JP7640438B2 - Information processing device, program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, when there is a line of vehicles waiting to park in a parking lot associated with a facility, a technique is known in which the end of the line of vehicles waiting to park is identified and a route search is performed with the end of the line as the destination point (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-249539 A

The above conventional technology does not reduce congestion in parking lots.

In light of these circumstances, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an information processing device, program, and information processing method that can reduce congestion in parking lots.

An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:
An information processing device including a control unit, the control unit comprising:
estimating a parking difficulty level for one or more parking spaces in a parking lot from parking-related information related to parking at the parking lot;
presenting the parking difficulty level to a driver of a vehicle traveling in the parking lot or within a predetermined distance from the parking lot;
The operation includes:

A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:
Computers as information processing devices
estimating a parking difficulty level for one or more parking spaces in a parking lot from parking-related information related to parking at the parking lot;
presenting the parking difficulty level to a driver of a vehicle traveling in the parking lot or within a predetermined distance from the parking lot;
The method executes an operation including:

An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:
An information processing method by an information processing device,
estimating a parking difficulty level for one or more parking spaces in a parking lot from parking-related information related to parking at the parking lot;
presenting the parking difficulty level to a driver of a vehicle traveling in the parking lot or within a predetermined distance from the parking lot;
Includes.

The information processing device, program, and information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can reduce congestion in parking lots.

1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the data structure of a parking space DB (database). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing parking difficulty levels. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information processing device.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system S of this embodiment. The information processing system S includes an information processing device 1, a vehicle 2, and a user terminal 3. The vehicle 2 is driven by a user U01. The information processing device 1 can communicate with the vehicle 2 and the user terminal 3 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, a mobile communication network or the Internet.

For ease of explanation, one information processing device 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the number of information processing devices 1 is not limited to this. For example, the processing executed by the information processing device 1 may be executed by multiple information processing devices 1 that are distributed.

The following describes an overview of the processing performed by the information processing device 1 of this embodiment. The control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 estimates the parking difficulty level for one or more parking spaces in the parking lot from parking-related information about parking in the parking lot, and presents the parking difficulty level to the driver of a vehicle 2 traveling in the parking lot or within a specified distance from the parking lot. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can help the driver avoid parking that is likely to take a long time, thereby reducing congestion in the parking lot.

The information processing device 1 may be a server that supports the provision of services by an operator. The information processing device 1 may be installed, for example, in a facility dedicated to the operator or in a shared facility including a data center. As an alternative example, the information processing device 1 may be installed in the vehicle 2.

The vehicle 2 includes any type of automobile, such as, for example, a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. In this embodiment, the vehicle 2 is driven by a driver. Alternatively, the driving of the vehicle 2 may be automated at any level. The level of automation is, for example, any of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE level classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. The vehicle 2 may be a MaaS-only vehicle. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

The user terminal 3 is a terminal operated by the user U01. The user terminal 3 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a wearable device, or a tablet. As an alternative, the user terminal 3 may be a general-purpose device such as a PC, or a dedicated device. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer.

The internal configuration of the information processing device 1 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The components of the information processing device 1 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, for example, via a dedicated line.

The control unit 11 includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. Instead of including a processor, the control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may be, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 11 may include an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

The communication unit 12 includes a communication module compatible with one or more wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standards for connecting to a network. The communication unit 12 may include a module compatible with one or more mobile communication standards including LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 12 may include a communication module compatible with one or more short-range communication standards or specifications including Bluetooth (registered trademark), AirDrop (registered trademark), IrDA, ZigBee (registered trademark), Felica (registered trademark), or RFID. The communication unit 12 transmits and receives any information via the network.

The memory unit 13 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or at least one of these, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The memory unit 13 may function, for example, as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 13 may store information resulting from analysis or processing by the control unit 11. The memory unit 13 may store various information related to the operation or control of the information processing device 1, etc. The memory unit 13 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc.

The internal configuration of vehicle 2 is described in detail with reference to Figure 3.

The vehicle 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a memory unit 23, and a display unit 24. The components of the vehicle 2 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, for example, via a dedicated line.

The hardware configuration of the control unit 21, communication unit 22, and storage unit 23 of the vehicle 2 may be the same as the hardware configuration of the control unit 11, communication unit 12, and storage unit 13 of the information processing device 1. A description thereof will be omitted here.

