Information processing device, route identification method, and route identification program

Abstract

A control unit (32) of an information processing device (30) performs the following: acquiring location information of a first user (U1) as first location information; acquiring location information of a second user (U2) as second location information; and when the second location information is included within a prescribed range including the first location information, identifying a route from the first location information to the second location information.

Description

Information processing apparatus, route identification method, and route identification program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a route identification method, and a route identification program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an application that proposes highly likely actions to be performed by a user to a user with inactive behavior. Using this application increases the possibility that a user with inactive behavior will actually take action, and can be expected to maintain the user's health.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-49825

[0004] Even when the above-mentioned application is used, whether the user actually takes action is left to the user's will. Therefore, a technique for providing information to further enhance the user's motivation to act has been desired.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus, a route identification method, and a route identification program for identifying a route for encouraging a user to travel to a predetermined destination.

[0006] A control unit of the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment acquires position information of a first user as first position information, acquires position information of a second user as second position information, and identifies a route from the first position information to the second position information when the second position information is included within a predetermined range containing the first position information.

[0007] In the route identification method according to an embodiment, a control unit of an information processing apparatus acquires position information of a first user as first position information, acquires position information of a second user as second position information, and identifies a route from the first position information to the second position information when the second position information is included within a predetermined range containing the first position information.

[0008] The route identification program according to the embodiment causes the control unit of the information processing device to perform the following actions: acquire the location information of the first user as first location information; acquire the location information of the second user as second location information; and, if the second location information is included within a predetermined range including the first location information, to identify a route from the first location information to the second location information.

[0009] According to the above configuration, route information can be provided to the user to prompt them to move to a predetermined destination.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a health promotion system using an information processing device according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processes executed by the information processing device according to the embodiment when providing a mission. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processes executed by the information processing device according to the embodiment when calculating the event period.

[0011] A health promotion system using an information processing device according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example will be given in which the health promotion system provides information to help the user make walking a habit.

[0012] Figure 1 is an overall diagram showing the configuration of a health promotion system 1 using the information processing device 30 according to this embodiment. The health promotion system 1 comprises a first user terminal 10, a second user terminal 20, and an information processing device 30, which are connected to each other via a wide-area communication network 40. In Figure 1, for the sake of simplicity, the case where there are two user terminals 10 and 20 connected to the information processing device 30 is shown, but there may be three or more.

[0013] The first user terminal 10 is a terminal used by the first user U1 and comprises a first input / output unit 11, a first position detection unit 12, a first imaging unit 13, a first communication unit 14, and a first control unit 15. The first input / output unit 11 is, for example, a touch panel display, which inputs operation information from the first user U1 and displays the information.

[0014] The first position detection unit 12 acquires the position information of the first user U1 as first position information. The first position detection unit 12 acquires the first position information by, for example, receiving GNSS signals from multiple satellites for the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and calculating the position information. One example of GNSS is GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0015] The first imaging unit 13 captures an area in a predetermined direction. The first communication unit 14 communicates with the information processing device 30 via the wide-area communication network 40.

[0016] The first control unit 15 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of a general-purpose microcomputer, and by installing and executing a predetermined information processing program, it constitutes one or more information processing units as described below. The first control unit 15 controls the first input / output unit 11, the first position detection unit 12, the first imaging unit 13, and the first communication unit 14.

[0017] The first control unit 15, for example, transmits information input from the first input / output unit 11 to the information processing device 30, and causes the first input / output unit 11 to output information transmitted from the information processing device 30. The first control unit 15 transmits the first position information acquired by the first position detection unit 12 to the information processing device 30. The first control unit 15 transmits the image captured by the first imaging unit 13 to the information processing device 30.

[0018] The second user terminal 20 is a terminal used by the second user U2 and comprises a second input / output unit 21, a second position detection unit 22, a second imaging unit 23, a second communication unit 24, and a second control unit 25. Since the functions of each functional unit of the second user terminal 20 are the same as those of each functional unit of the first user terminal 10, a detailed explanation of the parts having the same functions will be omitted.

[0019] The second input / output unit 21 receives operation information from the second user U2 and displays the information. The second position detection unit 22 acquires the position information of the second user U2 as second position information. The second control unit 25 controls the second input / output unit 21, the second position detection unit 22, the second imaging unit 23, and the second communication unit 24.

