance on the server 2 includes the surrounding structure information ISS, the information processing device 10 obtains the surrounding structure information ISS from the server 2 and sets the boarding / alighting position BAP from the surrounding structure information ISS and the user information IUS. Specifically, the information processing device 10 first determines whether or not user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, based on the user information IUS and the surrounding structure information ISS. If the information processing device 10 determines that it is possible for user Us to board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, it sets the desired boarding / alighting position DP as the boarding / alighting position BAP. If the information processing device 10 determines that it is not possible for user Us to board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, it extracts a recommended boarding / alighting position RP within the surrounding area SA based on user information IUS and surrounding structure information ISS. The information processing device 10 then sets the extracted recommended boarding / alighting position RP as the boarding / alighting position BAP.

[0024] In other words, the information processing device 10 determines whether user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting location DP, and extracts recommended boarding / alighting locations RP in the surrounding area SA, based on user information IUS and pre-prepared surrounding structure information ISS. For example, as shown in Figure 2, if the surrounding structure information ISS indicates that "user Us cannot board or alight from vehicle 1 at the desired boarding / alighting location DP because there is a road structure SB (for example, road structure SB(1) which is a guardrail) at the desired boarding / alighting location DP," the information processing device 10 performs the following processing. That is, the information processing device 10 extracts recommended boarding / alighting locations RP in the surrounding area SA of the desired boarding / alighting location DP based on the surrounding structure information ISS, and in particular, extracts recommended boarding / alighting locations RP taking into consideration user information IUS. In other words, for each user Us, the information processing device 10 extracts recommended boarding / alighting locations RP taking into consideration at least one of user Us's attributes and circumstances. In the illustrated example, for user Us(2), who is larger in stature than user Us(1), the information processing device 10 sets a recommended boarding / alighting position RP(2) as user Us(2)'s boarding / alighting position BAP(2), which is different from the recommended boarding / alighting position RP(1) for user Us(1). For example, if user information IUS(2) indicates that user Us(2) is large in stature, the information processing device 10 uses the surrounding structure information ISS to extract the following positions in the surrounding area SA. That is, the information processing device 10 uses the surrounding structure information ISS to extract positions in the surrounding area SA where multiple adjacent road structures SB (guardrails in the illustrated example) are spaced apart so that "user Us(2) can pass through". If the surrounding structure information ISS indicates that "the distance between road structures SB(1) and SB(2) is not sufficient for user Us(2) to pass through," but "the distance between road structures SB(2) and SB(3) is sufficient for user Us(2) to pass through," then the information processing device 10 extracts the position between road structures SB(2) and SB(3) as the recommended boarding / alighting position RP for user Us(2) (i.e., recommended boarding / alighting position RP(2)). Then, the information processing device 10 sets the extracted recommended boarding / alighting position RP(2) as the boarding / alighting position BAP(2) for user Us(2).Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately set the boarding / alighting position BAP for user Us to board and alight from vehicle 1, according to user Us. The information processing device 10, whose outline has been described above, will now be explained in detail using Figures 3 to 5.

[0025] §2 Configuration Example [Hardware Configuration] Figure 3(A) schematically shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3(A), the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 120, and a non-volatile memory 130. The CPU 110, RAM 120, and non-volatile memory 130 constitute, for example, a microcomputer (MPC). In the illustrated example, the non-volatile memory 130 stores an information processing program PG.

[0026] The information processing program PG is a program that causes the information processing device 10 to execute the information processing described later (Figure 5, etc.) for setting the boarding / alighting position BAP. The information processing program PG includes a series of instructions for said information processing. The CPU 110 executes the information processing for setting the boarding / alighting position BAP by reading the information processing program PG from the non-volatile memory 130 and using the RAM 120 as a working area.

