JP7516659B2 - Information processing device and system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and system.

Motorcycles (saddle-type vehicles) tend to be more susceptible to road conditions (curves, etc.), road surface conditions (irregularities (steps) on the road surface, unpaved road surfaces, etc.), and environmental changes (snow, thick fog, dust, etc.) when traveling than four-wheeled motor vehicles. Therefore, in order to reduce these effects on motorcycles, a technology has been proposed that supports traveling around curves by notifying the user (rider) of the bank angle and course (see Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2005/038747

However, the ease of riding a motorcycle is not limited to road conditions such as curves, but is also a complex interplay of road surface conditions and environmental changes, as mentioned above. Therefore, there is a need for technology to be developed that allows users to be aware of difficult-to-ride locations, not just curves, along the planned motorcycle route in advance.

The present invention has, as an example, an object to provide a new technology that is advantageous for assisting the driving of a saddle-type vehicle.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of saddle-riding vehicles, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires, from each of the plurality of saddle-riding vehicles, operation information relating to avoidance operations during driving that is recorded in the saddle-riding vehicle; a setting unit that, if a plurality of pieces of operation information acquired by the acquisition unit within a predetermined period of time satisfy a predetermined condition, sets an avoidance recommendation area when the saddle-riding vehicle is driving based on the operation information; and a notification unit that, if the avoidance recommendation area exists on a planned driving route of a target vehicle among the plurality of saddle-riding vehicles, notifies the target vehicle that the avoidance recommendation area exists on the planned driving route, and the notification by the notification unit changes depending on the setting of the avoidance recommendation area.

Another aspect of the present invention is a system having a plurality of saddle-riding vehicles and an information processing device capable of communicating with the plurality of saddle-riding vehicles, the information processing device having an acquisition unit that acquires, from each of the plurality of saddle-riding vehicles, operation information relating to avoidance operations during driving recorded in the saddle-riding vehicles, a setting unit that sets a recommended avoidance area when the saddle-riding vehicles are driving based on the operation information when the plurality of operation information acquired by the acquisition unit within a predetermined period of time satisfies a predetermined condition, and a notification unit that, when the recommended avoidance area exists on a planned driving route of a target vehicle of the plurality of saddle-riding vehicles, notifies the target vehicle that the recommended avoidance area exists on the planned driving route, and the notification by the notification unit changes depending on the setting of the recommended avoidance area.

The present invention can provide new technology that is advantageous for assisting the driving of saddle-type vehicles, for example.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a system configuration according to one aspect of the present invention. 2 is a schematic side view showing an example of the configuration of the saddle-ride type vehicle shown in FIG. 1 . 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a meter unit provided in the saddle-type vehicle shown in FIG. 2 . 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the information processing device shown in FIG. 1; 11 is a diagram for explaining the usefulness of providing information regarding travel avoidance along a planned travel route of a saddle riding type vehicle. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the usefulness of providing information regarding travel avoidance along a planned travel route of a saddle riding type vehicle. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a processing unit of the information processing device shown in FIG. 4. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process for setting a recommended avoidance area. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an avoidance recommendation area set by the process shown in FIG. 7 . 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process for notifying the driver that an avoidance recommended area exists on a planned driving route. 11 is a diagram for explaining the timing of notifying that an avoidance recommended area exists on a planned driving route. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a notification area for notifying that an avoidance recommended area exists on a planned travel route.

The embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined in any desired manner. In addition, the same reference numbers are used for identical or similar configurations, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a system 1 according to one aspect of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes an information processing device 2, a plurality of saddle-riding vehicles 3A and 3B, and a terminal 4. The system 1 is a system for supporting the driving of each vehicle by providing the saddle-riding vehicles 3A and 3B with information ( avoidance recommendation level) on the planned driving route (path) of each vehicle from the information processing device 2. In the system 1, the information processing device 2, the saddle-riding vehicles 3A and 3B, and the terminal 4 are communicatively connected to each other via a communication network 5. The communication network 5 includes, for example, a communication network such as the Internet or a mobile phone network. FIG. 1 illustrates a case in which the saddle-riding vehicles constituting the system 1 are two saddle-riding vehicles 3A and 3B, but the number of saddle-riding vehicles constituting the system 1 may be three or more. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the saddle-riding vehicles 3A and 3B are collectively referred to as the saddle-riding vehicles 3.

