JP7510306B2 - Route guidance method, route guidance system, server, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for providing route guidance.

Technologies for providing route guidance from a departure point to a destination are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that outputs summary information on route candidates and the availability of rental vehicles to assist in route selection including rental vehicle routes and routes using other means of transportation. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that, in route search, provides users with guidance on routes that use ultra-compact mobility vehicles as a means of transportation.

JP 2020-51763 A JP 2020-80094 A

In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of route candidates are displayed in order of expected arrival times.
In the technology described in Patent Document 2, when using ultra-compact mobility among multiple transportation means will result in an earlier arrival, guidance is provided on switching to ultra-compact mobility. However, in real life, there are many situations in which multiple people, such as friends or family, travel together, and the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not present an index that takes into account the attributes of the group.

In response to this, the present invention provides a technology that displays a selected travel route based on an index calculated according to the group's attributes.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a route guidance method including the steps of: accepting a travel route search request including attributes of a group consisting of a departure point, a destination, and people traveling together; searching for travel route candidates using one or more travel means selected from a plurality of travel means according to the search request; calculating an index for each of the travel route candidates according to the attributes included in the search request; and displaying a travel route selected from the travel route candidates based on the index.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a route guidance system having a receiving means for receiving a travel route search request including attributes of a group consisting of a departure point, a destination, and people traveling together, a search means for searching for travel route candidates using one or more travel means selected from a plurality of travel means according to the search request, a calculation means for calculating an index of each of the travel route candidates according to the attributes included in the search request, and a display means for displaying a travel route selected from the travel route candidates based on the index.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a server having a receiving means for receiving a search request for a travel route including attributes of a group consisting of a departure point, a destination, and people moving, a search means for searching for candidate travel routes using one or more travel means selected from a plurality of travel means according to the search request, a calculation means for calculating an index of each of the candidate travel routes according to the attributes included in the search request, and a transmission means for transmitting a search response including information about a travel route selected from the candidate travel routes based on the index as a response to the search request.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of: accepting a travel route search request including attributes of a group consisting of a starting point, a destination, and people moving; searching for travel route candidates using one or more travel means selected from a plurality of travel means according to the search request; calculating an index of each of the travel route candidates according to the attributes included in the search request; and transmitting a search response including information about a travel route selected from the travel route candidates based on the index as a response to the search request.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of accepting input of attributes of a group consisting of a departure point, a destination, and people moving, sending a travel route search request including the input information to a server that searches for travel route candidates using one or more travel means selected from among multiple travel means in accordance with the search request and calculates the index of each of the travel route candidates according to the attributes included in the search request, and displaying a travel route selected from the travel route candidates based on the index received as a response to the search request.

According to the present invention, it is possible to display a travel route selected based on an index calculated according to the group's attributes.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a route guidance system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a user terminal. 4 is a sequence chart illustrating an operation of a route guidance system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search condition input screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of a search response. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displaying detailed information about a selected travel route. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen of a search response.

1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a route guidance system 1 according to an embodiment. The route guidance system 1 provides a route guidance service that guides users along a travel route in response to a request from a user in a transportation system including a plurality of means of transportation. The plurality of means of transportation includes, for example, at least one of airplanes, railways, ships, route buses, express buses, automobiles (including at least one of private cars, shared cars, rental cars, and taxis), bicycles (including at least one of shared bicycles and rental bicycles), and walking. A shared car is an automobile that can be rented by a car sharing service. The automobiles rented by the car sharing service include at least one of ordinary cars, light cars, and ultra-compact EVs (Electric Vehicles). In this disclosure, an ultra-compact EV refers to an electric vehicle that is smaller than a light car, with the following characteristics, for example: a seating capacity of four people or less, a maximum speed of 60 km/h, a rated output of 0.6 kW or more, an engine displacement of 50 cc to 660 cc, a length of 2.5 m or less, a width of 1.3 m or less, a height of 2.0 m or less, and a maximum load capacity of 350 kg or less.

