JP7797307B2 - Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Conventionally, there are navigation devices that provide route guidance from a departure point to a destination. The device described in Patent Document 1 provides guidance on the optimal route when the destination is a parking lot with multiple exits, based on the travel cost from the departure point to the parking lot, the travel cost of each route within the parking lot to the multiple exits, and the travel cost of the route after leaving one of the exits.

JP 2016-105051 A

Users of a facility may wish to smoothly enter and exit the facility, but may also wish to prioritize either entering or exiting the facility over optimizing the entire route, including the trip to and from the facility. The device described in Patent Document 1 is thought to aim to optimize the entire route, and does not provide route guidance that prioritizes either entering or exiting the facility.

This disclosure provides an information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program that can prioritize either entry or exit from a facility.

One embodiment of an information processing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires driving history information of vehicles entering and exiting a facility that has multiple entrances and/or exits; an area setting unit that sets vehicle passage determination areas at positions a predetermined distance away from the facility in multiple directions; and a generation unit that generates correlation information, identified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit, regarding the correlation between an entrance, a first direction corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when entering the entrance, and an exit, a second direction corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when exiting the exit.

According to one aspect, various associations (association information) related to the entry and exit of a facility that has multiple entrances and/or exits are generated based on the driving history information of vehicles entering and exiting the facility. This allows for higher priority to be given to either entry or exit from the facility based on the associations.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a vehicle passage determination area. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing device according to an embodiment. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment.

One embodiment is described below.

[Overview of information processing device 100]
First, an overview of an information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle passage determination area.

The information processing device 100 may be configured as, for example, an association identification device that identifies an association between the entrance 411 and exit 412 of the facility 400, the direction of a point a predetermined distance away when entering the entrance 411 (e.g., the direction relative to the facility 400), and the direction of a point a predetermined distance away when exiting the exit 412 (e.g., the direction relative to the facility 400). The information processing device 100 may be configured as, for example, a route search device that searches for a route based on the identified association. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may be configured as a registration device that registers the association in map information. The information processing device 100 is not limited to the device described above as an example, and may be configured as various other devices.
The information processing device 100 may be a computer such as a server, a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone.

The information processing device 100 may constitute an information processing system together with the vehicle 200, the server 300, a user terminal (not shown), and the like.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the information processing device 100 acquires driving history information of a vehicle 200 entering and exiting a facility 400 having an entrance 411 and an exit 412. Note that the entrance 411 and the exit 412 are not limited to being located at the same place as in the example illustrated in FIG. 1 ; they may be located at different places. Furthermore, the entrance 411 and the exit 412 may be, for example, an entrance and an exit to the grounds of the facility. As an example, the entrance 411 and the exit 412 may be, for example, an entrance and an exit to an area within the facility (e.g., a parking lot). The arrows indicating the entry and exit directions shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples. The information processing device 100 may acquire the driving history information from, for example, the vehicle 200 or the server 300. The facility 400 may have multiple entrances 411 and/or multiple exits 412. The information processing device 100 sets a vehicle passage determination area 500 (see FIG. 2 ). For example, the vehicle passage determination area 500 may be set at a position at a predetermined distance in a plurality of directions from the facility 400. As an example, as shown in Fig. 2 , the vehicle passage determination area 500 may be set as a rectangular area (specifically, a square area, for example), a circular area, an elliptical area, a polygonal area, or the like, in accordance with each of the directions of east, west, south, and north, with the facility 400 as the reference.

For example, based on the travel history information, the information processing device 100 acquires the correlation between the entrance 411 of the facility 400, the first direction D1 (D1A, D1B, D1C...) when the vehicle 200 passes through the vehicle passage determination area 500 when entering the entrance 411, and the exit 412 of the facility 400, and the second direction D2 (D2A, D2B, D2C...) when the vehicle 200 passes through the vehicle passage determination area 500 when exiting the exit 412. In other words, based on the travel history information, the information processing device 100 identifies the correlation between the entrance 411 of the facility 400, the first direction D1 corresponding to the entrance 411, and the exit 412 of the facility 400, and the second direction D2 corresponding to the exit 412.
As a more specific example, the information processing device 100 may, based on driving history information, identify the correlation between the facility entrance 411 (411A), the first direction D1 (D1A) when passing through the vehicle passage determination area 500 upon entering the entrance 411 (411A), the exit 412 (412A) through which the facility is exited, and the second direction D2 (D2A) when passing through the vehicle passage determination area 500 after exiting the exit 412 (412A).
Each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be, for example, a direction relative to the facility 400. As an example, each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be any of north, south, east, and west relative to the facility 400. The information processing device 100 generates association information regarding the acquired associations.
For example, the information processing device 100 performs a route search for the facility 400 based on the association information. Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 100 registers the association information in map information.

