JP5085970B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, information processing program, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium for processing information for moving a plurality of users to the same destination point. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the above-described information processing apparatus, information processing method, information processing program, and computer-readable recording medium.

  Conventionally, when a plurality of users heads to the same destination point by vehicle, they sometimes gather at a boarding / alighting point determined between users and then board the vehicle and head for the destination point. In recent years, proposals have been made to set a merging point according to a moving means between a user and a merging partner (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

  Specifically, for example, in the invention described in Patent Document 1 described above, a facility that can be reached by a user who travels by vehicle and public transport in the same time in order to set an appropriate junction for the user The area around is a meeting point.

JP 2006-105929 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, when a user goes to the same destination point by a plurality of vehicles, all the users and vehicles join at the joining point, so that the joining point can be reached quickly. Vehicles and users need time adjustment such as waiting until all vehicles and users arrive at the junction, and time is wasted.

  That is, for each of a plurality of vehicles, there is no setting of a junction point according to the user who rides in the vehicle, and thus the vehicle and the user cannot efficiently use time. . Specifically, for example, when there are users around each vehicle for a plurality of vehicles that depart from different points, it is inefficient for all the vehicles and users to meet at the set junction. I can say that.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the information processing apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 sets a boarding / alighting point at which a plurality of users heading to the same destination by a plurality of vehicles get on and off the vehicle. In the information processing apparatus, the acquisition means for acquiring the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users, the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users acquired by the acquisition means, and the purpose An extraction unit that extracts a plurality of candidate points as candidates for the getting-on / off point from map information, a plurality of candidate points extracted by the extraction unit, the plurality of vehicles, and the plurality of points Calculating means for calculating travel times from the current point of the user to the candidate point and the destination point by the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users; and Based on the travel time calculated in the above, from the combination determined by the determination unit, a determination unit that determines a combination of the vehicle, the user who gets on and off the vehicle, and the candidate point, A setting means for setting a point, and the extraction means is an extraction target area of the candidate point that is specified according to the current point of the plurality of vehicles acquired by the acquisition unit and the destination point. The candidate point is extracted from the determination point, and the determining means determines the difference in each required time to the same destination of the plurality of vehicles to be a minimum.

  An information processing method according to the invention of claim 9 is an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of users heading to the same destination point by a plurality of vehicles sets a boarding / exiting point at which the vehicle gets on / off. The information processing device acquires the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users, the plurality of vehicles and the current points of the plurality of users acquired by the acquisition step, An extraction step of extracting a plurality of candidate points that are candidates for the boarding / alighting point from map information according to a destination point, a plurality of candidate points extracted by the extraction step, the plurality of vehicles, and the plurality of points A calculation step of calculating travel times from the current point of the user to the candidate point and the destination point by the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users; and the calculation Based on the travel time calculated according to the process, a determination step of determining a combination of the vehicle, the user who gets on and off the vehicle, and the candidate point, and the combination determined by the determination step, A setting step of setting a point, and the extraction step is an extraction target of the candidate point that is specified according to the current point of the plurality of vehicles acquired by the acquisition step and the destination point The candidate point is extracted from the area, and the determining step determines the difference between the required times to the same destination of the plurality of vehicles to be a minimum.

  An information processing program according to claim 10 causes a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 9.

  A computer-readable recording medium according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention records the information processing program according to the tenth aspect.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
(Functional configuration of information processing device)
A functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, an information processing apparatus 100 for setting a boarding / alighting point at which a plurality of users heading to the same destination by a plurality of vehicles gets on and off the vehicle includes an acquisition unit 101, an extraction unit 102, and a calculation unit 103. , A determination unit 104, a setting unit 105, and a notification unit 106.

  The acquisition unit 101 acquires current positions of a plurality of vehicles and a plurality of users. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire information on the number of people who can board a plurality of vehicles, information on movement of a plurality of users, and the like. The information regarding movement may be, for example, a moving means when the user moves to the boarding / exiting point. The moving means is, for example, public transportation such as walking, bicycle, vehicle, bus or train, and in the case of public transportation, it may be acquired including information on a timetable.

  More specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 101 accepts input of information such as a departure point and departure time of a vehicle and a user, a destination point and an arrival time, a waypoint, and a boarding point, and receives by communication. .

  Moreover, the acquisition part 101 is good also as acquiring the several vehicle currently moving to a boarding / alighting point, and the present location of several users. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 101 may be configured to acquire a request for changing a boarding / alighting point from a plurality of vehicles and a plurality of users moving to the boarding / alighting point. In other words, the acquisition unit 101 acquires a departure point / departure time, a destination point / arrival time, a via point, and a departure / arrival point of a vehicle or a user by acquiring a change request for the departure point / exit point from a plurality of vehicles and a plurality of users. It is good also as acquiring information, such as.

  The extraction unit 102 extracts a plurality of candidate points that are candidates for getting on and off from the map information according to the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users acquired by the acquisition unit 101 and the destination point. . Specifically, for example, the candidate point may be a public transportation use point that can be used by a plurality of users, or a facility such as a parking lot around the public transportation that can get on and off the vehicle.

