Information processing device, parking space setting method, and program

Abstract

To properly adjust a new parking space when there is not a vacant parking space for an object vehicle or when the parking space for the object vehicle has to be increased.SOLUTION: An information processing device 100 includes a control section 110 for controlling a projection section 200 to project an image. The control section 110 acquires information related to a position of a non-object parking space for enabling a non-object vehicle being the vehicle without having predetermined identification information to be parked, and controls the projection section 200 to allow a parking position image indicating that a space is the new dedicated parking space for the object vehicle being the vehicle having the predetermined identification information to be projected to a position of the non-object parking space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a parking space setting method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, systems that assist parking in parking lots have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a parking assistance system that can guide a vehicle to an appropriate parking position by taking into account the availability of parking spaces in the parking lot. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-178718 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The parking assistance system disclosed in Patent Document 1 can identify the type of vehicle entering the parking lot, search for an available parking space that corresponds to that type of vehicle, and guide the vehicle to a parking space calculated based on the searched available space and the current position of the vehicle. However, when there are no available parking spaces or when it is desired to increase the number of parking spaces, it is difficult to provide such parking assistance.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide an information processing device, a parking space setting method, and a program that can appropriately adjust a new parking space when there is no available parking space for the target vehicle or when it is desired to increase the parking space for the target vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the information processing device according to the present invention is A control unit controls the projection unit to project an image, The control unit is Acquire information regarding the location of a non-target parking space in which a non-target vehicle, which is a vehicle that does not have predetermined identification information, can be parked; The projection unit is controlled to project a parking position image indicating that the parking space is a new exclusive parking space for a target vehicle, which is a vehicle having the predetermined identification information, onto the position of the non-target parking space. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, when there is no vacant parking space for the target vehicle or when it is desired to increase the parking space for the target vehicle, a new parking space can be appropriately adjusted. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a parking space setting system according to an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example of a first floor of a parking lot in which a parking space setting system according to an embodiment is installed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an example of a second floor of a parking lot in which a parking space setting system according to an embodiment is installed. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a direction guide image showing the direction of a parking space reserved for the disabled. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a parking position image showing a temporary parking space reserved for disabled persons. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a direction guide image showing the direction of a temporary parking space reserved for disabled persons. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a parking position image showing a temporary parking space reserved for elderly people. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a direction guide image showing the direction of a temporary parking space reserved for elderly people. FIG. [Figure 9]1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a parking position image indicating a temporary dedicated parking space for large vehicles, and an example of a direction guide image indicating the direction to the parking space. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a parking position image showing a temporary dedicated parking space for large vehicles that is set by vertically connecting general parking spaces. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a parking position image showing a temporary dedicated parking space for large vehicles that is set by connecting general parking spaces horizontally and vertically. [Figure 12] 13 is an example of a flowchart of an entering vehicle detection process according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a guide projection process according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a location guide image that guides the location of a dedicated parking space. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a full parking image indicating that a dedicated parking space is full. [Figure 16] 13 is an example of a flowchart of a temporary dedicated parking space setting process according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a warning projection process according to an embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a warning image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A parking space setting system and the like according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] (Embodiment) The parking space setting system according to the embodiment is a system that can set a new parking space even if there is no available parking space for the target vehicle by searching for an area with consecutive available parking spaces for general vehicles and projecting an image showing a temporary dedicated parking space there.

[0011] A parking space setting up system 1000 according to the embodiment includes an information processing device 100, a plurality of projection units 200, and a plurality of image capturing units 300, as shown in FIG.

[0012] The information processing device 100 is a PC (Personal Computer) and controls the overall operation of the parking space setting system 1000. As shown in FIG.

[0013] The control unit 110 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 110 executes entering vehicle detection processing, temporary dedicated parking space setting processing, and the like, which will be described later, using programs stored in the storage unit 120. The control unit 110 supports multi-thread processing and can operate multiple programs (threads) in parallel. The control unit 110 also supports data communication (inter-thread communication) between multiple programs (threads).