The route guidance system 1 has a server 10 and a user terminal 20. The server 10 provides route information in response to a request from the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 is a terminal device that serves as a client in the route guidance service.

The route guidance system 1 has a storage means 21, an input means 22, a control means 23, a communication means 24, a storage means 11, an acceptance means 12, a search means 13, a calculation means 14, a control means 15, a transmission means 16, and a display means 25. The storage means 21, the input means 22, the control means 23, the communication means 24, and the display means 25 are implemented in a user terminal 20. The storage means 11, the acceptance means 12, the search means 13, the calculation means 14, the control means 15, and the transmission means 16 are implemented in a server 10.

In the user terminal 20, the storage means 21 stores various data and programs. The input means 22 accepts input of information used in a route search request from a user. The information used in the route search request includes, for example, the starting point, the destination, and attributes of a group consisting of people traveling together. As an example, an attribute of a group is the number of people in the group. The control means 23 generates a route search request using the information accepted by the input means 22. The communication means 24 transmits the generated route search request to the server 10.

In the server 10, the storage means 11 stores various data and programs. In this example, the storage means 11 stores a database 111. The database 111 is a database in which route information related to multiple means of transportation is recorded. The reception means 12 receives a route search request from the user terminal 20. The search means 13 searches for candidate travel routes using one or more means of transportation selected from the multiple means of transportation according to the route search request. The calculation means 14 calculates the index for each of the candidate travel routes according to the number of people (or group attributes) included in the search request. The control means 15 selects some routes from the route candidates obtained by the search means 13 based on the index calculated by the calculation means 14. The control means 15 generates a search response including information identifying the selected route and the index of the route. The transmission means 16 transmits the generated search response to the user terminal 20, which is the source of the search request.

In the user terminal 20, the communication means 24 receives the search response from the server 10. The display means 25 displays the travel route included in the search response.

Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the server 10. The server 10 is a computer device having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a memory 120, a storage 130, and a communication IF (Interface) 140. The CPU 110 is a processing device that performs various calculations according to a program. The memory 120 is a main storage device that functions as a work area when the CPU 110 executes a program, and includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage 130 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various data and programs, and includes, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The communication IF 140 is a device for communicating with other devices according to a predetermined communication standard, and includes, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card).

In this example, the programs stored in the storage 130 include a program (hereinafter referred to as the "server program") for causing the computer device to function as the server 10 of the route guidance system 1. When the CPU 110 is executing the server program, at least one of the memory 120 and the storage 130 is an example of a storage means 11. The CPU 110 and the communication IF 140 are an example of a receiving means 12 and a sending means 16. The CPU 110 is an example of a search means 13, a calculation means 14, and a control means 15.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 is a computer device having a CPU 210, a memory 220, a storage 230, a communication IF 240, an input device 250, and a display 260, specifically a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer. The CPU 210 is a processing device that performs various calculations according to a program. The memory 220 is a main storage device that functions as a work area when the CPU 210 executes a program, and includes, for example, a ROM and a RAM. The storage 230 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various data and programs, and includes, for example, an SSD or HDD. The communication IF 240 is a device for communicating with other devices according to a predetermined communication standard, and includes, for example, an antenna and a wireless communication chip. The input device 250 is a device for inputting information or instructions to the user terminal 20, and includes, for example, at least one of a touch screen, a keypad, a keyboard, a pointing device, and a microphone. Display 260 is a device that displays information and includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

In this example, the programs stored in the storage 230 include a program (hereinafter referred to as a "client program") for causing the computer device to function as a user terminal 20 of the route guidance system 1. When the CPU 210 is executing the client program, at least one of the memory 220 and the storage 230 is an example of storage means 21. The CPU 210 is an example of storage means 21, input means 22, and control means 23. The CPU 210 and the communication IF 240 are an example of communication means 24. The CPU 210 and the display 260 are an example of display means 25.