  Moreover, the structure which extracts the candidate point from the extraction target area of the candidate point specified according to the present location and the destination point of the several vehicle acquired by the acquisition part 101 may be sufficient as the extraction part 102. The extraction target area may be, for example, an ellipse range including a straight line composed of the current point of the vehicle and the destination point on the major axis or the minor axis, or may include a predetermined number of candidate points.

  In addition, the extraction unit 102 may be a plurality of candidates for getting on and off from the map information in accordance with the current location of the plurality of moving vehicles and the plurality of users acquired by the acquisition unit 101 and the destination point. The configuration may be such that candidate points are re-extracted. Specifically, for example, when a change request is acquired by the acquisition unit 101, the extraction unit 102 gets on and off from the map information according to the current points and destination points of a plurality of vehicles and a plurality of users. It is good also as re-extracting the some candidate point used as the candidate of a point.

  The calculation unit 103 travels from the plurality of candidate points extracted by the extraction unit 102 and the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users to the candidate points and the destination points by the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users. Is calculated. Specifically, for example, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the movement time based on the information related to movement acquired by the acquisition unit 101.

  The determination unit 104 determines a combination of a vehicle, a user who gets on and off the vehicle, and a candidate point based on the travel time calculated by the calculation unit 103. Specifically, for example, the determination unit 104 may determine a combination of a vehicle and a user who can get on the vehicle at the candidate point, according to the number of people that can be boarded acquired by the acquisition unit 101.

  More specifically, for example, the determination unit 104 minimizes the travel time of the users who get on and off each vehicle within a range that does not exceed the number of people who can get on and off any vehicle. It is good also as determining a candidate point as a boarding / alighting point. Moreover, the determination part 104 may determine a boarding / alighting point so that the difference of the moving time of each vehicle and each user may become small instead of making traveling time the minimum. Furthermore, the determination part 104 is good also as determining a boarding / alighting point according to the cost and movement distance which a user takes for a movement instead of a movement time, for example.

  The setting unit 105 sets a boarding / exiting point from the combination determined by the determining unit 104. Specifically, for example, the setting unit 105 may set a travel route for each vehicle and each user to travel to the boarding / exiting point from the combination determined by the determination unit 104.

  The notification unit 106 notifies a plurality of vehicles and a plurality of users of the boarding / alighting points set by the setting unit 105. Specifically, for example, the notification unit 106 may be configured to notify a plurality of vehicles and a plurality of users of a moving route to a boarding / exiting point.

(Contents of information processing equipment processing)
Next, the contents of the processing of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, the acquisition unit 101 determines whether or not the current points of a plurality of vehicles and a plurality of users have been acquired (step S201).

  In step S201, waiting for the current location to be acquired and if acquired (step S201: Yes), the extraction unit 102 acquires the current locations of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users acquired in step S201, and the purpose. In response to the location, a plurality of candidate locations that are candidates for getting on and off are extracted from the map information (step S202).

  Next, from the plurality of candidate points extracted in step S202 by the calculation unit 103 and the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users to the candidate points and destination points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users. The travel time is calculated (step S203). Specifically, for example, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the movement time based on the information related to movement acquired by the acquisition unit 101.

  Next, the determination unit 104 determines a combination of a vehicle, a user who gets on and off the vehicle, and a candidate point based on the travel time calculated in step S203 (step S204).

  And the setting part 105 sets a boarding / alighting point from the combination determined in step S204 (step S205), and complete | finishes a series of processes. Although not described in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the notification unit 106 may notify a plurality of vehicles and a plurality of users of the boarding points set in step S <b> 205.

  The information processing apparatus, the information processing method, the information processing program, and the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention are realized by the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The apparatus is not limited to 100, and a plurality of apparatuses may be used as long as the function unit illustrated in FIG. When each functional unit is connected as a different device, the connection between the devices may be established by performing communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, regardless of wired or wireless.

  As described above, according to the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, the information processing program, and the computer-readable recording medium according to the present embodiment, optimization of determination of a boarding / exiting point at which a user gets on and off the vehicle is achieved. In addition, an efficient assembly of vehicles and users can be achieved.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment, an example in which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is implemented by a navigation device mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle (including a four-wheeled vehicle and a two-wheeled vehicle) will be described.

(Outline of the boarding point determination system)
First, the outline | summary of the boarding point determination system concerning the present Example 1 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of the boarding point determination system according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the boarding point determination system 300 boardes one of the candidate points S1, S2, S3, S4 when the vehicles C1, C2 and the users M1, M2, M3 head for the same destination point G. It is a system that decides on a point. Candidate points S1, S2, S3, S4 are, for example, stations that are public transportation.

  Further, the boarding point determination system 300 notifies the vehicles C1, C2 and the users M1, M2, M3 of the waiting information at the determined boarding point. The waiting information may be, for example, route information from the current location of the vehicles C1, C2 and the users M1, M2, M3 to the boarding location.

