INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND NON-VOID STORAGE MEDIUM

Abstract

Information processing device (100) with a control unit (120) configured to perform the following steps: Selecting a variety of candidate lanes in which a first vehicle (20a) can travel at a toll point, based on whether the first vehicle (20a) intended to pass through the toll point is an ETC vehicle or not, and based on a type of each lane at the toll point; Calculating a predicted value for each candidate lane, the predicted value being correlated with a predicted required time that the first vehicle (20a) traveling in the candidate lane needs to pass through the toll plaza; Calculating a degree of ease that indicates the ease of entry of the first vehicle (20a) for each candidate lane; Weighting the predictive value and the degree of ease for each candidate lane based on a driving history of a driver of the first vehicle (20a) during a previous passage through the toll plaza; and Determining a recommended lane for the first vehicle to drive in from the multitude of candidate lanes, based on the weighted prediction value and ease level for each candidate lane. characterized by the fact that the weights given to the predictive value and the degree of ease are determined based on whether a driving tendency in a previous passage through the toll plaza in the driving history of the driver of the first vehicle (20a) is a passage time priority tendency or an entry ease priority tendency.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Area of ​​the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for managing vehicle passage through a toll plaza on a road. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Publication JP 2008 - 031 779 A discloses a structure in which a lane or a plurality of lanes is separated from other adjacent lanes at a point where a traffic jam occurs on a road with restricted access.

[0003] Furthermore, publication US 2020 / 0 041 299 A1 discloses a device and a method for determining a toll lane, publication JP 2008 - 299 752 A discloses a lane guidance system and an ETC vehicle device for recommending a lane at a toll plaza, and publication DE 10 2017 214 493 A1 discloses a method for operating a motor vehicle to pass through a transit area. State of the art

[0004] Publication JP 2008 - 031 779 A SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One objective of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables smoother vehicle passage through a toll plaza on a road.

[0006] An information processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is defined in independent claim 1.

[0007] An information processing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention is defined in independent claim 8.

[0008] A non-volatile storage medium according to a third embodiment of the present invention is defined in independent claim 11.

[0009] Advantageous modifications are listed in the dependent patent claims.

[0010] According to this invention, smoother vehicle passage through a toll plaza on a road can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a traffic management system; Fig. Figure 2 is a diagram to explain an example of traffic conditions at a toll plaza; Fig. Figure 3 is a block diagram that schematically shows an example of the functional configurations of an administration server and an in-vehicle device; Fig. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle information table configuration that is transferred from the vehicle's internal device to a management server; Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a toll information table configuration stored in a toll information database; Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an information processing flow executed by a control unit of the management server according to a first embodiment; Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the information processing sequence performed by the control unit of the vehicle's internal device; Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the information processing flow performed by the control unit of the management server according to a second embodiment; Fig. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the valuation value calculation processing flow according to the second embodiment; and Fig. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the valuation value calculation processing process according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0011] In recent years, the electronic toll collection system (ETC system) has become widespread as a toll collection system at toll plazas on motorway roads. A vehicle equipped with an ETC device for use with the ETC system (that is, an ETC-compatible vehicle) is referred to below as an "ETC vehicle," while a vehicle not equipped with an ETC device (that is, an ETC-incompatible vehicle) is referred to below as a "non-ETC vehicle."

[0012] Furthermore, the vehicle lanes at the toll plaza can be divided into three types: "ETC lane," "non-ETC lane," and "shared lane." ETC lanes are lanes to which the ETC system applies and are dedicated to ETC vehicles. Non-ETC lanes are lanes to which the ETC system does not apply. Shared lanes are lanes shared by both ETC and non-ETC vehicles, and lanes where the ETC system applies, but where both ETC and non-ETC vehicles are permitted to travel.

[0013] Here, a target vehicle intended to pass through the toll plaza is referred to as the "first vehicle." In an information processing device according to the present invention, a control unit selects a plurality of candidate lanes in which the first vehicle at a toll plaza can travel. At this point, the candidate lanes are selected based on whether the first vehicle is an ETC vehicle or not, and based on the type of each lane at the toll plaza. If a lane at the toll plaza is closed, prohibiting vehicle traffic, the candidate lanes are selected from the lanes other than the closed lane.

[0014] The control unit calculates a predictive value for each candidate lane. This predictive value correlates with the predicted time the first vehicle in the candidate lane will need to pass through the toll plaza. The predictive value for each candidate lane can be calculated based on factors such as the type of lane and the presence of other vehicles (other than the first vehicle) in that lane.

[0015] The control unit then determines a recommended lane from the multitude of candidate lanes based on the predicted value for each candidate lane. In this case, the recommended lane is the lane suggested to the first vehicle for passing through the toll plaza. Determining the recommended lane in this way allows the driver of the first vehicle to be shown a lane that will enable the first vehicle to pass through the toll plaza more quickly. Therefore, a smoother vehicle passage through a toll plaza on a road can be achieved.