[Details of information processing device 100]
Next, the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

The information processing device 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, and a control unit 110. The communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 may be an embodiment of an output unit. The control unit 110 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 111, an area setting unit 112, a generation unit 113, a route search unit 114, and an output control unit 115. The control unit 110 may be configured, for example, by an arithmetic processing unit of the information processing device 100. The control unit 110 (for example, an arithmetic processing unit) may realize the functions of each unit (the acquisition unit 111, the area setting unit 112, the generation unit 113, the route search unit 114, the output control unit 115, etc.) by, for example, appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 122, etc.
The route search unit 114 may be arranged inside the information processing device 100 as described above, or may be arranged outside the information processing device 100. When the route search unit 114 is arranged outside the information processing device 100, the route search unit 114 may be arranged in the vehicle 200 or a user terminal (not shown). In this case, the information processing device 100, the vehicle 200, the server 300, the user terminal, etc. may constitute an information processing system. In other words, the route search unit 114 located outside the information processing device 100 may constitute an information processing system together with the information processing device 100, etc.

The communication unit 121 is, for example, a communication interface capable of transmitting and receiving various information to and from devices (external devices) external to the information processing device 100. The external devices may be, for example, the server 300 and the vehicle 200 (see FIG. 1), as well as a user terminal (not shown). The user terminal may be, for example, a portable terminal such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

The storage unit 122 may store, for example, various information and programs. Examples of the storage unit 122 may include memory, a solid-state drive, and a hard disk drive. The storage unit 122 may also be, for example, a cloud storage area or server.

The memory unit 122 stores map information related to road maps. Road maps may be, for example, maps on which roads and facilities are recorded. Road maps may also be, for example, maps used for route searches and route guidance.

The display unit 123 is a display capable of displaying, for example, various characters, symbols, images, etc.

The acquisition unit 111 acquires driving history information of the vehicle 200 entering and exiting a facility that has multiple entrances and/or exits. The acquisition unit 111 may acquire the driving history information from at least one of the vehicle 200, the server 300, and a user terminal (not shown), for example, via the communication unit 121. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire the driving history information from an external memory (not shown) that records the driving history information, for example, when the external memory is inserted into an interface (not shown) arranged in the information processing device 100.

The driving history information may be information that records the driving history of the vehicle 200, such as location information, time information, and route information such as the departure point and destination when the vehicle 200 is driving. The driving history information may also include various information such as CAN information and probe information related to the driving of the vehicle 200. The driving history information is acquired, for example, by the vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 may transmit the driving history information to the information processing device 100 or the server 300, for example.

Here, the vehicle 200 may be equipped with a position information acquisition device such as GNSS, and may use the GNSS to acquire position information, time information, etc. Furthermore, a route guidance device (e.g., a navigation device, etc.) mounted on the vehicle 200 may acquire route information such as a departure point and a destination that is input when performing route search, route guidance, etc.
The driving history information may be acquired not only by the vehicle 200 but also by a user terminal (not shown) that can be mounted on the vehicle 200. The user terminal may have, for example, a navigation function.

The area setting unit 112 sets vehicle passage determination areas 500 at positions at predetermined distances in multiple directions from the facility. For example, the area setting unit 112 may set the vehicle passage determination areas 500 in the east-west, north-south, and east-west directions based on the facility. As an example, the vehicle passage determination area 500 may have passage determination lines set in the east-west, north-south, and east-south directions relative to the facility. The vehicle passage determination area 500 may be an area that specifies the direction in which the vehicle 200 approaches the facility and the direction in which the vehicle 200 leaves the facility. As a specific example, when a vehicle 200 heading toward a facility passes through the vehicle passage determination area 500 set on the west side of the facility, the control unit 110 (e.g., the generation unit 113, etc., described later) may estimate that the vehicle 200 entered the facility from the west side of the facility. Similarly, as a specific example, when a vehicle 200 that has exited a facility passes through a vehicle passage determination area 500 that is set on the north side of the facility, the control unit 110 (e.g., a generating unit 113 described later) may estimate that the vehicle 200 has exited the facility toward the north. The vehicle passage determination area 500 may be, for example, a rectangular area (e.g., a square) based on the facility, or may be a circular area, an elliptical area, a polygonal area, or the like. Furthermore, the vehicle passage determination area 500 is not limited to the example described above, and may be, for example, an area having various shapes.
The predetermined distance may be, for example, any of various distances that are set in advance.