4 is a sequence chart illustrating an example of an operation according to an embodiment of the route guidance system 1. In the following, a functional component such as the accepting unit 12 may be described as a processing subject, which means that a hardware element such as the CPU 110 executing a program such as a server program executes the processing in cooperation with other hardware elements.

First, the user starts the client program on the user terminal 20. The display means 25 displays a screen for inputting search conditions. In step S101, the input means 22 accepts input of route search conditions (i.e., information used in a search request).

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search condition input screen. This input screen has areas 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, and 917. Area 911 is a field for inputting information that identifies the departure point. Area 912 is a field for inputting information that identifies the destination. For example, an address, a geographical coordinate, or a facility name is used as information that identifies the departure point and destination. Area 913 is a field for inputting a date and time. Area 914 is a field for specifying whether the input time is a departure time or an arrival time. Area 915 is a field for inputting attributes of members (including the user himself) who will accompany this movement (or itinerary). In this example, area 915 includes a field for inputting attributes of each member belonging to this group. Area 916 is a field for specifying a viewpoint when selecting a route. Age group, sex, and whether or not the member has a driver's license are input as attributes of the members. Area 917 includes a UI object (a button in this example) for inputting an instruction to send a search request to server 10.

In the example of FIG. 5, three items, "environmental load," "social distancing," and "exercise load," are shown as candidate perspectives when selecting a route. In area 916, the user can use a radio button to select or not select each item. In this example, it is essential to specify at least one of these multiple perspectives. Two or more perspectives may be specified.

Refer back to FIG. 4. When an instruction to send a search request is given, the control means 23 generates a search request using the input information (step S102). The communication means 24 sends the generated search request to the server 10 (step S103).

In the server 10, the reception means 12 receives a search request from the user terminal 20 (step S104). The search means 13 searches for route candidates by referring to the database 111 in accordance with the search request (step S105). The database 111 is a database in which route information is recorded. The route information includes, for example, map information, transportation network information, timetable information, fare information, and reservation information. The map information includes road maps and railway and bus route maps. The map information further includes information (for example, name, shape, and special notes) about objects (i.e., facilities) on the map. The transportation network information includes information about nodes and links. A node refers to a point that can be a starting point, an end point, or a transition point in a transportation network, and includes, for example, an intersection in a road network, a station in a railway network, a bus stop in a route bus network, and a station in a car sharing service. A link is information indicating the connection between two nodes, and corresponds to, for example, a road and a railroad. The timetable information indicates the timetable of a means of transportation operating based on a timetable, such as a railway and a bus. The fare information includes information specifying the fees for transportation means that incur costs for travel between nodes, such as train fares, tolls for toll roads, and car sharing fees. The reservation information indicates the reservation status (or availability) for services that require reservations for use, such as shared cars and shared bicycles. In the database 111, this information is updated sequentially. In many cases, there is not a single travel route that satisfies the search conditions, but multiple routes. In step S105, the search means 13 extracts all routes that satisfy the search conditions as route candidates.

In step S106, the calculation means 14 calculates a predetermined index for each of the extracted multiple route candidates. This index is an index that evaluates the route candidates from a predetermined viewpoint and takes into account the attributes of the group traveling together. This index is particularly an index other than the required time and cost. As an example, this index includes an environmental load index, a social distancing index, and an exercise load index. The environmental load index is an index of the load on the environment, such as carbon dioxide emissions. Transportation means with low carbon dioxide emissions, such as walking, bicycles, or ultra-compact EVs, have a high environmental load index, while transportation means with high carbon dioxide emissions, such as internal combustion engine automobiles, airplanes, or buses, have a low environmental load index. The social distancing index is an index of the degree of close contact with others. Transportation means with a low possibility of close contact with others, such as automobiles (including internal combustion engine automobiles and electric automobiles, but excluding route buses or taxis, etc.), have a high social distancing index, while transportation means with a high possibility of close contact with others, such as trains and route buses, have a low social distancing index. The exercise load index is an index of the load of exercise associated with travel, i.e., the amount of exercise. Transportation modes that involve a low amount of exercise, such as transportation modes using a motor (cars, trains, etc.), have a high exercise load index, while transportation modes that involve a high amount of exercise, such as walking or cycling, have a low exercise load index.