The saddle-type vehicle 3 is a motorcycle that is driven by a rider (user). As shown in Figure 2, the saddle-type vehicle 3 has a body frame 31 that forms the skeleton of the vehicle, a front fork 32 supported by the body frame 31, an engine 33, a seat 34, a swing arm 35, a meter unit 36, a headlight 37, a horn 38, an anti-lock brake system (ABS) 39, and a communication unit 395. Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the saddle-type vehicle 3.

The body frame 31 includes, for example, a head pipe that supports the front fork 32 so as to be steerable, a main frame extending from the head pipe, a center frame extending from the main frame, seat rails extending from the main frame, a down frame extending from the main frame, and an upper frame extending from the head pipe to the main frame.

The front fork 32 supports a bar handle 321 at its upper end, and a front wheel 323 via an axle 322 at its lower end. The engine 33 includes, for example, a crankcase and a cylinder section that is tilted forward from the crankcase. A transmission may be integrally provided at the rear of the crankcase. The seat 34 is provided above the seat rail. The swing arm 35 is supported by the center frame so as to be able to swing up and down, and supports a rear wheel 352 via an axle 351 at its rear end.

The meter unit 36 is provided at the center of the front of the vehicle body. As shown in Fig. 3, the meter unit 36 includes a display section 361 capable of displaying a tachometer, a speedometer, an indicator, a fuel gauge, a clock, and the like. The display section 361 also displays information for supporting the traveling of the saddle riding type vehicle 3 provided (notified) from the information processing device 2, in this embodiment, information regarding avoidance of traveling on the planned traveling route (path) ( avoidance recommendation level ) . The display section 361 is formed, for example, of a liquid crystal panel. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the meter unit 36 provided in the saddle riding type vehicle 3.

The headlights 37 are provided in front of the saddle riding vehicle 3, and are lighting devices that illuminate the area in front of the saddle riding vehicle 3, for example, the path of the saddle riding vehicle 3. The headlights 37 include low beam, high beam, positioning light, etc. The headlights 37 can be turned on (or off) via a headlight switch provided on the handlebar 321, for example. In addition, the headlights 37 can be momentarily turned on or temporarily switched between high beam and low beam via the headlight switch, that is, the headlights 37 can be flashed.

The horn 38 is a device that emits a sound (warning sound) to make other passing objects aware of the approach of the vehicle. The horn 38 can be activated (emits a sound from the horn 38) via a horn switch provided on the handlebar 321, for example.

The ABS 39 is a system that prevents the front wheel 323 and the rear wheel 352 from locking when the rider applies the brakes with great force, i.e., when the rider applies the brakes suddenly, and maintains the stability of the saddle riding type vehicle 3 in the traveling direction. The ABS 39 basically operates automatically in response to the rider's brake operation.

The communication unit 395 includes a communication interface, such as a telematics control unit (TCU), capable of communicating with the information processing device 2 via the communication network 5. The communication unit 395 realizes a function of receiving information provided from the information processing device 2 to the saddle-type vehicle 3 and transmitting information provided from the saddle-type vehicle 3 to the information processing device 2, i.e., so-called two-way communication.

The information provided from the saddle riding vehicle 3 to the information processing device 2 includes driving information of the saddle riding vehicle 3, for example, information indicating the current speed (driving speed) of the saddle riding vehicle 3, information indicating the current acceleration of the saddle riding vehicle 3, information indicating the current position of the saddle riding vehicle 3, information indicating the current attitude (tilt angle) of the saddle riding vehicle 3, information indicating the handlebar operation, brake operation and various switch operations by the rider, etc. This information can be detected by various sensors (for example, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a GPS sensor, a sensor that detects driving operations (steering), etc.) provided in the saddle riding vehicle 3.

In addition, the information provided from the saddle riding vehicle 3 to the information processing device 2 includes operation information related to an avoidance operation while the saddle riding vehicle 3 is traveling. The avoidance operation is an operation performed while the saddle riding vehicle 3 is traveling, and includes, for example, at least one of an operation of tilting the saddle riding vehicle 3 by a predetermined angle or more, an operation including operation of the ABS 39, an operation including operation of the horn 38, and an operation of flashing the headlights 37. The avoidance operation is detected by the various sensors described above, and is recorded as a log in a recording device (not shown) provided in the saddle riding vehicle 3 as operation information associated with location information (GPS information) indicating the location where the avoidance operation was performed. Thus, the operation information includes the type of avoidance operation and location information indicating the location where the evasive action was performed.

The terminal 4 is a terminal used by an administrator who manages the information processing device 2 (system 1), and is, for example, a computer or a mobile terminal including a CPU, memory, etc. The terminal 4 includes a display device and a communication device. Here, the administrator is a business operator who provides a service to support the driving of the saddle-type vehicle 3, and includes, for example, a dealer who sells the saddle-type vehicle 3.