[0016] Specific embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Unless otherwise stated, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, and the like of the components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention. First embodiment

[0017] An embodiment in which the information processing device, the information processing method, and the program according to the present invention are applied to a traffic management system is described below. The traffic management system according to this embodiment is a system for managing vehicle passage through a toll plaza on a road. System overview

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the traffic management system according to this embodiment. The traffic management system 1 includes the management server 100 and an in-vehicle device 200, which is mounted on the respective vehicle 20. In the traffic management system 1, the management server 100 and each of the in-vehicle devices 200 are interconnected via a network N 1. The network N1 can be, for example, a wide area network (WAN), which is a worldwide public communications network such as the Internet, or telephone communication networks for mobile phones and the like.

[0019] The Management Server 100 is a server device for managing the journeys of each vehicle passing through the toll plaza. More precisely, the Management Server 100 is a device that performs various processes to inform the driver of the target vehicle, which is intended to pass through the toll plaza with its multiple lanes, of the recommended lane for driving through the toll plaza. The Management Server 100 comprises a general-purpose computer. The computer that forms the Management Server 100 includes a processor 101, main memory 102, auxiliary memory 103, and a communication interface 104.

[0020] Here, processor 101 is, for example, a control processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP). Main memory 102 is, for example, random access memory (RAM). Auxiliary memory 103 is, for example, read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or flash memory. Auxiliary memory 103 can contain removable storage media (portable recording media). Here, the removable storage media is, for example, a USB drive, an SD card, or a Blu-ray disc. The communication interface 104 is, for example, a local area network (LAN) interface card or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.

[0021] Auxiliary memory 103 stores an operating system (OS), various programs, information tables, and similar data. Processor 101 loads the program stored in auxiliary memory 103 into main memory 102 and executes it, thereby achieving the processing described below for notifying the target vehicle of the recommended lane. However, some or all of the functions of the management server 100 can be implemented using a hardware circuit, such as an ASIC or FPGA. It should be noted that the management server 100 does not necessarily have to be implemented by a single physical component and can consist of multiple computers working together. Auxiliary memory 103 stores toll information, which includes information about the type of lane at the toll plaza. The details of this toll information are described below.

[0022] Vehicle 20 is a vehicle designed to pass through the toll plaza. The vehicle's internal device 200 includes a computer that can be mounted on Vehicle 20. Similar to the management server 100, the computer forming the vehicle's internal device 200 includes a processor, a main memory unit, an auxiliary memory unit, and a communication interface.

[0023] The vehicle-internal device 200, mounted on each vehicle 20, transmits vehicle information, including ETC information indicating whether the vehicle 20 is an ETC vehicle or not, and position information about the vehicle 20 to the management server 100.

[0024] The vehicle 20 designated to pass through the toll plaza, and which is to be informed of the recommended lane by the management server 100, is referred to below as the "first vehicle 20a". The in-vehicle device 200 mounted on the first vehicle 20a is referred to as the "in-vehicle device 200a". The other vehicles 20 besides the first vehicle 20a are referred to as the "other vehicles 20b". The in-vehicle devices 200 mounted on the other vehicles 20b are referred to as the "in-vehicle devices 200b". It should be noted that the other vehicles 20b include vehicles that are ahead of the first vehicle 20a and are waiting in the lanes at the toll plaza to pass through (referred to below as the "waiting vehicles"). Traffic conditions at the toll plaza

[0025] Fig. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of traffic conditions at a toll plaza. The diagram in Fig. The toll plaza shown, Ta, is a toll plaza through which the first vehicle, 20a, is intended to pass. This toll plaza, Ta, has seven lanes. Here, the seven lanes at toll plaza Ta are designated as lanes #1 to #7 from left to right. Fig. 2 is designated.

[0026] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, at toll plaza Ta, the first lane (#1), the fifth lane (#5), and the seventh lane (#7) are ETC lanes; the third lane (#3) and the fourth lane (#4) are non-ETC lanes; and the second lane (#2) is a shared lane. At toll plaza Ta, the sixth lane (#6) is a closed lane (i.e., a lane where driving is prohibited). Furthermore, at toll plaza Ta, no other vehicles (20b) are lined up in the first lane (#1) (number of waiting vehicles (20b): 0). Two other vehicles are lined up in the second lane (#2), the third lane (#3), and the fifth lane (#5) (number of waiting vehicles (20b): 2). Three other vehicles (20b) are lined up in the fourth lane (#4) (number of waiting vehicles (20b): 3). Another vehicle is lined up in lane seven #7 (number of waiting vehicles 20b: 1).

[0027] At this point, the lane in which the first vehicle 20a is permitted to travel at toll plaza Ta is determined based on whether the first vehicle 20a is an ETC vehicle or a non-ETC vehicle. However, once the first vehicle 20a is traveling in one of the available lanes and passes through toll plaza Ta, the time required to pass through the toll plaza varies depending on the situation of the waiting vehicles 20b in each lane. To ensure a smooth passage for the vehicles 20b through toll plaza Ta, the first vehicle 20a preferably passes through toll plaza Ta as quickly as possible.