  The route information is, for example, information indicating a route where the vehicles C1, C2 and the users M1, M2, M3 head for the boarding point, and may include road traffic information, moving means to be used, time information, and the like. . Then, the vehicles C1, C2 and the users M1, M2, M3 meet at the boarding points determined by the boarding point determination system 300, and the users M1, M2, M3 get on the boarding determined for each. The vehicle gets on one of the vehicles C1 and C2 at the point and heads for the destination point G.

  Specifically, for example, the boarding point determination system 300 determines a boarding point using a navigation device mounted on at least one of the vehicles C1 and C2. In addition, although the present Example 1 demonstrates as determining a boarding point with a navigation apparatus, the structure which determines a boarding point by the communication terminal of user M1, M2, M3, an information processing server which is not shown in figure, etc. may be sufficient. .

  Although details will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the boarding point is determined by, for example, obtaining the current point and the destination point G of the vehicles C1 and C2 and the users M1, M2 and M3, For each of the vehicles C1, C2 and users M1, M2, M3, the travel time from the current location to the candidate locations S1, S2, S3, S4 and the candidate locations S1, S2, S3, S4 to the destination location G It is determined by calculating the travel time.

  Here, the travel time from the current location to the candidate location is calculated by, for example, the latitude / longitude information of the candidate location recorded in the candidate location DB (database) described with reference to FIG. It calculates using the latitude and longitude information of the present location of the persons M1, M2, and M3. Alternatively, the travel time may be calculated by acquiring road traffic information of a route when the vehicles C1 and C2 move, moving means when the users M1, M2, and M3 move. The moving means of the users M1, M2, and M3 may include, for example, walking, bicycle, and public transportation, including the type (for example, train or bus) and timetable information.

  In the first embodiment, the user M1, M2, M3 waits with the other users M1, M2, M3 and the vehicles C1, C2 by the boarding point determination system 300, and gets on the vehicles C1, C2. Although the description is limited to the boarding point, it may be applied to the determination of the getting-off point. That is, the configuration may be such that the departure point is determined when the vehicles C1, C2 and the users M1, M2, M3 head to different destination points (for example, return home) from the same departure point.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device)
Next, a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, a navigation device 400 is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle (for example, the vehicles C1 and C2 shown in FIG. 3), and includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a magnetic disk drive 404, and a magnetic disk. 405, optical disk drive 406, optical disk 407, audio I / F (interface) 408, speaker 409, input device 410, video I / F 411, display 412, communication I / F 413, GPS unit 414 And various sensors 415. Each component 401 to 415 is connected by a bus 420.

  First, the CPU 401 governs overall control of the navigation device 400. The ROM 402 stores various programs such as a boot program, a current location calculation program, a route search program, a route guidance program, a voice generation program, and a display control program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401.

  The current location calculation program, for example, calculates the current location of the vehicle (current location of the navigation device 400) based on output information from a GPS unit 414 and various sensors 415, which will be described later.

  The route search program searches for an optimal route from the departure point to the destination point or waypoint using map information recorded on a magnetic disk 405 described later. Here, the optimum route is the shortest (or fastest) route to the destination or waypoint, or the route that best meets the conditions specified by the user.

  Specifically, for example, the route search program calculates the travel time from the departure point to the destination point or the waypoint and searches for the optimum route. Further, the route search program may acquire, for example, a departure point (for example, a current point) of a vehicle or user that does not have its own device and search for a route to a destination point or a waypoint. More specifically, for example, when a vehicle and a user meet and go to the same destination, for example, the route search program is a boarding point serving as a meeting place, and a vehicle and a user boarding at the meeting point. The combination is determined, and the route to the boarding point is searched for each.

  The route guidance program includes guidance route information searched by executing a route search program, vehicle current location information calculated by executing a current location calculation program, and map information read from a magnetic disk 405 described later. Based on this, the route guidance information is generated. The route guidance information generated by executing the route guidance program is output to the audio I / F 408 and the video I / F 411 via the CPU 401.

  In addition, the route guidance program generates, for example, guidance route information of a vehicle or user that does not have its own device as waiting information, and notifies the waiting information to the vehicle or user via a communication I / F 413 described later. It may be configured. The meeting information may include, for example, information indicating a guidance route for the vehicle or the user to the boarding point, a moving means to be used, time information, and the like.

  The voice generation program generates tone and voice information corresponding to the pattern. That is, based on the route guidance information generated by executing the route guidance program, the virtual sound source corresponding to the guidance point is set and the voice guidance information is generated. The generated voice guidance information is output to the voice I / F 408 via the CPU 401.

  The display control program determines the display format of map information and content to be displayed on the display 412 by the video I / F 411, and displays the map information and content on the display 412 according to the determined display format.

  The magnetic disk drive 404 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 405 according to control of CPU401. The magnetic disk 405 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404. As the magnetic disk 405, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  One example of information recorded on the magnetic disk 405 is map information used for route search / route guidance. The map information includes background data that represents features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data that represents the shape of the road. The map information can be displayed two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally on the display screen of the display 412. Drawn.