The display unit 24 is, for example, a display. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for liquid crystal display. "EL" is an abbreviation for electro luminescence. The display unit 24 may be connected to the vehicle 2 as an external output device instead of being provided in the vehicle 2. Any connection method may be used, such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The internal configuration of the user terminal 3 is explained in detail with reference to Figure 4.

The user terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a memory unit 33, and a display unit 34. The components of the user terminal 3 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, for example, via a dedicated line.

The hardware configuration of the control unit 31, communication unit 32, memory unit 33, and display unit 34 of the user terminal 3 may be the same as the hardware configuration of the control unit 21, communication unit 22, memory unit 23, and display unit 24 of the vehicle 2. Explanation here is omitted.

The processing executed by the information processing system S of this embodiment will be described in detail below. As an example, a scene in which a vehicle 2 is parked in a parking lot PA as shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The parking lot PA includes one or more vacant parking spaces PS01 to PS06.

The control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 uses the position information of the vehicle 2, etc. to determine whether the vehicle 2 is traveling within the parking lot PA or within a predetermined distance from the parking lot PA.

When the control unit 11 determines that the vehicle 2 is traveling in the parking lot PA or within a predetermined distance from the parking lot PA, it estimates the parking difficulty level for each of one or more vacant parking spaces PS01 to PS06. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines parking-related information related to parking in the parking lot PA for each parking space. As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 11 stores the parking-related information in the parking space DB of the storage unit 13. The parking-related information here includes, for example, the following items, but is not limited to these:
- Numerous turns - Narrow passages - Narrow parking spaces - Presence or absence of cars parked on either side - Time required to park

As an alternative, the control unit 11 may perform the estimation of the parking difficulty periodically or irregularly, regardless of the position of the vehicle 2.

Several items are explained in detail.

"Number of turns" indicates the number of turns that one or more vehicles that have parked in each parking space in the past made to park in each parking space. The one or more vehicles may be any vehicle, or may be vehicles of the same or similar class (e.g., width, overall length, price, manufacturer, performance, model) as vehicle 2. Past information is stored in memory unit 13. The number of turns made by each vehicle is determined, for example, from a steering angle sensor. The control unit 11 assigns a higher score to vehicles with a higher average number of turns. For example, the control unit 11 may classify the average number of turns into five levels according to the average value, and assign 20, 15, 10, 5, or 0 points to the levels in ascending order.

"Aisle narrowness" indicates the narrowness of the aisle through which vehicle 2 passes before parking in each parking space. The aisle width may be registered in advance by the manager of the parking lot PA, or may be measured from an image previously captured by a vehicle. The narrowness of the aisle may be determined according to the width of vehicle 2. The control unit 11 assigns a higher score to the narrower aisle. For example, the control unit 11 may classify the narrowness of the aisle into five levels according to narrowness, and assign 20, 15, 10, 5, or 0 points in descending order of level.

"Parking space narrowness" indicates the narrowness of the area of each parking space. The narrowness of each parking space may be registered in advance by the manager of the parking lot PA, or may be measured from an image previously captured by a vehicle. The control unit 11 assigns a higher score to the narrower parking space. For example, the control unit 11 may classify the narrowness of the parking space into five levels according to narrowness, and assign 20, 15, 10, 5, or 0 points in descending order of level.

"Whether or not there are vehicles parked on the left or right" indicates whether or not there are other vehicles parked on the left or right of each parking space at the time when vehicle 2 parks. Whether or not there are vehicles parked on the left or right of each parking space may be determined from information registered by the manager of the parking lot PA, or from an image captured by a camera installed in the parking lot PA. The control unit 11 may give a higher score the more vehicles are parked on the left or right. For example, the control unit 11 may give 0 points for each parking space if there is no vehicle parked on either the left or right. The control unit 11 may give 10 points if there is a vehicle parked on either the left or right. The control unit 11 may give 20 points if there are vehicles parked on both the left and right. If there is no parking space on the left or right but a wall exists, the control unit 11 may give a score by assuming that a vehicle is parked on the left or right.

"Length of time required to park" indicates the length of time required for one or more vehicles that have previously parked in each parking space to park in each parking space. The one or more vehicles may be any vehicle, or may be vehicles of the same or similar class as vehicle 2. The time required to park may be determined, for example, by measuring the time from when a vehicle enters parking lot PA to when it is parked in a parking space. The control unit 11 assigns a higher score the longer the average value of the length of time required. For example, the control unit 11 may classify the average value of the length of time required into five levels according to the average value, and assign 20, 15, 10, 5, or 0 points in descending order of level.