[0028] For this reason, the management server 100 in the traffic management system 1 determines the recommended lane for the first vehicle 20a to drive in based on whether the first vehicle 20a is an ETC vehicle or not, based on the type of each lane at the toll plaza and the situations of the waiting vehicles 20b in each lane. Functional configuration

[0029] The functional configuration of the management server 100 and the vehicle-internal device 200, which constitutes the traffic management system 1, according to this embodiment with reference to Fig. 3 described. Fig. Figure 3 is a block diagram that schematically shows an example of the functional configurations of the management server 100 and the vehicle-internal device 200. Vehicle internal device

[0030] The vehicle-integrated device 200 comprises a communication unit 210, a control unit 220, and an output unit 230. The communication unit 210 connects the vehicle-integrated device 200 to the network N1. The communication unit 210 can be implemented using a communication interface.

[0031] The control unit 220 performs arithmetic processing to control the vehicle's internal device 200. The control unit 220 can be implemented using a processor. The control unit 220 performs processing to transmit vehicle information to the management server 100 via the communication unit 210. Fig. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle information table configuration that is transferred from the vehicle's internal device 200 to the management server 100. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the vehicle information includes a vehicle ID field, an ETC information field, and a position information field. A vehicle ID is entered into the vehicle ID field, which is identification information for the vehicle 20 equipped with the in-vehicle device 200. Information is entered into the ETX information field indicating whether the vehicle 20 equipped with the in-vehicle device 200 is an ETC vehicle or a non-ETC vehicle. Information is entered into the position information field indicating the current position of the vehicle 20 equipped with the in-vehicle device 200. It should be noted that the current position of the vehicle 20 is determined via a global positioning system (GPS) provided in the vehicle 20.The vehicle information is transmitted by the vehicle's internal device 200 of each vehicle 20, which is located in a predetermined area in front of the toll plaza, to the management server 100 in a predetermined cycle.

[0032] Furthermore, in the case of the vehicle-internal device 200a of the first vehicle 20a, the control unit 220 performs processing to transmit request information requesting a notification of the recommended lane to the management server 100 via the communication unit 210.

[0033] Output unit 230 has the function of displaying information inside vehicle 20 that the driver of the first vehicle needs to be notified of. Output unit 230 can, for example, include a monitor located inside vehicle 20 and visible to the driver. Output unit 230 can also include a speaker that emits sound inside vehicle 20.

[0034] In the vehicle-internal device 200a of the first vehicle 20a, the control unit 220 processes the notification information about the recommended lane, which is transmitted from the management server 100 via the communication unit 210. The control unit 220 further processes the notification information received from the management server 100 via the output unit 230 to output it. If the output unit 230 includes a monitor, the recommended lane is displayed as an image on the monitor. If the output unit 230 includes a speaker, the recommended lane is output as sound from the speaker. Management server

[0035] The management server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a toll information database (toll information DB) 130. The communication unit 110 connects the management server 100 to the N1 network. The communication unit 110 can be implemented using the communication interface 104.

[0036] The control unit 120 performs arithmetic processing to control the management server 100. The control unit 120 can be implemented using a processor 101. The control unit 120 performs processing to receive the vehicle information transmitted by each in-vehicle device 200 via the communication unit 110. The control unit 120 also performs processing to receive the request information transmitted by the in-vehicle device 200a of the first vehicle 20a via the communication unit 110. Furthermore, the control unit 120 uses the communication unit 110 to perform processing to transmit notification information to the in-vehicle device 200a of the first vehicle 20a.

[0037] The toll information database DB 130 stores toll information. This includes information about the type of each lane at the toll plaza and information about the status of the waiting vehicles 20b in each lane. Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a toll information table configuration stored in the toll information database 130. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the toll information includes a lane number field, a type field, a field for the number of waiting vehicles, and a field for the number of ETC vehicles. Lane numbers are entered in the lane number field to identify each lane. Information specifying the type of each lane is entered in the type field. Information specifying the number of waiting vehicles in each lane is entered in the number of waiting vehicles field. Information specifying the number of ETC vehicles among the waiting vehicles in each lane is entered in the number of ETC vehicles field. The toll information database 130 is constructed in auxiliary memory 103 when processor 101 executes the database management system program.

[0038] Here, in the field for the number of waiting vehicles and in the field for the number of ETC vehicles, the control unit 120 enters information based on the vehicle information received from the vehicle's internal device 200b for each waiting vehicle 20b. Specifically, the control unit 120 identifies the lanes where the waiting vehicles 20b are queuing, based on the position information contained in the vehicle information for each waiting vehicle 20b. The control unit 120 then calculates the number of waiting vehicles 20b in each lane and enters this number in the field for the number of waiting vehicles. The control unit 120 further identifies the ETC vehicles among the waiting vehicles 20b in each lane, based on the ETC information contained in the vehicle information for each waiting vehicle 20b.The control unit 120 then calculates the number of ETC vehicles among the waiting vehicles 20b on each lane and enters it into the field for the number of ETC vehicles.

