JP2021148639A - Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve satisfaction feeling for a user who intends to hurry movement by a vehicle by paying the price.SOLUTION: An information processing device is used for guiding a vehicle to a destination. A destination of the vehicle and designation of a degree of urgency are acquired. After travel of the vehicle to the destination based on the designation of the degree of urgency, equivalent value for the designation of the degree of urgency is notified based on comparison between a time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and a predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program, and more particularly to a technique for guiding a vehicle to a destination.

In recent years, the development of vehicles equipped with an automatic driving function has been promoted, and autonomous vehicle control that does not require the intervention of manual driving by the driver is being realized. When many vehicles travel by the automatic driving function, for example, it becomes possible to coordinately drive a plurality of vehicles at a constant speed, and it is expected to realize driving control with higher power efficiency (or fuel efficiency). ..

When traveling in such an environment-friendly manner, the arrival time of the vehicle at the destination may be delayed. Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique of giving points to a user who has performed environment-friendly driving to give an incentive to perform environment-friendly driving.

JP-A-2007-293626

The user may want to reduce the travel time by, for example, traveling at high speed away from cooperative driving, even if he / she pays some consideration. With the technique described in Patent Document 1, when driving is not environmentally friendly, the price of not being able to obtain points is paid. However, since the arrival time at the destination is affected by road conditions and the like, there is a possibility that the arrival at the destination will not be so early even if the arrival is rushed by paying the price. Such a situation may give the user a sense of unfairness.

An object of the present invention is to improve the satisfaction of a user who wants to move quickly by a vehicle by paying a price.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following configurations. That is,
An information processing device used to guide a vehicle to its destination.
An acquisition means for acquiring the destination of the vehicle, designation of the degree of urgency, and
The hurry is based on a comparison between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time after the vehicle has traveled to the destination based on the designation of the degree of hurry. Notification means to notify the consideration for the specified degree,
To be equipped.

By paying the price, it is possible to improve the satisfaction of the user who wants to move by vehicle in a hurry.

The figure which shows an example of the transportation system which concerns on one Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the configuration example of the server which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart of the process performed by the information processing apparatus in one embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the user interface used in one Embodiment. The figure explaining the traffic control in one Embodiment. A flowchart of processing in the information processing method according to the embodiment. The flowchart of the process performed by the communication device in one embodiment. The figure explaining the follow-up running control in one Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the plurality of features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same or similar configuration will be given the same reference number, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[Embodiment 1]
The information processing system according to the present embodiment is used to guide the vehicle to the destination. The information processing system according to the present embodiment includes a server 150, which is an information processing server for navigation shown in FIG. 4, and a communication device 140 shown in FIG. The communication device 140, which is an information processing device, is a device used by the user of the vehicle and can communicate with the server 150. However, the configuration of the information processing system is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, the communication device 140 may have at least one of the functional parts of the server 150 shown in FIG. 4, and the server 150 may have at least one of the functional parts of the communication device 140 shown in FIG. You may have one. Further, the communication device 140 or the server 150 may be composed of, for example, a plurality of information processing devices connected via a network.

First, a configuration example of the communication device 140 used by the user of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 shows a functional block constituting a smartphone as an example of the communication device 140 of the present embodiment. On the other hand, the communication device 140 may be a navigation device such as an in-vehicle navigation device. It should be noted that each of the functional blocks described may be integrated or separated, and the functions described may be realized in separate blocks. Further, what is described as hardware may be realized by software, and vice versa.

The communication unit 301 may be connected to the Internet via mobile communication such as LTE in order to transmit and receive necessary data, including, for example, a communication circuit, and may be connected to the Internet via Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. It may be connected to the vehicle 130.

The operation unit 303 includes buttons and a touch panel included in the communication device 140, and can perform operations on the GUI for various operations displayed on the display unit 305. The display unit 305 includes a display panel such as an LCD or an OLED, and can display a GUI for various operations, a GUI capable of confirming a traveling route, and the like in response to an instruction from the display control unit 314. The sensor unit 304 can include a GPS for identifying the current position and a biometric authentication sensor for identifying the user of the communication device 140.

The recording unit 306 includes, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor memory, and stores map information, information on a set degree of urgency, a program executed by the control unit 302, and the like. The recording unit 306 may store balance information such as points related to the user's account. Further, the recording unit 306 may hold the data of the distributed ledger used in the blockchain technology, for example, and record the transaction using the virtual currency in the distributed ledger. In these cases, the recording unit 306 can pay or receive the consideration based on the amount of the consideration notified from the server 150 as described later.