The information processing device 2 is configured, for example, by a computer including a CPU, a memory, etc. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 2. The information processing device 2 includes a processing unit 21, a memory unit 22, and an interface (I/F) unit 23. The processing unit 21 includes a processor represented by a CPU, and executes programs stored in the memory unit 22. The memory unit 22 includes storage devices such as RAM, ROM, and a hard disk. The I/F unit 23 relays the transmission and reception of information (data) between an external device and the processing unit 21. The I/F unit 23 includes a wired or wireless communication interface capable of communicating with the saddle-type vehicle 3 and the terminal 4 via the communication network 5.

In the system 1, the information processing device 2 functions as a server that provides information to the saddle-type vehicle 3A and the saddle-type vehicle 3B regarding avoidance of travel along the planned travel route of each vehicle.

Here, the usefulness of providing information on avoidance of travel on the planned travel route of the saddle riding vehicle 3 will be described. The saddle riding vehicle 3 is particularly susceptible to road surface conditions (irregularities (steps) on the road surface and unpaved road surface) and environmental changes (squalls, thick fog, dust, etc.) during travel. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, if an obstacle BB such as a puddle or mud splashes (irregularities on the road surface) occurs on the road surface on the planned travel route of the saddle riding vehicle 3 due to rainfall the day before or sudden rainfall, there is a high possibility that the saddle riding vehicle 3 will slip or fall when traveling on the road surface on which the obstacle BB occurs. Therefore, by providing (notifying) the saddle riding vehicle 3 (the rider) that an obstacle BB has occurred on the planned travel route, that is, information on the recommendation to avoid the obstacle BB on the planned travel route, the rider of the saddle riding vehicle 3 can change the planned travel route so as to avoid traveling on the road surface on which the obstacle BB occurs, as shown in FIG. 5B. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of slipping or falling over due to changes in road conditions or the environment while the saddle riding type vehicle 3 is traveling.

Referring to FIG. 6, the functions of the processing unit 21 that realizes the process of providing information regarding travel avoidance on the planned travel route of the saddle riding vehicle 3 in this embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of the processing unit 21. The processing unit 21 includes an acquisition unit 211, a first judgment unit 212, a setting unit 213, a second judgment unit 214, a notification unit 215, and an identification unit 216. Note that each of the functions (blocks) described below may be integrated or separated, and the functions described may be realized by different blocks. Also, what is described as hardware may be realized by software, and vice versa.

The acquisition unit 211 acquires operation information related to avoidance operations during driving recorded in each vehicle from each of the saddle-type vehicles 3A and 3B constituting the system 1 via the I/F unit 23. The operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 is updated every predetermined period (e.g., every three hours). This makes it possible to acquire operation information that reflects road surface conditions and environmental changes in real time.

The first determination unit 212 determines whether or not a plurality of pieces of operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 within a predetermined period of time satisfy a predetermined condition. Here, the predetermined condition is a condition for determining, from the plurality of pieces of operation information, that the location indicated by the location information included in each piece of operation information and the area nearby the location should be avoided when the saddle riding type vehicle 3 is traveling. For example, if the locations indicated by the location information included in each piece of operation information are relatively close to each other, many riders of the saddle riding type vehicle 3 perform avoidance actions in the area including those locations, so it is considered that there is a high possibility that slipping or falling will occur when the saddle riding type vehicle 3 is traveling. Therefore, in this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that, among the plurality of pieces of operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 within a predetermined period of time, location information included in one piece of operation information is present within a predetermined range from the location indicated by the location information included in the other piece of operation information, that is, there are a plurality of locations where avoidance actions have been performed within the predetermined range. Here, it is preferable that the predetermined range is set according to the type of avoidance action or the driving characteristics indicating the driving tendency of the rider of the saddle riding type vehicle 3. For example, if the type of avoidance operation has a high avoidance recommendation level among the types of avoidance operation, the range is narrowed, or if the driving characteristics indicate a tendency to relatively rough driving, the range is widened, thereby making it possible to appropriately set the recommended avoidance area described below. Also, the administrator who manages the information processing device 2 (system 1) can set an arbitrary period as the predetermined period. For example, taking into consideration changes in road surface conditions and environmental changes, the predetermined period is set to three hours.