The calculation formula for each index is defined in the server program. For example, the environmental load index is obtained by dividing the standard carbon dioxide emission (fixed value) by the carbon dioxide emission amount for the route candidate. The carbon dioxide emission amount for each route candidate is obtained by multiplying the carbon dioxide emission amount per unit distance defined for each transportation means by the travel distance by that transportation means and adding the result for the multiple transportation means that make up the route candidate. When calculating this index, the attributes of the group, such as the number of people, are taken into consideration. In the database 111, the capacity is defined for each transportation means. For example, a standard car has a capacity of five people, a micro-compact EV has a capacity of two people, a bicycle has a capacity of one person, and walking has an unlimited capacity. For example, if three people are traveling, one standard car, two micro-compact EVs, and three bicycles are required. The calculation means 14 multiplies the carbon dioxide emission amount per transportation means by the number of transportation means required to calculate the total carbon dioxide emission amount of the group.

The social distancing index is obtained by dividing the standard expected value (fixed value) of close contact by the expected value of close contact on that route candidate. The expected value of close contact on each route candidate is obtained by multiplying the probability of close contact occurring per unit time defined for each means of transportation in database 111 by the travel time for that means of transportation, and adding the result for the multiple means of transportation that make up that route candidate. The probability of close contact occurring may be defined as a probability distribution function that changes with time. When calculating this index, the attributes of the group, such as the number of people, are taken into consideration. For example, the probability of close contact occurring is a function of the number of people (as an example, the probability of close contact occurring increases as the number of people increases).

The exercise load index is obtained by dividing the reference value of the exercise load by the exercise load for that route candidate. The exercise load for each route candidate is obtained by multiplying the amount of exercise per unit time defined for each means of transportation in database 111 by the travel time for that means of transportation, and adding the result for the multiple means of transportation that make up that route candidate. When calculating this index, the attributes of the group, such as the age of each member, are taken into consideration. For example, the exercise load is multiplied by a weighting given according to age. For example, this weighting has a value such that the load is calculated to be higher for members below a certain age group (e.g., elementary school students or younger) and above another age group (e.g., 75 years old or older) than for members of other age groups. In this example, the amount of exercise is an example of a parameter to which a weighting that changes according to attributes is given.

When calculating an index other than the exercise load index, a weight according to the attributes of the group may be assigned to the parameters used in the calculation. For example, a weight is assigned to each of the carbon dioxide emissions and the expected value of close contact in the environmental load index. A plurality of weights may be applied together, and these weights may include weights that are uniquely defined for a single index and weights that are commonly applied to a plurality of indexes. Weights may also be defined for the means of transportation. For example, since it is difficult for infants or elderly people to use bicycles, it is preferable that if such members are included in the group, routes that include bicycles as a means of transportation are not displayed as search results. For this reason, the calculation means 14 assigns weights to parameters related to a means of transportation that uses bicycles, which are defined so that the possibility of selecting that means of transportation is significantly reduced when infants or elderly people are included in the members.

In step S107, the control means 15 selects some of the travel routes from among the multiple route candidates. Specifically, for each of the viewpoints specified in area 916 of the search condition input screen (Figure 5), a predetermined number (for example, three) of travel routes are selected in descending order of the corresponding index. The control means 15 generates a search response including information about the selected travel routes. In step S108, the transmission means 16 transmits the generated search response to the user terminal 20, which is the source of the search request.

In the user terminal 20, the communication means 24 receives the search response from the server 10. The display means 25 displays the information contained in the received search response (step S109).