  The map information includes, for example, information related to public transportation and various facilities on the map. Specifically, for example, information relating to public transportation is information such as position information of train stations and bus stops, fares, and arrival and departure times for trains and buses. Moreover, the information regarding various facilities is information, such as a shop's location information, business hours, contact information, etc., for example.

  More specifically, for example, the map information is information including information on candidate points recorded in the candidate point DB described with reference to FIG. Information on candidate points is information on candidate points where multiple vehicles and points to meet when a user goes to the same destination point by a route search program. Latitude / longitude information such as a station or a nearby parking lot.

  Although the map information is recorded on the magnetic disk 405 in the first embodiment, it may be recorded on the optical disk 407 described later. Also, the map information is not recorded only on the one integrated with the hardware of the navigation device 400, and may be provided outside the navigation device 400. In that case, the navigation apparatus 400 acquires map information via a network through the communication I / F 413, for example. The acquired map information is stored in the RAM 403 or the like.

  The optical disk drive 406 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 407 according to control of CPU401. The optical disc 407 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 406. As the optical disc 407, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 407, the removable recording medium may be an MO, a memory card, or the like.

  The audio I / F 408 is connected to an audio output speaker 409, and audio is output from the speaker 409.

  Examples of the input device 410 include a remote controller including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like.

  The video I / F 411 is connected to the display 412. Specifically, the video I / F 411 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 412, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image data, the display 412 is configured by a control IC or the like.

  The display 412 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As this display 412, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  The communication I / F 413 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 400 and the CPU 401. The communication I / F 413 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 401.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 413 includes, for example, a tuner capable of receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting, analog television broadcasting, FM radio, and the like, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / beacon receiver, a radio navigation device, and other devices. It is composed of a navigation device and acquires road traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations distributed from the VICS center. VICS is a registered trademark.

  The GPS unit 414 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information indicating the current location of the vehicle. The output information of the GPS unit 414 is used when the current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 401 together with output values of various sensors 415 described later. The information indicating the current location is information for specifying one point on the map information such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  The various sensors 415 include a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and the like, and output information that can determine the position and behavior of the vehicle. The output values of the various sensors 415 are used for the calculation of the current location of the vehicle by the CPU 401, the measurement of changes in speed and direction, and the like.

  In the first embodiment, an example using a navigation device 400 mounted on a vehicle will be described. However, the information processing device 100 of the present invention is implemented by a user's communication terminal or a personal computer (PC) such as an information processing server. You may make it implement.

  Note that the acquisition unit 101, the extraction unit 102, the calculation unit 103, the determination unit 104, the setting unit 105, and the notification unit 106 included in the information processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 are the ROM 402, the RAM 403, the navigation unit 400 illustrated in FIG. The CPU 401 executes a predetermined program using programs and data recorded on the magnetic disk 405, the optical disk 407, etc., and realizes the function by controlling each part in the navigation device 400.

  That is, the navigation apparatus 400 according to the first embodiment executes the program recorded in the ROM 402 as a recording medium in the navigation apparatus 400, so that the functions of the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. It can be executed according to the procedure shown.

(Overview of candidate point DB)
Next, the outline of the candidate point DB according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of the candidate point DB according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, the candidate point DB 500 realizes its function by the recording medium such as the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407 shown in FIG. 4, and is a candidate point that is a candidate for a plurality of vehicles and boarding points where users meet. Information about is recorded.

  Specifically, for example, the candidate point DB 500 records the latitude / longitude information of a plurality of vehicles and public transportation use points that are candidate points when the user goes to the same destination point by a route search program. doing.

  More specifically, for example, the candidate point DB 500 records latitude / longitude information 500-1 to 500-n for each candidate point. The latitude / longitude information 500-1 to 500-n has the latitude and longitude for each candidate point. Specifically, for example, the latitude / longitude information 500-i for the candidate point Si has latitude xxx ° xx′N and longitude xx ° xx′E.

  In the first embodiment, the candidate point DB 500 has been described as recording the latitude / longitude information 500-i of the candidate point Si. However, when each candidate point is public transportation, timetable information, etc. It is also possible to record in combination.

(Overview of determination of riding combinations and boarding points)
Here, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the outline of determination of the riding combination and the boarding point in the navigation device 400 according to the first embodiment will be described. 6 and 7, the vehicles C1 and C2 shown in FIG. 3 and the users M1, M2 and M3 wait for one of the candidate points S1, S2, S3 and S4 as a boarding point, and the destination point. The case of going to G will be described.

  First, the calculation of the travel time in the navigation device 400 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of calculation of travel time in the navigation device according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, the travel time table 600 includes, for example, the required time calculated according to the vehicle information related to the vehicles C1 and C2 and the user information related to the users M1, M2 and M3. Here, the unit of the required time is, for example, minutes.