[0027] Figure 3(B) shows an example of unsuitable boarding / alighting information 216 according to this embodiment. In the unsuitable boarding / alighting information 216 illustrated in Figure 3(B), at least one of the user Us's attributes and circumstances is associated with an unsuitable condition. The unsuitable condition is a condition relating to at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB for an unsuitable boarding / alighting position USP. A position where at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB satisfies the unsuitable condition is considered an unsuitable boarding / alighting position USP for a user Us having attributes, etc., corresponding to the unsuitable condition; in other words, it is a position where such user Us cannot board or alight from the vehicle 1. In the illustrated example, for a user Us having attributes, etc., such as "having a large build," a position that satisfies the unsuitable condition "multiple road structures SB are lined up at intervals of less than a predetermined distance" is considered an unsuitable boarding / alighting position USP. Therefore, for users Us who have attributes such as "having a large build," the information processing device 10 extracts locations that do not satisfy the unsuitable condition of "multiple road structures SB being lined up at intervals of less than a predetermined distance" as recommended boarding / alighting locations RP.

[0028] [Software Configuration] Figure 4 schematically illustrates an example of the software configuration of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. The CPU 110 expands the information processing program PG stored in the non-volatile memory 130 into the RAM 120, and controls each component by interpreting and executing the instructions contained in the expanded information processing program PG. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the information processing device 10 operates as a computer equipped with the following as software modules: detection result information acquisition unit 111, detection result information registration unit 112, user information acquisition unit 113, desired position acquisition unit 114, surrounding area setting unit 115, unsuitable boarding / alighting information acquisition unit 116, surrounding information acquisition unit 117, boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118, and boarding / alighting position setting unit 119. In other words, in this embodiment, each software module of the information processing device 10 is realized by the CPU 110.

[0029] The detection result information acquisition unit 111 acquires the detection result information 212, and the detection result information registration unit 112 transmits the detection result information 212 acquired by the detection result information acquisition unit 111 to the server 2 for storage on the server 2. For example, the detection result information registration unit 112 outputs the detection result information 212 to the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11 (particularly the vehicle transmission unit), causing the vehicle transmission unit to transmit the detection result information 212 to the server 2, and registers the detection result information 212 on the server 2.

[0030] In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 stores detection result information 212, which indicates at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB detected by the vehicle 1 (particularly the detection unit 14 provided by the vehicle 1), in the server 2. If the detection result information 212 stored in the server 2 includes surrounding structure information ISS, the information processing device 10 retrieves the surrounding structure information ISS from the server 2 and sets the boarding / alighting position BAP from the surrounding structure information ISS and user information IUS. By using information previously stored in the server 2 instead of "information detected by the vehicle 1 after it reaches the surrounding area SA," the information processing device 10 can appropriately set the boarding / alighting position BAP before the vehicle 1 reaches the surrounding area SA.

[0031] The user information acquisition unit 113 acquires user information IUS. The user information acquisition unit 113 may also acquire user information IUS from the detection unit 14. The user information acquisition unit 113 may cause the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11 (especially the vehicle receiving unit) to receive "user information IUS registered in the passenger table 214" from the server 2, and acquire the user information IUS received by the vehicle receiving unit from the vehicle receiving unit.

[0032] The desired location acquisition unit 114 acquires the boarding / alighting desired location information IDP. The desired location acquisition unit 114 may cause the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11 to receive the "boarding / alighting desired location information IDP registered in the passenger table 214" from the server 2, and acquire the boarding / alighting desired location information IDP received by the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11 from the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11. The desired location acquisition unit 114 may also acquire the boarding / alighting desired location information IDP without going through the server 2. For example, the desired location acquisition unit 114 may acquire the boarding / alighting desired location information IDP from an information terminal carried by user Us, a user interface provided by the vehicle 1 (for example, a touch panel device, an audio input / output device), etc.

[0033] The surrounding area setting unit 115 sets the surrounding area SA for the boarding / alighting desired position DP indicated by the boarding / alighting desired position information IDP acquired by the desired position acquisition unit 114. The surrounding area setting unit 115 sets the surrounding area SA with the boarding / alighting desired position DP as the center, such that at least one of the walking distance and walking time from the boarding / alighting desired position DP is less than or equal to a predetermined value. The information processing device 10 can appropriately set the surrounding area SA from which to extract the boarding / alighting recommended position RP in the vicinity of the boarding / alighting desired position DP.