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of a search response. This display screen includes an area 921 and an area 922. The area 921 is an area that displays a UI object (e.g., a tab) for selecting a viewpoint. In this example, three viewpoints, environmental load, social distancing, and exercise load, are displayed, and among these, environmental load is selected (i.e., active). The area 922 is an area that displays an overview of a travel route corresponding to a selected viewpoint. In this example, three travel routes, route 1, route 2, and route 3, are displayed. The overview of the travel route includes a means of travel, an expected arrival time, and an index corresponding to the viewpoint. In the example of FIG. 6, the overview of routes 1 to 3 is as follows.
(1) Route 1
Transportation: Ultra-compact EV
Estimated arrival time: 11:30 AM Environmental impact index: 91
(2) Route 2
Transportation: Bus, walking Estimated arrival time: 11:45 AM Environmental impact index: 70
(3) Route 3
Transportation: Train, bus, walking Estimated arrival time: 11:25 AM Environmental impact index: 65

When an overview of a travel route is selected (e.g., when an area displaying the overview is tapped or clicked), the display means 25 displays detailed information about the selected travel route.

Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that displays detailed information about a selected travel route. Here, an example is shown in which route 1 is selected in Figure 6. The detailed information about the travel route includes the starting point, ending point, departure time, arrival time, and additional information for each means of transportation. The additional information is, for example, fare information and reservation information related to that means of transportation. In this example, the additional information includes a link to a reservation site for ultra-compact EVs. When the user selects the "Make a reservation" button, the display means 25 displays a reservation screen that can be obtained by accessing the reservation site for the car sharing service.

Referring again to FIG. 6, when a tab corresponding to a perspective other than the currently active perspective is selected in area 921, the display in area 922 is updated to display an overview of the travel path corresponding to the newly selected perspective.

8 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen of a search response. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the viewpoint "social distancing" is selected in FIG. 6. In this example, in an area 922, an outline of three travel routes, route 1, route 4, and route 5, is displayed. A common number is given to travel routes common to other viewpoints (route 1 is the same as route 1 in FIG. 6). In the example of FIG. 8, the outlines of routes 1, 4, and 5 are as follows:
(1) Route 1
Transportation: Ultra-compact EV
Estimated arrival time: 11:30am Social distancing index: 99
(2) Route 4
Transportation method: Walking Estimated arrival time: 14:00 Social distancing index: 85
(3) Route 5
Transportation: Rental car (regular car)
Estimated arrival time: 11:20 Social distancing index: 80

When an overview of a travel route is selected, the display means 25 displays detailed information about the selected travel route, which is the same as the screen in Figure 6.

The route guidance system 1 can present, as a result of a route search, a route selected based on an index that takes into account the attributes of a group, such as the number of people traveling together or their ages.

3. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various limited implementations are possible. Some modifications are described below. Two or more of the features described in the following modifications may be applied in combination.

3-1. Types of Attributes The attributes taken into consideration when calculating the index are not limited to those exemplified in the embodiment. Attributes that may be taken into consideration when calculating the index include attributes of the entire group (e.g., number of people, total weight, etc.) and a set of attributes of members (individuals) belonging to the group (e.g., age, gender, whether or not they have a driver's license, etc.). In the present disclosure, the "attributes of a group" is a concept that includes both of these. For example, the amount of luggage carried by the member may be used as an attribute of the member. For example, an ultra-compact EV has a smaller maximum luggage load compared to a normal car. The calculation means 14 may calculate the index by giving a relatively large weight (an example of a weight that reduces the possibility that the transportation means is selected) to members with an amount of luggage greater than a reference value. This reference value is, for example, a value defined for each transportation means, and an example is the maximum load. According to this example, transportation means that can accommodate the luggage carried by the members of the group can be extracted as route candidates.