[0014] The storage unit 120 stores programs executed by the control unit 110 and necessary data. The storage unit 120 may include, but is not limited to, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, etc. Note that the storage unit 120 may be provided inside the control unit 110.

[0015] The communication unit 130 is a communication interface for the information processing device 100 to control the projection unit 200 and the image capture unit 300 and to acquire image data captured by the image capture unit 300, and is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) interface. However, the form of communication may be wired or wireless. For example, the communication unit 130 may perform wired communication with some of the projection units 200 and wireless communication with other projection units 200.

[0016] The projection unit 200 is a projector, and projects an image instructed by the information processing device 100 onto the ground or the like of a parking lot. In this embodiment, the parking lot is basically assumed to be an indoor parking lot, and the projection unit 200 can project an image provided by the information processing device 100 onto the road surface or the like. However, even in an outdoor parking lot, if the surroundings are dark, such as at night, the projection unit 200 can project an image onto the road surface. Therefore, the parking lot is not limited to an indoor parking lot.

[0017] The photographing unit 300 is a camera that photographs parking spaces and road surfaces in a parking lot, as well as vehicles parked or running in the parking lot, in accordance with instructions from the information processing device 100, and transmits the photographed image data to the information processing device 100.

[0018] The parking space setting system 1000 is installed in an indoor parking lot 500 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This parking lot 500 spans multiple floors, with Fig. 2 showing a plan view of the first floor of the parking lot 500 and Fig. 3 showing a plan view of the second floor of the parking lot 500. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a plurality of projection units 200 are installed at predetermined distances on the ceiling of the parking lot, for example, so that an image instructed by the information processing device 100 can be projected at any location in the parking lot 500, such as a parking space or a driving space. In addition, a plurality of imaging units 300 are installed at predetermined distances on the ceiling of the parking lot, for example, so that all vehicles entering the parking lot, vehicles driving in the parking lot, vehicles parked in the parking spaces, etc. can be photographed.

[0019] 2, parking lot 500 has a special parking space for disabled people 502 located very close to elevator hall 501. However, there are no other special parking spaces for disabled people other than special parking space for disabled people 502.

[0020] When a vehicle that has entered a parking lot 500 has a handicapped mark attached to it, the parking space setting system 1000 guides the driver of the vehicle to a handicapped parking space 502. To enable this guidance, a projection unit 200A and a photographing unit 300A are installed near an entrance / exit 503 of the parking lot 500. The photographing unit 300A photographs the vehicle that has entered the parking lot, and if it is detected that the vehicle has a handicapped mark attached to it and there is no other vehicle parked in the handicapped parking space 502 (empty), the projection unit 200A projects a direction guidance image 211, which guides the driver to the handicapped parking space 502, onto the road surface a little way into the parking lot 500 from the entrance / exit 503, as shown in FIG.

[0021] If another vehicle is parked in the handicapped parking space 502 (if it is not empty), the information processing device 100 searches for two adjacent vacant general parking spaces (vacant spaces) and projects a parking position image showing a temporary handicapped parking space at that position. For example, if two vacant general parking spaces 504, 505 are found near the elevator hall 501 on the second floor of the parking lot 500 as such vacant spaces, a temporary parking space 506 is set by connecting the two general parking spaces 504, 505 as shown in FIG. 5, and a parking position image 221 showing the temporary handicapped parking space 506 is projected at that position. Then, the projection unit 200A projects a direction guide image 212 guiding the direction of the temporary handicapped parking space 506 on the road surface a little way into the parking lot 500 from the entrance / exit 503, as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

