Information processing device, program, and information processing method

An information processing device that is able to communicate with a vehicle includes: a control unit; and a communication unit. The control unit acquires driving information of another vehicle traveling around the vehicle via the communication unit, and transmits at least part of the driving information to the vehicle via the communication unit when the driving information indicates content of driving that reduces wear and tear of a component of the other vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-026637 filed on Feb. 22, 2021, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a program, and an information processing method.

2. Description of Related Art

There is a known technique that prompts a driver to use engine braking when the ratio of a deceleration generated by brake operation to a deceleration generated in a vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-006994 (JP 2008-006994 A)).

SUMMARY

The above technique only prompts the driver to use engine braking. Therefore, there may be no effect of attracting the driver's attention.

An object of the present disclosure made in view of such circumstances is to provide an information processing device, a program, and an information processing method capable of providing a notification that easily attracts the driver's attention.

An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing device that is able to communicate with a vehicle. The information processing device includes: a control unit; and a communication unit. The control unit acquires driving information of another vehicle traveling around the vehicle via the communication unit, and transmits at least part of the driving information to the vehicle via the communication unit when the driving information indicates content of driving that reduces wear and tear of a component of the other vehicle.

A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer serving as an information processing device that is able to communicate with a vehicle to perform operations including: acquiring driving information of another vehicle traveling around the vehicle; and transmitting at least part of the driving information to the vehicle when the driving information indicates content of driving that reduces wear and tear of a component of the other vehicle.

An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing method with an information processing device that is able to communicate with a vehicle. The information processing method includes: acquiring driving information of another vehicle traveling around the vehicle; and transmitting at least part of the driving information to the vehicle when the driving information indicates content of driving that reduces wear and tear of a component of the other vehicle.

With the information processing device, the program, and the information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a notification that easily attracts the driver's attention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of an information processing system S according to the present embodiment. The information processing system S includes an information processing device1and a vehicle2. The information processing device1can communicate with the vehicle2via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, a mobile communication network or the Internet.

InFIG.1, for convenience of description, one information processing device1is shown. However, the number of information processing devices1is not limited to this. For example, the processes executed by the information processing device1may be executed by a plurality of information processing devices1disposed in a distributed manner.

The outline of the processes executed by the information processing device1according to the present embodiment will be described. The information processing device1acquires driving information of another vehicle3traveling around the vehicle2via a communication unit12. When the driving information indicates content of driving that reduces wear and tear of components of the other vehicle3, the information processing device1transmits at least part of the driving information to the vehicle2via the communication unit12. With this configuration, the information processing device1can notify the driver of the vehicle2of the content of driving that reduces the wear and tear of the components, and thus can attract the attention of the driver who wants to extend the life of the components.

The information processing device1may be a server that supports the provision of services by a business operator. The information processing device1may be installed in, for example, facilities dedicated to the business operator or a shared facilities including a data center. As an alternative example, the information processing device1may be mounted on the vehicle2.

The vehicle2includes any type of vehicle, such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, an HV, a PHV, an EV, and an FCV. The term “HV” is an abbreviation for “hybrid vehicle”. The term “PHV” is an abbreviation for “plug-in hybrid vehicle”. The term “EV” is an abbreviation for “electric vehicle”. The term “FCV” is an abbreviation for “fuel cell vehicle”. The vehicle2is driven by the driver in the present embodiment. The vehicle2may be autonomously driven at any level. The level of autonomous driving is, for example, one of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE leveling, for example. The term “SAE” is an abbreviation for the “Society of Automotive Engineers”. The vehicle2may be a MaaS dedicated vehicle. The term “MaaS” is an abbreviation for “mobility as a service”.

The internal configuration of the information processing device1will be described in detail with reference toFIG.2.

The information processing device1includes a control unit11, the communication unit12, and a storage unit13. The constituent components of the information processing device1are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a dedicated line, for example.

The control unit11includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors including a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro-processing unit (MPU). The control unit11may include one or more dedicated processors specialized for a specific process. The control unit11may include one or more dedicated circuits instead of the processor. The dedicated circuit may be, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit11may include an electronic control unit (ECU).