When the first determination unit 212 determines that the plurality of pieces of operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 within a predetermined period of time satisfy a predetermined condition, the setting unit 213 sets a recommended avoidance area when the saddle riding vehicle 3 is traveling based on the plurality of pieces of operation information. Note that the specific process of setting the recommended avoidance area will be described in detail later.

The second judgment unit 214 acquires the planned driving route from a target vehicle, for example, saddle-type vehicle 3A, among the saddle-type vehicles 3A and 3B that constitute the system 1 via the I/F unit 23, and judges whether the recommended avoidance area set by the setting unit 213 exists on the planned driving route.

When the second determination unit 214 determines that the avoidance recommended area set by the setting unit 213 exists on the planned travel route of the target vehicle among the saddle-riding vehicles 3A and 3B constituting the system 1, the notification unit 215 notifies the target vehicle that the avoidance recommended area exists on the planned travel route (that the avoidance recommended area is approaching) via the I/F unit 23. For example, the notification unit 215 displays an image notifying that the avoidance recommended area exists on the planned travel route on the display unit 361 of the meter unit 36 provided in the saddle-riding vehicle 3, or lights up a lamp notifying that the avoidance recommended area exists on the planned travel route. The notification unit 215 may also notify by voice that the avoidance recommended area exists on the planned travel route via a speaker or the like provided in the saddle-riding vehicle 3. Note that, as described later, the notification by the notification unit 215 changes depending on the setting of the avoidance recommended area. The change in the notification by the notification unit 215 is realized by changing the notification method, the setting of the notification area, or the like.

The identification unit 216 identifies the avoidance recommendation level for when the saddle riding vehicle 3 is traveling for each of the multiple pieces of operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 within a specified period. The avoidance recommendation level is set in advance according to the type of avoidance operation and the number of avoidance operations. The identification unit 216 identifies the avoidance recommendation level corresponding to each of the multiple pieces of operation information, for example, by referring to a table showing the relationship between the type of avoidance operation or the number of avoidance operations and the avoidance recommendation level.

In this way, in this embodiment, based on operation information related to the avoidance operation while the saddle riding vehicle 3 is traveling, the saddle riding vehicle 3 is notified of the presence of an area recommended for avoidance on the planned traveling route as information related to the accident risk on the planned traveling route of the saddle riding vehicle 3. This enables the rider of the saddle riding vehicle 3 to change the planned traveling route so as to avoid the area recommended for avoidance, thereby reducing the possibility of slipping, falling, and the like.

A specific process for setting a recommended avoidance area will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining the process for setting a recommended avoidance area, and Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a recommended avoidance area set by the process shown in Figure 7. Here, it is assumed that the first determination unit 212 has determined that a plurality of pieces of motion information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 within a specified period of time satisfy a specified condition.

In S701, the setting unit 213 acquires multiple pieces of operation information within a specified period from the acquisition unit 211.

In S702, the setting unit 213 extracts the location information (locations indicated by the location information) included in each of the multiple pieces of operation information acquired in S701. This makes it possible to grasp the locations where avoidance operations were performed by the saddle riding vehicle 3 within a predetermined period of time.

In S703, the setting unit 213 defines a circle having a predetermined radius centered on the point indicated by each of the point information extracted in S702. As a result, as shown in Fig. 8, on an arbitrary road map, a circle DC having a predetermined radius, i.e., the same radius, is defined centered on the point GP indicated by the point information included in each of the multiple pieces of operation information.

In S704, the area where the circles defined for each of the multiple pieces of operation information in S703 overlap is set as the recommended avoidance area. As a result, as shown in Fig. 8, the area where multiple circles DC overlap is set as the recommended avoidance area DA. Note that in Fig. 8, the area where three circles DC overlap is set as the recommended avoidance area DA, but the number of circles DC when setting the recommended avoidance area DA is not limited, and an area where two circles DC overlap may be set as the recommended avoidance area DA, or an area where four or more circles DC overlap may be set as the recommended avoidance area DA.

In this way, by setting the recommended avoidance area based on the location indicated by the location information included in each of the multiple pieces of operation information acquired within a specified period, it is possible to set an area where avoidance behavior occurs frequently, reflecting road surface conditions and environmental changes, as the recommended avoidance area. Also, by defining a circle with the location indicated by the location information as its center and setting the area where such circles overlap as the recommended avoidance area, it is possible to set the recommended avoidance area quantitatively and with high precision.

With reference to Figure 9, the process of notifying the driver that an area recommended for avoidance is present on the planned driving route will be specifically described. Figure 9 is a flowchart for explaining the process of notifying the driver that an area recommended for avoidance is present on the planned driving route.