[0039] Fig. 5 displays information according to the situation in each lane at the Fig. The toll plaza shown in Figure 2 serves as an example of toll plaza information. If the situation of the waiting vehicles (20b) on each lane at the toll plaza changes, the information entered in the "Number of Waiting Vehicles" and "Number of ETC Vehicles" fields will be updated. If the type of each lane at the toll plaza is changeable, the information entered in the "Type" field will be updated accordingly.

[0040] As described above, in this embodiment, the number of waiting vehicles 20b in each lane at the toll plaza is calculated based on the position information of the waiting vehicles 20b. Optionally, the waiting vehicles 20b can be detected from images taken by an external camera provided on the first vehicle 20a or by a camera provided at the toll plaza or on the road. Alternatively, the number of waiting vehicles 20b in each lane at the toll plaza can be calculated based on a detection result. In this case, image data taken by an external camera provided on the first vehicle 20a or by a camera provided at the toll plaza or on the road is transmitted to the management server 100.

[0041] The control unit 120 further includes a selection unit 121 and a determination unit 122. The selection unit 121 has the function of selecting the multitude of candidate lanes in which the first vehicle 20a can travel at the toll plaza. The determination unit 122 has the function of determining the recommended lane for the first vehicle 20a from the multitude of candidate lanes selected by the selection unit 121. Information processing

[0042] The information processing performed by the management server 100 and the vehicle-internal device 200a mounted on the first vehicle 20a is described below with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 described.

[0043] Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the information processing flow performed by the control unit 120 to notify the first vehicle 20a of the recommended lane on the management server 100.

[0044] In this process, the vehicle information and request information of the first vehicle 20a, transmitted by the vehicle's internal device 200a, are first received in S101. As described below, the vehicle information and request information of the first vehicle 20a can be received at different times. Subsequently, the ETC information contained in the vehicle information of the first vehicle 20a received by the vehicle's internal device 200a is acquired in S102. Following this, the toll information stored in the toll information database DB 130 is acquired in S103.

[0045] Subsequently, in S104, the multitude of candidate lanes is selected based on the ETC information and the toll plaza information of the first vehicle, 20a. At this point, the candidate lanes are selected based on whether the first vehicle, 20a, is an ETC vehicle or not, and according to the type of each lane at the toll plaza. Whether the first vehicle, 20a, is an ETC vehicle or not can be determined based on the ETC information. The type of each lane at the toll plaza can be determined based on the type contained in the toll plaza information.

[0046] For example, in the Fig. In the situation shown in Figure 2, if the first vehicle 20a is an ETC vehicle, the lanes that the first vehicle 20a can use are the six lanes other than the closed sixth lane #6. Thus, in this case, lanes #1 to #5, the first five lanes, and lane #7, the seventh lane, are selected as candidate lanes in S103. In the Fig. In the situation shown in Figure 2, if vehicle 20a is a non-ETC vehicle, the lanes that the first vehicle 20a can use are the three lanes: lanes two through four (#2 to #4). Therefore, in this case, lanes two through four (#2 to #4) are selected as candidate lanes in S103.

[0047] Subsequently, in S105, the prediction value for each candidate lane is calculated based on the toll plaza information. The prediction value calculated here for a candidate lane is a value that correlates with the predicted time required for the first vehicle 20a traveling in the candidate lane to pass through the toll plaza. The time required for the first vehicle 20a to pass through the toll plaza (hereinafter referred to as the "passage time") correlates with the type of lane in which the first vehicle 20a travels when passing through the toll plaza and the number of vehicles 20b waiting in the lane. Therefore, in S105, the prediction value for each candidate lane is calculated based on the type of each candidate lane contained in the toll plaza information and the number of vehicles 20b waiting in each candidate lane.The prediction value for a candidate lane, whose type is a shared lane, is calculated based on the number of waiting vehicles 20 on the candidate lane and the ratio of ETC vehicles in the waiting vehicles 20b.

[0048] For example, if the number of waiting vehicles 20b is the same, the transit times for the ETC lanes are expected to be shorter than the transit times for non-ETC lanes. If the number of waiting vehicles 20b is the same, and some of the waiting vehicles 20b in the shared lane are ETC vehicles and the others are non-ETC vehicles, the transit time for the shared lane is expected to be longer than the transit times for the ETC lanes and shorter than the transit times for the non-ETC lanes. If the lanes are of the same type, the transit time is generally predicted to be longer the greater the number of waiting vehicles 20b. However, for the shared lane, if the number of waiting vehicles 20b is the same, the higher the ratio of ETC vehicles among the waiting vehicles 20b, the shorter the transit time is expected.