[0034] The boarding / alighting unsuitable information acquisition unit 116 acquires boarding / alighting unsuitable information 216. The boarding / alighting unsuitable information acquisition unit 116 may cause the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11 to receive the boarding / alighting unsuitable information 216 from the server 2, and then acquire the boarding / alighting unsuitable information 216 received by the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11 from the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11.

[0035] If the detection result information 212 from the server 2 includes surrounding structure information ISS, the surrounding structure information acquisition unit 117 acquires the surrounding structure information ISS from the server 2. The surrounding information acquisition unit 117 may also cause the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11 to receive the surrounding structure information ISS from the server 2, and acquire the surrounding structure information ISS received by the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11 from the vehicle transmission / reception unit 11.

[0036] The boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 determines whether user Us can board or alight at the boarding / alighting feasibility position DP indicated by the boarding / alighting feasibility position information IDP acquired by the feasibility position acquisition unit 114. The boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 determines whether user Us can board or alight at the boarding / alighting feasibility position DP based on user information IUS acquired by the user information acquisition unit 113 and surrounding structure information ISS acquired by the surrounding information acquisition unit 117. The boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 may also determine whether user Us can board or alight at the boarding / alighting feasibility position DP based on user information IUS, surrounding structure information ISS, and boarding / alighting unsuitability information 216 acquired by the boarding / alighting unsuitability information acquisition unit 116. For example, the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 first obtains an unsuitable condition in the boarding / alighting unsuitability information 216 that corresponds to "at least one of the attributes and circumstances of user Us" indicated by user information IUS. Then, if at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structure SB at the desired boarding / alighting position DP satisfies the unsuitable condition, the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 may determine that boarding / alighting at the desired boarding / alighting position DP is not possible.

[0037] The boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 sets the boarding / alighting position BAP, and in particular, sets the boarding / alighting position BAP according to the result of the determination by the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118. If the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 determines that user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 sets the desired boarding / alighting position DP as the boarding / alighting position BAP. If the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 is unable to perform the above determination, for example, if the surrounding information acquisition unit 117 does not acquire the surrounding structure information ISS, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may set the desired boarding / alighting position DP as the boarding / alighting position BAP. In other words, if the detection result information 212 stored in the server 2 does not include the surrounding structure information ISS, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may set the desired boarding / alighting position DP as the boarding / alighting position BAP.

[0038] If the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 determines that it is not possible for user Us to board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 extracts a recommended boarding / alighting position RP in the surrounding area SA based on user information IUS and surrounding structure information ISS. The boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may first use the surrounding structure information ISS to extract one or more "positions in the surrounding area SA where it is generally assumed that boarding / alighting to and from vehicle 1 is possible." Then, from the one or more positions extracted, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may use the user information IUS of each user Us to extract a recommended boarding / alighting position RP for each user Us. Once the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 has extracted a recommended boarding / alighting position RP in the surrounding area SA, it sets the extracted recommended boarding / alighting position RP as the boarding / alighting position BAP.

[0039] The boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may extract recommended boarding / alighting positions RP from user information IUS, surrounding structure information ISS, and unsuitable boarding / alighting information 216. For example, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 first obtains unsuitable conditions in the unsuitable boarding / alighting information 216 that are associated with "at least one of the user Us attributes and circumstances" indicated by user information IUS. Next, for each of the one or more "positions where it is generally assumed that boarding / alighting to and from vehicle 1 is possible" extracted within the surrounding area SA, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 determines whether at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB at that position satisfies the unsuitable conditions. The boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may extract positions other than "positions where it has been determined that at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB satisfies the unsuitable conditions" from among the one or more "positions where it is generally assumed that boarding / alighting to and from vehicle 1 is possible" as recommended boarding / alighting positions RP.

[0040] The information processing device 10 may determine whether or not user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, and extract the recommended boarding / alighting position RP in the surrounding area SA, based on user information IUS, surrounding structure information ISS, and pre-prepared boarding / alighting unsuitable information 216. With this configuration, the information processing device 10 can use the pre-prepared boarding / alighting unsuitable information 216 to appropriately and efficiently set the boarding / alighting position BAP for each user Us, according to at least one of user Us's attributes and circumstances.