The communication unit12includes a communication module conforming to one or more wired or wireless local area network (LAN) standards for connecting to the network. The communication unit12may include a module conforming to one or more mobile communication standards such as the long term evolution (LTE), the fourth generation (4G), or the fifth generation (5G). The communication unit12may include a communication module and the like conforming to one or more short-range communication standards or specifications including Bluetooth (registered trademark), AirDrop (registered trademark), infrared data association (IrDA), ZigBee (registered trademark), FeliCa (registered trademark), or radio frequency identifier (RFID). The communication unit12transmits and receives information via the network NW.

The storage unit13includes a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or a combination of at least two of them. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static RAM (SRAM) or a dynamic RAM (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit13may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit13may store information on the result of analysis or processing by the control unit11. The storage unit13may store various kinds of information and the like related to the operation or control of the information processing device1. The storage unit13may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, and the like. The storage unit13includes a driving information database (DB)13a, a component wear and tear DB13b, a correlation DB13c, a driving score (raw value) DB13d, and a driving score (standard value) DB13e, which will be described later.

The internal configuration of the vehicle2will be described in detail with reference toFIG.3.

The vehicle2includes a control unit21, a communication unit22, a storage unit23, a sensor24, and a display unit25. The constituent components of the vehicle2are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via, for example, a dedicated line.

The hardware configurations of the control unit21, the communication unit22, and the storage unit23of the vehicle2may be the same as the hardware configurations of the control unit11, the communication unit12, and the storage unit13of the information processing device1, respectively. The description here is omitted.

The sensor24includes sensors for detecting the content of driving of the vehicle2or an interface for the sensors. The sensors include sensors that detect, for example, a speed, a forward-backward acceleration, a lateral acceleration, a deceleration, an accelerator operation amount, a brake operation amount, a steering angle of a steering wheel, an eco-mode selection state, an odometer value, engine specifications, and the like of the vehicle2. The content of driving may indicate driving operations such as a way of acceleration, a way of deceleration, a way of operating a steering wheel, usage of engine braking, eco-mode selection, line taking, and the like, or may indicate that no driving operation is made. The sensor24transmits the detected content of driving to the control unit21as the driving information.

The sensor24may further include an image sensor, a position information sensor, and the like. The image sensor may include a camera. The position information sensor includes at least one GNSS receiver. The term “GNSS” is an abbreviation for “global navigation satellite system”. The GNSS includes, for example, at least one of GPS, QZSS, BeiDou, GLONASS, and Galileo. The term “GPS” is an abbreviation for “global positioning system”. The term “QZSS” is an abbreviation for “quasi-zenith satellite system”. The satellites of the QZSS are referred to as quasi-zenith satellites. The term “GLONASS” is an abbreviation for “global navigation satellite system”. The sensor24measures the position of the information processing device1. The result of the measurement by the sensor24is acquired by the control unit21as the position information of the information processing device1. The “position information” is information that can specify the position of the vehicle2, and includes, for example, coordinates.

The display unit25includes at least one output interface. The display unit25of the present embodiment is a head-up display (HUD) mounted on the vehicle2. The display unit25includes, for example, a combiner. The display unit25projects a virtual image onto the real space. The display unit25outputs information obtained through the operation of the vehicle2.

As an alternative example, the display unit25may be an augmented reality (AR) glass that is attached and operated by the driver of the vehicle2. When the display unit25is the AR glass, the output interface is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The term “LCD” is an abbreviation for “liquid crystal display”. The term “EL” is an abbreviation for “electroluminescence”.

As another alternative example, the display unit25may be an LCD or an organic EL display provided in the vehicle2. The display unit25is visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle2.

The display unit25may be connected to the vehicle2as an external output device instead of being provided in the vehicle2. As a connection method, for example, any method such as a universal serial bus (USB), a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

Hereinafter, the processes executed by the information processing system S according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. Here, as an example, a scene in which the user is driving the vehicle2on which the display unit25is mounted will be described.