[0022] Such a temporary dedicated parking space can be applied not only to disabled persons but also to other predetermined vehicles. For example, when a vehicle with an elderly person mark enters a parking lot, the information processing device 100 searches for two adjacent general parking spaces (vacant car spaces) that are vacant, and projects a parking position image showing the temporary dedicated parking space for the elderly at that position. For example, when two adjacent general parking spaces 507, 508 that are vacant are found next to the disabled person's parking space 502 on the first floor of the parking lot 500 as such vacant car spaces, a temporary dedicated parking space 509 that connects the two general parking spaces 507, 508 is set as shown in FIG. 7, and a parking position image 222 showing the temporary dedicated parking space 509 for the elderly is projected at that position. Then, the projection unit 200A projects a direction guide image 213 that guides the direction of the temporary dedicated parking space 509 for the elderly on the road surface a little way into the parking lot 500 from the entrance / exit 503, as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

[0023] In this way, the information processing device 100 connects two adjacent general parking spaces to set up a temporary dedicated parking space for disabled people and a temporary dedicated parking space for elderly people, but more general parking spaces may be connected.

[0024] For example, when a large vehicle enters a parking lot, the information processing device 100 searches for six adjacent general parking spaces (vacant spaces) that are vacant, and projects a parking position image showing a temporary dedicated parking space for large vehicles at the position. For example, when six adjacent general parking spaces 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, and 516 that are vacant are found near the center of the first floor of the parking lot 500 as such vacant spaces, a temporary dedicated parking space 517 that connects these six general parking spaces 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, and 516 is set as shown in FIG. 9, and a parking position image 223 showing the temporary dedicated parking space 517 for large vehicles is projected at the position. Then, the projection unit 200A projects a direction guide image 214 that guides the direction of the temporary dedicated parking space 517 for large vehicles onto the road surface a little way into the parking lot 500 from the entrance / exit 503, as shown in FIG. 9, for example.

[0025] In the above, an example has been described in which a temporary dedicated parking space is set by connecting multiple horizontally adjacent general parking spaces, but as shown in Fig. 10, a temporary dedicated parking space 519 may be set by connecting multiple vertically adjacent general parking spaces (general parking spaces 511, 518 in this figure), and a parking position image 224 indicating this temporary dedicated parking space 519 may be projected. In this case, however, it is assumed that there are no car stops at the general parking spaces 511, 518.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, a temporary dedicated parking space 520 may be set by connecting multiple general parking spaces adjacent to each other horizontally and vertically, and a parking position image 225 showing this temporary dedicated parking space 520 may be projected.

[0027] When a temporary parking space is set by connecting multiple general parking spaces adjacent in the vertical direction, the parking lot must have no car stops as shown in Figures 10 and 11. This is because in a temporary parking space set by connecting general parking spaces with car stops in the vertical direction, the car stops may get in the way and make it impossible to park a vehicle. Therefore, the information processing device 100 is assumed to store in advance in the storage unit 120, as information about the parking lot 500, not only the position and orientation of each parking space, but also information about the presence or absence of a car stop for each parking space.

[0028] In this embodiment, as described above, the information processing device 100 handles three types of vehicles, a vehicle for disabled people, a vehicle for elderly people, and a large vehicle, as target vehicles for which a temporary dedicated parking space is set. The types of these vehicles are determined by recognizing an image captured by the image capturing unit 300A when the vehicle enters the parking lot 500. Specifically, a vehicle with a disabled person mark is treated as a vehicle for disabled people, a vehicle with an elderly person mark is treated as a vehicle for elderly people, and a vehicle with a number plate number for a large vehicle is treated as a large vehicle. In the following description, a general vehicle refers to a vehicle that is neither a vehicle for disabled people, a vehicle for elderly people, nor a large vehicle. Since a general vehicle is a vehicle other than a target vehicle, it is also called a non-target vehicle. In addition, since a general parking space is a parking space mainly for non-target vehicles, it is also called a non-target parking space.

[0029] For this reason, in this embodiment, the presence or absence of a handicapped person mark, the presence or absence of a senior citizen mark, and the license plate are used as identification information for identifying a vehicle. A vehicle for which information is obtained that the identification information includes a handicapped person mark, a senior citizen mark, or that the license plate is that of a large vehicle is determined to be a vehicle with predetermined identification information (a vehicle for the handicapped, a vehicle for the senior citizen, a large vehicle), and such a vehicle is treated as a target vehicle for which a temporary dedicated parking space is to be set up. A temporary dedicated parking space is set up using parking spaces for vehicles (regular vehicles) that do not have the predetermined identification information (by joining multiple parking spaces together or by using vacant spaces around the parking spaces).