[0020] The information processing device 30 is, for example, built on the cloud and comprises a third communication unit 31, a third control unit 32, and a storage unit 33. The third communication unit 31 communicates with the first user terminal 10 and the second user terminal 20 via a wide-area communication network 40.

[0021] The third control unit 32 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of a general-purpose microcomputer, and by installing and executing a predetermined information processing program, it constitutes one or more information processing units as shown below. The third control unit 32 includes a first information acquisition unit 321, a second information acquisition unit 322, an action content analysis unit 323, a mission execution unit 324, a route identification unit 325, a point processing unit 326, and an event period calculation unit 327.

[0022] The first information acquisition unit 321 acquires various information, including first location information, transmitted from the first user terminal 10. The second information acquisition unit 322 acquires various information, including second location information, transmitted from the second user terminal 20.

[0023] The behavior analysis unit 323 analyzes the behavior of the first user U1 based on the first location information of the first user terminal 10 for a predetermined period acquired by the first information acquisition unit 321. Specifically, the behavior analysis unit 323 acquires the behavior range, behavior pattern, and amount of movement of the first user U1 during the predetermined period as the behavior of the first user U1. Similarly, the behavior analysis unit 323 analyzes the behavior of the second user U2 based on the location information of the second user terminal 20 for a predetermined period acquired by the second information acquisition unit 322.

[0024] The mission execution unit 324 includes a mission provision function and a destination registration function. The mission provision function is a function that, based on information analyzed by the behavior content analysis unit 323, provides mission information to the determined user to encourage them to move to a predetermined destination when it is determined that the amount of movement of the first user U1 or the second user U2 during a predetermined period has not reached a predetermined threshold. As mission information, the mission execution unit 324 generates information that encourages movement with a predetermined location as the destination, for example.

[0025] The destination registration function is a function that registers information such as images of a predetermined location, obtained from the first user terminal 10 or the second user terminal 20, as destination data to be used for generating mission information in the destination data storage unit 332, which will be described later.

[0026] The route identification unit 325 identifies and displays the route from the user's current location to the destination specified in the mission information.

[0027] The point processing unit 326 calculates the points earned for each user based on the mission execution status and destination data registration status for the mission information presented by the mission execution unit 324.

[0028] The event period calculation unit 327 calculates and displays the event period, which is the period that can be used for mission information, with respect to the destination data stored in the destination data storage unit 332, which will be described later. When calculating the event period, the event period calculation unit 327 analyzes the image stored in the destination data storage unit 332 to identify the subject of the image, and displays the estimated change date and time, which is the date and time when the degree of change over time since the date and time the image was taken becomes greater than a predetermined threshold for the identified subject.

[0029] The memory unit 33 includes an action content storage unit 331, a destination data storage unit 332, and a point information storage unit 333. The action content storage unit 331 stores information on the action content of the first user U1 and the second user U2, which has been analyzed by the action content analysis unit 323. The destination data storage unit 332 stores destination data used for mission information. The point information storage unit 333 stores the point value for each user calculated by the point processing unit 326. The memory unit 33 includes a main memory and an auxiliary memory. The main memory may be implemented by semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or flash memory. The auxiliary memory may be implemented by a hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), or optical disc.

[0030] Next, the operation of the health promotion system 1 will be described. Users of the health promotion system 1 can use either the mission provision function or the destination registration function, or both. In this embodiment, the explanation will be given as an example where the first user U1 is a user who uses the mission provision function and the second user U2 is a user who uses the destination registration function.

[0031] This section describes the case where a second user U2 performs an operation using the destination registration function. The second user U2 takes a photograph of scenery and objects (objects, signs, billboards, etc.) at a predetermined location using the second imaging unit 23 of the second user terminal 20, and then performs an operation on the second input / output unit 21 to register the photographed image as a destination.

[0032] The second control unit 25 acquires the second location information obtained by the second location detection unit 22 when the second imaging unit 23 takes a picture, as the shooting location. Based on the operation performed by the second input / output unit 21, the second control unit 25 adds the acquired second location information and shooting date and time information to the image taken by the second imaging unit 23 and transmits it to the information processing device 30 via the second communication unit 24. For example, the second control unit 25 adds the second location information and shooting date and time information to image XA, which is a landscape taken at location X, and image YA, which is an object at location Y, and transmits them to the information processing device 30.