In S901, the processing unit 21 acquires, via the I/F unit 23, information detected by various sensors, such as a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a GPS sensor, and sensors that detect driving operations, from each of the saddle-type vehicles 3A and 3B that constitute the system 1, and analyzes such information to detect the traveling of the target vehicle.

In S902, the second judgment unit 214 obtains the planned driving route from the target vehicle, one of the saddle-type vehicles 3A and 3B, via the I/F unit 23.

In S903, the second judgment unit 214 judges whether or not there is a recommended avoidance area set by the setting unit 213 (a recommended avoidance area set according to the processing shown in FIG. 7) on the planned driving route of the target vehicle acquired in S902. If there is no recommended avoidance area on the planned driving route of the target vehicle, the processing ends. On the other hand, if there is a recommended avoidance area on the planned driving route of the target vehicle, the processing proceeds to S904.

At S904, the notification unit 215 notifies the target vehicle, one of the saddle-type vehicles 3A and 3B, via the I/F unit 23 that a recommended avoidance area exists on the planned travel route.

Now, referring to FIG. 10, the timing when the notification unit 215 notifies the target vehicle of the saddle riding type vehicles 3A and 3B that there is an avoidance recommended area on the planned travel route will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the notification unit 215 sets a notification area NA for notifying the target vehicle that there is an avoidance recommended area DA on the planned travel route based on the avoidance recommended area DA set by the setting unit 213. Then, when the target vehicle enters the notification area NA, the notification unit 215 notifies the target vehicle that there is an avoidance recommended area on the planned travel route. Whether the target vehicle has entered the notification area NA can be detected, for example, by acquiring the current position of the target vehicle from information detected by a GPS sensor and comparing the position with the notification area NA. Note that the notification area NA may be set in advance, for example, when the system 1 is started up, before the process of notifying that there is an avoidance recommended area on the planned travel route shown in FIG. 9 is performed, and updated as necessary. Furthermore, the notification area NA may be set in common for all of the saddle-ride type vehicles 3 constituting the system 1 , or may be set individually for each of the saddle-ride type vehicles 3 .

In this way, by setting a notification area NA that notifies the target vehicle that there is an avoidance recommended area DA on the planned driving route, it is possible to notify the target vehicle of the presence of the avoidance recommended area DA on the planned driving route before it enters the avoidance recommended area DA, making it easier for the target vehicle to take action to avoid the avoidance recommended area DA and reducing the possibility of slipping, falling, etc. Note that, as shown in FIG. 10, by setting an area that includes the avoidance recommended area DA and is wider than the avoidance recommended area DA as the notification area NA, it is possible to reliably notify the target vehicle of the presence of the avoidance recommended area DA on the planned driving route before it enters the avoidance recommended area DA, which is advantageous in reducing the possibility of slipping, falling, etc.

In addition, the size of the notification area NA may be variable according to the avoidance recommendation level when the saddle-riding vehicle 3 travels through the avoidance recommendation area DA. For example, the notification unit 215 sets the size of the notification area NA according to the avoidance recommendation level of each of the multiple pieces of operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 within a predetermined period of time, identified by the identification unit 216. This allows the presence of the avoidance recommendation area DA on the planned travel route to be notified at a better timing according to the avoidance recommendation level when the saddle-riding vehicle 3 travels. Note that the greater the avoidance recommendation level identified by the identification unit 216, the higher the possibility of slipping, falling, etc., so the notification unit 215 may set the notification area NA so that the larger the avoidance recommendation level, the larger the size of the notification area NA. As a result, when the avoidance recommendation level is high, it is possible to notify the presence of the avoidance recommendation area DA on the planned travel route at a relatively early stage, so that the saddle-riding vehicle 3 can be guided to avoid traveling through the avoidance recommendation area DA with a high avoidance recommendation level, thereby reducing the possibility of slipping, falling, etc. The notification area NA may also be set according to multiple avoidance recommendation areas DA. For example, if a plurality of areas DA recommended for avoidance are nearby, the notification area NA is set so that these areas recommended for avoidance can be avoided.

Furthermore, the notification unit 215 may set the notification area NA based on at least one of the current speed of the saddle riding vehicle 3 (target vehicle), the distance between the current position of the saddle riding vehicle 3 and the recommended avoidance area DA, and the time when the saddle riding vehicle 3 is predicted to reach the recommended avoidance area DA, in addition to the recommended avoidance area DA. In this way, by setting the notification area NA based not only on the recommended avoidance area DA but also on the driving information of the saddle riding vehicle 3, it is possible to notify at a more appropriate time that the recommended avoidance area DA exists on the planned driving route.