Additionally or alternatively, the parking difficulty item may be the travel speed of one or more vehicles when parking in each parking space in the past.

In FIG. 6, each of the multiple items is scored out of a maximum of 20 points. Alternatively, each of the multiple items may be weighted. For example, the control unit 11 may assign a maximum score of 60 points to "number of turns" and a maximum score of 10 points to each of the other items.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 11 calculates the total score of each item for each parking space. For example, the total score for parking space PS01 is 15+15+20+20+15=85 (points). Similarly, the total score for parking space PS02 is 50 points. The total score for parking space PS03 is 40 points.

The control unit 11 estimates the parking difficulty of each parking space according to the total score. For example, the control unit 11 estimates the parking difficulty to be "difficult" if the total score is higher than a reference value (e.g., 55 points), estimates the parking difficulty to be "easy" if the total score is lower than another reference value (e.g., 45 points), and judges the parking difficulty to be "average" in other cases. As an alternative example, the parking difficulty may be the total score itself, or may be both the total score and a character such as "difficult."

The control unit 11 presents the estimated parking difficulty level. The presentation is performed by at least one of an image and audio. For example, the control unit 11 generates image information that associates and displays a parking difficulty level with each of one or more parking spaces in the parking lot PA. The control unit 11 transmits the image information to the vehicle 2 or the user terminal 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 24 of the vehicle 2 or the display unit 34 of the user terminal 3 displays an image corresponding to the received image information. The user U01 visually confirms the displayed image. The user U01 refers to the parking difficulty level and decides in which parking space to park the vehicle 2.

As an additional example, the control unit 11 may present objective facts about when the vehicle has been parked in one or more parking spaces in the past to the vehicle 2 or the user terminal 3. The objective facts are stored in the memory unit 13 and include, for example, the following information:
・The number of times the vehicle was turned around to park in the parking space ・The width of the aisle ・The size of the parking space ・Whether there were vehicles parked on either side when parking ・The time required or the speed at which the vehicle was parked ・The size of the vehicle parked

The information processing method by the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 is described with reference to FIG. 8.

In step S1, the control unit 11 refers to parking-related information in the memory unit 13.

In step S2, the control unit 11 estimates the parking difficulty level for one or more parking spaces in the parking lot PA from the parking-related information.

In step S3, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the vehicle 2 is detected within a predetermined distance from the parking lot PA. As an alternative, the control unit 11 may determine whether or not the vehicle 2 is detected within the parking lot PA.

If the answer is No in step S3, the control unit 11 ends the flow.

If the answer is Yes in step S3, the control unit 11 presents the parking difficulty level to the driver of the vehicle 2 in step S4.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 executes operations including estimating the parking difficulty level for one or more parking spaces in the parking lot PA from parking-related information regarding parking in the parking lot PA, and presenting the parking difficulty level to the driver of the vehicle 2 traveling in the parking lot PA or within a predetermined distance from the parking lot PA. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can allow the driver to avoid parking that is likely to take a long time, thereby reducing congestion in the parking lot.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, presenting includes at least one of presenting to the vehicle 2 and presenting to the user terminal 3 operated by the driver. With this configuration, various presentations are possible.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the operation includes presenting an image that displays one or more parking spaces in association with a parking difficulty level. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can allow the driver to easily recognize the parking difficulty level for each parking space.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the parking-related information includes a plurality of items. Each of the plurality of items is weighted. The operation includes estimating the parking difficulty level using the weighting of each of the plurality of items. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can assign a large weight to relatively important items, and therefore can accurately estimate the parking difficulty level.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the operation includes assigning a score to each of a plurality of items and estimating the parking difficulty level from the total score. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can comprehensively estimate the parking difficulty level.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the operation includes presenting objective facts about when the vehicle has been parked in one or more parking spaces in the past. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can notify the driver of specific cases, allowing the driver to specifically recognize the difficulty of parking.