[0049] Taking these points into account, the following will be discussed in Fig. In the situation shown, it is expected that the transit time for the first lane #1 is the shortest, and when sorted in ascending order of transit time, the seventh lane #7, the fifth lane #5, the second lane #2, the third lane #3, and the fourth lane #4 are sorted in that order. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, of the two waiting vehicles 20b in the second lane #2, which is a shared lane, one is an ETC vehicle and the other is a non-ETC vehicle. Therefore, the transit time from the second lane #2 is expected to be shorter than the transit time from the third lane #3, which also has two waiting vehicles 20b and is a non-ETC lane. It is further predicted that the transit time from the second lane #2 will be longer than the transit time from the fifth lane #5, which also has two waiting vehicles 20b and is an ETC lane.

[0050] In S105, the prediction value for each candidate lane is calculated, taking into account the relative relationship between the transit times, as described above. It should be noted that the prediction value can simply be the predicted transit time. Subsequently, in S106, the recommended lane is determined from the multitude of candidate lanes based on the prediction value calculated in S105 for each candidate lane. Here, the lane whose prediction value indicates the shortest predicted transit time is selected as the recommended lane from the multitude of candidate lanes.

[0051] For example, in the Fig. In the situation shown in Figure 2, if the first vehicle 20a is an ETC vehicle, the first to fifth lanes #1 to #5 and the seventh lane #7, as described above, are the candidate lanes. In this case, in S106, the first lane #1 is determined to be the recommended lane. In the Fig. In the situation shown in Figure 2, if vehicle 20a is a non-ETC vehicle, lanes 2 to 4, as described above, are the candidate lanes. In this case, lane 2 is determined in S106 to be the recommended lane.

[0052] Subsequently, in S107, the notification information, which informs about the recommended lane determined in S106, is transmitted to the vehicle-internal device 200a of the first vehicle 20a.

[0053] Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the information processing flow in the vehicle-internal device 200a of the first vehicle 20a, which the control unit 220 performs to output the recommended lane to the interior of the first vehicle 20a.

[0054] In this process, the vehicle information for the first vehicle 20a and the request information are first transmitted from S201 to the management server 100. It is important to note that the vehicle information for the first vehicle 20a is transmitted to the management server 100 according to a predetermined cycle. Therefore, the request information may be transmitted to the management server 100 at a different time than the vehicle information. In this case, the management server 100 receives the request information separately from the vehicle information for the first vehicle 20a.

[0055] Subsequently, the notification information transmitted to the vehicle's internal device 200a is received in S202 when the control unit 120 of the management server 100 receives the information in Fig. The sequence shown in section 6 is executed. Subsequently, the recommended lane, which is contained in the notification information received in section S202, is output via output unit 230 in S203.

[0056] The aforementioned information processing in the management server 100 and the vehicle-internal device 200a enables the driver of the first vehicle 20a to be assigned a lane on which the first vehicle 20a can pass through the toll plaza more quickly. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the traffic management system 1 can facilitate smoother vehicle passage through a toll plaza on a road. Second embodiment

[0057] The schematic configuration of the traffic management system according to this embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment as well, similar to the first embodiment, the management server 100 selects the plurality of candidate lanes in which the first vehicle 20a, intended to pass through the toll plaza, can travel. The management server 100 also determines the recommended lane for the first vehicle 20a from among the plurality of candidate lanes and transmits the notification information to the vehicle's onboard device 200a. In this embodiment, however, the management server 100 determines the recommended lane taking into account not only the predicted transit time for each candidate lane, but also the ease of passage for the first vehicle 20a for each candidate lane. Information processing

[0058] The information processing performed in the administration server 100 is described below with reference to Fig. 8 described. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information processing sequence implemented in the vehicle-internal device 200a of the first vehicle 20a is the same as that described in Fig. The process shown in section 7 is described above.

[0059] Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the information processing sequence performed by the control unit 120 to notify the first vehicle 20a of the recommended lane on the management server 100. Steps S101 to S104 and S107 in this sequence perform the same processing as the corresponding steps with the same reference numbers in the [document / reference]. Fig. The process shown in 6, which is described above, is therefore only steps S205 and S206 are described below, which involve a different processing procedure than the one in the above. Fig. Follow the procedure shown in step 6.

[0060] In this process, when the multitude of candidate lanes is selected in S104, the processing from S205 is then executed. In S205, the evaluation value calculation process is carried out to calculate the evaluation value for each candidate lane.

[0061] The valuation value calculation processing process executed in S205 is compared below with the one in Fig. The flowchart shown in section 9 describes the process. Fig. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the valuation value calculation processing sequence executed by the control unit 120. In the Fig. In the process shown in section 9, the prediction value for each candidate lane is first calculated based on the toll information from section 11. The specific processing performed in section 11 is the same processing as that performed in section 105 of the document in section 9. Fig. The process shown in section 6 is executed.