  Specifically, for example, the travel time table 600 includes the time required for the users M1, M2, M3 to reach each candidate point S1, S2, S3, S4 from the departure point (current point), and the vehicle C1, The time required for C2 to reach each candidate point S1, S2, S3, S4 and destination point G from the departure point (current point), and vehicles C1, C2 from each candidate point S1, S2, S3, S4 to the destination point And the time required to reach G.

  The vehicle information is, for example, the number of people who can board the vehicles C1 and C2, information on the departure point (current point), information on the destination point G, and the like. The user information is, for example, information on the departure points (current points) of the users M1, M2, and M3, information on the destination point G, and available transportation means. In addition, the vehicle information and the user information may include a departure time and an arrival time. In that case, the required time in the travel time table 600 may be a difference between the departure time and the arrival time.

  The vehicle information and user information may be received by the input device 410 shown in FIG. 4 or received from the vehicles C1, C2 and the users M1, M2, M3 by the communication I / F 413.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the determination of the riding combination and the boarding point in the navigation device 400 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the riding combination and the boarding point determination in the navigation device according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, the riding combination table 700 is calculated using the travel time table 600 shown in FIG. 6, and the vehicles C1, C2 and the users M1, riding on the candidate points S1, S2, S3, S4 as boarding points. It consists of the time required for M2 and M3 to reach the destination point G and the shortest time required for each of the riding combinations (1 to 8). In addition, the users M1, M2, and M3 who ride in the vehicles C1 and C2 are configured to be within a range that does not exceed the number of passengers that can be boarded, for example.

  Specifically, for example, when the boarding point in the riding combination 1 is S1, the vehicle C1 goes directly to the destination point without the users M1, M2, and M3 boarding, so the shortest required time is the travel time table. The time required for the vehicle C1 at 600 to reach the destination point G from the departure point (current point) is 19 minutes.

  Further, the vehicle C2 has a configuration in which the users M1, M2, and M3 ride together and go to the destination point. Therefore, the shortest required time is 18 minutes, which is the longest time to reach S1 among the vehicle C2 and the users M1, M2, and M3, and the required time from S1 to the destination point G when the boarding / exiting point is the candidate point S1. It is 33 minutes, which is a total of 15 minutes.

  Thus, the navigation apparatus 400 is a structure which determines a riding combination and a boarding point by calculating all the riding combinations (1-8) and the shortest required time. The determination of the riding combination and the boarding point may be, for example, the riding combination and the boarding point with the shortest required time.

  That is, in the riding combination table 700 shown in FIG. 7, in the riding combination 2, the passenger M1 rides on the vehicle C1 at the candidate point S2 and the users M2 and M3 ride on the vehicle C2 at the candidate point S4. Determine the point. Further, in the riding combination 5, the boarding points may be determined so that the users M1 and M2 ride on the vehicle C1 at the candidate point S2 and the users M3 ride on the vehicle C2 at the candidate point S4. In these cases, the boarding points are S2 and S4.

  In the description of FIG. 7, it has been described that the riding combination and the boarding point with the shortest required time are determined. However, the difference between the shortest required times may be determined to be the minimum. In this way, all the members (vehicles C1, C2, users M1, M2, M3) can gather without providing a blank time (waiting time) at the destination point G.

  In the description of FIGS. 6 and 7, the case where the vehicles C1 and C2 arrive at the destination point G via the candidate point Si or directly reaches the destination point via a plurality of candidate points Si. The structure which reaches | attains may be sufficient. In this way, it is possible to determine a more optimal riding combination and boarding point.

(Contents of processing of navigation device 400)
Next, the contents of the process of the navigation device 400 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the process performed by the navigation device according to the first embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, first, it is determined whether or not the input device 410 has received an input of vehicle information and user information of a vehicle or a user heading to the same destination point (step S801).

  For example, the vehicle information and the user information may be input by the communication I / F 413 instead of receiving the input by the input device 410, or may be acquired by requesting another vehicle or user. Also good.

  In step S801, after waiting for the input of vehicle information and user information to be received (step S801: Yes), the CPU 401 calculates a travel time for each user and vehicle (step S802). Specifically, for example, the travel time for each user and vehicle may be calculated by generating the travel time table 600 shown in FIG.

  Next, the CPU 401 calculates a travel time for each riding combination using the travel time for each user and vehicle calculated in step S802 (step S803). Specifically, for example, the travel time for each riding combination may be calculated by generating the riding combination table 700 shown in FIG.

  Then, the CPU 401 determines the riding combination and the boarding point from the travel time for each riding combination calculated in step S803 (step S804). The determination of the riding combination and the boarding point may be, for example, determining the riding combination and the boarding point with the shortest required time and the riding combination and the boarding point with the shortest required time difference being the smallest.

  Next, the CPU 401 generates waiting information for the vehicle and the user according to the riding combination and the boarding point determined in step S804 (step S805). The waiting information is, for example, information including a guidance route for a vehicle or a user to the boarding point, information on a moving object to be used, time information, and the like.

  Thereafter, the communication I / F 413 notifies the vehicle and the user of the waiting information generated in step S805 (step S806).