Although the present disclosure is described based on various drawings and examples, it should be noted that a person skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means or step can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple means 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 device 1 can be recorded on 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 disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The program is distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) on which the program is recorded. The program may also be distributed by storing the program in the storage of an arbitrary server and transmitting the program from the arbitrary server to another computer. The program may also be provided as a program product. The present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

The computer temporarily stores in the main storage device, for example, a program recorded on a portable recording medium or a program transferred from a server. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor and executes processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. The computer may execute processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred to the computer from the server. Processing may be executed by a so-called ASP-type service that does not transfer a program from the server to the computer and achieves functions only by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. Programs include information used for processing by a computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct command to a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under "something equivalent to a program."

Reference Signs List 1 Information processing device 11 Control unit 12 Communication unit 13 Storage unit 2 Vehicle 21 Control unit 22 Communication unit 23 Storage unit 24 Display unit 3 User terminal 31 Control unit 32 Communication unit 33 Storage unit 34 Display unit

Claims (19)

An information processing device including a control unit, the control unit comprising:
estimating a parking difficulty level for one or more parking spaces in a parking lot from parking-related information related to parking at the parking lot;
presenting the parking difficulty level to a driver of a vehicle traveling in the parking lot or within a predetermined distance from the parking lot;
Presenting objective facts including the presence or absence of vehicles parked on the left and right sides of the vehicle when the vehicle was parked in the one or more parking spaces in the past, the time required for the vehicle to be parked or the moving speed, and the class of the vehicle;
An information processing device that performs operations including the steps of: 2. The information processing device according to claim 1,
The information processing device, wherein the presenting includes at least one of presenting on the vehicle and presenting on a user terminal operated by the driver. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1,
The information processing device, wherein the operation includes presenting an image displaying the parking difficulty level associated with each of the one or more parking spaces. 4. The information processing device according to claim 1,
The parking-related information includes a plurality of items. 5. The information processing device according to claim 4,
Each of the plurality of items is weighted;
The information processing device, wherein the operation includes estimating the parking difficulty level using weightings for each of the plurality of items. 6. The information processing device according to claim 4,
The information processing device, wherein the operation includes assigning a score to each of the plurality of items and estimating the parking difficulty level from a total score. A vehicle equipped with the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . Computers as information processing devices
estimating a parking difficulty level for one or more parking spaces in a parking lot from parking-related information related to parking at the parking lot;
presenting the parking difficulty level to a driver of a vehicle traveling in the parking lot or within a predetermined distance from the parking lot;
Presenting objective facts including the presence or absence of vehicles parked on the left and right sides of the vehicle when the vehicle was parked in the one or more parking spaces in the past, the time required for the vehicle to be parked or the moving speed, and the class of the vehicle;
A program that causes an operation to be performed, including The program according to claim 8 ,
The program, wherein the presenting includes at least one of presenting on the vehicle and presenting on a user terminal operated by the driver. The program according to claim 8 or 9 ,
The operations include presenting an image displaying the parking difficulty level associated with each of the one or more parking spaces. The program according to any one of claims 8 to 10 ,
The parking-related information includes a plurality of items. The program according to claim 11 ,
Each of the plurality of items is weighted;
The program, wherein the operation includes estimating the parking difficulty level using weightings for each of the plurality of items. The program according to claim 11 or 12 ,
The program, wherein the operation includes assigning a score to each of the plurality of items and estimating the parking difficulty level from a total score. An information processing method by an information processing device,
estimating a parking difficulty level for one or more parking spaces in a parking lot from parking-related information related to parking at the parking lot;
presenting the parking difficulty level to a driver of a vehicle traveling in the parking lot or within a predetermined distance from the parking lot;
Presenting objective facts including the presence or absence of vehicles parked on the left and right sides of the vehicle when the vehicle was parked in the one or more parking spaces in the past, the time required for the vehicle to be parked or the moving speed, and the class of the vehicle;
An information processing method comprising: 15. The information processing method according to claim 14 ,
The information processing method, wherein the presenting includes at least one of presenting to the vehicle and presenting to a user terminal operated by the driver. 16. The information processing method according to claim 14 ,
An information processing method comprising: presenting an image displaying the parking difficulty level associated with each of the one or more parking spaces. 17. The information processing method according to claim 14 ,
The parking-related information includes a plurality of items. 18. The information processing method according to claim 17 ,
Each of the plurality of items is weighted;
An information processing method comprising: estimating the parking difficulty level using weightings for each of the plurality of items. 19. The information processing method according to claim 17 ,
An information processing method comprising: assigning a score to each of the plurality of items and estimating the parking difficulty level from a total score of the scores.

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