The generation unit 113 generates association information regarding the association between an entrance identified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit 111 and a first direction D1 corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area 500 through which the vehicle 200 passed when entering the entrance, and an exit identified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit 111 and a second direction D2 corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area 500 through which the vehicle 200 passed when exiting the exit. A facility may have multiple entrances and/or multiple exits. Each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be, for example, a direction relative to the facility. The first direction D1 may be, for example, a direction relative to the facility when the vehicle 200 entering the facility entrance passes through a vehicle passage determination area 500 set at a predetermined distance from the facility. The second direction D2 may be, for example, a direction relative to the facility when the vehicle 200 exiting the facility exit passes through a vehicle passage determination area 500 set at a predetermined distance from the facility.

As an example, each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be any of the north, south, east, and west directions relative to the facility. That is, as a specific example, if a vehicle 200 heading towards a facility passes the west side of the vehicle passage determination area 500, the generation unit 113 may estimate that the vehicle 200 entered the entrance to the facility from the west side of the facility (first direction D1). Similarly, as a specific example, if a vehicle 200 leaving a facility passes the north side of the vehicle passage determination area 500, the generation unit 113 may estimate that the vehicle 200 exited the facility towards the north side (second direction D2).

The generation unit 113 may, for example, identify the correlation between the entrance, the first direction D1, the exit, and the second direction D2 by associating the entrance through which the vehicle 200 enters the facility with the first direction D1, and the exit through which the vehicle 200 exits the facility with the second direction D2, based on driving history information regarding a series of trips of the vehicle 200 (e.g., driving history information for one trip, etc.). Furthermore, "association" may also be rephrased as "association," for example.

The generation unit 113 may record in the association information the association between an area within the facility to which the vehicle 200 heads from the entrance and an exit to which the vehicle 200 heads from the area within the facility, which is specified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit 111. The area within the facility may be, for example, a parking lot. That is, the generation unit 113 may generate the association information by specifying, for example, based on the driving history information, the association between an entrance to the facility, the direction from which the vehicle 200 came when entering through the entrance (first direction D1), an area within the facility to which the vehicle 200 heads after entering through the entrance (e.g., a parking lot), an exit to which the vehicle 200 heads after leaving the area within the facility, and the direction to which the vehicle 200 heads after leaving the exit (second direction D2).
In this case, the specification of "association" may be rephrased as "association" or "correspondence," for example, as in the above-mentioned cases.

Based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit 111, the generation unit 113 may acquire travel times between a facility and a position corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area 500 for each direction from the facility, and include the acquired travel times in the association information. That is, based on the position information and time information recorded in the driving history information, the generation unit 113 may acquire travel times for the vehicle 200 between the facility and a position corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area 500 for each of multiple directions (e.g., north, south, east, west, etc.) from the vehicle passage determination area 500 relative to the facility. As an example, the generation unit 113 may acquire travel times between each of one or more entrances located at the facility and a position corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area 500 for each direction toward each of the entrances. Similarly, as another example, the generation unit 113 may acquire travel times between each of one or more exits located at the facility and a position corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area 500 for each direction toward each of the exits.

Based on the driving history information, the generation unit 113 may obtain travel times between a facility and a location a predetermined distance away from the facility by direction according to time of day, and include the travel times in the association information. That is, the generation unit 113 may, for example, identify at least one of the time period when the vehicle 200 entered the facility and the time period when the vehicle 200 exited the facility based on time information, etc., and obtain the travel times between the facility and a location corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area for each time period. In other words, the generation unit 113 may include, in the association information, travel times by direction upon entry and travel times by direction upon exit for each time period. Note that the above-mentioned "time period" may also include concepts such as "by day of the week."

Here, the above-mentioned predetermined distance may be, for example, the distance from the facility to the vehicle passage determination area 500 or the distance to another position other than the vehicle passage determination area 500 .
The generation unit 113 may acquire, for example, a travel time (first travel time) from the vehicle passage determination area 500 to the entrance of the facility for each direction from the facility based on the driving history information. Similarly, the generation unit 113 may acquire, for example, a travel time (second travel time) from the facility to the vehicle passage determination area 500 for each direction from the facility based on the driving history information. The generation unit 113 may acquire the above-mentioned travel time for each time period (which may include, for example, a concept such as "each day of the week").
For example, if the difference between the first travel time and the second travel time is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the generation unit 113 may assign an attribute (attribute information) indicating that entering the facility and leaving the facility are incompatible, for each direction from the facility. As a specific example, an attribute may be assigned to the facility indicating that entering the facility from the west direction and leaving the facility in the west direction are incompatible. The threshold may be set appropriately, taking into account various conditions, such as the facility, the area where the facility is located, and the traffic volume near the facility. The generation unit 113 may, for example, include the attribute information in the association information.