  And it is judged by communication I / F413 whether the change request of the boarding point was received from the vehicle or the user (step S807). The change request may be made by the vehicle or the user when the vehicle or the user delays arrival at the boarding point due to traffic jam or delay. Further, instead of making a change request, it may be configured to periodically acquire the current location of the vehicle or user and determine whether or not the arrival at the boarding location is delayed. By doing in this way, an optimal boarding point can always be determined according to the movement situation of a vehicle or a user.

  In step S807, when there is a request for changing the boarding point from the vehicle or the user (step S807: Yes), the process returns to step S801 and the process is repeated. In this case, the configuration may be such that an acquisition request for vehicle information and user information is made in response to the change request.

  Moreover, in step S807, when there is no change request of a boarding point from a vehicle or a user (step S807: No), a series of processes are complete | finished as it is.

  As described above, according to the navigation device according to the first embodiment, the user can appropriately determine the boarding point where the user gets on the vehicle and the riding combination, and the vehicle and the user can efficiently You can head to the destination point.

  Further, by re-determining the boarding point and the riding combination according to the movement status of the vehicle and the user, it is possible to always set the optimal boarding point and improve convenience.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the combination of riding and the determination of the boarding point by the navigation device 400 described in the first embodiment are determined according to the starting point and the destination point of the vehicle, and the extraction target area for extracting the candidate point is specified. Then, the case of performing after that will be described. The hardware configuration of the navigation device 400 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 4 and the outline of the candidate point DB is the same as that shown in FIG.

(Outline of the boarding point determination system)
First, the outline of the boarding point determination system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of the boarding point determination system according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 9, a boarding point determination system 900 is a system that determines any of candidate points S1 to S13 as a boarding point when vehicles C1 and C2 and users M1 to M5 head to the same destination point G. is there. The boarding point determination system 900 notifies the meeting information at the determined boarding point to the vehicles C1 and C2 and the users M1 to M5. In addition, although the present Example 2 demonstrates as determining a boarding point by a navigation apparatus, the structure which determines a boarding point by the communication terminal of user M1-M5, an information processing server which is not shown in figure, etc. may be sufficient.

  Details of the processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, but the determination of the boarding point by the boarding point determination system 900 is based on the extraction target areas 901 and 902 set according to the vehicles C1 and C2 and the destination point G. Are determined from among candidate points S1 to S5 and S11 to S13.

  Specifically, for example, the extraction target areas 901 and 902 may be ellipses each focused on the vehicles C1 and C2 and the destination point G, and have a range in which a predetermined number of candidate points Si are included. It is good as well. More specifically, for example, the extraction target areas 901 and 902 include four or more candidate points Si.

  And the determination of a boarding point is the travel time from the current point to the boarding point candidate point Si for each of the vehicles C1 and C2 and the users M1 to M5, for example, with respect to the candidate point Si in each of the extraction target areas 901 and 902. It is determined by calculating the travel time from the candidate point Si to the destination point G. Specifically, for example, the latitude / longitude information 500-i of the candidate point Si recorded in the candidate point DB (database) 500 shown in FIG. 5 and the current points of the vehicles C1, C2 and the users M1 to M5. Calculate using latitude and longitude information.

  In addition, when the users M1 to M5 in the candidate points Si of the extraction target areas 901 and 902 are included in the extraction target areas 901 and 902, they are limited to the extraction target areas 901 and 902, and are not included. Calculates the travel time for all the extraction target areas 901 and 902.

  Specifically, for example, candidate points S1 to S3 and S11 of the extraction target area 901 are included in any of the vehicle C1, the users M1 and M4 included in the extraction target area 901, and the extraction target areas 901 and 902. The travel time is calculated for each of the users M2 and M5 who are not registered.

  Similarly, the candidate points S4, S5 and S11 to S13 of the extraction target area 902 are included in any of the vehicle C2, the users M3 and M4 included in the extraction target area 902, and the extraction target areas 901 and 902. The travel time is calculated for each of the non-users M2 and M5.

  More specifically, for example, the travel time is calculated for the candidate points Si in the respective extraction target areas 901 and 902, the vehicles C1 and C2, and the users M1 to M5 by the travel time table 600 shown in FIG. Alternatively, the riding combination table 700 shown in FIG. 7 may be generated.

  As described above, by setting the extraction target areas 901 and 902 and calculating the travel time, it is possible to reduce the time and load of the calculation process and determine the optimal ride if the boarding point is determined. A point can be determined.

  In the second embodiment, the boarding point determination system 900 allows the users M1 to M5 to meet other users M1 to M5 and the vehicles C1 and C2, and is limited to boarding points where the vehicles C1 and C2 are boarded. However, it may be applied to the determination of the getting-off point. That is, the configuration may be such that when the vehicles C1 and C2 and the users M1 to M5 head from different departure points to different destination points (for example, return home), the departure point is determined.

(Contents of processing of navigation device 400)
Next, the contents of the process of the navigation device 400 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the process performed by the navigation device according to the second embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 10, first, it is determined whether or not the input device 410 has received input of vehicle information and user information of a vehicle and a user heading to the same destination point (step S1001).