[0041] If there are multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions RP in the surrounding area SA, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may select the boarding / alighting position BAP from among the multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions RP that has a shorter walking distance and walking time from the desired boarding / alighting position DP. Through this process, the information processing device 10 can select the boarding / alighting position BAP from the recommended boarding / alighting position RP that has a shorter walking distance and walking time from the desired boarding / alighting position DP.

[0042] If user Us wishes to alight from vehicle 1 at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may, if there are multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions RP in the surrounding area SA, select the boarding / alighting position RP that is closest to the position where user Us boarded vehicle 1 as the boarding / alighting position BAP. Through this process, the information processing device 10 can reduce the vehicle usage fee that user Us is responsible for, according to the distance from the position where they boarded vehicle 1.

[0043] If user Us wishes to alight from vehicle 1 at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may, if there are multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions RP in the surrounding area SA, select the recommended boarding / alighting position RP from among the multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions RP, which, if set as the vehicle 1's stopping position, would prevent vehicle 1 from passing in front of the desired boarding / alighting position DP, and set it as the boarding / alighting position BAP. Through this process, the information processing device 10 can reduce the anxiety that user Us might feel if vehicle 1 passes in front of the desired boarding / alighting position DP.

[0044] When the vehicle 1 is an autonomous driving vehicle, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may stop the vehicle 1 at the boarding / alighting position BAP (that is, the desired boarding / alighting position DP or the recommended boarding / alighting position RP). For example, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may output a signal indicating the boarding / alighting position BAP to the vehicle control unit 12 that realizes the autonomous driving of the vehicle 1 to stop the vehicle 1 at the boarding / alighting position BAP. Through such processing, the vehicle 1 which is an autonomous driving vehicle can stop at at least one of the desired boarding / alighting position DP and the boarding / alighting position BAP.

[0045] The boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may notify various information to the user Us of the vehicle 1, such as the driver. For example, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may notify various information to the user Us and the like by outputting various information to at least one of an information terminal (for example, a smartphone or the like) carried by the user Us and the like and a user interface provided in the vehicle 1.

[0046] For example, when the acceleration, deceleration, and steering of the vehicle 1 are controlled by the driving operation of the driver, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may notify the driver of the boarding / alighting position BAP. Through such processing, the driver of the vehicle 1 can grasp the boarding / alighting position BAP.

[0047] When there are a plurality of recommended boarding / alighting positions RP in the surrounding area SA, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may inquire the user Us about which of the plurality of recommended boarding / alighting positions RP to select as the boarding / alighting position BAP. Then, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may use the recommended boarding / alighting position RP selected by the user Us among the plurality of recommended boarding / alighting positions RP as the boarding / alighting position BAP. Through such processing, the information processing device 10 can determine the recommended boarding / alighting position RP to be used as the boarding / alighting position BAP from among the plurality of recommended boarding / alighting positions RP according to the selection of the user Us.

[0048] The boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 may notify the user Us of at least one of the recommended boarding / alighting position RP and the reason for recommending the recommended boarding / alighting position RP before the vehicle 1 arrives at the desired boarding / alighting position DP or the recommended boarding / alighting position RP. The "reason for recommending the recommended boarding / alighting position RP" is, for example, a reason such as "at least one of the braille blocks BT and the road structure SB at the recommended boarding / alighting position RP does not satisfy the inappropriate conditions and is suitable for the user Us to board / alight the vehicle 1". Through such processing, the user Us can grasp at least one of the recommended boarding / alighting position RP and the reason for recommending the recommended boarding / alighting position RP before the vehicle 1 arrives at the desired boarding / alighting position DP or the recommended boarding / alighting position RP.