[0033] In the information processing device 30, the second information acquisition unit 322 acquires images XA and YA transmitted from the second user terminal 20 via the third communication unit 31. The mission execution unit 324 registers images XA and YA acquired by the second information acquisition unit 322 as destination data to be used in the mission in the destination data storage unit 332. In addition to images registered by the user, images acquired from other web servers, etc., via the wide-area communication network 40 may also be registered as destination data in the destination data storage unit 332.

[0034] The following describes the case where the first user U1 performs an operation using the mission provision function. While the first user U1 is using the mission provision function, the first control unit 15 of the first user terminal 10 transmits the first position information acquired by the first position detection unit 12 to the information processing device 30 at predetermined time intervals.

[0035] In the information processing device 30, the first information acquisition unit 321 acquires the first location information transmitted from the first user terminal 10. Based on the history of the first location information acquired by the first information acquisition unit 321 for a predetermined period, the behavior content analysis unit 323 analyzes the behavior range, behavior pattern, and amount of movement during the predetermined period as the behavior content of the first user terminal 10, and stores the analysis results in the behavior content storage unit 331.

[0036] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processes that the information processing device 30 performs when providing mission information. The mission execution unit 324 of the information processing device 30 monitors whether or not the timing for determining the amount of movement of the first user U1 has arrived. The timing for determining the amount of movement is a timing that is set in advance at predetermined intervals, for example, every day, every few days, or every week.

[0037] When the mission execution unit 324 determines that the timing for determining the amount of movement of the first user U1 has arrived (YES in step S1), it determines, based on the information stored in the action content storage unit 331, whether or not the amount of movement of the first user U1 within a predetermined period has reached a predetermined threshold (step S2).

[0038] If the mission execution unit 324 determines that the amount of movement of the first user U1 during a predetermined period is below a threshold and that the user is in a state of insufficient exercise (NO in step S2), it generates mission information to encourage the first user U1 to go out, such as for a walk. Specifically, the mission execution unit 324 considers the range of activity and behavioral patterns of the first user U1 stored in the activity content storage unit 331 and selects information about a place that is easy for the first user U1 to go to from the destination data stored in the destination data storage unit 332. Here, "a place that is easy for the first user U1 to go to" refers to, for example, a place within the range of activity of the first user stored in the activity content storage unit 331, or a place that is suitable for the first user's behavioral patterns. The mission execution unit 324 generates information to encourage the first user U1 to move to the selected place as the destination, as mission information related to the first user U1.

[0039] Here, the mission execution unit 324 retrieves image XA registered by the operation of the second user U2 from the destination data stored in the destination data storage unit 332, and generates text information TA "Let's go to this place" prompting the user to move to the location where image XA was taken (the location indicated by the second location information), and mission information MA including image XA. The mission execution unit 324 transmits the generated mission information MA to the first user terminal 10 (step S3).

[0040] At the first user terminal 10, the first control unit 15 receives the mission information MA transmitted from the information processing device 30 via the first communication unit 14, and displays the text information TA and image XA on the first input / output unit 11. The first user U1 visually inspects the information displayed on the first input / output unit 11 and recognizes the contents of the mission information MA.

[0041] Upon recognizing the contents of the mission information MA, the first user U1 carries the first user terminal 10 and moves while searching for the location where image XA was taken. The mission execution unit 324 monitors the first location information acquired by the first information acquisition unit 321 to determine whether the location where image XA was taken, which is the destination, has entered a predetermined range including the current location of the first user U1 (step S4).

[0042] When the mission execution unit 324 determines that the second location information, which is the location where image XA was taken, has entered a predetermined range including the first location information, which is the current location of the first user U1 (YES in step S4), the route identification unit 325 identifies a route from the current location of the first user U1 (first location information) to the location where image XA was taken (second location information corresponding to image XA). The mission execution unit 324 transmits the route information identified by the route identification unit 325 to the first user terminal 10 (step S5). This provides the first user U1 with information that will serve as a clue to reach their destination. When the mission execution unit 324 transmits the generated mission information MA to the first user terminal 10 (step S3), it may also transmit the route information identified by the route identification unit 325 to the first user terminal 10. When the mission execution unit 324 determines, using the information stored in the action content storage unit 331, that the location where the destination image XA was taken is within a predetermined range including the location of a place that the first user U1 has visited in the past, the route identification unit 325 may identify a route from the location of this place (first location information) to the location where image XA was taken.

[0043] When the route identification unit 325 identifies the route from the first location information to the second location information, it may use the history of the first location information acquired by the first information acquisition unit 321 and the history of the second location information acquired by the second information acquisition unit 322.