The control unit 302 includes a processor such as the CPU 310 and a memory such as the RAM 311 to perform processing corresponding to each functional block in the control unit 302 and to control the operation of each unit in the communication device 140. Can be done. Such processing can be realized, for example, by the processor executing the program recorded in the recording unit 306. The RAM 311 includes a volatile storage medium such as a DRAM, and can temporarily store parameters, processing results, and the like used by the control unit 302 to execute a program.

The designation acquisition unit 312 acquires the destination of the vehicle and the designation of the degree of urgency. This information can be input by the user of the vehicle via the operation unit 303. For example, the user selects the degree of rush to the destination from a setting including a first setting (for example, normal mode) and a second setting (for example, hurry mode) indicating that the user is in a hurry than the first setting. can do. The user can also select the degree of urgency from settings that include a third setting (eg, slow mode) that indicates that the degree of urgency is less than the first setting. It should be noted that the user does not have to select an option indicating the degree of urgency, and the user may input a numerical value indicating the degree of urgency. Further, the designation acquisition unit 312 may acquire the designation of the degree of urgency corresponding to the route designated by the user. For example, the user may be presented with a route to a destination corresponding to each of the plurality of urgency degrees, in which case the user can specify a route corresponding to the desired urgency degree.

The navigation information acquisition unit 313 gives an instruction to guide the vehicle to the destination based on the designation of the degree of urgency. In the present embodiment, the navigation information acquisition unit 313 acquires the route search result to the destination acquired by the designated acquisition unit 312 from the server 150. Then, the navigation information acquisition unit 313 gives an instruction to guide the vehicle to the destination based on the route to the destination acquired in this way. For example, when the vehicle is an autonomous driving vehicle, the navigation information acquisition unit 313 can control the vehicle so as to travel along the route to the destination. However, the instruction to guide the vehicle to the destination may be given by an external device such as a server 315. Further, when the vehicle is a manually driven vehicle, the navigation information acquisition unit 313 can display a guide on the display unit 305 so as to travel along the route to the destination. The guidance method based on the designation of the specific degree of urgency will be described later.

The display control unit 314 controls the display of the display unit 305 so as to display GUIs and the like for various operations. For example, the display control unit 314 can display the user interface such as the destination setting screen 161 shown in FIG. 6, the hurry degree designation screen 163, and the consideration display screen 164 on the display unit 305.

Further, the consideration presenting unit 316 is based on a comparison between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time after the vehicle has traveled to the destination based on the designation of the degree of hurry. , Notify the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency. In the present embodiment, after the vehicle arrives at the destination, the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency is determined according to the actual required time. With such a configuration, even if the arrival time at the destination fluctuates due to the influence of road conditions and the like, it is possible to reduce the user's unfairness to the set consideration and enhance the satisfaction.

In the present embodiment, when the user sets a high degree of urgency, a consideration for the setting is collected from the user. This consideration can be set according to the shortening of the required time due to the setting of a high degree of urgency. For example, the consideration for the above second setting (eg, rush mode) may be based on the difference between the predetermined time and the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination according to the second setting. .. The predetermined time may be the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination at normal times. The predetermined time may be the estimated time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination according to the first setting (for example, the normal mode) described above, and for example, when signal control based on the degree of urgency as described later is not performed. It may be the expected time required. The predetermined time is the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination when the vehicle travels according to the degree of urgency in which the consideration is not collected or paid as in the first setting (for example, the normal mode) described above. You may.

Further, when the user sets the degree of urgency low, the user may be given a consideration for the setting. This consideration can be set according to the extension of the required time due to setting the degree of urgency low. For example, as a consideration for the above-mentioned third setting (for example, slow mode), a consideration based on the difference between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time may be given. The user can use the consideration given in this way to set a high degree of urgency in the later boarding opportunity to the vehicle.

In the present embodiment, the above consideration is calculated by the server 150 and notified to the communication device 140. However, the consideration presenting unit 316 may calculate the consideration. In addition, the consideration presentation unit 316 can notify the user of the consideration collected from the user or the consideration given to the user as described above. For example, the consideration presenting unit 316 may notify these consideration on the consideration display screen 164 displayed on the display unit 305.

The type of consideration is not particularly limited. The consideration may be a currency or a virtual currency. Further, the consideration may be points that can be exchanged for currency or points that cannot be exchanged for currency. The consideration paid by the user may be obtained by setting the degree of urgency low, or may be obtained by purchasing from a dealer such as a vehicle dealer.

In the present embodiment, the billing or payment processing of the consideration to the user of the vehicle is performed by the server 150. However, the consideration presenting unit 316 may request the consideration or process the payment. For example, when the recording unit 306 stores the balance information of the points held by the user, the consideration presenting unit 316 reduces the amount corresponding to the consideration from the balance of the points, or reduces the amount corresponding to the consideration to the balance of the points. Can be added.