  For example, the vehicle information and the user information may be input by the communication I / F 413 instead of receiving the input by the input device 410, or may be acquired by requesting another vehicle or user. Also good.

  In step S1001, it waits for the input of vehicle information and user information, and when received (step S1001: Yes), the CPU 401 performs extraction target area setting processing (step S1002). The extraction target area setting process is a configuration in which, for example, the extraction target area, the candidate point in the extraction target area, the vehicle, and the user are set using the vehicle information and user information input in step S1001. Details of the extraction target area setting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the CPU 401 calculates the travel time for each user and vehicle according to the extraction target area set in step S1002 (step S1003). Specifically, for example, the travel time for each user and vehicle may be calculated by generating the travel time table 600 shown in FIG.

  Next, the CPU 401 calculates the travel time for each riding combination using the travel time for each user and vehicle calculated in step S1003 (step S1004). Specifically, for example, the travel time for each riding combination may be calculated by generating the riding combination table 700 shown in FIG.

  Then, the CPU 401 determines the riding combination and the boarding point from the travel time for each riding combination calculated in step S1004 (step S1005). The determination of the riding combination and the boarding point may be, for example, determining the riding combination and the boarding point with the shortest required time and the riding combination and the boarding point with the shortest required time difference being the smallest.

  Next, the CPU 401 generates waiting information for the vehicle and the user according to the riding combination and the boarding point determined in step S1005 (step S1006). The waiting information is, for example, information including a guidance route for a vehicle or a user to the boarding point, information on a moving object to be used, time information, and the like.

  Thereafter, the communication I / F 413 notifies the vehicle and the user of the waiting information generated in step S1006 (step S1007).

  And it is judged by communication I / F413 whether the change request of the boarding point was received from the vehicle or the user (step S1008). The change request may be made by the vehicle or the user when the vehicle or the user delays arrival at the boarding point due to traffic jam or delay. Further, instead of making a change request, it may be configured to periodically acquire the current location of the vehicle or user and determine whether or not the arrival at the boarding location is delayed. By doing in this way, an optimal boarding point can always be determined according to the movement situation of a vehicle or a user.

  In step S1008, when there is a request for changing the boarding point from the vehicle or the user (step S1008: Yes), the process returns to step S1001 and the process is repeated. In this case, the configuration may be such that an acquisition request for vehicle information and user information is made in response to the change request.

  In step S1008, when there is no request for changing the boarding point from the vehicle or the user (step S1008: No), the series of processing is terminated as it is.

  Here, the contents of the extraction target area setting process (step S1002 in FIG. 10) in the navigation apparatus 400 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the extraction target area setting process (step S1002 in FIG. 10) in the navigation device according to the second embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, a case where an extraction target area is set for N vehicles will be described.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 11, first, the CPU 401 sets m = 1 (step S1101). m is a number indicating an arbitrary vehicle, for example, and may be represented by an integer from 1 to N (for example, vehicles C1, C2,... Cm... CN).

  Next, the CPU 401 sets the major axis and minor axis of the ellipse focusing on the mth vehicle on the map and the destination point from the vehicle information and user information input in step S1001 shown in FIG. (Step S1102). Specifically, for example, the ellipse may be set by setting a major axis and a minor axis in the extraction target area 901 with the vehicle C1 and the destination point G shown in FIG.

  Then, the CPU 401 determines whether or not a predetermined number or more of the candidate points are included in the ellipse set in step S1102 (step S1103). When the predetermined number or more is not included (step S1103: No), the CPU 401 Then, the major axis and minor axis are reset (step S1104), and the process returns to step S1103 to repeat the process. The resetting of the long diameter and the short diameter may be configured such that, for example, when it is determined in step S1103 that the number of candidate points is less than a predetermined number, the range of the ellipse is increased.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number or more of candidate points are included, and the major axis and minor axis of the ellipse are set, but the ellipse is set so as not to exceed the predetermined number. The major axis and the minor axis may be set. In this way, it is possible to prevent a large number of candidate points from being included at the stage of setting the extraction target area and eventually reduce the calculation process and load, and appropriately reduce the calculation process and load.

  If a predetermined number or more candidate points are included in step S1103 (step S1103: Yes), the CPU 401 determines whether or not the user's departure point is included in the ellipse (step S1105).

  In step S1105, when the departure point of the user is not included (step S1105: No), the CPU 401 sets the vehicles on which the users outside the ellipse get on all the vehicles (step S1107).

  In step S1105, when the departure point of the user is included (step S1105: Yes), the CPU 401 limits the vehicle on which the user gets in the ellipse (step S1106). Specifically, for example, the vehicle is limited to the m-th vehicle Cm.

  Then, the CPU 401 sets the vehicles on which the users outside the ellipse get on all the vehicles (step S1107).

  Thereafter, the CPU 401 determines whether m = N (step S1108). That is, it is determined whether the extraction target area has been set for all N vehicles.

  In step S1108, if m = N is not satisfied (step S1108: No), the CPU 401 sets m = m + 1 (step S1109), returns to step S1102, and repeats the processing.