The generation unit 113 may record the generated association information in the map information. That is, the generation unit 113 may record, for example, association information regarding the association between a facility entrance, the direction from which the vehicle 200 came when entering through the entrance (first direction D1), the facility exit, and the direction to which the vehicle 200 heads after leaving the exit (second direction D2) in the road map (map information) stored in the storage unit 122. Similarly, the generation unit 113 may record, for example, association information regarding the association between a facility entrance, the first direction D1, an area within the facility to which the vehicle 200 heads after entering through the entrance (e.g., a parking lot), the facility exit to which the vehicle 200 heads after leaving the area within the facility, and the second direction D2 in the road map (map information) stored in the storage unit 122. In this case, the generation unit 113 may also record, for example, the travel time between the facility and a position corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area 500 in the map information.

The route search unit 114 performs a route search to the facility based on the association information generated by the generation unit 113. That is, the route search unit 114 may perform a route search for entering and exiting the facility from the departure point based on, for example, map information stored in the storage unit 122 (e.g., map information on which association information is recorded).
As a specific example, when heading to a destination located north of a facility, the route search unit 114 may first identify a second direction D2 that passes through a vehicle passage determination area north of the facility based on the correlation information, and then identify an exit that is associated with the identified second direction D2. Next, the route search unit 114 may, for example, identify an entrance that corresponds to the identified exit based on the correlation information. Next, the route search unit 114 may, for example, search for a route to the identified entrance.
As a specific example, when heading towards a facility from a departure point located on the west side of the facility, the route search unit 114 may identify a first direction D1 that passes through a vehicle passage determination area on the west side of the facility based on the correlation information, and perform a route search to an entrance associated with the identified first direction D1.

In this case, when searching for a route between a departure point and a facility, if priority is given to exiting the facility, the route search unit 114 may select an exit that results in a relatively short travel time depending on the direction from the facility to the destination based on the correlation information, identify an entrance that has a relatively high correlation with that exit, and search for a route to that entrance. A case in which priority is given to exiting the facility from the facility to the destination may be, for example, when it is desired to shorten at least one of the travel time and travel distance from the facility to the destination.

Here, the route search unit 114 may, for example, determine a relatively short travel time according to the direction from the facility to the destination based on the travel time between the facility and a position (vehicle passage determination area 500) that is a predetermined distance away from the facility for each direction, as acquired by the generation unit 113. In other words, the route search unit 114 may, for example, determine the travel time between the facility and the vehicle passage determination area 500 for each direction, as the travel time from the facility to the destination. Furthermore, the route search unit 114 may, for example, determine the shortest travel time from among the travel times from the facility to the destination that correspond to multiple directions.

In this case, the route search unit 114, for example, references map information recorded in the memory unit 122 (e.g., map information in which correlation information is recorded) and identifies an exit that will relatively shorten at least one of the travel time and travel distance from the facility to the destination. Furthermore, the route search unit 114, for example, references the correlation information and identifies an entrance that has a relatively high correlation (or the highest correlation) with the identified exit. The route search unit 114, for example, references map information and searches for a travel route from the departure point to the identified entrance.

The route search unit 114 may search for a route to the entrance of a facility that prioritizes exiting from the facility based on the association information as described above, not only when traveling round trip between the departure point and a facility, but also when traveling from the departure point to the destination via a facility (when the departure point and destination are different). In other words, the route search unit 114 may search for a route that prioritizes the return route, as in the case of traveling round trip between the departure point and a facility. Furthermore, the route search unit 114 may search for a route that prioritizes the route from the facility to the destination, for example, when traveling from the departure point to the destination via a facility.

Furthermore, when searching for a route between a departure point and a facility, if entry to the facility is prioritized, the route search unit 114 may select an entrance that will result in a relatively short travel time depending on the direction from the departure point to the facility based on the association information, and search for a route to that entrance. Entering a facility from the departure point to the facility may be prioritized, for example, when it is desired to shorten at least one of the travel time and travel distance from the departure point to the facility.

Here, the route search unit 114 may, for example, determine a relatively short travel time depending on the direction from the departure point to the facility based on the travel time between the facility and a position (vehicle passage determination area 500) that is a predetermined distance away from the facility, as acquired by the generation unit 113 described above, for each direction. In other words, the route search unit 114 may, for example, determine the travel time between the facility and the vehicle passage determination area 500, as acquired by the generation unit 113, for each direction, as the travel time from the departure point to the facility. Furthermore, the route search unit 114 may, for example, determine the shortest travel time from among the travel times from the departure point to the facility that correspond to multiple directions.

In this case, the route search unit 114, for example, references map information recorded in the memory unit 122 (e.g., map information in which association information is recorded, etc.) and identifies an entrance where at least one of the travel time and travel distance from the departure point to the facility is relatively short. The route search unit 114 may also, for example, identify an entrance where at least one of the travel time and travel distance to an area within the facility after passing through the entrance is relatively short. The route search unit 114, for example, references map information and searches for a travel route from the departure point to the identified entrance.