The priority traffic control unit 315 is a functional unit used in the embodiment of signal control described later, and the description will be described later.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a user interface displayed on the display unit 305. The destination setting screen 161 shown in FIG. 6A can be used by the designated acquisition unit 312 to acquire an input indicating the destination from the user.

The hurry degree designation screen 163 shown in FIG. 6B can be used by the designation acquisition unit 312 to acquire an input indicating the hurry degree designation from the user. On the hurry degree designation screen 163, the route search result acquired by the navigation information acquisition unit 313 and the hurry degree options "hurry", "normal", and "slowly" are displayed. When the user selects a hurry option and presses the "select" button, guidance to the destination of the vehicle starts. The hurry degree designation screen 163 may display information indicating an estimated time or an estimated time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination according to the selected hurry degree.

On the hurry degree designation screen 163, the above-mentioned predetermined time can be notified. In the example of FIG. 6B, the information indicating the predetermined time is the normal required time, which is the estimated time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination in the normal time, and the time when the vehicle arrives at the destination in the normal time. The normal arrival time and is notified. According to such a configuration, the user can determine the degree of hurry in consideration of the normal required time or the normal arrival time. Further, the hurry degree designation screen 163 may display the amount of consideration that the user can pay (for example, the balance of points that the user has).

In addition, the designated acquisition unit 312 calculates the estimated amount of consideration paid by the user upon arrival at the destination based on the estimated time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination according to the degree of urgency selected, or It may be obtained from the server 150. In this case, the designated acquisition unit 312 can notify the user of the expected amount of consideration to be paid or received when the user arrives at the destination, for example, on the hurry degree designation screen 163. Further, in such a configuration, if the expected amount of consideration paid by the user is larger than the amount of consideration that can be paid by the user, the designated acquisition unit 312 may reject the selection of the degree of urgency selected by the user. good. With such a configuration, the user can select a high degree of urgency only when the amount of consideration that the user can pay (for example, the balance of points) is sufficiently large. Such a configuration can give the user an incentive to choose a lower degree of urgency.

The consideration display screen 164 shown in FIG. 6C can be used to notify the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency. For example, the consideration display screen 164 can display the amount of consideration paid or received by the user for the designation of the degree of urgency. Further, the consideration display screen 164 may display the amount of consideration that can be paid by the user (for example, the balance of points held by the user) after the consideration is paid or received. As shown in the example of FIG. 6C, the consideration display screen 164 may further display information indicating the required time or arrival time to the actual destination, and the information indicating the above-mentioned predetermined time (for example, (Normal required time or normal arrival time) may be displayed.

Next, the configuration of the server 150 will be described with reference to FIG. The server 150 is composed of one or more server devices. It should be noted that each of the functional blocks described may be integrated or separated, and the functions described may be realized in separate blocks. Further, what is described as hardware may be realized by software, and vice versa.

The communication unit 401 includes a communication circuit that communicates with the communication device 140 via a network. The communication unit 401 can transmit the information processed by the control unit 402 to the communication device 140 or the like, or receive the information processed by the control unit 402 from the communication device 140 or the like.

The control unit 402 includes a processor such as the CPU 410 and a memory such as the RAM 411, and can perform processing corresponding to each functional block in the control unit 402 and control the operation of each unit in the server 150. can. Such processing can be realized, for example, by the processor executing the program recorded in the recording unit 403. The RAM 411 includes a volatile storage medium such as a DRAM, and can temporarily store parameters, processing results, and the like used by the control unit 402 to execute a program.

The recording unit 403 includes a non-volatile recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, and can store set values and programs required for the operation of the server 150.

In the present embodiment, the communication unit 401 acquires information indicating the destination of the vehicle from the communication device 140. The communication unit 401 can also acquire information indicating the current location of the vehicle from the communication device 140. Then, the navigation information generation unit 414 generates a route search result to the destination and transmits it to the communication device 140 via the communication unit 401. For example, the navigation information generation unit 414 can determine a route candidate having a low route cost from the current location of the vehicle to the destination. The navigation information generation unit 414 may generate a route search result in consideration of the current road traffic information.