The information processing device1acquires from the vehicle2the driving information of the vehicle2. The information processing device1acquires the driving information of the other vehicle3traveling around the vehicle2from the other vehicle3. The wording “around” represents, for example, being within a predetermined distance.

The information processing device1calculates a driving score for each of the vehicle2and the other vehicle3from the driving information.

An example of a method of calculating the driving score will be described in detail with reference toFIG.4A to4C.

A first learning stage will be described in detail with reference to flow ofFIG.4A. Here, ways of driving and degrees of wear and tear of components caused by the ways of driving are learned. The components may be consumables. The components may be, for example, tires or brake pads. The wear and tear may be wear. The driving information DB13aand the component wear and tear DB13bstore the actual value of the driving information and the actual value of wear and tear of the components, respectively, acquired from one or more vehicles. The actual value of the driving information may be acquired from one or more vehicles via the network NW. The actual value of the driving information may be associated with vehicle identification information, position information corresponding to the driving information, and time corresponding to the driving information. Wear and tear of the components may be associated with the vehicle identification information. The actual values may be updated regularly. The acquired driving information may be information on one driving operation or information on a plurality of driving operations within a predetermined period. The actual value of wear and tear of the components may be measured by a user or maintenance personnel for each vehicle.

The information processing device1analyzes the actual values of the driving information DB13aand the component wear and tear DB13b(reference sign41). Any method can be adopted for the analysis.

The information processing device1determines the correlation between the driving information and the wear and tear of the components. The correlation is, for example, as follows.The greater the number of times of braking, the greater the wear and tear of the componentsThe stronger the braking, the greater the wear and tear of the componentsThe larger the steering angle of the steering wheel, the greater the wear and tear of the componentsThe greater the number of times of sudden acceleration or sudden deceleration, the greater the wear and tear of the components

The information processing device1stores the correlation information in the correlation DB13c.

A second learning stage will be described in detail with reference to flow ofFIG.4B. Here, a process of calculating the driving score regarding wear and tear of the components for each piece of driving information and converting the driving score into a score out of 100 points is learned. The less the wear and tear of the components is, the higher the driving score may be. As an alternative example, the driving score may be converted such that the average score is 50 points instead of being converted into a score out of 100 points. The driving score may be indicated by another indicator.

The information processing device1refers to the driving information DB13aand the correlation DB13cto calculate the driving score (raw value) corresponding to the driving information (reference sign42). The information processing device1stores the driving score (raw value) in the driving score (raw value) DB13d.

The information processing device1performs standardization in order to convert the driving score (raw value) into a score out of 100 points (reference sign43). The standardization is performed, for example, by applying a standardization function to the driving score (raw value).

The information processing device1stores the driving score (standard value) calculated as a result of standardization in the driving score (standard value) DB13e.

An inference step will be described in detail with reference to flow ofFIG.4C. Here, a process of calculating the driving score (standard value) from newly acquired driving information will be described. The information processing device1stores the driving information newly acquired from the vehicle2and the other vehicle3in the driving information DB13a. The information processing device1calculates the driving score (raw value) from the driving information and the correlation information (reference sign44).

The information processing device1stores the driving score (raw value) in the driving score (raw value) DB13d.

The information processing device1applies a standardization function to the driving score (raw value) to calculate the driving score (standard value) (reference sign45). The information processing device1stores the calculated driving score (standard value) in the driving score (standard value) DB13e.

The information processing device1calculates the driving score from the driving information for each of the vehicle2and the other vehicle3as described above. Hereinafter, description will be made with the driving score being a standard value. The information processing device1may periodically update the driving score by periodically acquiring the driving information. As an alternative example, the information processing device1may use information on the component cost reduced by the content of driving, instead of the information on wear and tear of the components. The information on the reduced component cost may be set by the user or maintenance personnel. In this case, the information processing device1may learn the correlation between the driving information and the reduced component cost according to the above-described flows ofFIGS.4A and4B. According to the above-described flow ofFIG.4C, the information processing device1may calculate the reduced component cost from the newly acquired driving information.