As in the case where exit is prioritized as described above, the route search unit 114 may search for a route to the entrance of a facility that prioritizes entry to the facility based on the association information as described above, not only when traveling round trip between the departure point and a facility, but also when traveling from the departure point to the destination via a facility (where the departure point and destination are different). In other words, the route search unit 114 may search for a route that prioritizes the outbound route, as in the case of traveling round trip between the departure point and a facility. Furthermore, the route search unit 114 may search for a route that prioritizes the route from the departure point to the facility, for example, when traveling from the departure point to the destination via a facility.

The route search unit 114 may search for a route to the entrance of a facility based on at least one of the distance between the facility area and the representative location of the facility, the congestion level of the facility area, and the parking fee required in the facility area, as well as the association information. The facility area may be, for example, a parking lot.

For example, if the facility is a commercial facility such as a supermarket, department store, or mass retailer, or a public facility such as a museum, art gallery, library, city hall, or prefectural office, the representative location of the facility may be the building that houses the facility. Furthermore, if the facility is a tourist attraction such as an amusement park, zoo, or aquarium, the representative location of the facility may be the entrance or ticket booth of the facility. The route search unit 114 may obtain the distance between the facility area and the representative location from a road map (map information) stored in the memory unit 122, or from content published on the communication network (for example, web information) via the communication unit 121.

The congestion status of an area within a facility may be, for example, the congestion status of a parking lot. The route search unit 114 may obtain the congestion status of an area within a facility via the communication unit 121, for example, from a site that provides information on the congestion status of parking lots (e.g., a site provided by the facility, etc.) or from content published on a communication network (e.g., web information, etc.).

The route search unit 114 may obtain parking fees via the communication unit 121, for example, from a road map (map information) stored in the memory unit 122, from a site that provides information on parking fees (for example, a site provided by a facility), or from information published on a communication network (for example, web information).

The route search unit 114 identifies an area within a facility that satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the distance between the area within the facility and the representative location of the facility is relatively short; the area within the facility is not congested; and parking fees are relatively low. Furthermore, the route search unit 114 may, for example, refer to association information (e.g., map information in which association information is recorded) to identify an entrance that has a relatively high association with the identified area within the facility (e.g., the entrance with the highest association), and perform a route search to that entrance.

In addition, the route search unit 114 may, for example, search for parking lots (e.g., coin parking lots) in urban areas where there are relatively many one-way streets by a specified area, and if multiple candidates are obtained, it may prioritize the smoothness of either entering or exiting the parking lot, or may output an input prompt to the user.
In this case, the route search unit 114 may provide the user with at least one comparison factor selected from the group consisting of the distance between the destination facility and the parking lot (for example, the distance when traveling on foot), the time it takes to park the vehicle 200 after entering the parking lot (for example, the time it takes depending on the availability of the parking lot), and the parking fee. In this case, the route search unit 114 may accept input from the user, having the user take into consideration, for example, at least one comparison factor and the smoothness of either entering or exiting the parking lot.
In addition, the route search unit 114 may accept input from the user, for example, via various input devices (input units) (not shown) including soft keys and hard keys, or via the communication unit 121.
The "availability of parking spaces" that is the comparison factor described above may be information that is updated relatively quickly (for example, real-time information).

The output control unit 115 may control the output unit to output, for example, at least one of the association information (association) generated by the generation unit 113 and the route searched for by the route search unit 114. The output unit may be, for example, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, the display unit 123, etc.
That is, the output control unit 115 may control the communication unit 121 to transmit at least one of the association information (association) and the route to an external device. Here, the external device may be, for example, the server 300, the vehicle 200, or a user terminal (not shown).
The output control unit 115 may control the storage unit 122 to store, for example, at least one of the association information (association) and the path.
The output control unit 115 may control the display unit 123 to display, for example, at least one of the association information (association) and the path.

The output control unit 115 may also control the output unit to output, for example, map information in which the association information is recorded. That is, the output control unit 115 may control the communication unit 121 to transmit the map information in which the association information is recorded to an external device, or may control the display unit 123 to display the map information in which the association information is recorded. As described above, the external device may be, for example, the server 300, the vehicle 200, or a user terminal (not shown), etc.

[Information processing method]
Next, an information processing method according to an embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment.

In step ST101, the acquisition unit 111 acquires driving history information of a vehicle 200 entering or exiting a facility that has multiple entrances and/or exits.