In addition, the navigation information generation unit 414 can calculate the required time to reach the destination in a normal time, for example, the expected required time when signal control based on the degree of urgency as described later is not performed. In addition, route candidates may be modified to stop at charging or refueling facilities around points where charging or refueling is required. The navigation information generation unit 414 transmits the route to the destination and the information indicating the normal arrival time or the normal required time to the communication device 140 as shown in the hurry degree designation screen 163 of FIG. 6 (B). You may. The navigation information generation unit 414 may determine a plurality of route candidates and transmit them to the communication device 140. For example, the navigation information generation unit 414 may determine a route candidate according to each of a plurality of urgency degrees. At this time, the plurality of route candidates may be sorted in order of required time. In this case, the user of the communication device 140 can select a desired candidate from a plurality of route candidates.

On the other hand, the navigation information generation unit 414 may control the traveling of the vehicle according to the calculated route search result. Such a configuration can be used, for example, when the server 150 controls the traveling of the autonomous driving vehicle. In such a configuration, the navigation information generation unit 414 can acquire from the communication device 140 a user input that specifies to start traveling according to the searched route and a designation of the degree of urgency. Then, the navigation information generation unit 414 can give an instruction to guide the vehicle to the destination based on the designation of the degree of urgency. In this case, the navigation information generation unit 414 can set the travel route to the vehicle 130 so that the vehicle travels based on the designation of the degree of urgency. In this way, the vehicle 130 can travel on the set route by automatic driving.

The consideration calculation unit 415 calculates the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency based on the comparison between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time. The calculation method of the consideration is as described above.

The consideration processing unit 416 bills or processes the consideration to the user of the vehicle. The consideration processing unit 416 reduces the amount corresponding to the consideration from the point balance by communicating with the server storing the point balance information held by the user via the communication unit 401, for example, or the point balance. An amount equivalent to the consideration can be added to.

The traffic information acquisition unit 413 is a functional unit used in the embodiment of signal control described later, and the description will be described later.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an information processing method performed by the communication device 140 according to the present embodiment. In step S1110, the designation acquisition unit 312 acquires the destination of the vehicle and the designation of the degree of urgency as described above. In step S1120, the navigation information acquisition unit 313 gives an instruction to guide the vehicle to the destination based on the designation of the degree of urgency as described above. In step S1130, the vehicle arrives at the destination. In step S1140, the consideration presenting unit 316 notifies the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency based on the comparison between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time as described above.

Further, the server 150 constituting the information processing system according to the present embodiment can also perform processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, in step S1110, the communication unit 401 acquires the destination of the vehicle and the designation of the degree of hurry as described above. In step S1120, the navigation information generation unit 414 gives an instruction to guide the vehicle to the destination based on the designation of the degree of urgency as described above. In step S1130, the vehicle arrives at the destination. In step S1140, the consideration calculation unit 415 calculates the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency based on the comparison between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time, and the consideration processing unit 416. Charges or processes payment to the user of the vehicle.

In addition to the consideration for the above-mentioned designation of the degree of urgency, the user of the vehicle may pay the consideration for getting on the vehicle. For example, when a user gets on an autonomous vehicle, he / she may pay a fee according to the straight line distance from the departure point to the destination or the distance of the shortest route.

Hereinafter, an example of a specific method for the navigation information acquisition unit 313 or the navigation information generation unit 414 to give an instruction to guide the vehicle to the destination based on the designation of the degree of urgency will be described. As one of the methods, the route of the vehicle can be set based on the designation of the degree of hurry. For example, in order to save power or fuel, the vehicle may normally travel on a route that balances the short distance to the destination with the short arrival time. On the other hand, when the degree of hurry is high, the vehicle can travel at high speed because it has a long mileage but is vacant or has a high speed limit, and travels on a route where the arrival at the destination is faster than usual. You may. Further, when the degree of hurry is low, the vehicle may travel on a route in which the mileage is short, but the traveling speed is slow due to a slow speed limit or the like, and the arrival at the destination is slower than usual.

Alternatively, the speed of the vehicle can be set based on the specified degree of rush. For example, in order to save power or fuel, the vehicle may normally travel at a speed that balances fuel or power consumption efficiency with speed. On the other hand, when the degree of hurry is high, the vehicle can arrive at the destination faster than usual by traveling at a higher speed, although the fuel or power consumption efficiency is reduced. In addition, when the degree of hurry is low, the vehicle arrives at the destination later than usual, but can travel at a speed with higher fuel or power consumption efficiency.

As a further method, the operation of the traffic signal on the route of the vehicle can be controlled based on the designation of the degree of rush, or the follow-up running by the vehicle can be controlled based on the designation of the degree of rush. Hereinafter, these methods will be described in detail.