[0049] §3 Operation Example FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The processing procedure described below is an example of the processing procedure of the information processing method PM for causing a processor (for example, the CPU 110) to execute the processing of setting the boarding / alighting position BAP. However, the processing procedure described below is merely an example, and each step may be changed as much as possible. Furthermore, with respect to the processing procedure described below, omission, replacement, and addition of steps are possible as appropriate according to the embodiment.

[0050] In the information processing method PM, the CPU 110 executes a detection result registration process (step S100) and a boarding / alighting position setting process (step S200). In the detection result registration process, the CPU 110 stores the detection result information 212 indicating the detection result of the detection unit 14 in the server 2. In the boarding / alighting position setting process, the CPU 110 sets the boarding / alighting position BAP for each user Us by using the information previously stored in the server 2 in the detection result registration process and the user information IUS. The detection result registration process (step S100) includes steps S110 and S120, and the boarding / alighting position setting process (step S200) includes steps S210 - S280.

[0051] (Steps S110 and S120) In step S110, the CPU 110 operates as a detection result information acquisition unit 111 and acquires detection result information 212 for at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB detected by the detection unit 14. In step S120, the CPU 110 operates as a detection result information registration unit 112 and saves the detection result information 212 to the server 2.

[0052] (Steps S210 and S220) In step S210, the CPU 110 operates as a desired location acquisition unit 114 and acquires boarding / alighting desired location information IDP, which indicates the boarding / alighting desired location DP specified by the user Us. In step S220, the CPU 110 operates as a user information acquisition unit 113 and acquires user information IUS, which indicates at least one of the user Us's attributes and status. The CPU 110 may also acquire user information IUS that user Us has previously registered (input) from the server 2 when user Us boards the vehicle 1. The CPU 110 may also acquire at least one of the user Us's attributes and status detected by the detection unit 14 as user information IUS.

[0053] (Steps S230 and S240) In step S230, the CPU 110 operates as a boarding / alighting unsuitable information acquisition unit 116 and acquires boarding / alighting unsuitable information 216 indicating unsuitable conditions. In step S240, the CPU 110 operates as a surrounding information acquisition unit 117 and acquires surrounding structure information ISS. That is, if the CPU 110 finds that the surrounding structure information ISS relating to road structures SB etc. in the surrounding area SA of the boarding / alighting desired position DP indicated by the boarding / alighting desired position information IDP acquired in step S210 is included in the detection result information 212 of the server 2, the CPU 110 acquires the surrounding structure information ISS from the server 2.

[0054] (Step S250) In step S250, the CPU 110 operates as a boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 and determines whether user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP. The CPU 110 determines whether user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP based on the user information IUS acquired in step S220 and the surrounding structure information ISS acquired in step S240. The CPU 110 may also determine whether user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP based on the user information IUS, the surrounding structure information ISS, and the boarding / alighting unsuitability information 216 acquired in step S230. If it is determined that user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP (Yes in step S250), the CPU 110 proceeds to step S260. If the CPU 110 determines that it is not possible for user Us to board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP (No in step S250), the CPU 110 proceeds to step S270.

[0055] (Step S260) In step S260, the CPU 110 operates as a boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 and sets the desired boarding / alighting position DP as the boarding / alighting position BAP.

[0056] (Steps S270 and S280) In step S270, the CPU 110 operates as a boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 and extracts a recommended boarding / alighting position RP in the surrounding area SA based on user information IUS and surrounding structure information ISS. The CPU 110 may also extract a recommended boarding / alighting position RP from user information IUS, surrounding structure information ISS and unsuitable boarding / alighting information 216. In step S280, the CPU 110 operates as a boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 and sets the recommended boarding / alighting position RP extracted in step S270 as the boarding / alighting position BAP.

[0057] When the CPU 110 extracts multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions RP in the surrounding area SA, it may set the following recommended boarding / alighting positions RP as boarding / alighting positions BAP from among the multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions RP. That is, the CPU 110 may set as the boarding / alighting position BAP a recommended boarding / alighting position RP for which at least one of the walking distance and walking time from the desired boarding / alighting position DP is shorter. The CPU 110 may set as the boarding / alighting position BAP a recommended boarding / alighting position RP for which the distance from the position where the user Us boarded the vehicle 1 is closer. The CPU 110 may set as the boarding / alighting position BAP a recommended boarding / alighting position RP for which, if the vehicle 1 were to be the stopping position of the vehicle 1, the vehicle 1 would not pass in front of the desired boarding / alighting position DP.