[0062] Subsequently, in S12, a lane is detected, which is the lane in which the first vehicle 20a is currently traveling, based on the position information contained in the vehicle information for the first vehicle 20a. Following this, in S13, the current traffic conditions around the first vehicle 20a are detected. The traffic conditions detected here include, for example, the speeds of the other vehicles 20b traveling around the first vehicle 20a and the traffic volume. Such traffic conditions can be detected based on the position information about the other vehicles 20b contained in the vehicle information that is transmitted by the vehicle's internal device 200b from each other vehicle 20b traveling around the first vehicle 20a to the management server 100.For S12 and S13, the lane of the first vehicle 20a and the traffic conditions around the first vehicle 20a can be determined from images taken by the external camera provided on the first vehicle 20a or the camera provided at the toll plaza or on the road.

[0063] Subsequently, in S14, the ease level, which indicates the ease of entry for the first vehicle 20a, is calculated for each candidate lane. Here, the ease level for each candidate lane is calculated based on the number of lane changes required by the first vehicle 20a to enter each candidate lane from the lane recorded in S12, and the traffic conditions around the first vehicle 20a recorded in S13.

[0064] For example, it is expected that the greater the number of lane changes required by the first vehicle 20a to enter another lane from its current lane, the more difficult it will be for the first vehicle 20a to enter the other lane. Therefore, in the Fig. In the situation shown in Figure 2, the first vehicle 20a entering the fifth lane #5 does not change lanes, and the fifth lane #5 is expected to be the easiest. When sorted in descending order of ease, the fourth lane #4, the third lane #3, the seventh lane #7, the second lane #2, and the first lane #1 are ranked in this order (where, for the third lane #3 and the seventh lane #7, the number of lane changes required by the first vehicle 20a to enter these lanes is the same, so the same degree of ease is expected).

[0065] When the first vehicle 20a changes lanes to enter another lane from one lane, it is expected that the faster the speed of the other vehicles 20b driving around the first vehicle 20a, or the greater the volume of traffic from the other vehicles 20b driving around the first vehicle 20a, the lower the degree of ease.

[0066] In S14, the ease level for each candidate lane is calculated, taking into account the points mentioned above. Subsequently, in S15, the rating for each candidate lane is calculated based on the predicted value calculated in S11 and the ease level calculated in S14. At this point, a higher rating can be assigned to the lane on which the first vehicle 20a can pass through the toll plaza more smoothly.

[0067] The explanation now returns to the in Fig. The sequence shown in section 8 is repeated. Fig. In the sequence shown in section 8, once the rating value for each candidate lane has been calculated in S205, the processing in S206 is then executed. In S206, the recommended lane is determined from the multitude of candidate lanes based on the rating value calculated in S205 for each candidate lane. Here, the lane with the highest rating value from the multitude of candidate lanes is selected as the recommended lane. The processing in S207 is then executed.

[0068] The aforementioned information processing in the management server 100 enables the driver of the first vehicle 20a to be assigned a lane on which the first vehicle 20a can pass through the toll plaza more smoothly. Thus, according to this embodiment, the traffic management system 1 can also facilitate smoother vehicle passage through a toll plaza on a road. modification

[0069] A modification of the second embodiment is described below. In this modification, the vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle's internal device 200a of the first vehicle 20a to the management server 100 includes position information about the location of a driver's seat in the first vehicle 20a (i.e., information indicating whether the first vehicle 20a is right-hand drive or left-hand drive). The control unit 120 of the management server 100 then calculates the ease of driving for each candidate lane in the evaluation value calculation process, taking into account the number of lane changes required by the first vehicle 20a to travel through each candidate lane, the traffic conditions around the first vehicle 20a, and the relationship between the lane-change directions and the driver's seat location in the first vehicle 20a.

[0070] For example, if the first vehicle 20a is right-hand drive, changing lanes to the left is expected to be less easy than changing lanes to the right. Conversely, if the first vehicle 20a is left-hand drive, changing lanes to the right is expected to be less easy than changing lanes to the left. In the scoring calculation process according to this modification, the ease grade for each candidate lane is calculated taking these points into account.

[0071] This allows the ease level for each candidate lane to be calculated with greater accuracy. Consequently, the accuracy of calculating the rating for each candidate lane can be improved. Therefore, the recommended lane can be determined more precisely. Third example

[0072] The schematic configuration of the traffic management system according to this embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, also in this embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, the management server 100 calculates the rating for each candidate lane based on the prediction value and the ease level. The management server 100 determines the recommended lane to be driven on by the first vehicle 20a from the multitude of candidate lanes, based on the rating for each candidate lane, and transmits the notification information to the vehicle's onboard device 200a of the first vehicle 20a.