In addition, the notification unit 215 may notify the saddle riding type vehicle 3 that the avoidance recommended area DA exists on the planned travel route in stages according to the distance to the avoidance recommended area DA. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the notification unit 215 sets a first notification area NA1 and a second notification area NA2 as the notification area NA. The second notification area NA2 is included in the first notification area NA1 and is an area narrower than the first notification area NA1. The notification unit 215 notifies the saddle riding type vehicle 3 that the avoidance recommended area DA exists on the planned travel route by an image when the saddle riding type vehicle 3 enters the first notification area NA1 via the saddle riding type vehicle 3, and notifies the saddle riding type vehicle 3 that the avoidance recommended area DA exists on the planned travel route by a sound when the saddle riding type vehicle 3 enters the second notification area NA2, thereby differentiating the notification form for notifying the saddle riding type vehicle 3 that the avoidance recommended area DA exists on the planned travel route between the first notification area NA1 and the second notification area NA2. This makes it possible to notify in stages that the saddle riding vehicle 3 is approaching the avoidance recommended area DA, and makes the rider of the saddle riding vehicle 3 more aware that the avoidance recommended area DA exists on the planned travel route. Note that the above-mentioned notification form is one example, and is not limited to this. For example, when the saddle riding vehicle 3 enters the second notification area NA2, an image notifying that an avoidance recommended area exists on the planned travel route or a sound notifying that an avoidance recommended area exists on the planned travel route may be made louder than when the saddle riding vehicle 3 enters the first notification area NA1. Also, in this embodiment, two areas are set as the notification area NA, but three or more areas may be set.

In this way, the system 1 of this embodiment, and particularly the information processing device 2, can provide new technology that is advantageous for assisting the driving of the saddle-type vehicle 3.

Summary of the embodiment
1. The information processing device of the above embodiment is
An information processing device (e.g., 2) capable of communicating with a plurality of saddle-type vehicles (e.g., 3A, 3B),
an acquisition unit (e.g., 211) that acquires, from each of the plurality of saddle riding type vehicles, operation information related to an avoidance operation during traveling that is recorded in the saddle riding type vehicle;
a setting unit (e.g., 213) that sets a recommended avoidance area (e.g., DA) when the saddle riding type vehicle is traveling based on a plurality of pieces of operation information acquired by the acquisition unit within a predetermined period of time, when the plurality of pieces of operation information satisfy a predetermined condition;
a notification unit (e.g., 215) that, when the avoidance recommended area exists on a planned travel route of a target vehicle among the plurality of saddle riding type vehicles, notifies the target vehicle that the avoidance recommended area exists on the planned travel route;
having
The notification by the notification unit changes depending on the setting of an area recommended to be avoided.

According to this embodiment, the rider of the saddle-type vehicle (target vehicle) can change the planned route to avoid the recommended avoidance area, thereby reducing the possibility of slipping, falling, etc.

2. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
The avoidance operation is characterized by including at least one of an operation of tilting a saddle-type vehicle (e.g., 3A, 3B) by a predetermined angle or more, an operation including activation of an antilock braking system (e.g., 39), an operation including activation of a horn (e.g., 38), and an operation of flashing headlights (e.g., 37).

According to this embodiment, it is possible to set a recommended avoidance area depending on the avoidance action.

3. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
Each of the plurality of pieces of operation information includes location information indicating a location (e.g., a GP) where the avoidance operation is performed,
The predetermined condition is that a location indicated by location information included in one of the plurality of pieces of motion information is within a predetermined range from a location indicated by location information included in another piece of motion information.
It is characterized by:

According to this embodiment, a danger area can be set when avoidance actions occur frequently.

4. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
The predetermined range is set according to the type of avoidance operation or driving characteristics indicating the driving tendency of a rider of the saddle riding type vehicle.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately set recommended avoidance areas.

5. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
Each of the plurality of pieces of operation information includes location information indicating a location (e.g., a GP) where the avoidance operation is performed,
The setting unit sets the recommended avoidance area (e.g., DA) based on a location indicated by location information included in each of the plurality of pieces of operation information.
It is characterized by:

According to this embodiment, areas where avoidance actions occur frequently, reflecting road conditions and changes in the environment, can be set as recommended avoidance areas.

6. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
The setting unit (e.g., 213)
For each of the plurality of pieces of motion information, a circle (e.g., DC) having a predetermined radius and centered on a point (e.g., GP) indicated by point information included in the motion information is defined;
An area where circles defined for each of the plurality of pieces of motion information overlap is set as the recommended avoidance area (e.g., DA).
It is characterized by:

According to this embodiment, the recommended avoidance areas can be set quantitatively and with high precision.

7. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
The notification unit (e.g., 215)
Based on the recommended avoidance area (e.g., DA), a notification area (e.g., NA) is set for notifying the target vehicle of the presence of the recommended avoidance area on the planned travel route;
When the target vehicle enters the notification area, the target vehicle is notified of the presence of the recommended avoidance area on the planned travel route.
It is characterized by:

According to this embodiment, it is possible to notify the saddle-type vehicle (target vehicle) of the presence of an area recommended to be avoided on the planned travel route before the vehicle enters the area recommended to be avoided, making it easier to take action to avoid the area recommended to be avoided and reducing the possibility of slipping, falling, etc.

8. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
The notification unit (eg, 215) is characterized in that it sets an area that includes the recommended avoidance area (eg, DA) and is larger than the recommended avoidance area as a notification area (eg, NA).

According to this embodiment, the saddle-type vehicle (target vehicle) can be reliably notified of the presence of an area recommended for avoidance on the planned route before entering the area, which is advantageous in reducing the possibility of slipping, falling, etc.

9. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
Further, a determination unit (e.g., 216) is provided that determines an avoidance recommendation level for each of the plurality of pieces of operation information when the saddle riding type vehicle (e.g., 3A, 3B) is traveling,
The notification unit (e.g., 215) sets a size of the notification area (e.g., NA) according to the avoidance recommendation level identified by the identification unit.
It is characterized by:

According to this embodiment, the presence of an area recommended for avoidance on the planned route can be notified at a more appropriate time according to the level of recommendation for avoidance when the saddle-type vehicle is traveling.

10. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
The notification unit (e.g., 215) is characterized in that it sets the notification area (e.g., NA) so that the size of the notification area becomes larger as the avoidance recommendation level identified by the identification unit (e.g., 216) becomes higher.

According to this embodiment, when the degree of avoidance recommendation is high, it is possible to notify the driver at a relatively early stage that an area recommended for avoidance exists on the planned route, thereby guiding the driver to avoid driving the saddle-type vehicle into the area recommended for avoidance with a high degree of avoidance recommendation, thereby reducing the possibility of slipping, falling, etc.

11. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
The notification unit (e.g., 215) is characterized in that it sets the notification area (e.g., NA) based on at least one of the current speed of the target vehicle, the distance between the current position of the target vehicle and the recommended avoidance area (e.g., DA), and the time when the target vehicle is predicted to reach the recommended avoidance area.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to notify the driver at a more timely manner that an area recommended for avoidance exists on the planned driving route.

12. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
The notification unit (e.g., 215)
As the notification area (e.g., NA), a first notification area (e.g., NA1) and a second notification area (e.g., NA2) that is included in the first notification area and is narrower than the first notification area are set,
a notification form for notifying the target vehicle of the presence of the avoidance recommended area (e.g., DA) on the planned travel route is made different between the first notification area and the second notification area;
It is characterized by:

According to this embodiment, it is possible to gradually notify the rider that the saddle-type vehicle is approaching an area recommended for avoidance, making the rider of the saddle-type vehicle more aware that an area recommended for avoidance exists on the planned route.

13. In the above-mentioned information processing device (e.g., 2),
The plurality of pieces of motion information are updated at each of the predetermined periods.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain operational information that reflects road conditions and environmental changes in real time.

14. The system of the above embodiment includes:
A system (e.g., 1) having a plurality of saddle-type vehicles (e.g., 3A, 3B) and an information processing device (e.g., 2) capable of communicating with the plurality of saddle-type vehicles,
The information processing device includes:
an acquisition unit (e.g., 211) that acquires, from each of the plurality of saddle riding type vehicles, operation information related to an avoidance operation during traveling that is recorded in the saddle riding type vehicle;
a setting unit (e.g., 213) that sets a recommended avoidance area (e.g., DA) when the saddle riding type vehicle is traveling based on a plurality of pieces of operation information acquired by the acquisition unit within a predetermined period of time, when the plurality of pieces of operation information satisfy a predetermined condition;
a notification unit (e.g., 215) that, when the avoidance recommended area exists on a planned travel route of a target vehicle among the plurality of saddle riding type vehicles, notifies the target vehicle that the avoidance recommended area exists on the planned travel route;
having
The notification by the notification unit changes depending on the setting of an area recommended to be avoided.