[0058] If the vehicle 1's acceleration, deceleration, and steering are controlled by the driver's operation, the CPU 110 may notify the driver of the boarding / alighting position BAP. If the vehicle 1 is an autonomous vehicle, the CPU 110 may stop the vehicle 1 at the boarding / alighting position BAP. If the CPU 110 extracts multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions RP in the surrounding area SA, it may ask the user Us which of the multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions RP to select as the boarding / alighting position BAP. The CPU 110 may then set the boarding / alighting position RP selected by the user Us from among the multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions RP as the boarding / alighting position BAP. Before the vehicle 1 arrives at the desired boarding / alighting position DP or the recommended boarding / alighting position RP, the CPU 110 may notify the user Us of the recommended boarding / alighting position RP and at least one of the reasons for recommending the recommended boarding / alighting position RP.

[0059] [Features] As described above, the information processing system Sys according to this embodiment is an information processing system for setting boarding / alighting positions BAP. The information processing system Sys includes a vehicle 1 and a server 2 configured to communicate with the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 includes a desired position acquisition unit 114 that acquires boarding / alighting desired position information IDP and a user information acquisition unit 113 that acquires user information IUS. The server 2 includes a server storage area 21 that stores detection result information 212 indicating the detection result for at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB. The vehicle 1 further includes a vehicle transmission / reception unit 11, a boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 and a boarding / alighting position setting unit 119. The vehicle receiving unit of the vehicle transmitting / receiving unit 11 receives information about at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB in the surrounding area SA of the desired boarding / alighting position DP from the server 2 as surrounding structure information ISS if the detection result information 212 stored in the server 2 contains information about at least one of the tactile paving blocks BT and road structures SB in the surrounding area SA of the desired boarding / alighting position DP. The boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 determines whether user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP based on user information IUS and surrounding structure information ISS. The boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 sets the boarding / alighting position BAP. If the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118 determines that user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 sets the desired boarding / alighting position DP as the boarding / alighting position BAP. If the boarding / alighting position setting unit 119 determines, based on the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118, that it is not possible for user Us to board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, it sets the recommended boarding / alighting position RP within the surrounding area SA as the boarding / alighting position BAP, based on user information IUS and surrounding structure information ISS.

[0060] The information processing device 10 according to this embodiment sets the boarding / alighting position BAP. The information processing device 10 includes a desired position acquisition unit 114, a user information acquisition unit 113, a surrounding information acquisition unit 117, a boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit 118, and a boarding / alighting position setting unit 119. The surrounding information acquisition unit 117 acquires pre-prepared surrounding structure information ISS.

[0061] The information processing method PM according to this embodiment is an information processing method that causes a processor (for example, a CPU 110) to execute a process to set the boarding / alighting position BAP. The information processing method PM causes the processor to execute steps S210, S220, S240, S250, S260, and S280 illustrated in Figure 5. In step S210, the processor acquires boarding / alighting desired position information IDP. In step S220, the processor acquires user information IUS. In step S240, the processor acquires surrounding structure information ISS. In step S250, the processor determines whether user Us can board or alight at the boarding / alighting desired position DP based on user information IUS and surrounding structure information ISS. If it is determined that user Us can board or alight at the boarding / alighting desired position DP, in step S260, the processor sets the boarding / alighting desired position DP as the boarding / alighting position BAP. If the processor determines that it is not possible for user Us to board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, in step S280 the processor sets the recommended boarding / alighting position RP as the boarding / alighting position BAP.