3-2. Attributes in a group When calculating an index, only the attributes of one or some of the members representing the group may be considered, rather than the attributes of all the members belonging to the group. The member representing the group is, for example, the member with the lowest mobility in the group. The member with the lowest mobility in the group is, for example, an infant, an elderly person, or a person with a disability. In this case, when calculating the index for all the members of the group, a weight corresponding to the attributes of the member representing the group is given. According to this example, it is possible to display route candidates extracted by taking into consideration characteristic people (for example, so-called road users) among the members of the group. The user inputs the attributes of all the members on the search condition input screen (FIG. 5), and the control means 15 automatically identifies the member with the lowest mobility among all the members in the group. In this case, the user who inputs the attributes of the members can input information without determining which member has the lowest mobility. Alternatively, the user may identify the member with the lowest mobility, and the user may input the attributes only for that member. In this case, the user only needs to input the attributes of one specific member, simplifying the input process.

As a method for reflecting the group's attribute index, a method may be used in which an index for each route candidate is calculated taking into account the attributes of each member and then added up for all members, or a method may be used in which an index is calculated collectively for the group without calculating an index for each member, or a combination of both. When an index is calculated collectively for the group, in addition to or instead of the group's attributes (such as number of people), attributes obtained by statistically processing the attributes of individual members within the group (such as the average, maximum, minimum, or mode of the members) may be used to calculate the index.

3-3. Calculation method of index The method of calculating the index for the route candidate, for example, the parameters and weights used in the calculation, are not limited to those exemplified in the embodiment. In one example, the weight may be a function of the number of people. For a means of transportation that is not suitable for use by a large number of people, such as walking, a weight is given such that the more people in the group, the less likely the means of transportation will be selected. If the index is defined so that the larger the weight value, the less likely the means of transportation will be selected, the weight value used to calculate the index of the second member is larger than the weight used to calculate the index of the first member, and the weight value used to calculate the index of the third member is even larger. According to this example, the possibility of the means of transportation being selected can be changed depending on the number of people in the group.

In another example, the weights used to calculate the index may be a function of external factors other than the group's attributes, such as weather or the day of the week. For example, the weights may be defined so that on a rainy day, walking is less likely to be selected and driving is more likely to be selected. In this example, the likelihood that a particular mode of transportation will be selected can be changed depending on the external factors.

3-4. Types of Indicators The indices used in selecting route candidates are not limited to those exemplified in the embodiment. The indices may be, for example, related to the cost of travel. Alternatively, the indices are not limited to those calculated for a single perspective, but may be those that comprehensively consider multiple perspectives. For example, when four perspectives, namely, environmental load, social distancing, exercise load, and cost, are specified, the calculation means 14 calculates a single index that integrates these four perspectives (for example, the average value of the indices calculated for each perspective). The control means 15 selects the top three route candidates in this single index as travel routes to be included in the search response. When calculating this single index, the calculation means 14 may give different weights to each perspective. The weights are given according to, for example, a priority order specified by the user. According to this example, route candidates can be displayed based on an index that comprehensively considers multiple perspectives.

3-5. Limitation of transportation When searching for route candidates in step S105, the attributes of the entire group or the attributes of the members belonging to the group may be taken into consideration. For example, the transportation means included in the route candidates may be limited depending on whether or not the transportation means can be used. For example, if the members belonging to the group meet a predetermined condition, for example, if no one in the group has a driver's license, the search means 13 excludes from the route candidates a route that uses a car as a transportation means. Alternatively, if only one person in a four-person group has a driver's license, the search means 13 excludes from the route candidates a route that uses a micro EV (two-seater) as a transportation means. According to this example, it is possible to exclude from the candidates a route that includes a transportation means that is determined to be difficult to use based on the attributes of the group.