[0030] Next, the entering vehicle detection process executed by the control unit 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The entering vehicle detection process is a process in which a vehicle that has entered the parking lot 500 is photographed to obtain the identification information of the vehicle, and if the vehicle is a target vehicle (a vehicle for the disabled, a vehicle for the elderly, or a large vehicle), a guide projection process that guides the user to a dedicated parking lot is started. The entering vehicle detection process is started when the information processing device 100 is instructed to start the entering vehicle detection process (for example, the information processing device 100 is caused to start executing a program for the entering vehicle detection process). The entering vehicle detection process may be started when the information processing device 100 is started.

[0031] First, the control unit 110 monitors the entrance / exit 503 of the parking lot 500 using the photographing unit 300A installed near the entrance / exit 503 (step S101). Then, the control unit 110 determines whether or not a vehicle that has entered the parking lot 500 has been detected (step S102). If a vehicle that has entered the parking lot 500 has not been detected (step S102; No), the process returns to step S101. As a result, the control unit 110 waits until any vehicle enters the parking lot 500.

[0032] When a vehicle entering the parking lot 500 is detected (step S102; Yes), the control unit 110 photographs the entering vehicle with the photographing unit 300A (step S103). However, if an image of the entering vehicle has already been obtained in step S101, step S103 may be skipped. Then, the control unit 110 performs image recognition on the photographed image to obtain identification information of the entering vehicle (step S104). Using the identification information obtained here, the control unit 110 can determine whether the entering vehicle is a vehicle for the disabled, a vehicle for the elderly, a large vehicle, or a general vehicle that does not fall into any of these categories.

[0033] Then, the control unit 110 judges whether the entering vehicle is a general vehicle or not (step S105). If the entering vehicle is a general vehicle (step S105; Yes), there is no need to guide the user to a dedicated parking space, and the process returns to step S101.

[0034] If the entering vehicle is not a general vehicle (step S105; No), the control unit 110 starts the guide projection process using the identification information as an argument (step S106), and returns to step S101. This guide projection process is started as a thread separate from the entering vehicle detection process, and is executed in parallel with the entering vehicle detection process. Therefore, even if multiple vehicles enter the parking lot 500 one after another, the guide projection process for projecting a guide image onto each entering vehicle is started in a separate thread.

[0035] The guide projection process that is started in step S106 of the entering vehicle detection process will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The guide projection process is a process that guides the driver of a target vehicle that has entered the parking lot of the location of the reserved parking space for that target vehicle (projects a guide image onto the road surface).

[0036] First, the control unit 110 causes the photographing unit 300 to photograph a parking space reserved for a target vehicle (a vehicle for the disabled, a vehicle for the elderly, or a large vehicle) indicated by the identification information given as an argument (step S201).

[0037] In this embodiment, the only dedicated parking space in the parking lot 500 is the disabled parking space 502 shown in Fig. 2, so the control unit 110 drives the imaging units 300 installed nearby to capture an image of the disabled parking space 502. If there are multiple dedicated parking spaces for the target vehicle, all of the imaging units 300 required to monitor all of them are driven to capture an image of each dedicated parking space.

[0038] Then, the control unit 110 judges whether or not a vehicle is parked in the dedicated parking space based on the image captured in step S201, that is, whether or not the dedicated parking space is vacant (step S202). If the dedicated parking space is vacant (step S202; Yes), the control unit 110 causes the projection unit 200A to project a direction guide image (for example, the direction guide image 211 shown in FIG. 4) indicating the direction of the dedicated parking space onto the road surface slightly inside the parking lot 500 from the entrance / exit 503 for a predetermined projection time (for example, 10 seconds) (step S203). Note that this projection time of "10 seconds" is an example, and the projection time may be shorter or longer than 10 seconds, and may be projected until, for example, the entering vehicle is no longer present in the image captured by the imaging unit 300A (the entering vehicle moves toward the parking space).