[Traffic signal operation control]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the traffic system 100 that controls the operation of the traffic signal based on the designation of the degree of urgency will be described. Hereinafter, a case where a vehicle sharing system in which a user shares a plurality of vehicles is used will be described. In the vehicle sharing system according to one embodiment, the above-mentioned degree of urgency is specified for each of the plurality of vehicles. Then, based on the designation of the degree of urgency, the priority of passage of one vehicle included in the plurality of vehicles to the other vehicle included in the plurality of vehicles is determined. Further, in the following description, it is assumed that the autonomous driving vehicle is used in the vehicle sharing system. However, the type of the transportation system to which the guidance to the destination of the vehicle based on the designation of the degree of urgency according to the present embodiment is applied is not particularly limited. For example, the operation of a traffic signal at an intersection through which a manually driven vehicle passes may be controlled according to the degree of urgency.

The vehicle 130 is, for example, an electric vehicle or a vehicle capable of traveling by using fuel, which is capable of autonomous driving. The vehicle 130 can measure the state inside the vehicle by various sensors in the vehicle and transmit the collected data to the server 150. The data collected and transmitted in this way is also generally referred to as floating data, probe data, traffic information, or the like. Such data includes, for example, the current position, vehicle speed (vehicle speed), remaining amount of vehicle battery or fuel, or images or three-dimensional data obtained by a camera or LIDAR, but other information. May include. These data are transmitted to the server 150 at regular intervals or in response to the occurrence of a particular event. Further, the vehicle 130 can transmit setting information such as designation of the degree of urgency to the server 150. In the following description, the data transmitted from the vehicle 130 to the server 150 are collectively referred to as vehicle information. The vehicle information is also transmitted, if necessary, in part or in whole to the communication device 140 associated with the vehicle 130.

The server 150 sequentially acquires vehicle information from the plurality of vehicles 130 and records it in the vehicle database. In addition, the server 150 can sequentially acquire information on the traffic light 120 (from the information processing device 110), and can grasp the traffic conditions of various routes in almost real time. Using the acquired information, the server 150 can estimate, for example, the route through which the vehicle passes and the required time for the passage, and can transmit the estimated route and the required time to the communication device 140.

The information processing device 110 controls the lighting of the traffic light 120. The information processing device 110 controls the lighting of the traffic light 120 so as to be switched at a normal lighting timing, and also communicates with the communication device 140 associated with the vehicle 130 within a predetermined distance to obtain the traffic light 120 according to the traffic priority. Lighting can be controlled. Here, the information processing device 110 may communicate with all the communication devices 140 owned by each user associated with the vehicle 130, or may communicate only with the representative communication device 140 set as the master unit. Control based on the degree of urgency will be described later. In the example of this embodiment, the case where the traffic light 120 and the information processing device 110 are separate bodies is described as an example, but the information processing device 110 may be built in the traffic light 120.

The network 111 includes a communication network such as the Internet or a mobile phone network, and transmits information between the information processing device 110 or the server 150 and the vehicle 130 or the communication device 140. However, the network 111 is not indispensable, and for example, the communication device 140 and the information processing device 110 may directly establish wireless communication for communication.

The communication device 140 can communicate with the vehicle 130 via wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or communicate with the information processing device 110 and the server 150 via a network 111 such as a mobile communication network. .. The communication device 140 is associated with the vehicle 130, for example, by being paired with the vehicle 130 in advance.

In order for the user of the vehicle 130 to arrive at the destination using the transportation system 100, the communication device 140 associated with the vehicle 130 is used to determine the route to the destination as described above. When the user selects a desired route, the selected route is set in the vehicle 130, and the vehicle 130 follows the route by, for example, automatic driving.

(Configuration and processing of information processing device 110)
Next, an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 110 that controls the lighting of the signal will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that each of the functional blocks described may be integrated or separated, and the functions described may be realized in separate blocks. Further, what is described as hardware may be realized by software, and vice versa.

The communication unit 201 includes a communication circuit that communicates with a plurality of communication devices 140 via the network 111. Further, the communication unit 201 may transmit the information processed by the control unit 202 to the communication device 140 or the like, or may receive the information processed by the control unit 202 from the communication device 140 or the like.

The control unit 202 includes a CPU 210 and a RAM 211, which are central arithmetic units. The control unit 202 controls the operation of each part inside the control unit 202 or controls the operation of each part of the information processing device 110 by expanding and executing the program stored in the recording unit 203 in the RAM 211. Further, the control unit 202 executes the lighting control process of the traffic light 120. This lighting control process will be described later. The RAM 211 includes a volatile storage medium such as a DRAM, and temporarily stores parameters, processing results, and the like for the control unit 202 to execute a program. The recording unit 203 includes a non-volatile recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, and stores set values and programs necessary for the operation of the information processing apparatus 110.