According to this embodiment, the rider of the saddle-type vehicle (target vehicle) can change the planned route to avoid the recommended avoidance area, thereby reducing the possibility of slipping, falling, etc.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, in order to publicize the scope of the present invention, the following claims are appended.

This application claims priority based on Japanese patent application No. 2021-050354, filed on March 24, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (12)

An information processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of saddle-ride type vehicles,
an acquisition unit that acquires, from each of the plurality of saddle riding type vehicles, operation information related to an avoidance operation during traveling that is recorded in the respective saddle riding type vehicles;
a setting unit that sets a recommended avoidance area when the saddle riding type vehicle is traveling based on a plurality of pieces of operation information acquired within a predetermined period by the acquisition unit when the plurality of pieces of operation information satisfy a predetermined condition;
a notification unit that, when the recommended avoidance area exists on a planned traveling route of a target vehicle of the plurality of saddle riding type vehicles, notifies the target vehicle that the recommended avoidance area exists on the planned traveling route;
having
The notification by the notification unit is changed according to a setting of an avoidance recommended area ,
Each of the plurality of pieces of operation information includes location information indicating a location where the avoidance operation is performed,
the predetermined condition is that a location indicated by location information included in one of the plurality of pieces of motion information is within a predetermined range from a location indicated by location information included in the other piece of motion information,
The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is set according to a type of the avoidance operation or a driving characteristic indicating a driving tendency of a rider of a saddle riding type vehicle . The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the avoidance action includes at least one of the following actions: tilting the saddle-type vehicle by a predetermined angle or more, activating the antilock brake system, honking the horn, and flashing the headlights. Each of the plurality of pieces of operation information includes location information indicating a location where the avoidance operation is performed,
the setting unit sets the recommended avoidance area based on a location indicated by location information included in each of the plurality of pieces of operation information.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer. The setting unit is
defining a circle having a predetermined radius centered on a point indicated by point information included in each of the plurality of pieces of motion information;
setting an area where circles defined for each of the plurality of pieces of motion information overlap as the recommended avoidance area;
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 . The notification unit is
setting a notification area for notifying the target vehicle of the presence of the recommended avoidance area on the planned travel route based on the recommended avoidance area;
When the target vehicle enters the notification area, the target vehicle is notified of the presence of the recommended avoidance area on the planned travel route.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises: a first input section; The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the notification unit sets, as the notification area, an area that includes the recommended avoidance area and is larger than the recommended avoidance area. a determination unit that determines a degree of avoidance recommendation when the saddle riding type vehicle is traveling for each of the plurality of pieces of operation information,
The notification unit sets a size of the notification area in accordance with the avoidance recommendation level identified by the identification unit.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the notification unit sets the notification area such that the size of the notification area increases as the avoidance recommendation level determined by the determination unit increases. The information processing device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the notification unit sets the notification area based on at least one of a current speed of the target vehicle, a distance between a current position of the target vehicle and the recommended avoidance area, and a time when the target vehicle is predicted to reach the recommended avoidance area . The notification unit is
A first notification area and a second notification area that is included in the first notification area and is narrower than the first notification area are set as the notification area,
a notification form for notifying the target vehicle of the presence of the avoidance recommended area on the planned travel route is made different between the first notification area and the second notification area;
10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pieces of motion information are updated at each of the predetermined periods. A system including a plurality of saddle riding type vehicles and an information processing device capable of communicating with the plurality of saddle riding type vehicles,
The information processing device includes:
an acquisition unit that acquires, from each of the plurality of saddle riding type vehicles, operation information related to an avoidance operation during traveling that is recorded in the respective saddle riding type vehicles;
a setting unit that sets a recommended avoidance area when the saddle riding type vehicle is traveling based on a plurality of pieces of operation information acquired within a predetermined period by the acquisition unit when the plurality of pieces of operation information satisfy a predetermined condition;
a notification unit that, when the recommended avoidance area exists on a planned traveling route of a target vehicle of the plurality of saddle riding type vehicles, notifies the target vehicle that the recommended avoidance area exists on the planned traveling route;
having
The notification by the notification unit is changed according to a setting of an avoidance recommended area ,
Each of the plurality of pieces of operation information includes location information indicating a location where the avoidance operation is performed,
the predetermined condition is that a location indicated by location information included in one of the plurality of pieces of motion information is within a predetermined range from a location indicated by location information included in the other piece of motion information,
The system is characterized in that the predetermined range is set according to the type of the avoidance operation or a driving characteristic indicating a driving tendency of a rider of the saddle riding type vehicle .

Images