Information output device, information output method, and program

Abstract

An information output device (10) comprises an acquisition unit (110) and a generation unit (120). The acquisition unit (110) acquires a return position where a movable body is to be returned, a scheduled return time when the movable body is to be returned, the current position of the movable body, and a current time. When both a first criterion pertaining to the distance from the return position to the current position and a second criterion pertaining to the period from the scheduled return time to the current time are met, a generation unit (120) generates and outputs replenishing information pertaining to the replenishing of the movable body with energy to be used when the movable body moves.

Description

Information Output Device, Information Output Method, and Program

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

[0002] When renting a vehicle, it is recommended that the user refuel the vehicle immediately before returning it. In this regard, Patent Document 1 describes a navigation device that performs the following processing. This navigation device includes a display device capable of displaying various information including information related to a map, and a navigation processing unit that acquires the position of each gas station existing on the map and the fuel price at each gas station. Then, when the return position is specified as the destination, this navigation device outputs information regarding the cost related to the payment of money when using each route for the route from the current position to the return position.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011 - 149813

[0004] There is a possibility that the user may reach the return position before refueling the moving body with energy, for example, gasoline. An example of the object of the present invention is to increase the possibility that the user of the moving body can refuel the moving body before returning it.

[0005] The invention according to claim 1 includes an acquisition unit that acquires the return position and the scheduled return time when the moving body is returned, and the current position and the current time of the moving body, and a generation unit that generates replenishment information regarding replenishing the energy used when the moving body moves when both a first criterion regarding the distance from the return position to the current position and a second criterion regarding the time from the scheduled return time to the current time are satisfied, and outputs the replenishment information. It is an information output device.

[0006] The invention described in claim 9 is an information output method in which a computer acquires the return location and scheduled return time of a mobile object, as well as the current location and current time of the mobile object, and when both a first criterion regarding the distance from the return location to the current location and a second criterion regarding the time from the scheduled return time to the current time are met, generates replenishment information regarding replenishing the mobile object with the energy used when the mobile object moves, and outputs the replenishment information.

[0007] The invention described in claim 10 is a program that provides a computer with: an acquisition unit that acquires the return location and scheduled return time at which the mobile body will be returned, as well as the current location and current time of the mobile body; and a generation unit that generates replenishment information relating to replenishing the mobile body with the energy used when the mobile body moves, and outputs the replenishment information, when both a first criterion relating to the distance from the return location to the current location and a second criterion relating to the time from the scheduled return time to the current time are met.

[0008] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the information output device according to the first embodiment. This figure illustrates a first example of information output by the generation unit. This figure illustrates a second example of information output by the generation unit. This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information output device. This flowchart shows an example of processing performed by the information output device. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the information output device according to the second embodiment.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0010] Figure 1 shows an example of the functional configuration of the information output device 10 according to the embodiment. The information output device 10 outputs information about the surroundings of the current location of the mobile object, such as map information. The information output device 10 also generates route information indicating the route the mobile object should take, as needed, and outputs this route information to, for example, a person controlling the movement of the mobile object (e.g., a driver) or a control device that automatically controls the movement of the mobile object. If the mobile object is loaned, rented, or shared, and its energy needs to be replenished upon return, the information output device 10 generates route information for passing through the replenishment facility that replenishes this energy. The information output device 10 may be located inside the mobile object or outside the mobile object.

[0011] The mobile object may be a vehicle such as a car with an internal combustion engine, an electric vehicle, or a fuel cell vehicle, but it may also be an aerial vehicle such as a drone. The energy to be supplied to the mobile object is at least one of the following: a liquid such as gasoline or diesel fuel, a gas such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum) or hydrogen, and electricity. The information output device 10 selects the replenishment facilities that the mobile object should pass through, using the type of energy that the mobile object should be supplied with. Examples of replenishment facilities include gas stations, charging stations, and hydrogen stations.

[0012] The information output device 10 has an acquisition unit 110 and a generation unit 120, and can utilize a storage unit 130. The storage unit 130 stores various types of information used by the information output device 10. For example, the storage unit 130 stores map information, return location information indicating the return location where the mobile object will be returned, return time information indicating the scheduled return time when the mobile object will be returned, and information indicating the type of energy used by the mobile object. The storage unit 130 may also store information indicating the energy cost per unit for each of the multiple replenishment facilities.

[0013] The storage unit 130 may be part of the information output device 10, or it may be located outside the information output device 10. Furthermore, the storage unit 130 may be implemented by multiple devices. In this case, some of the devices may be part of the information output device 10, while the remaining devices may be located outside the information output device 10.

[0014] The acquisition unit 110 acquires the return location and scheduled return time where the mobile object will be returned, as well as the current location and current time of the mobile object. For example, the acquisition unit 110 acquires the return location and scheduled return time from the storage unit 130, and repeatedly acquires the current location and current time of the mobile object from a communication device that moves with the mobile object. However, if the information output device 10 is mounted on the vehicle, the information output device 10 may generate information indicating the current location and current time of the mobile object. The acquisition unit 110 may acquire the return location and scheduled return time from this communication device. This communication device may be fixed to the mobile object, or it may be a portable communication device carried by the occupant of the mobile object.