The control unit 202 has an information acquisition unit 212, a determination unit 213, and a traffic control unit 214, and controls signals based on the degree of urgency described later. Hereinafter, an example in which the control unit 202 controls the signal at the intersection will be described. The information acquisition unit 212 first identifies a vehicle to be processed among the vehicles passing around the traffic light 120 (for example, within a predetermined distance), and provides information on the degree of urgency from the communication device 140 associated with the vehicle. To get.

The determination unit 213 determines, among the vehicles to be processed, the vehicle that gives priority to traffic, based on the information on the degree of urgency. The traffic control unit 214 controls the lighting of the traffic light 120 according to the determination result in the determination unit 213.

Next, a series of operations of the lighting control process in the information processing apparatus 110 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is realized by the CPU 210 of the control unit 202 executing the program recorded in the recording unit 203.

In S501, the control unit 202 identifies the vehicle to be processed from the vehicles passing around the traffic light 120 (for example, within a predetermined distance). For example, the control unit 202 acquires the current position, moving direction, and vehicle speed of the vehicle from the communication device 140 associated with the vehicle passing around the traffic light 120, and the vehicle affected by the lighting of the traffic light (that is, processing). Determine if it is the target vehicle). The control unit 202 identifies, for example, a vehicle that stops at a red light of a traffic light or a vehicle that passes at a green light as a vehicle that is affected by lighting.

In S502, the information acquisition unit 212 of the control unit 202 acquires information on the degree of urgency of the vehicle to be processed from the communication device 140 associated with the vehicle to be processed.

In S503, the determination unit 213 determines whether the vehicle specified as the processing target travels only in the same direction. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 7A, only the vehicle 701 and the vehicle 702 (that is, the vehicle to be processed) are approaching the intersection, and the vehicle 701 and the vehicle 702 are traveling only in the same direction. .. When only vehicles traveling in the same direction approach the intersection in this way, it is not necessary to turn the traffic light 750 to a red light and stop the vehicle. That is, when the lighting of the traffic light 750 becomes a red light, if the lighting of the traffic light 750 is controlled to a green light and these vehicles pass through, these vehicles can arrive at the destination earlier. In the determination in the same direction, when there are oncoming vehicles of the vehicle 701 and the vehicle 702, the oncoming vehicle can also be regarded as a vehicle traveling only in the same direction. Further, when there is only one vehicle to be processed, it may be handled in the same manner.

For example, when the determination unit 213 determines that the vehicle specified as the processing target passes in the same direction based on the current position, the moving direction, and the vehicle speed of the vehicle from the communication device 140, the determination unit 213 advances the processing to S506. If not, the process proceeds to S504.

In S504, the determination unit 213 determines the vehicle having the highest degree of urgency. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7B, the vehicle 701 (hurry degree 1), the vehicle 702 (hurry degree 2), the vehicle 703 (hurry degree 1), and the vehicle 704 (hurry degree 3) are in different directions. We are approaching an intersection while passing by. At this time, the traffic light 750 is a green light and the traffic light 751 is a red light. In this situation, the determination unit 213 compares the hurry degree of the vehicles 701 to 704 and determines the vehicle having the highest hurry degree as the vehicle 704 (the hurry degree is 3).

In S506, the traffic control unit 214 of the control unit 202 controls the lighting of the traffic light. The traffic control unit 214 controls the lighting of the traffic light 120 on one road from a red light to a green light so that the vehicle with the highest degree of rush can pass through the intersection. At this time, the traffic control unit 214 may transmit a passability notification to the communication device 140 of the vehicle, which has enabled preferential traffic, in response to controlling the lighting of the traffic light 120. At this time, the impassability notification may be transmitted to the communication device 140 of the vehicle that has accepted the preferential passage of another vehicle.

(Configuration and processing of communication device 140)
The designation acquisition unit 312 of the communication device 140 can transmit the designation of the degree of urgency by the user to the server 150 or the peripheral information processing device 110 via the communication unit 301. Further, in this configuration, the communication device 140 has a priority traffic control unit 315. When the lighting of the traffic light 120 is controlled by the information processing device 110, the priority traffic control unit 315 receives a passable notification (that is, a notification indicating that preferential traffic has become possible) or a non-passable notification (another). A notification indicating that the vehicle has accepted the preferential traffic) is received from the information processing device 110. In response to receiving these notifications, the priority traffic control unit 315 transmits a control signal for preferentially passing or stopping the intersection to the vehicle 130.

Next, a series of operations of the communication control process performed by the communication device 140 at the intersection will be described with reference to FIG. This process is realized by the CPU 310 of the control unit 302 executing the program recorded in the recording unit 306.