3-6. Dividing a Group The search means 13 may include in the route candidates not only routes using a common means of transportation for all members of a group, but also routes using different means of transportation by dividing the group. For example, in a group of four people, where only one person has a driver's license, the search means 13 may divide the group into two two-person groups, and one group may use an ultra-compact EV and the other group may use a bicycle as a means of transportation, as route candidates. In this case, the search means 13 may divide the group taking into consideration the attributes of the members. For example, in the previous example, the search means 13 may divide two elderly people into a group using an ultra-compact EV and two young people into a group using a bicycle. According to this example, by dividing the group, the options for means of transportation can be expanded.

3-7. Screen Display The various screens shown in the embodiment are merely examples. For example, the detailed display screen of the travel route may include calories burned for each means of transportation or for the entire route, tourist information around the route, coupons for nearby stores, links to reservation sites, etc. This information may be displayed in multiple languages or in a language specified by the user.

3-8. Other embodiments The hardware configuration of the devices constituting the route guidance system 1 is not limited to those exemplified in the embodiment. The server 10 may be a physical server or a so-called virtual server on the cloud. A plurality of physical devices may cooperate to have the functions of the server 10.

The allocation of functions to each device is not limited to those exemplified in the embodiment. At least some of the functions described in the embodiment as being possessed by the server 10 may be implemented in the user terminal 20.

Software such as server programs may be provided in a downloadable form via a computer network such as the Internet, or may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory).

1...route guidance system, 10...server, 11...storage means, 12...acceptance means, 13...search means, 14...calculation means, 15...control means, 16...transmission means, 20...user terminal, 21...storage means, 22...input means, 23...control means, 24...communication means, 25...display means, 110...CPU, 111...database, 120...memory, 130...storage, 140...communication IF, 210...CPU, 220...memory, 230...storage, 240...communication IF, 250...input device, 260...display, 911...area, 912...area, 913...area, 914...area, 915...area, 916...area, 917...area, 921...area, 922...area

Claims (14)