[0062] As described above, the information processing method PM, etc. according to this embodiment, determines whether or not user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, and extracts recommended boarding / alighting positions RP in the surrounding area SA, based on user information IUS and pre-prepared surrounding structure information ISS. In other words, for each user Us, the information processing method PM, etc., determines whether or not user Us can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position DP, and extracts recommended boarding / alighting positions RP in the surrounding area SA, taking into consideration at least one of user Us's attributes and circumstances. Therefore, the information processing method PM, etc., can appropriately set the boarding / alighting position BAP for user Us to board or alight from vehicle 1 according to user Us.

[0063] §4 Modifications While embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the descriptions above are merely illustrative of the present invention in all respects. It goes without saying that various improvements or modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible. In the following, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the above embodiments, and explanations of similar points are omitted as appropriate. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0064] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the information processing device 10, the vehicle control unit 12, and the detection unit 14 are each configured by separate computers. However, the information processing device 10 may be configured as a computer integrated with at least one of the vehicle control unit 12 and the detection unit 14.

[0065] 1...Vehicle, 2...Server, 10...Information processing device, 11...Vehicle transmission / reception unit (vehicle receiving unit), 14...Detection unit, 21...Server storage area, 113...User information acquisition unit, 114...Desired location acquisition unit, 117...Surrounding information acquisition unit, 118...Boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit, 119...Boarding / alighting location setting unit, 212...Detection result information, 216...Information on unsuitable boarding / alighting, BAP...Boarding / alighting location, BT...Braille block, DP...Desired boarding / alighting location, IDP...Desired boarding / alighting location information, ISS...Surrounding structure information, IUS...User information, PM...Information processing method, RP...Recommended boarding / alighting location, SA...Surrounding area, SB...Road structure, Sys...Information processing system, Us...User

Claims

1. An information processing method that causes a processor to perform a process to set a boarding / alighting position, which is the position where a user boards or alights from a vehicle, wherein the processor performs the steps of: acquiring boarding / alighting position information, which indicates a boarding / alighting position designated by the user as the position where the user wishes to board or alight from the vehicle; acquiring user information, which indicates at least one of the user's attributes and circumstances; acquiring surrounding structure information, which is pre-prepared information, which is information about at least one of tactile paving blocks and road structures existing at the boundary between the roadway and the sidewalk in the area surrounding the boarding / alighting position; determining whether the user can board or alight at the boarding / alighting position based on the user information and the surrounding structure information; and setting the boarding / alighting position, wherein if it is determined that the user can board or alight at the boarding / alighting position, the processor sets the boarding / alighting position as the boarding / alighting position. An information processing method that, if it is determined that the user cannot board or alight at the aforementioned desired boarding / alighting location, sets a recommended boarding / alighting location, which is a location in the surrounding area where it is determined that the user can board or alight, as the boarding / alighting location, based on the user information and the surrounding structure information.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the road structure includes at least one of a guardrail, planting, curb, pole, and utility pole.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle is equipped with a detection unit capable of detecting at least one of the tactile paving blocks and the road structure, and the processor further performs the step of storing detection result information indicating at least one of the tactile paving blocks and the road structure detected by the vehicle on a server outside the vehicle.

4. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user information indicates at least one of the user's age, build, width, presence or absence of luggage, size of luggage, clothing, and presence or absence of physical disability.

5. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user information is at least one of information entered by the user and information detected by a detection unit provided in the vehicle.

6. The information processing method according to claim 5, wherein the user information is information that was registered by the user on a server outside the vehicle before the user boarded the vehicle, and in the step of acquiring the user information, the processor receives the user information from the server at the time the user boards the vehicle.

7. Information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein information on unsuitability for boarding and alighting is prepared in advance, which defines conditions relating to at least one of the tactile paving blocks and the road structure for positions where it is determined that the user cannot board or alight the vehicle, in correspondence with at least one of the user's attributes and circumstances, and the processor performs a determination of whether the user can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position and extracts the recommended boarding / alighting position in the surrounding area from the information on unsuitability for boarding and alighting, the user information and the surrounding structure information.