In S901, the designated acquisition unit 312 of the control unit 302 records the information on the degree of urgency acquired from the user in the recording unit 306.

In S902, the designated acquisition unit 312 transmits information on the degree of urgency to the peripheral information processing device 110 via the communication unit 201. For example, when the control unit 202 communicates with the peripheral information processing device 110 and is determined by the specific information processing device 110 to be a vehicle affected by the lighting of the signal (that is, a vehicle to be processed), the control unit 202 is concerned. Information on the degree of urgency is transmitted to the information processing device 110.

In S903, when the lighting of the traffic light 120 is controlled by the information processing device 110, the priority traffic control unit 315 receives a passable notification or a non-passable notification from the information processing device 110. Here, the passable notification is a notification indicating that preferential passage has become possible, and the impassable notification is a notification indicating that the preferential passage of another vehicle has been accepted.

In S904, the priority traffic control unit 315 determines whether the received notification indicates that priority traffic is possible, and if it is determined that priority traffic is possible, proceeds to process in S905. If not, the process proceeds to S906. In S905, the priority traffic control unit 315 transmits a control signal for preferentially passing the intersection to the vehicle 130 in response to receiving the passability notification. On the other hand, in S906, the priority traffic control unit 315 transmits to the vehicle 130 a control signal for accepting and stopping the preferential traffic of another vehicle in response to receiving the non-traffic notification. After S905 or S906, the control unit 202 ends a series of operations of the vehicle control process.

(Configuration of server 150)
In this configuration, the server 150 sequentially acquires vehicle information from the plurality of vehicles 130 and records it in the vehicle database. Further, the server 150 may have a traffic information acquisition unit 413. The traffic information acquisition unit 413 may receive the above-mentioned vehicle information (that is, information on the current position and vehicle speed, information on the destination, information on priority, etc.) from the plurality of vehicles 130 and record it in the vehicle database. can. In addition, the traffic information acquisition unit 413 can sequentially acquire information on the traffic light 120 (for example, information on the lighting state and lighting timing of the traffic light) from the information processing device 110 of the traffic light located at various points. In this way, the server 150 can grasp the traffic conditions of various routes in almost real time. The server 150 may use the acquired information to estimate the route through which the vehicle passes and the required time for the passage, and transmit the estimated route and the required time to the communication device 140.

[Control of follow-up driving]
Next, a traffic system that controls the follow-up running by the vehicle based on the designation of the degree of hurry will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case where the vehicle 130 travels on an expressway as an example of a road that can be overtaken will be described as an example. In the normal lane of a highway, a plurality of vehicles 1301, 1302 can cooperatively travel at a fuel-efficient speed (for example, 80 km / h) by automatic driving or manual driving. On the other hand, the vehicle 1303, which is set to have a higher rush degree (3) than usual, can travel in the overtaking lane at a higher speed (faster than 80 km / h and within the speed limit). In addition, when a vehicle 1302 in which a lower hurry degree (1) is set than usual finds a vehicle traveling at a speed slower than usual (for example, 70 km / h), the vehicle 1302 follows and travels to provide air during traveling. The resistance may be reduced and the efficiency of power or fuel consumption may be improved.

[Summary of Embodiment]
The above-described embodiment discloses at least the following information processing devices, information processing systems, information processing methods, and programs.

1. 1. The information processing device of the above embodiment is
An information processing device (140) used to guide a vehicle to a destination.
Acquisition means (312) for acquiring the destination of the vehicle, designation of the degree of urgency, and
The hurry is based on a comparison between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time after the vehicle has traveled to the destination based on the designation of the degree of hurry. Notification means (316) for notifying the consideration for the designation of the degree, and
To be equipped.
According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the satisfaction of the user who is rushing to move in the vehicle by paying the price.

2. In the information processing device of the above embodiment,
The degree of urgency is selected from a setting including a first setting and a second setting indicating that the urgency is higher than the first setting.
According to this embodiment, the user can move in a vehicle in a hurry when he / she desires.

3. 3. In the information processing device of the above embodiment,
The predetermined time is an estimated time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination according to the first setting.
According to this embodiment, the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency can be determined according to the comparison with the required time in the case of designating another degree of urgency.

4. In the information processing device of the above embodiment,
The notification means (316) collects a consideration based on the difference between the predetermined time and the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination as the consideration for the second setting. Notice.
According to this embodiment, it is possible to collect from the user the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency according to the shortening of the required time.

5. In the information processing device of the above embodiment,
The degree of urgency is selected from settings that include a third setting that indicates that the degree of urgency is less than that of the first setting.
According to this embodiment, the user can slowly move in the vehicle when desired.