In step ST102, the generation unit 113 generates correlation information regarding the correlation between an entrance identified based on the driving history information acquired in step ST101, a first direction D1 corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area 500 that the vehicle 200 passed through when it entered the entrance, and a second direction D2 corresponding to the exit and the vehicle passage determination area 500 that the vehicle 200 passed through when it exited the exit.
Here, the area setting unit 112 may set the vehicle passage determination areas 500 at positions at predetermined distances in multiple directions from the facility before the generation unit 113 generates the association information.

The generation unit 113 may also record in the association information the association between the area within the facility to which the vehicle 200 is heading from the entrance and the exit to which the vehicle 200 is heading from the area within the facility, which is identified based on the driving history information acquired in step ST101. The area within the facility may be, for example, a parking lot.

In addition, the generation unit 113 may obtain the travel time between the facility and a position corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area 500 for each direction from the facility based on the driving history information obtained in step ST101, and include the travel time in the correlation information.
In this case, the generation unit 113 may acquire, based on the driving history information, travel times between a facility and a position (e.g., a position corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area 500) that is a predetermined distance away from the facility in each direction according to the time period, and include the travel times in the association information. Note that the above-mentioned "time period" may include concepts such as "each day of the week."

The generation unit 113 may record the generated association information in the map information.

In step ST103, the route search unit 114 performs a route search to the facility based on the association information generated in step ST102.

When searching for a route between a departure point and a facility and prioritizing exit from the facility, the route search unit 114 may select an exit that results in a relatively short travel time depending on the direction from the facility to the destination based on the correlation information, identify an entrance that has a relatively high correlation with that exit, and search for a route to that entrance.
Alternatively, when searching for a route between the departure point and a facility and prioritizing entry into the facility, the route search unit 114 may select an entrance that requires a relatively short travel time depending on the direction from the departure point to the facility based on the correlation information, and search for a route to that entrance.

The route search unit 114 may search for a route to the facility entrance based on at least one of the distance between the facility area and the representative location of the facility, the congestion level of the facility area, and the parking fee required in the facility area, as well as the correlation information.

In step ST104, the output control unit 115 may control the output unit to output, for example, at least one of the association information (association) generated in step ST102 and the route searched for in step ST103.
Furthermore, for example, when the generation unit 113 records association information in the map information in step ST102, the output control unit 115 may control the output unit to output the map information in which the association information is recorded.
The output unit may be, for example, a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, and the like.

Each unit of the information processing device 100 described above may be realized as a function of a computer's arithmetic processing unit, etc. That is, the acquisition unit 111, area setting unit 112, generation unit 113, route search unit 114, and output control unit 115 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as an acquisition function, area setting function, generation function, route search function, and output control function (control function), respectively, by a computer's arithmetic processing unit, etc.
The information processing program can cause a computer to realize each of the above-mentioned functions. The information processing program may be recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, such as a memory, a solid-state drive, a hard disk drive, or an optical disk. The recording medium may also be referred to as a non-transitory computer-readable medium.
Furthermore, as described above, each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized by an arithmetic processing unit of a computer or the like. The arithmetic processing unit or the like is configured by, for example, an integrated circuit or the like. Therefore, each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a circuit that constitutes the arithmetic processing unit or the like. That is, the acquisition unit 111, the area setting unit 112, the generation unit 113, the route search unit 114, and the output control unit 115 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as an acquisition circuit, an area setting circuit, a generation circuit, a route search circuit, and an output control circuit (control circuit) that constitute the arithmetic processing unit of a computer or the like.
Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as, for example, a communication function, a storage function, and a display function (output function) including the functions of an arithmetic processing device, etc. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as, for example, a communication circuit, a storage circuit, and a display circuit (output circuit) by being configured using an integrated circuit, etc. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as, for example, a communication device, a storage device, and a display device (output device) by being configured using a plurality of devices.

The information processing device 100 can be configured by combining one or any two or more of the above-described units.
In this disclosure, the term "information" is used, but the term "information" can be replaced with "data" and the term "data" can be replaced with "information."

[Aspects and Effects of the Present Embodiment]
Next, one aspect of this embodiment and the effects of each aspect will be described. Note that each aspect described below is an example at the time of filing, and this embodiment is not limited to the aspects described below. In other words, this embodiment is not limited to the aspects described below, and may be realized by appropriately combining the above-mentioned parts. Furthermore, a lower-level aspect may be able to cite any of the higher-level aspects.
The effects described below are merely examples, and the effects of each aspect are not limited to those described below. Each aspect may, for example, achieve at least one of the effects described below.