[0015] The generation unit 120 generates replenishment information regarding the replenishment of the energy used by the moving object when it moves, when both a first criterion regarding the distance from the return location to the current location and a second criterion regarding the time from the scheduled return time to the current time are met, and outputs the replenishment information.

[0016] The first criterion is, for example, that the distance from the return location to the current location is less than or equal to a first value. Preferably, this distance is the distance along a route, rather than the straight-line distance. The first value is, for example, stored in the storage unit 130 beforehand.

[0017] The second criterion is, for example, that the time from the scheduled return time to the current time is less than or equal to a second value. The second value is, for example, stored in the storage unit 130 beforehand.

[0018] Multiple combinations of the first and second values ​​may be set here. In this case, the generation unit 120 generates and outputs supplementary information when any of the combinations are met.

[0019] The supplementation information may include, for example, text indicating that it would be beneficial to replenish energy at a supplementation facility. In addition to this text, or in place of this text, the supplementation information may include map information indicating the location of a supplementation facility for replenishing energy to the mobile unit. This map information may or may not include the route from the mobile unit's current location to the supplementation facility.

[0020] For example, the generation unit 120 selects replenishment equipment using return location information. For example, the generation unit 120 selects the replenishment equipment closest to the return location as the replenishment equipment. Alternatively, the generation unit 120 may select replenishment equipment located within a predetermined distance from the return location. The predetermined distance is, for example, 3 km or more and 8 km or less, but may also be 4 km or more and 6 km or less. Information indicating the predetermined distance is stored in advance in the storage unit 130. This information is set, for example, by the owner or manager of the mobile device, but may also be set by the person to whom the mobile device is leased, for example, the driver of the mobile device.

[0021] If there are multiple replenishment facilities located within a predetermined distance from the return location, the generation unit 120 may select all of these replenishment facilities, or it may select replenishment facilities that satisfy additional conditions. An example of an additional condition is to select a predetermined number of replenishment facilities in order of decreasing energy cost. The predetermined number is, for example, between 1 and 3, but is not limited to this.

[0022] The supplementary information is output in a manner that can be recognized, for example, by a person operating the mobile device, such as the driver of the mobile device. For example, if the driver of the mobile device is operating the mobile device, the supplementary information may be displayed on a display mounted on the mobile device, or it may be output as audio from a speaker mounted on the mobile device. The outputted supplementary information may include, for example, text prompting the mobile device to replenish its energy. If the supplementary information is output as audio, this text is output as audio. Note that the audio may be a warning sound instead of text.

[0023] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the information output by the generation unit 120. In the example shown in this figure, the generation unit 120 displays information on a display. This display includes a map and route information. On the map, marks indicating the current location 202 of the mobile unit, the return location 204 of the mobile unit, and the location of the replenishment equipment 206 are superimposed. The route generated by the generation unit 120 is also superimposed on the map.

[0024] The map may also display marks indicating equipment other than the replenishment equipment 206, such as other replenishment equipment or other types of equipment such as restaurants and shops. In this case, it is preferable that the generation unit 120 displays the mark indicating the replenishment equipment 206 in a manner that is easily recognizable compared to the marks of other equipment, i.e., it is highlighted. Examples of such manners include, but are not limited to, making the mark larger, changing the pattern of the mark, and changing the color of the mark. Doing so makes the location of the replenishment equipment 206 easier to recognize.

[0025] When the generation unit 120 selects multiple replenishment facilities 206, it displays the aforementioned marks on the map for each of these multiple replenishment facilities 206. In this case, the generation unit 120 may determine the display pattern for each of these marks using the energy cost per unit of the replenishment facility corresponding to that mark. In this way, users of the mobile vehicle, such as drivers, can easily grasp the relative energy costs of each replenishment facility 206.

[0026] For example, the generation unit 120 makes the display pattern of the mark corresponding to the replenishment equipment 206 with the lowest energy cost more conspicuous than the display patterns of the marks corresponding to the other replenishment equipment 206. As another example, the generation unit 120 may determine the display pattern of the marks according to the price range of the energy cost. Examples of such display patterns include, but are not limited to, changing the size of the mark, changing the pattern of the mark, and changing the color of the mark.

[0027] The generation unit 120 may set the map scale so that the current position 202 of the moving object and the replenishment equipment 206 are displayed on the display simultaneously. Alternatively, the generation unit 120 may set the map scale so that the current position 202 is displayed but the replenishment equipment 206 is not, and may also display information on the display indicating the direction of the replenishment equipment 206 relative to the current position 202. This information may be text or a mark such as an arrow. If this information is text, it may be displayed in a callout format.

[0028] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a second example of information output by the generation unit 120. In the example shown in this figure, in addition to the example shown in Figure 2, the generation unit 120 includes text information about the replenishment facility 206 as part of the replenishment information. This text information includes, for example, at least one of the energy unit price at the replenishment facility 206 and the name of the organization that manages or operates the replenishment facility 206 (for example, the name of a gas station or charging station). This text information may be presented, for example, in a callout format, or displayed in a window different from the map.