[0073] In this embodiment, the vehicle information transmitted by the vehicle's internal device 200a of the first vehicle 20a to the management server 100 includes historical information about the driving history of the driver of the first vehicle 20a during a previous passage through the toll plaza. It should be noted that the driving history during a passage through the toll plaza may be a driving history of the first vehicle 20a passing through a different toll plaza than the one the first vehicle 20a is intended to pass through, or a driving history of the first vehicle 20a during a previous passage through a different toll plaza than the one the first vehicle 20a is intended to pass through. The management server 100 then weights the prediction value and the ease level for each candidate lane based on the historical information of the driver of the first vehicle 20a.In addition, the management server 100 calculates the rating value based on the weighted prediction value and the ease level for each candidate lane. Information processing

[0074] The information processing carried out in the administration server 100 is described below with reference to Fig. 10 described. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information processing sequence implemented in the vehicle-internal device 200a of the first vehicle 20a is the same as that described in Fig. The process shown in section 7 is described above.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in which the management server 100 is used to notify the first vehicle 20a about the recommended lane, the control unit 120 performs information processing similar to that described in Fig. The process shown in section 8, which is described above, is implemented. In this embodiment, the valuation value calculation processing process, which is described in S205 of the document in Fig. The process shown in section 8 is carried out, but in some parts differently than the one in Fig. 9. The sequence shown. Fig. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the valuation value calculation processing flow according to this embodiment. Steps S11 to S14 in this flow perform the same processing as the corresponding steps with the same reference numbers in the Fig. The process shown in 9, which is described above, is therefore only steps S25 to S26 are described below, which involve a different process than the one in 9. Fig. Perform the procedure shown in step 9.

[0076] In this process, after the ease level for each candidate lane is calculated in S14, the processing from S25 is then executed. In S25, the driving tendency of the driver of the first vehicle 20a during the previous passage through the toll plaza is derived based on the historical information contained in the vehicle information received by the vehicle's internal device 200a. Examples of the driving tendency derived here may include a passage time priority tendency or an entry ease priority tendency.For example, if a lane with a relatively short predicted transit time is selected from a multitude of lanes because the driver of the first vehicle 20a made a relatively large number of lane changes to enter the toll plaza during their previous passage, the driver's driving tendency can be determined as a transit time priority tendency, which prioritizes lanes with shorter transit times. Conversely, if a lane with relatively few lane changes to enter is selected from a multitude of lanes, even if the predicted transit time in the driver's history of the first vehicle 20a during their previous passage through the toll plaza is relatively long, the driver's driving tendency can be determined as an ease-of-entry priority tendency, which prioritizes lanes that are easier to enter.

[0077] It should be noted that the driving tendency derived in S25 is not limited to a passage time priority tendency and an ease of entry priority tendency. For example, a tendency relating to the direction of a lane change made by the driver of the first vehicle 20a (whether the lane change is to the right lane or to the left lane) can be derived as a driving tendency. Furthermore, the driving tendency can be derived taking into account the traffic conditions around the first vehicle 20a.

[0078] Subsequently, weights are assigned to the prediction value and the ease level for each candidate lane based on the driving tendency of the driver of the first vehicle 20a derived in S25. Here, a coefficient determined based on the driving tendency of the driver of the first vehicle 20a derived in S25 is used as a weight, and the prediction value and the ease level for each candidate lane can be multiplied by the coefficient.

[0079] Subsequently, in S27, the assessment value for each candidate lane is calculated based on the weighted prediction value and ease level for each candidate lane in S26. This makes it possible to calculate the assessment value not only taking into account the objective situation, but also the driving tendency of the driver of the first vehicle 20a.

[0080] The aforementioned information processing in the management server 100 makes it possible to specify a lane to the driver on which the first vehicle 20a can pass through the toll plaza more smoothly, taking into account the driving tendency of the driver of the first vehicle 20a. Other examples of implementation

[0081] The embodiments described above are merely examples, and the present invention can be modified and implemented accordingly within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the methods and means described in the present invention can be freely combined, provided there is no technical conflict.

[0082] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by a single device can be shared and executed by a multitude of devices. Processes described as being performed by different devices can be performed by a single device. Which function is implemented by which hardware configuration (server configuration) can be flexibly changed.

[0083] The present invention can also be implemented by supplying computer programs for implementing the functions described in the exemplary embodiments described above to a computer, and by having one or more processors of the computer read and execute the programs. Such computer programs can be provided to the computer from a non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium connected to a system bus of the computer, or they can be provided to the computer via a network. The non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium can be any type of disk, including magnetic disks (floppy disks (registered trademark), hard disk drives (HDDs), etc.) and optical disks (CD-ROMs, DVD discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.).) include, and be any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, such as read-only memory (ROMs), random access memory (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic cards, flash memory or optical cards.