[0039] If there are multiple dedicated parking spaces for vacant vehicles, the control unit 110 determines the dedicated parking space that is considered to be optimal from among the multiple dedicated parking spaces. Then, a direction guide image showing the direction of the determined dedicated parking space is projected by the projection unit 200A onto the road surface a little way into the parking lot 500 from the entrance / exit 503. Various criteria can be considered for determining the dedicated parking space that is considered to be optimal, but for example, the dedicated parking space for vacant vehicles that is closest to the entrance of the facility (elevator hall, etc.) is determined to be the optimal dedicated parking space.

[0040] Then, the control unit 110 causes the projection unit 200 to project a location guide image indicating the location of the dedicated parking space onto the road surface in front of the dedicated parking space (step S204). For example, if the entering vehicle is a vehicle for the disabled and the dedicated parking space 502 for the disabled is vacant, a location guide image 226 indicating the location of the dedicated parking space 502 for the disabled is projected onto the road surface in front of the dedicated parking space 502 for the disabled, as shown in FIG.

[0041] Next, the control unit 110 monitors the dedicated parking space with the photographing unit 300 (step S205). Then, the control unit 110 determines whether the target vehicle has entered the dedicated parking space (step S206). If the target vehicle has not entered (step S206; No), the control unit 110 returns to step S206. As a result, the control unit 110 waits until the target vehicle enters the dedicated parking space.

[0042] When the target vehicle enters the garage (step S206; Yes), the control unit 110 waits for a predetermined waiting time (for example, 10 seconds), and then ends the projection of the location guide image (step S207), and ends the guide projection process. Note that this waiting time of "10 seconds" is just an example, and the waiting time may be shorter or longer than 10 seconds.

[0043] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the dedicated parking space is not vacant (another vehicle is parked there) (step S202; No), the control unit 110 starts a temporary dedicated parking space setting process using the identification information as an argument (step S208). This temporary dedicated parking space setting process is started as a thread separate from the main process (guide projection process) and is executed in parallel with the guide projection process. The details of the temporary dedicated parking space setting process will be described later.

[0044] Then, the control unit 110 acquires information indicating whether or not the temporary dedicated parking space has been set from the temporary dedicated parking space setting process through inter-thread communication (step S209).Then, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the temporary dedicated parking space has been set based on the acquired information (step S210).If the temporary dedicated parking space has been set in the temporary dedicated parking space setting process (step S210; Yes), the process proceeds to step S203, where the control unit 110 projects a direction guide image and a position guide image on the set temporary dedicated parking space as a dedicated parking space for parking the target vehicle.

[0045] If the temporary dedicated parking space cannot be set in the temporary dedicated parking space setting process (step S210; No), the control unit 110 causes the projection unit 200A to project a full car image (for example, full car image 215 as shown in FIG. 15) indicating that the dedicated parking space is full onto the road surface slightly in from the entrance / exit 503 for a predetermined projection time (for example, 10 seconds) (step S211), and ends the guide projection process. Note that this projection time of "10 seconds" is just an example, and the projection time may be shorter or longer than 10 seconds, and may be projected until, for example, the entering vehicle is no longer present in the image captured by the capture unit 300A (the entering vehicle moves toward the general parking space).

[0046] Next, the temporary exclusive parking space setting process started in step S208 of the guide projection process will be described with reference to Fig. 16. This process is a process for setting an exclusive parking space for a target vehicle indicated by the identification information given as an argument, by linking it to a general parking space.