8. The surrounding area is set such that, with respect to the desired boarding / alighting position, at least one of the walking distance and walking time from the desired boarding / alighting position is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and in the step of setting the boarding / alighting position, if there are multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions in the surrounding area, the processor sets the boarding / alighting position from among the multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions that has a smaller walking distance and walking time. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

9. If the user wishes to alight from the vehicle at the designated boarding / alighting position, the processor, in the step of setting the boarding / alighting position, if there are multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions in the surrounding area, selects the boarding / alighting position from among the multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions that is closer in distance from the position where the user boarded the vehicle, as the boarding / alighting position, according to claim 1 or 2.

10. If the user wishes to alight from the vehicle at the desired boarding / alighting position, in the step of setting the boarding / alighting position, the processor, if there are multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions in the surrounding area, selects from the multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions the boarding / alighting position in which the vehicle would not pass in front of the desired boarding / alighting position if the recommended boarding / alighting position were set as the vehicle's stopping position, as the information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

11. If there are multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions in the surrounding area, the processor further performs the step of asking the user which of the multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions to select as the boarding / alighting position, and in the step of setting the boarding / alighting position, the processor sets the boarding / alighting position selected by the user from among the multiple recommended boarding / alighting positions as the boarding / alighting position, according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor further performs the step of notifying the user of the recommended boarding / alighting location and at least one of the reasons for recommending the recommended boarding / alighting location before the vehicle arrives at the desired boarding / alighting location or the recommended boarding / alighting location.

13. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, and the processor further performs the step of stopping the vehicle at the boarding / alighting position.

14. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle's acceleration, deceleration, and steering are controlled by the driver's driving operations, and the processor further performs the step of notifying the driver of the boarding and alighting positions.

15. An information processing device for setting a boarding / alighting position, which is the position where a user boards or alights from a vehicle, comprising: a desired boarding / alighting position acquisition unit that acquires boarding / alighting position information indicating a desired boarding / alighting position specified by the user as the position where the user wishes to board or alight from the vehicle; a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information indicating at least one of the user's attributes and circumstances; a surrounding structure acquisition unit that acquires surrounding structure information which is pre-prepared information relating to at least one of tactile paving blocks and road structures existing at the boundary between the roadway and the sidewalk in the area surrounding the desired boarding / alighting position; a boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit that determines whether the user can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position based on the user information and the surrounding structure information; and a boarding / alighting position setting unit that sets the boarding / alighting position, wherein if the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit determines that the user can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position, the boarding / alighting position is set as the boarding / alighting position. An information processing device comprising: a boarding / alighting position setting unit, which, when the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit determines that the user cannot board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position, sets a recommended boarding / alighting position, which is a position in the surrounding area where the user is determined to be able to board or alight, as the boarding / alighting position, based on the user information and the surrounding structure information; and a boarding / alighting position setting unit.

16. An information processing system for setting boarding / alighting positions, which are the positions where a user boards or alights from a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle; and a server configured to communicate with the vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes: a desired boarding / alighting position acquisition unit that acquires boarding / alighting position information indicating the desired boarding / alighting position specified by the user as the position where the user wishes to board or alight from the vehicle; and a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information indicating at least one of the user's attributes and circumstances, wherein the server includes a server storage area that stores detection result information indicating detection results for at least one of tactile paving blocks and road structures present at the boundary between the roadway and the sidewalk, and the vehicle further includes: a vehicle receiving unit that receives from the server as surrounding structure information if information about at least one of the tactile paving blocks and road structures in the surrounding area of ​​the desired boarding / alighting position is included in the detection result information stored on the server; An information processing system comprising: a boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit that determines whether the user can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position based on the user information and the surrounding structure information; and a boarding / alighting position setting unit that sets the boarding / alighting position, wherein if the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit determines that the user can board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position, the boarding / alighting position setting unit sets the desired boarding / alighting position as the boarding / alighting position, and if the boarding / alighting feasibility determination unit determines that the user cannot board or alight at the desired boarding / alighting position, the boarding / alighting position setting unit sets a recommended boarding / alighting position, which is a position in the surrounding area where the user has determined to be able to board or alight, based on the user information and the surrounding structure information, as the boarding / alighting position.

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