(Aspect 1)
One embodiment of an information processing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires driving history information of vehicles entering and exiting a facility that has multiple entrances and/or exits; an area setting unit that sets vehicle passage determination areas at positions a predetermined distance away in multiple directions from the facility; and a generation unit that generates correlation information regarding the correlation between an entrance and a first direction corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it entered the entrance, and an exit and a second direction corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it exited the exit, which are identified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit.
That is, when a facility has multiple entrances and/or multiple exits, the information processing device can identify the correlation between entrances (entrances) and exits (exits). At this time, the information processing device can also identify the correlation between the direction toward the facility entrance (e.g., a direction based on the facility) (first direction) and the direction after leaving the facility exit (e.g., a direction based on the facility) (second direction).
This makes it possible to provide guidance to the most suitable entrances and exits, giving priority to entrances to or exits from the facility.
Furthermore, the information processing device can associate an entrance, a traveling direction of the vehicle before heading to the entrance (first direction), an exit, and a traveling direction of the vehicle after leaving the exit (second direction) with a passable route for the vehicle, based on the correlation recorded in the correlation information. That is, the information processing device can identify a combination of an entrance, a first direction, an exit, and a second direction in which the vehicle can travel.

(Aspect 2)
In one embodiment of the information processing device, the generation unit may record in the correlation information the correlation between the area within the facility to which the vehicle heads from the entrance and the exit to which the vehicle heads from the area within the facility, which is identified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit.
That is, the information processing device can generate correlations between areas within a facility in addition to the entrance, the direction of travel of the vehicle before heading toward the entrance (first direction), the exit, and the direction of travel of the vehicle after leaving the exit (second direction) based on the correlations recorded in the correlation information. In other words, the information processing device can identify a combination of the entrance, the first direction, the area within the facility after passing through the entrance, the exit after leaving the area within the facility, and the second direction in which the vehicle can travel.

(Aspect 3)
In one embodiment of the information processing device, the generation unit may acquire travel times between a facility and a position corresponding to a vehicle passage determination area for each direction from the facility based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit, and include the travel times in the correlation information.
This allows the information processing device to search for a route that will result in a relatively short travel time.

(Aspect 4)
An information processing system according to one aspect may include a route search unit that searches for a route to a facility based on the association information generated by the generation unit included in the information processing device according to the above aspect.
This allows the information processing system to search for a route from the departure point to the facility, giving priority to entry into or exit from the facility.

(Aspect 5)
In one embodiment of the information processing system, when searching for a route between a departure point and a facility and prioritizing exiting the facility, the route search unit may select an exit that results in a relatively short travel time depending on the direction from the facility to the destination based on the correlation information, identify an entrance that has a relatively high correlation with that exit, and search for a route to that entrance.
This allows the information processing system to search for a route that allows for smooth exit from the facility and subsequent travel, etc. In other words, the information processing device can perform route search that prioritizes exit out of entering and exiting the facility, rather than optimizing the entire route including the outbound and return routes.
As a specific example, when the facility is a supermarket, etc., the user may wish to return home, etc., earlier from the facility after purchasing frozen food in the summer or hot snacks such as takoyaki in the winter. In such an example, the information processing system may search for a route that prioritizes exiting the facility in a route search before the user leaves home, identify an exit that will allow for smooth exit from the facility and subsequent travel, and search for a route to an entrance associated with the identified exit.

(Aspect 6)
In one embodiment of the information processing system, when prioritizing entry into a facility when searching for a route between the departure point and the facility, the route search unit may select an entrance that will result in a relatively short travel time depending on the direction from the departure point to the facility based on the correlation information, and search for a route to that entrance.
This allows the information processing system to search for a route that allows smooth entry into the facility and smooth driving before that.
As a specific example, a user may wish to arrive at a facility earlier if the facility is a supermarket, etc., or may want to line up earlier for an event held at the facility, or may want to shorten travel time because the user has children. In such an example, if the information processing system performs a route search that prioritizes entry into the facility in a route search before the user leaves home, the information processing system can identify an entrance that will make entry into the facility and the driving before that smooth, and perform a route search to the identified entrance.

(Aspect 7)
The information processing device according to one aspect may include a storage unit that stores map information relating to a road map, and the generation unit may record the generated association information in the map information.
This allows the information processing device to search for a route to a facility by using map information in which association information is recorded.

(Aspect 8)
In one embodiment of the information processing device, the generation unit may obtain travel times between a facility and a location a predetermined distance away from the facility in each direction based on the driving history information, according to the time period, and include the travel times in the correlation information.
This allows the information processing device to perform an appropriate route search according to the time of day, even when the congestion status of roads, facility areas, etc. changes depending on the time of day. In other words, the information processing device can search for a route that is free of traffic jams (or where the traffic jams are relatively less severe), for example.