The information processing device1transmits to the vehicle2the driving score of the vehicle2. As shown inFIG.5, the vehicle2projects a driving score56of the vehicle2in association with the vehicle2. As an additional example, the information processing device1may transmit to the vehicle2at least part of the driving information of the vehicle2. The vehicle2may project at least part of the driving information. As an additional example or an alternative example, the vehicle2may notify, by voice, the driver of the vehicle2of any information acquired from the information processing device1.

The information processing device1determines whether the driving information of the other vehicle3indicates content of driving that reduces wear and tear of the components of the other vehicle3. For example, in the following cases, the information processing device1may determine that the driving information of the other vehicle3indicates the content of driving that reduces wear and tear of the components of the other vehicle3.

The driving score of the other vehicle3exceeds a reference value

The driving score of the other vehicle3is higher than the driving score of the vehicle2

The component cost reduced in the other vehicle3is larger than a reference value

When the information processing device1determines that the driving information of the other vehicle3indicates the content of driving that reduces wear and tear of the components of the other vehicle3, the information processing device1transmits at least part of the driving information and the driving score of the other vehicle3to the vehicle2via the communication unit12. Not all the driving information of the other vehicle3need to be transmitted to the vehicle2. Of the driving information of the other vehicle3, at least the driving information indicating the content of driving that has contributed to the reduction of wear and tear of the components of the other vehicle3is transmitted to the vehicle2. It is optional to transmit the driving score.

When the driving information and the driving score of the other vehicle3are acquired, the vehicle2projects a driving score51of the other vehicle3and the content of driving54corresponding to the driving information, as shown inFIG.5. Here, the content of driving54that has contributed to the reduction of wear and tear of the components is projected.

The information processing device1may transmit additional information to the vehicle2. For example, the information processing device1may calculate the ranking of the driving score51of the other vehicle3in the driving scores of the vehicles traveling around the vehicle2or the other vehicle3. The information processing device1transmits ranking information to the vehicle2. As shown inFIG.5, the vehicle2projects a ranking52.

The information processing device1further transmits to the vehicle2information on a component cost53reduced by the content of driving of the other vehicle3. As shown inFIG.5, the vehicle2may project the reduced component cost53.

As an additional example or an alternative example, the information processing device1determines whether there is a sign of increase of the driving score from the driving information of the other vehicle3. For example, the information processing device1determines, from the past driving information of the other vehicle3, a point where the content of driving that increases the driving score has been detected. When the information processing device1detects that the other vehicle3is approaching the determined point, the information processing device1determines that there is a sign of increase of the driving score. Next, the information processing device1transmits to the vehicle2sign information indicating the presence of sign of increase of the driving score. As shown inFIG.5, the vehicle2projects sign information55. At this time, the vehicle2may be highlighted.

As an additional example, when the information processing device1determines that the driving score51of the other vehicle3is higher than the driving score56of the vehicle2, the information processing device1may notify the vehicle2to imitate the content of driving of the other vehicle3. For example, the information processing device1may notify the vehicle2to imitate the content of driving54. In this case, the vehicle2may notify the driver by projection display or by voice to imitate the driving of the other vehicle3.

When the information processing device1acquires the driving information from the vehicle2, the information processing device1determines whether the content of driving of the other vehicle3has been imitated. When the information processing device1detects that the driving of the other vehicle3has been imitated, the information processing device1increases the driving score of the vehicle2. For example, the information processing device1may increase the driving score of the vehicle2by executing the flow ofFIG.4Cagain, or may increase the driving score of the vehicle2by a reference value.

An information processing method performed by the information processing device1of the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.6.

In step S1, the information processing device1acquires driving information from the vehicle2at a given point of time.

In step S2, the information processing device1calculates the driving score from the driving information.

In step S3, the information processing device1transmits the driving score to the vehicle2.

In step S4, the vehicle2notifies the driver of the driving score. The notification may be provided by projection display or by voice.

In step S5, the information processing device1acquires the driving information of the other vehicle3.

In step S6, the information processing device1calculates the driving score from the driving information.