[0047] First, the control unit 110 judges whether or not there is an empty vehicle space in the parking lot 500 where the number of consecutive general parking spaces corresponding to the identification information given as an argument (the number corresponding to the type of vehicle indicated by the identification information) is empty. That is, if the type of vehicle is a vehicle for the disabled or a vehicle for the elderly, the control unit 110 judges whether or not there is an empty vehicle space where two general parking spaces adjacent in the horizontal direction are empty. Also, if the type of vehicle is a large vehicle, the control unit 110 judges whether or not there is an empty vehicle space where six general parking spaces adjacent in the horizontal direction are empty. Note that the control unit 110 may include information on the size of the entering vehicle in the identification information and judge whether or not there is an empty vehicle space where the necessary number of adjacent general parking spaces are empty based on the size.

[0048] If there are no consecutive vacant spaces with the number of vehicles corresponding to the identification information (step S301; No), a temporary dedicated parking space cannot be set, so the control unit 110 notifies the guide projection process via inter-thread communication that a temporary dedicated parking space could not be set (step S302), and terminates the temporary dedicated parking space setting process.

[0049] On the other hand, if there are consecutive vacant spaces with the number of vehicles corresponding to the identification information (step S301; Yes), the vacant space in the most optimal position among such vacant spaces is set as the parking position of the vehicle indicated by the identification information (step S303). Here, the optimal position may be determined based on various criteria, for example, the position closest to the entrance / exit of the facility of the parking lot 500 (the elevator hall 501 in the examples of Figs. 2 and 3).

[0050] Then, the control unit 110 starts a warning projection process using the identification information given as an argument and the parking position set in step S303 as arguments (step S304). This warning projection process is started as a thread separate from the main process (temporary exclusive parking space setting process) and is executed in parallel with the temporary exclusive parking space setting process.

[0051] Next, the control unit 110 sets a parking position image showing a temporary parking space according to the type of the target vehicle indicated by the identification information (step S305). That is, the control unit 110 sets, for example, a parking position image 221 as shown in Fig. 5 if the type is a vehicle for the disabled, a parking position image 222 as shown in Fig. 7 if the type is a vehicle for the elderly, and a parking position image 223 as shown in Fig. 9 if the type is a large vehicle.

[0052] Then, the control unit 110 controls the projection unit 200 to project the parking position image set in step S305 onto the parking position set in step S303 (step S306). As a result, when the parking position image is set, projection of the parking position image onto the temporary parking space begins.

[0053] Then, the control unit 110 notifies the guide projection process of information indicating that the temporary dedicated parking space has been set by inter-thread communication (step S307). Next, the control unit 110 monitors the set temporary dedicated parking space with the photographing unit 300 (step S308). For example, when a temporary dedicated parking space 506 for disabled persons is set at the position of the general parking spaces 504 and 505 shown in FIG. 3 as shown in FIG. 5, the temporary dedicated parking space 506 is monitored by the photographing unit 300.

[0054] Then, the control unit 110 judges whether or not the photographing unit 300 has detected that the target vehicle indicated by the identification information has been parked in the temporary dedicated parking space (step S309). If parking has not been detected (step S309; ​​No), the process returns to step S309.

[0055] When it is detected that the target vehicle has parked in the temporary parking space (step S309; ​​Yes), the control unit 110 judges whether the image capturing unit 300 has detected that the target vehicle has left the temporary parking space (step S310). If the image capturing unit 300 has not detected the target vehicle leaving the temporary parking space (step S310; No), the process returns to step S310 and waits until the target vehicle leaves the temporary parking space. By doing this, the parking position image continues to be projected while the target vehicle is parked, so that other vehicles can recognize that the general parking space is set as a temporary parking space. In other words, it is possible to prevent the target vehicle from being mistaken for an illegal parking space.

[0056] When the exit is detected (step S310; Yes), the control unit 110 waits for a predetermined waiting time (for example, 10 seconds), and then ends the projection of the parking position image (step S311), and ends the temporary exclusive parking space setting process. Note that this waiting time of "10 seconds" is just an example, and the waiting time may be shorter or longer than 10 seconds.