Claims

[1] Information processing device (100) with a control unit (120) configured to perform the following steps: Selecting a variety of candidate lanes in which a first vehicle (20a) can travel at a toll point, based on whether the first vehicle (20a) intended to pass through the toll point is an ETC vehicle or not, and based on a type of each lane at the toll point; Calculating a predicted value for each candidate lane, the predicted value being correlated with a predicted required time that the first vehicle (20a) traveling in the candidate lane needs to pass through the toll plaza; Calculating a degree of ease that indicates the ease of entry of the first vehicle (20a) for each candidate lane; Weighting the predictive value and the degree of ease for each candidate lane based on a driving history of a driver of the first vehicle (20a) during a previous passage through the toll plaza; and Determining a recommended lane for the first vehicle to drive in from the multitude of candidate lanes, based on the weighted prediction value and ease level for each candidate lane. characterized by , that the weights given to the predictive value and the degree of ease are determined based on whether a driving tendency in a previous passage through the toll plaza in the driving history of the driver of the first vehicle (20a) is a passage time priority tendency or an entry ease priority tendency. [2] Information processing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the prediction value for each candidate lane is calculated based on a type of each candidate lane and the number of other vehicles (20b) queuing in each candidate lane. [3] Information processing device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the prediction value for the candidate lane, the type of which is a common lane for ETC vehicles and non-ETC vehicles, is calculated based on a ratio of ETC vehicles included in the other (20b) vehicles queuing on the candidate lane. [4] Information processing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the degree of ease for each candidate lane is calculated based on the number of lane changes required by the first vehicle (20a) to travel through each candidate lane. [5] Information processing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the degree of ease for each candidate lane is calculated based on traffic conditions around the first vehicle (20a). [6] Information processing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the degree of ease for each candidate lane is calculated based on a relationship between a direction of a lane change required by the first vehicle (20a) to travel in each candidate lane and a position of a driver's seat in the first vehicle (20a). [7] Information processing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control device (120) is further configured to perform the following steps: Receiving request information requesting a notification of the recommended lane from an in-vehicle device (200a) mounted on the first vehicle (20a); and Transmitting notification information to inform the vehicle's internal device (200a) about the recommended lane. [8] Information processing procedure performed by a computer, with: Selecting a variety of candidate lanes in which a first vehicle (20a) can travel at a toll point, based on whether the first vehicle (20a) intended to pass through the toll point is an ETC vehicle or not, and based on a type of each lane at the toll point; Calculating a predicted value for each candidate lane, the predicted value being correlated with a predicted required time that the first vehicle (20a) traveling in the candidate lane needs to pass through the toll plaza; Calculating a degree of ease that indicates the ease of entry of the first vehicle (20a) for each candidate lane; and Weighting the predictive value and the degree of ease for each candidate lane based on a driving history of a driver of the first vehicle (20a) during a previous passage through the toll plaza; and Determining a recommended lane for the first vehicle to drive in from the multitude of candidate lanes, based on the weighted prediction value and ease level for each candidate lane. characterized by , that the weights given to the predictive value and the degree of ease are determined based on whether a driving tendency in a previous passage through the toll plaza in the driving history of the driver of the first vehicle (20a) is a passage time priority tendency or an entry ease priority tendency. [9] Information processing method according to claim 8, wherein the prediction value for each candidate lane is calculated based on a type of each candidate lane and the number of other vehicles (20b) queuing in each candidate lane. [10] Information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the prediction value for the candidate lane, the type of which is a common lane for ETC vehicles and non-ETC vehicles, is calculated based on a ratio of ETC vehicles included in the other vehicles (20b) queuing on the candidate lane. [11] Non-volatile storage medium mounted on a vehicle and storing a program executed by a computer controlling an in-vehicle device (200a) communicating with an information processing device (100), wherein the information processing device (100) includes a control unit (120) configured to perform the following steps: Selecting a variety of candidate lanes that the vehicle can use at a toll plaza, based on whether the vehicle intended to pass through the toll plaza is an ETC vehicle or not, and based on the type of each lane at the toll plaza; Calculating a predictive value for each candidate lane, the predictive value being correlated with a predicted required time that the vehicle traveling in the candidate lane needs to pass through the toll plaza; Calculating a degree of ease that indicates the ease of entry of the first vehicle (20a) for each candidate lane; and Weighting the predictive value and the degree of ease for each candidate lane based on a driving history of a driver of the first vehicle (20a) during a previous passage through the toll plaza; and Determining a recommended lane to be recommended for the first vehicle to drive in from the multitude of candidate lanes, based on the weighted prediction value and ease grade for each candidate lane, and the program is configured to cause the vehicle's in-vehicle device (200a) to perform the following steps: Transfer of vehicle information, including information indicating whether the vehicle is an ETC vehicle or not, and request information requesting a notification of the recommended lane, to the information processing device (100); Receiving notification information from the information processing device (100) about the recommended lane determined by the control unit (120), characterized by , that the weights given to the predictive value and the degree of ease are determined based on whether a driving tendency in a previous passage through the toll point in the driving history of the driver of the first vehicle (20a) is a passage time priority tendency or an entry ease priority tendency. [12] Non-volatile storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the program further causes the vehicle-internal device (200a) to output the recommended lane based on the notification information received from the information processing device (100) to an interior of the vehicle.

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