In step S7, the information processing device1determines whether the driving information of the other vehicle3indicates content of driving that reduces wear and tear of the components.

When Yes in step S7, the information processing device1transmits the driving score and the driving information of the other vehicle3in step S8.

In step S9, the vehicle2notifies the driver of the driving score and the driving information.

When No in step S7, the information processing device1does not execute step S8.

In step S10, the information processing device1determines whether there is a sign of increase of the driving score of the other vehicle3from the past driving information of the other vehicle3.

When Yes in step S10, the information processing device1transmits sign information indicating the presence of sign to the vehicle2in step S11.

In step S11, the vehicle2notifies the driver of the sign information.

When No in step S10, the information processing device1does not execute step S11.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information processing device1acquires the driving information of the other vehicle3traveling around the vehicle2via the communication unit12. When the driving information indicates the content of driving that reduces wear and tear of the components of the other vehicle3, the information processing device1transmits at least part of the driving information to the vehicle2via the communication unit12. With this configuration, the information processing device1can notify the driver of the vehicle2of the content of driving that reduces wear and tear of the components, and thus can attract the attention of the driver who wants to extend the life of the components.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit11acquires the driving information of the vehicle2via the communication unit12, and calculates the driving score regarding wear and tear of the components from the acquired driving information. The control unit11transmits the calculated driving score to the vehicle2via the communication unit12. With this configuration, the information processing device1can notify the driver of the driving score regarding wear and tear of the components of the vehicle2. Thus, the driver can easily know the status of wear and tear of the components.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the information processing device1calculates the driving score regarding wear and tear of the components from the driving information of the other vehicle3and transmits the calculated driving score to the vehicle2. With this configuration, the information processing device1can notify the driver of the vehicle2of the driving score of the other vehicle3. Thus, the driver of the vehicle2can know the status of wear and tear of the components of the other vehicle3and use the status as a reference for driving the vehicle2.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the information processing device1determines that the driving score of the other vehicle3is higher than the driving score of the vehicle2, the information processing device1notifies the vehicle2to imitate the content of driving of the other vehicle3. When the information processing device1detects that the content of driving of the other vehicle3has been imitated in the vehicle2, the information processing device1increases the driving score of the vehicle2. With this configuration, the information processing device1can extend the life of the components of the vehicle2.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the information processing device1further transmits to the vehicle2at least one of the ranking of the driving score of the other vehicle3and the component cost reduced by the content of driving of the other vehicle3. With this configuration, the information processing device1can further attract the attention of the driver of the vehicle2.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the information processing device1detects the sign of increase of the driving score of the other vehicle3from the driving information of the other vehicle3, the information processing device1transmits the sign information indicating the presence of the sign to the vehicle2. With this configuration, the information processing device1can cause the driver of the vehicle2to pay attention to the driving of the other vehicle3, so that the attention of the driver of the vehicle2can be further attracted.

Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the drawings and the embodiment, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations thereto based on the present disclosure. Other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each unit or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and a plurality of units or steps can be combined into one or divided.

For example, in the above embodiment, a program that executes all or part of the functions or processes of the information processing device1can be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The distribution of the program is carried out, for example, by selling, transferring, or renting a portable recording medium such as a digital versatile disc (DVD) or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) on which the program is recorded. Further, the distribution of the program may be performed by storing the program in a storage of a server and transmitting the program from the server to another computer. Further, the program may be provided as a program product. The present disclosure can also be realized as a program that can be executed by a processor.

The computer temporarily stores the program recorded in the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server in the main storage device, for example. The computer then causes the processor to read the program stored in the main storage device, and causes the processor to execute processes in accordance with the read program. The computer may read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processes in accordance with the program. The computer may execute the processes in accordance with the received program each time the program is transferred from the server to the computer. The processes may be executed by a so-called ASP service that realizes the function only by execution instruction and result acquisition without transferring the program from the server to the computer. The term “ASP” is an abbreviation for “application service provider”. The program includes information that is used for processing by electronic computers and is equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct command to a computer but has the property of defining the processing of the computer corresponds to the “information equivalent to a program”.