[0057] In the above-mentioned temporary dedicated parking space setting process, the control unit 110 sets an area (first position) that spans two or more adjacent general parking spaces where no vehicle is parked as a temporary dedicated parking space and projects a parking position image onto the first position, but a temporary dedicated parking space is not limited to an area that spans two or more adjacent general parking spaces where no vehicle is parked. For example, when there is a space that is neither a parking area nor a driving area next to a general parking space, the control unit 110 may set an area (second position) that has an area of ​​a predetermined area or more including an unparked general parking space as a temporary dedicated parking space and project a parking position image onto the second position.

[0058] Next, the warning projection process started in step S304 of the temporary-only parking space setting process described above will be described with reference to Fig. 17. The warning projection process is a process for projecting a warning image to a general vehicle approaching a temporary-only parking space so that the general vehicle does not park in the temporary-only parking space.

[0059] First, the control unit 110 monitors the parking position given by the argument with the photographing unit 300 (step S401). Then, the control unit 110 judges whether or not it is detected that the target vehicle indicated by the identification information given by the argument has been parked in the parking position based on the image photographed by the photographing unit 300 (step S402). If it is detected that the target vehicle has been parked in the parking position (step S402; Yes), the control unit 110 ends the warning projection process. This is because the target vehicle has been safely parked in the temporary parking space without being parked by a general vehicle.

[0060] If parking of the target vehicle in the parking position is not detected (step S402; No), the control unit 110 judges whether or not a general vehicle is detected near the parking position by the photographing unit 300 (step S403). For example, if a general vehicle is photographed within a predetermined distance range (for example, within 5 m) from the parking position (parking space) given by the argument, the control unit 110 judges that a general vehicle has been detected near the parking position.

[0061] If no general vehicle is detected near the parking position (step S403; No), the process returns to step S401.

[0062] If a general vehicle is detected near the parking position (step S403; Yes), the control unit 110 controls the projection unit 200 to project a warning image near the parking position where the general vehicle was detected (step S404). For example, a temporary parking space 506 is set near the elevator hall 501 of the parking lot 500 shown in Fig. 3, and if a general vehicle is detected in this vicinity by the image capture unit 300, a warning image 227 is projected as shown in Fig. 18.

[0063] Then, the control unit 110 judges whether or not a general vehicle is still detected near the warning position where the warning image 227 is projected (step S405). If a general vehicle is still detected (step S405; Yes), the control unit 110 returns to step S404 and repeats the process of projecting the warning image 227 near the parking position where the general vehicle was detected.

[0064] When a general vehicle is no longer detected near the parking position (step S405; No), the control unit 110 waits a predetermined waiting time (e.g., 10 seconds) after a general vehicle is no longer detected near the parking position, and then ends the projection of the warning image 227 (step S406), and returns to step S401. Note that this waiting time of "10 seconds" is just an example, and the waiting time may be shorter or longer than 10 seconds.

[0065] By performing the above-mentioned entering vehicle detection process, guide projection process, temporary dedicated parking space setting process, and warning projection process, the control unit 110 can link multiple general parking spaces to set a new parking space (temporary dedicated parking space) even if there is no vacant parking space for the target vehicle (the dedicated parking space for the target vehicle in the parking lot is not vacant). By using vacant general parking spaces as temporary dedicated parking spaces, the parking lot space can be used more efficiently.

[0066] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the temporary dedicated parking space for large vehicles is set by connecting six general parking spaces horizontally, but the number of connections does not need to be limited to six. For example, the control unit 110 may derive the size (vehicle width and overall length) of the large vehicle from an image captured by the image capture unit 300A when the large vehicle enters the parking lot 500, and set a temporary dedicated parking space for large vehicles by connecting general parking spaces in the horizontal and / or vertical directions in a number appropriate to this size.

[0067] For example, if the width of a vehicle entering the parking lot 500 is the same as that of a regular vehicle but its overall length is about twice as long, the information processing device 100 may connect two regular parking spaces vertically to create a temporary dedicated parking space 519, as shown in Figure 10.