  In step S1108, if m = N (step S1108: Yes), the extraction target areas 901 and 902 setting processing in step S1002 in FIG. 10 is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S1003.

  As described above, according to the navigation device according to the second embodiment, the candidate points that are candidates for the boarding point are limited from the extraction target areas that are set according to the departure point and the destination point of the vehicle. Therefore, calculation processing time and load can be reduced. Furthermore, since the user with respect to an extraction object area can be limited, a boarding point can be set with an appropriate calculation amount.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the candidate points when the extraction target area is not set and when the extraction target area is set are described by the navigation device, respectively. However, as a configuration that combines the functions of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Also good. Specifically, for example, after extracting candidate points without setting the extraction target area, the extraction target area may be set when there are a predetermined number or more candidate points. By doing in this way, only when the amount of calculation increases, the time and load of the grinding process can be reduced, and an efficient boarding point can be determined.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus of the present invention is implemented by the navigation apparatus has been described. However, the present invention may be implemented by a user's portable terminal or a PC (personal computer). The versatility can be improved.

  The information processing method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the information processing apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process of the information processing apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the boarding point determination system concerning the present Example 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the navigation apparatus concerning the present Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of candidate point DB concerning the present Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of calculation of the movement time in the navigation apparatus concerning the present Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the riding combination in the navigation apparatus concerning the present Example 1, and determination of a boarding point. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process of the navigation apparatus concerning the present Example 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the boarding point determination system concerning the present Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process of the navigation apparatus concerning the present Example 2. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of an extraction target area setting process (step S1002 in FIG. 10) in the navigation device according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information processing apparatus 101 Acquisition part 102 Extraction part 103 Calculation part 104 Determination part 105 Setting part 106 Notification part

Claims (11)

In an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of users heading to the same destination point by a plurality of vehicles set a boarding / alighting point for getting on and off the vehicle,
Acquisition means for acquiring current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users;
Extraction that extracts a plurality of candidate points that are candidates for the boarding / alighting point from map information according to the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users acquired by the acquisition unit and the destination point Means,
Movement from the plurality of candidate points extracted by the extracting means and the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users to the candidate points and the destination point by the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users. A calculation means for calculating time;
Determining means for determining a combination of the vehicle, the user getting on and off the vehicle, and the candidate point based on the travel time calculated by the calculating means;
From the combination determined by the determination means, setting means for setting the boarding / exiting point;
With
The extraction unit extracts the candidate point from the extraction target area of the candidate point specified according to the current point of the plurality of vehicles acquired by the acquisition unit and the destination point ,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines the difference in each required time to the same destination of the plurality of vehicles to be a minimum . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit configured to notify the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users of the boarding / alighting points set by the setting unit. The acquisition means acquires the number of people who can board the plurality of vehicles,
Said determining means in accordance with the by boarding Occupancy acquired by the acquisition means, and said vehicle, according to claim 1, characterized in that to determine the combination of the user that can ride on the vehicle with the candidate point Or the information processing apparatus according to 2 ; The acquisition means acquires information about movement to the plurality of candidate points by the plurality of users,
The calculating means, based on the information on the movement obtained by the obtaining means, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that to calculate the travel time. The candidate point, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the plurality of users is available point of available public transport. The extraction target area, the major axis or minor, according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the current and the point of the vehicle, the range of an ellipse including a straight line consisting of the destination point Information processing device. The acquisition means acquires the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users that are moving to the getting-on / off point,
The extraction means is a candidate for the boarding / alighting point out of map information according to the current location of the plurality of moving vehicles and the plurality of users acquired by the acquisition unit and the destination point. the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that re-extracted several candidate point. The acquisition means acquires the change request of the getting-on / off point from the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users who are moving to the getting-on / off point,
When the change request is acquired by the acquisition unit, the extraction unit is a candidate for the getting-on / off point from the map information according to the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users and the destination point. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein a plurality of candidate points are re-extracted. In an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus that sets a boarding / alighting point at which a plurality of users heading to the same destination point by a plurality of vehicles get on and off the vehicle,
The information processing apparatus is
An acquisition step of acquiring current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users;
Extraction that extracts a plurality of candidate points as candidates for the boarding / alighting point from map information according to the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users acquired by the acquisition step and the destination point Process,
Movement from the plurality of candidate points extracted in the extraction step and the current points of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users to the candidate points and the destination point by the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of users. A calculation step for calculating time;
A determination step of determining a combination of the vehicle, the user getting on and off the vehicle, and the candidate point based on the travel time calculated by the calculation step;
From the combination determined by the determining step, a setting step for setting the boarding / exiting point;
Run
The extraction step extracts the candidate point from the extraction target area of the candidate point specified according to the current point of the plurality of vehicles acquired by the acquisition step and the destination point ,
In the information processing method , the determining step determines the difference between the required times to the same destination of the plurality of vehicles to be a minimum . An information processing program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 9 . A computer-readable recording medium having the information processing program according to claim 10 recorded thereon.

Images