6. In the information processing device of the above embodiment,
The notification means (316) gives a consideration based on the difference between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time as a consideration for the third setting. Notice.
According to this embodiment, the user can be given a price for specifying the degree of urgency according to the increase in the required time, so that the user is more likely to desire to move slowly in the vehicle.

7. In the information processing device of the above embodiment,
The predetermined time is the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination in a normal time.
The acquisition means (312) acquires the designation of the degree of urgency after notifying the predetermined time.
According to this embodiment, the consideration can be set according to the change in the required time as compared with the normal time.

8. In the information processing device of the above embodiment,
The consideration is a point that can be exchanged for currency.
According to this embodiment, the value of the points is high, so that the percentage of users who specify a high degree of urgency can be reduced.

9. In the information processing device of the above embodiment,
Guidance of the vehicle based on the designation of the degree of urgency
The route of the vehicle is set based on the designation of the degree of urgency.
Controlling the speed of the vehicle based on the designation of the degree of urgency,
Controlling the follow-up running by the vehicle based on the designation of the degree of urgency, or
Controlling the operation of traffic signals on the route of the vehicle based on the designation of the degree of urgency.
Including that.
According to this embodiment, the time required for moving by vehicle can be shortened according to the designation of the degree of urgency.

10. The information processing system of the above embodiment
An information processing system (150) used to guide a vehicle to a destination.
Acquisition means (401) for acquiring the destination of the vehicle, designation of the degree of urgency, and
An instruction means (414) for instructing the vehicle to guide the vehicle to the destination based on the designation of the degree of urgency, and
A calculation means (415) for calculating the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency based on the comparison between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time.
A consideration processing means (416) for billing or paying the consideration to the user of the vehicle, and
To be equipped.
According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the satisfaction of the user who is rushing to move in the vehicle by paying the price.

11. The program of the above embodiment
The computer is made to function as each means of the information processing apparatus of the above embodiment.
According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the satisfaction of the user who is rushing to move in the vehicle by paying the price.

Although the embodiments of the invention have been described above, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention.

140: Communication device, 150: Server, 312: Designated acquisition unit, 313: Navigation information acquisition unit, 314: Display control unit, 316: Consideration presentation unit, 401: Communication unit, 414: Navigation information generation unit, 415: Consideration calculation Department 416: Consideration processing department

Claims (12)

An information processing device used to guide a vehicle to its destination.
An acquisition means for acquiring the destination of the vehicle, designation of the degree of urgency, and
The hurry is based on a comparison between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time after the vehicle has traveled to the destination based on the designation of the degree of hurry. Notification means to notify the consideration for the specified degree,
An information processing device characterized by being equipped with. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the degree of urgency is selected from a setting including a first setting and a second setting indicating that the urgency is higher than the first setting. .. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined time is an estimated time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination according to the first setting. The notification means notifies that, as a consideration for the second setting, a consideration based on a difference between the predetermined time and the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination is collected. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. The information processing according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the degree of urgency is selected from a setting including a third setting indicating that the degree of urgency is not urgent than the first setting. Device. The notification means notifies that, as a consideration for the third setting, a consideration based on a difference between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time is given. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. The predetermined time is the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination in a normal time.
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the acquisition means acquires the designation of the degree of urgency after notifying the predetermined time. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the consideration is points that can be exchanged for currency. Guidance of the vehicle based on the designation of the degree of urgency
The route of the vehicle is set based on the designation of the degree of urgency.
Controlling the speed of the vehicle based on the designation of the degree of urgency,
Controlling the follow-up running by the vehicle based on the designation of the degree of urgency, or
Controlling the operation of traffic signals on the route of the vehicle based on the designation of the degree of urgency.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the information processing apparatus includes the above. An information processing system used to guide a vehicle to its destination.
An acquisition means for acquiring the destination of the vehicle, designation of the degree of urgency, and
An instruction means for instructing the vehicle to be guided to the destination based on the designation of the degree of urgency, and
A calculation means for calculating the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency based on the comparison between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time.
A consideration processing means for billing or paying the consideration to the user of the vehicle, and
An information processing system characterized by being equipped with. It is an information processing method performed by the information processing system used to guide the vehicle to the destination.
The process of acquiring the destination of the vehicle, the designation of the degree of urgency, and
A step of instructing the vehicle to be guided to the destination based on the designation of the degree of urgency, and
A step of calculating the consideration for the designation of the degree of urgency based on the comparison between the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination and the predetermined time.
The process of billing or paying the consideration to the user of the vehicle, and
An information processing method characterized by being provided with. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or the information processing system according to claim 10.

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