(Aspect 9)
In one aspect of the information processing system, the route search unit may search for a route to the entrance of the facility based on at least one of the distance between the area within the facility and the representative location of the facility, the congestion level of the area within the facility, and the parking fee required in the area within the facility, as well as related information.
As a result, the information processing system can select at least one of an area within the facility where the distance between the area and the representative location of the facility is relatively short, an area within the facility where congestion is relatively low, and an area within the facility where parking fees are relatively low, and identify an entrance to the facility that is associated with that area within the facility. The information processing system can then search for a route to the identified entrance.

(Aspect 10)
In one aspect of the information processing method, a computer executes an acquisition step of acquiring driving history information of vehicles entering and exiting a facility that has multiple entrances and/or exits; an area setting step of setting vehicle passage determination areas at positions a predetermined distance away from the facility in multiple directions; and a generation step of generating correlation information regarding the correlation between an entrance and a first direction corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it entered the entrance, and an exit and a second direction corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it exited the exit, which are identified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition step.
As a result, the information processing method can achieve the same effects as the information processing device and information processing system of the above-described aspect.

(Aspect 11)
One embodiment of an information processing program enables a computer to implement an acquisition function that acquires driving history information of vehicles entering and exiting a facility that has multiple entrances and/or exits; an area setting function that sets vehicle passage determination areas at positions a predetermined distance away from the facility in multiple directions; and a generation function that generates correlation information regarding the correlation between an entrance and a first direction corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it entered the entrance, and an exit and a second direction corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it exited the exit, which are identified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition function.
As a result, the information processing program can achieve the same effects as the information processing device and information processing system of the above-described aspect.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Information processing device 110 Control unit 111 Acquisition unit 112 Area setting unit 113 Generation unit 114 Route search unit 115 Output control unit 121 Communication unit 122 Storage unit 123 Display unit 200 Vehicle 300 Server 400 Facility
500 Vehicle passage determination area 411 Entrance 412 Exit D1 First direction D2 Second direction

Claims (11)

an acquisition unit that acquires driving history information of vehicles entering and exiting a facility that has multiple entrances and/or multiple exits;
an area setting unit that sets vehicle passage determination areas at positions that are separated by predetermined distances in a plurality of directions from the facility;
a generating unit that generates correlation information regarding correlation between an entrance, a first direction corresponding to a vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it entered the entrance, and an exit, a second direction corresponding to a vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it exited the exit, the correlation information being specified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquiring unit;
An information processing device comprising: The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit records in the correlation information the correlation between the area within the facility to which the vehicle is heading from the entrance and the exit to which the vehicle is heading from the area within the facility, which is identified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the generation unit acquires travel times between a facility and a position corresponding to the vehicle passage determination area for each direction from the facility based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition unit, and includes the travel times in the association information. An information processing system comprising: a route search unit that searches for a route to a facility based on the association information generated by the generation unit included in the information processing device according to claim 3 . The information processing system of claim 4, wherein when searching for a route between a departure point and a facility, and prioritizing exiting the facility, the route search unit selects an exit that results in a relatively short travel time depending on the direction from the facility to the destination based on the correlation information, identifies an entrance that has a relatively high correlation with the exit, and searches for a route to the entrance. The information processing system of claim 4, wherein when searching for a route between a departure point and a facility, if entry to the facility is prioritized, the route search unit selects an entrance that will result in a relatively short travel time depending on the direction from the departure point to the facility based on the correlation information, and searches for a route to that entrance. a storage unit for storing map information relating to a road map;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the generating unit records the generated association information in map information. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the generation unit acquires travel times between a facility and a location a predetermined distance away from the facility in each direction according to a time period based on the driving history information, and includes the travel times in the association information. The information processing system of claim 4, wherein the route search unit searches for a route to the entrance of the facility based on at least one of the distance between the area within the facility and a representative location of the facility, the congestion status of the area within the facility, and the parking fee required in the area within the facility, and on correlation information. The computer
an acquisition step of acquiring driving history information of vehicles entering and exiting a facility having a plurality of entrances and/or exits;
an area setting step of setting vehicle passage determination areas at positions separated by predetermined distances in multiple directions from the facility;
a generating step of generating association information regarding associations between an entrance, a first direction corresponding to a vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it entered the entrance, and an exit, a second direction corresponding to a vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it exited the exit, the association information being specified based on the driving history information acquired in the acquiring step;
An information processing method that performs the above. On the computer,
an acquisition function for acquiring driving history information of vehicles entering and exiting a facility having multiple entrances and/or multiple exits;
an area setting function for setting vehicle passage determination areas at positions at predetermined distances in multiple directions from the facility;
a generation function that generates correlation information regarding the correlation between an entrance, a first direction corresponding to a vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it entered the entrance, and an exit, a second direction corresponding to a vehicle passage determination area that the vehicle passed through when it exited the exit, the correlation information being specified based on the driving history information acquired by the acquisition function;
An information processing program that makes this possible.