receiving a route search request including a starting point, a destination, and attributes of a group of people traveling together;
searching for travel route candidates using one or more means of transportation selected from a plurality of means of transportation in accordance with the search request;
calculating a plurality of indices for each of the travel route candidates , the indices being evaluated in consideration of the attributes from a plurality of perspectives, in accordance with the attributes included in the search request;
a step of displaying a display screen of a travel route selected from the travel route candidates based on an index of one of the plurality of viewpoints, the display screen having a first area and a second area, the first area including a UI object for selecting one of the plurality of viewpoints, and the second area being an area for displaying an outline of the travel route corresponding to the selected viewpoint;
When a viewpoint different from the viewpoint currently selected on the display screen is selected via the UI object, the display of the second area is updated and an outline of the travel route corresponding to the newly selected viewpoint is displayed. The route guidance method according to claim 1 , wherein the outline of the travel route displayed in the second area includes an index value of a selected viewpoint. the search request includes attributes of people who belong to the group;
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indexes are calculated using parameters to which weights are assigned that change depending on attributes of the person. The attribute is the number of people in the group,
The route guidance method according to claim 3, wherein among the parameters, a parameter corresponding to a mode of transportation that is less likely to be selected as the number of people in the group increases is weighted so that the mode of transportation is less likely to be selected compared to when the number of people in the group is small. The attributes of the people include an age range of the people who belong to the group;
the plurality of means of transportation includes walking;
5. The route guidance method according to claim 3, wherein a parameter corresponding to walking among the parameters is weighted so that the parameter is less likely to be selected for people in an age group above a reference age group compared to people in an age group below the reference age group. the attributes of the people include an amount of baggage carried by the people belonging to the group;
6. The route guidance method according to claim 3, wherein a weight is assigned to a parameter among the parameters corresponding to a mode of transportation with a large luggage capacity so that the parameter is more likely to be selected for a person carrying an amount of luggage above a reference amount, compared to a mode of transportation with a small luggage capacity. the travel route candidates include a plurality of travel routes including a first travel route using a first travel means and a second travel route using a second travel means different from the first travel means;
The route guidance method according to claim 1 , wherein, when the first transportation means does not correspond to the attribute, the first transportation route is excluded from the display targets. The group consists of a plurality of people,
The route guidance method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the searching step, a third travel route using a third means of travel is extracted as a candidate travel route for a portion of the group based on the attributes, and a fourth means of travel different from the third means of travel is extracted as a candidate travel route for another portion of the group different from the portion of the group. The route guidance method according to claim 1 , wherein the index indicates a level of environmental load. The route guidance method according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator indicates a degree of social distancing. A receiving means for receiving a search request for a travel route including attributes of a group consisting of a departure point, a destination, and people traveling;
a search means for searching for travel route candidates using one or more means of transportation selected from a plurality of means of transportation in accordance with the search request;
a calculation means for calculating an index for each of the travel route candidates , the index being evaluated in consideration of the attributes from each of a plurality of perspectives, in accordance with the attributes included in the search request;
a display means for displaying a display screen of a travel route selected from the travel route candidates based on an index of one of the plurality of viewpoints, the display screen having a first area and a second area, the first area including a UI object for selecting one of the plurality of viewpoints, and the second area being an area for displaying an outline of the travel route corresponding to the selected viewpoint;
When a viewpoint different from the viewpoint currently selected on the display screen is selected via the UI object, the display of the second area is updated and an outline of the travel route corresponding to the newly selected viewpoint is displayed. A receiving means for receiving a search request for a travel route including attributes of a group consisting of a departure point, a destination, and people traveling;
a search means for searching for travel route candidates using one or more means of transportation selected from a plurality of means of transportation in accordance with the search request;
a calculation means for calculating an index for each of the travel route candidates , the index being evaluated in consideration of the attributes from each of a plurality of perspectives, in accordance with the attributes included in the search request;
a transmission means for transmitting, as a response to the search request, a search response including data for displaying a display screen of a travel route selected from among the travel route candidates based on an index of one of the plurality of viewpoints, the display screen having a first area and a second area, the first area including a UI object for selecting one of the plurality of viewpoints, and the second area being an area for displaying an outline of the travel route corresponding to the selected viewpoint;
When a viewpoint different from the currently selected viewpoint on the display screen is selected via the UI object, the display in the second area is updated and an outline of the travel path corresponding to the newly selected viewpoint is displayed. On the computer,
receiving a route search request including a starting point, a destination, and attributes of a group of people moving;
searching for travel route candidates using one or more means of transportation selected from a plurality of means of transportation in accordance with the search request;
calculating an index for each of the travel route candidates , the index being evaluated in consideration of the attributes from each of a plurality of perspectives, in accordance with the attributes included in the search request;
and a step of transmitting, as a response to the search request, a search response including data for displaying a display screen of a travel route selected from the candidate travel routes based on an index of one of the multiple perspectives, the display screen having a first area and a second area, the first area including a UI object for selecting one of the multiple perspectives, and the second area being an area for displaying an overview of the travel route corresponding to the selected perspective. On the computer,
Receiving input of a starting point, a destination, and attributes of a group of people moving;
a step of transmitting a travel route search request including the input information to a server which searches for travel route candidates using one or more travel means selected from a plurality of travel means in accordance with the search request, and calculates an index for each of the travel route candidates , the index being evaluated in consideration of the attributes from each of a plurality of perspectives, in accordance with the attributes included in the search request;
a step of displaying a travel route display screen selected from the travel route candidates received as a response to the search request based on an index of one of the plurality of viewpoints, the travel route display screen having a first area and a second area, the first area including a UI object for selecting one of the plurality of viewpoints, and the second area being an area for displaying an outline of the travel route corresponding to the selected viewpoint,
A program in which, when a viewpoint different from the currently selected viewpoint on the travel path display screen is selected via the UI object, the display of the second area is updated and an overview of the travel path corresponding to the newly selected viewpoint is displayed.

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