[0044] The route identifying unit 325 may specify, as a route from the first position information to the second position information, a route including a position common to a first predetermined range including positions included in a history of the first position information and a second predetermined range including positions included in a history of the second position information. The route identifying unit 325 may set the first predetermined range as a radial distance centered on the position included in the history of the first position information. The route identifying unit 325 may set the second predetermined range as a radial distance centered on the position included in the history of the second position information.

[0045] The route identifying unit 325 may make the distance of the first predetermined range different from the distance of the second predetermined range. The route identifying unit 325 may set the distance of the first predetermined range of a first user whose movement amount is less than a predetermined threshold to be longer than the distance of the second predetermined range.

[0046] The route identifying unit 325 may set the distance of the first predetermined range to be longer as the event period is longer. The route identifying unit 325 may set the distance of the second predetermined range to be longer as the event period is longer.

[0047] At this time, the mission execution unit 324 may present route-related information to the first user U1 in greater detail as the movement amount of the first user U1 stored in the action content storage unit 331 is smaller. This makes it possible to lower the difficulty level and make it easier for users with a small movement amount to go out.

[0048] In the first user terminal 10, the route information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 30 is displayed on the first input / output unit 11. The first user U1 can move to the destination by using the information displayed on the first input / output unit 11 as a clue.

[0049] When the distance between the first position information and the shooting location of the image XA becomes less than a predetermined value, the mission execution unit 324 determines that the first user U1 has arrived at the destination (YES in step S6), and recognizes the completion of the mission related to the mission information MA (step S7).

[0050] In this case, the mission execution unit 324 may acquire an image taken by the first user U1 at the destination from the first user terminal 10, compare the acquired image with image XA registered in the destination data storage unit 332, and determine that the first user U1 has arrived at the destination when it recognizes that these images relate to the same location. Specifically, the mission execution unit 324 may calculate a first feature quantity of the image taken by the first user U1, calculate a second feature quantity of image XA registered in the destination data storage unit 332, and determine that the first user U1 has arrived at the destination if the difference between these feature quantities is within a predetermined range.

[0051] As described above, for users who have completed missions using the mission provision function and users who have registered destinations using the destination registration function, the point processing unit 326 updates the point values ​​of each user stored in the point information storage unit 333 according to their usage. The point processing unit 326 transmits the updated point value information to each user terminal 10, 20. This creates a competitive atmosphere among multiple users, encouraging each user to use the health promotion system 1 more actively.

[0052] Here, the mission execution unit 324 may set a difficulty level for each mission, and the point processing unit 326 may vary the point value to be awarded according to the set difficulty level. The difficulty level for each mission is set by, for example, the time it took other users to complete the mission, the length of the travel path, the percentage of users who selected the mission, the mission completion rate, etc. The mission execution unit 324 may set a higher difficulty level for the mission the longer it takes other users to complete the mission. The mission execution unit 324 may set a higher difficulty level for the mission the longer the mission path. The mission execution unit 324 may set a higher difficulty level for the mission the fewer users who completed a mission compared to the number of users who selected that mission. The mission execution unit 324 may also vary the difficulty level of the mission depending on the zoom level or shooting angle of the image used in the mission. For example, the mission execution unit 324 may set a higher difficulty level for the mission the greater the zoom level of the image used in the mission, in other words, the narrower the field of view, or the less information in the image. The mission execution unit 324 may update the difficulty level of each set mission at predetermined intervals.

[0053] In step S3 of the above-described embodiment, the mission execution unit 324 may select multiple locations from the destination data stored in the destination data storage unit 332, generate multiple mission information based on these locations, and present them to the first user U1. In this case, by generating and presenting multiple mission information of different difficulty levels, the first user U1 can select a mission of their desired difficulty level and maintain their motivation to take on challenges.

[0054] The mission execution unit 324 may generate mission information by selecting a location registered by multiple people from the destination data stored in the destination data storage unit 332. By using locations registered by multiple people in this way for mission information, it is possible to generate mission information that respects individual privacy by ensuring that locations visited only by a specific individual are not used for mission information for other people.

[0055] The first user U1 can register a new destination using the destination registration function while also using the mission provision function. Similarly, the second user U2 can also use the mission provision function while also using the destination registration function.

[0056] The mission execution unit 324 evaluates the difficulty level of a destination registered by a user and registers the evaluated difficulty level in the destination data storage unit 332. The point processing unit 326 may also award points to the user who registered the destination according to the difficulty level. This can increase the user's motivation to register destinations and stabilize the supply of destination data.