[0029] If the generation unit 120 selects multiple replenishment facilities 206, it may display the above-mentioned marks on the map for each of these multiple replenishment facilities 206, as well as display the above-mentioned text information.

[0030] Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information output device 10. The information output device 10 includes a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.

[0031] Bus 1010 is a data transmission path for the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060 to send and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the other components to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0032] Processor 1020 is a processor implemented using components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0033] Memory 1030 is a main memory device implemented as RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0034] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device implemented as a removable media such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or memory card, or as ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage device 1040 stores program modules that implement each function of the information output device 10 (for example, the acquisition unit 110, the generation unit 120, and the reference setting unit 140, which will be described later). The processor 1020 reads these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing each function corresponding to the program module. The storage device 1040 also functions as at least a part of the storage unit 130.

[0035] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the information output device 10 with various input / output devices.

[0036] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the information output device 10 to a network. This network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network interface 1060 may connect to the network via a wireless connection or a wired connection.

[0037] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the information output device 10. The acquisition unit 110 of the information output device 10 has previously acquired information indicating the return location and the scheduled return time, and also repeatedly acquires information indicating the current location of the moving object. When both the first criterion regarding the distance from the return location to the current location and the second criterion regarding the time from the scheduled return time to the current time are met (step S10), the generation unit 120 of the information output device 10 generates replenishment information regarding replenishing energy to the moving object (step S20) and outputs this replenishment information (step S30).

[0038] Therefore, using the information output device 10 increases the likelihood that users of the mobile device can replenish its energy before returning it.

[0039] (Second Embodiment) Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information output device 10 according to this embodiment. The information output device 10 shown in this figure is the same as the information output device 10 according to the first embodiment, except that it includes a reference setting unit 140.

[0040] The standard setting unit 140 sets at least one of the first standard and the second standard according to information input from an external source, and stores the set standard in the storage unit 130. For example, the standard setting unit 140 may set at least one, preferably both, of the first standard and the second standard according to input from a user of the mobile device, such as a driver. Similarly, the standard setting unit 140 may set at least one, preferably both, of the first standard and the second standard according to input from a person belonging to an organization that leases out the mobile device. This input may be made directly to the information output device 10, or it may be input to the standard setting unit 140 via a communication device.

[0041] In this way, for example, users of mobile vehicles can set at least one of the first and second criteria according to their preferences. Also, people belonging to organizations that lend out mobile vehicles can set at least one of the first and second criteria according to the characteristics of the return location (for example, if there are few replenishment facilities nearby).

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, these are examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted.

[0043] In addition, in the plurality of flowcharts used in the above description, a plurality of steps (processes) are described in order. However, the execution order of the steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the order described. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown can be changed within a range that does not substantially affect the content. Also, the above-described embodiments can be combined within a range where the contents do not conflict.

[0044] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-206749 filed on November 27, 2024, and incorporates the entire disclosure thereof herein.

[0045] 10 Information output device 110 Acquisition unit 120 Generation unit 130 Storage unit 140 Reference setting unit

Claims

1. An information output device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires the return location and scheduled return time to which the mobile object will be returned, as well as the current location and current time of the mobile object; and a generation unit that generates replenishment information regarding the replenishment of the energy used by the mobile object when it moves, and outputs the replenishment information, when both a first criterion regarding the distance from the return location to the current location and a second criterion regarding the time from the scheduled return time to the current time are met.

2. An information output device according to claim 1, comprising a reference setting unit that sets at least one of the first reference and the second reference according to information input from an external source.

3. An information output device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supplementation information includes map information indicating the location of supplementation equipment for supplementing the energy of the mobile body.

4. An information output device according to claim 3, wherein the generation unit sets the scale of the map indicated by the map information so that the current location and the location of the replenishment equipment are displayed on the display simultaneously.

5. An information output device according to claim 3, wherein the generation unit generates the map information such that marks indicating the location of the replenishment equipment are highlighted.

6. An information output device according to claim 3, wherein the supplementary information includes text information relating to the supplementary equipment.

7. An information output device according to claim 3, wherein when the generation unit generates the map information so as to display the locations of a plurality of the replenishment facilities, the display pattern of the marks indicating the locations of the replenishment facilities is determined using the energy unit price at the replenishment facilities.

8. An information output device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the generation unit further outputs sound prompting the mobile body to replenish the energy.

9. An information output method comprising: a computer obtaining the return location and scheduled return time of a mobile object, as well as the current location and current time of the mobile object; generating replenishment information regarding the replenishment of the energy used by the mobile object when it moves, when both a first criterion regarding the distance from the return location to the current location and a second criterion regarding the time from the scheduled return time to the current time are met; and outputting the replenishment information.

10. A program that provides a computer with: an acquisition unit that acquires the return location and scheduled return time at which the mobile object will be returned, as well as the current location and current time of the mobile object; and a generation unit that generates replenishment information regarding replenishing the mobile object with the energy used when the mobile object moves, and outputs said replenishment information, when both a first criterion regarding the distance from the return location to the current location and a second criterion regarding the time from the scheduled return time to the current time are met.

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