[0057] In the embodiment described above, the event period calculation unit 327 may calculate an event period that can be used for the mission with respect to the destination data stored in the destination data storage unit 332, and the mission execution unit 324 may generate mission information using the calculated event period. The event period calculation process performed by the event period calculation unit 327 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 3.

[0058] The event period calculation unit 327 acquires a captured image included in the destination data stored in the destination data storage unit 332 (step S11), and analyzes the acquired image to identify the subject (object) in the image. The event period calculation unit 327 identifies the subject using, for example, machine learning. With respect to the identified subject, the event period calculation unit 327 identifies an estimated change date and time, which is the date and time when the degree of change over time since the date and time the image was taken will exceed a predetermined threshold (step S12). The estimated change date and time is, for example, the date and time when it is predicted that a flower will wither or the leaves of a tree will fall. The event period calculation unit 327 may also identify the estimated change date and time using table information that stores information for each object about the period until the degree of change over time exceeds a threshold, which has been set in advance. The event period calculation unit 327 may store information in a table format about the period until the degree of change over time exceeds a threshold, such as one week for a flower or one month for a tree. The event period calculation unit 327 may also store information for each type of object, such as what kind of flower it is.

[0059] Here, when the event period calculation unit 327 identifies multiple subjects from the image, it identifies an estimated change date and time for each subject. If the event period calculation unit 327 has calculated estimated change dates and times for multiple subjects (YES in step S13), it selects the earliest estimated change date and time from among them (step S14). If the event period calculation unit 327 identifies flowers and trees as objects, it selects one week as the earliest estimated change date and time.

[0060] The event period calculation unit 327 calculates the period from the current date and time to the selected estimated change date and time, that is, the period during which the appearance shape of the subject is maintained, as the event period, and adds it to the corresponding destination data in the destination data storage unit 332 and registers it (step S15). If in step S13 only the estimated change date and time for one subject was calculated (NO in step S13), the event period calculation unit 327 calculates the period from the current date and time to the calculated estimated change date and time as the event period, and adds it to the corresponding destination data in the destination data storage unit 332 and registers it (step S15).

[0061] Subsequently, the mission execution unit 324 can generate time-limited mission information using the event period and destination data including images. Here, the mission execution unit 324 may provide a more detailed description of the route used in the mission information if the calculation accuracy of the estimated change date and time is low, or if the period from the current date and time to the estimated change date and time is short. The mission execution unit 324 may use the estimated probability of objects identified by machine learning as the calculation accuracy of the estimated change date and time.

[0062] According to the above embodiments, it is possible to enhance the user's motivation to take action and contribute to maintaining their health.

[0063] By programming the functional configuration of the information processing device 30 described above and incorporating it into a computer, it is also possible to construct a program, such as a route identification program, that makes the computer function as the information processing device 30.

[0064] While embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, it is possible to modify or alter these embodiments and modifications based on the above disclosure. All components of the above embodiments and modifications, and all features described in the claims, may be individually selected and combined, provided that they do not contradict each other.

[0065] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-046366 (Filing Date: March 21, 2025) and Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-046371 (Filing Date: March 21, 2025) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] The present invention is a technology applicable to devices, methods, and programs that provide information to enhance a user's motivation to act.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit acquires location information of a first user as first location information, acquires location information of a second user as second location information, and, if the second location information is included within a predetermined range including the first location information, identifies a path from the first location information to the second location information.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit calculates the amount of movement of the first user based on the first position information, and displays information regarding the route when the amount of movement is less than a predetermined threshold.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires an image of a predetermined location, identifies the subject of the acquired image, calculates an event period as the period until the estimated change date and time, which is the date and time when the degree of change over time since the date and time the image was taken becomes greater than a predetermined threshold with respect to the identified subject, and displays the information of the event period and the image together with the path.

4. A route identification method comprising: a control unit of an information processing device acquiring the location information of a first user as first location information; acquiring the location information of a second user as second location information; and, if the second location information is included within a predetermined range including the first location information, identifying a route from the first location information to the second location information.

5. A route identification program that causes the control unit of an information processing device to perform the following actions: acquire the location information of a first user as first location information; acquire the location information of a second user as second location information; and, if the second location information is included within a predetermined range including the first location information, identify the route from the first location information to the second location information.

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