[0068] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, when determining whether a dedicated parking space or a general parking space is vacant, the control unit 110 makes the determination based on the image captured by the image capturing unit 300, but this determination does not have to use the image capturing unit 300. For example, a distance sensor capable of determining the presence or absence of a parked vehicle may be provided in each parking space or around each parking space, and the control unit 110 may determine whether each parking space is vacant based on the value acquired by the distance sensor.

[0069] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, the control unit 110 sets a temporary dedicated parking space when it detects that the target vehicle has entered the parking lot and that there is no vacant parking space reserved for the target vehicle. However, the predetermined condition for setting a temporary dedicated parking space is not limited to when the target vehicle has entered the parking lot and there is no vacant parking space reserved for the target vehicle.

[0070] For example, when the target vehicle enters a parking lot, the control unit 110 may set a temporary dedicated parking space regardless of whether or not there is a vacant parking space dedicated to the target vehicle. To perform such processing, the process may be configured to always proceed to step S208 after step S201 without making a determination in step S202 of the above-mentioned guide projection process (FIG. 13).

[0071] Conversely, regardless of whether the target vehicle has entered the parking lot or not, if there is no vacant dedicated parking space for the target vehicle, the control unit 110 may set a temporary dedicated parking space. To perform such processing, instead of the entering vehicle detection processing, a processing for continuously monitoring the vacancy of each dedicated parking space installed in the parking lot 500 (dedicated parking space monitoring processing) may be executed, and if the dedicated parking space is detected to be not vacant in this dedicated parking space monitoring processing, the control unit 110 may set a temporary dedicated parking space for the vehicle parked in that dedicated parking space.

[0072] (Variation 4) In the above embodiment, no parking space guidance image is projected for general vehicles, but the projection of a direction guidance image and a position guidance image in the above guide projection process is merely one example of the projection of guide information. For example, various guide information may be projected for various vehicles, including general vehicles, by the means disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0073] (Variation 5) In the above-described embodiment, the direction guidance image and the full parking image were projected onto the road surface a little way into the parking lot 500 from the entrance / exit 503, but the projection unit 200A and the photographing unit 300A may be installed outside the parking lot 500, and the control unit 110 may detect a vehicle just before entering the entrance / exit 503 of the parking lot 500, and project the direction guidance image and the full parking image onto the road surface just before the vehicle enters the entrance / exit 503 of the parking lot 500.

[0074] (Variation 6) Outdoors during the day, the image projected onto the road surface by the projection unit 200 becomes difficult to see, so a display unit using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like may be appropriately installed outdoors instead of the projection unit 200, and the control unit 110 may display guidance images (direction guidance image, position guidance image) and a full parking lot image on the display unit.

[0075] (Other variations) In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the newly set parking space is called a temporary dedicated parking space. This is because it is assumed that the parking space is set temporarily. However, the control unit 110 may project the parking position image semi-permanently rather than temporarily. In this case, the temporary dedicated parking space is not a temporary dedicated parking space but a newly set dedicated parking space, so the above-described temporary dedicated parking space is also called a new dedicated parking space.

[0076] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can be realized not only by a normal PC, but also by a computer such as a tablet, a smartphone, or a small single-board computer. Specifically, in the above embodiment, the program for the entering vehicle detection process and the like executed by the control unit 110 has been described as being stored in advance in the storage unit 120. However, the program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an MO (Magneto-Optical disc), a memory card, or a USB memory and distributed, and the program may be read and installed in a computer to configure a computer capable of executing each of the above-mentioned processes.

[0077] Furthermore, the program may be superimposed on a carrier wave and applied via a communication medium such as the Internet. For example, the program may be distributed by posting it on a bulletin board system (BBS) on a communication network. The program may then be started and executed under the control of an OS (Operating System) in the same manner as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processes to be performed.

[0078] In addition, the control unit 110 may be configured by any processor alone, such as a single processor, a multiprocessor, or a multi-core processor, or may be configured by combining any of these processors with a processing circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0079] Although the above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and the present invention includes the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 100...information processing device, 110...control unit, 120...storage unit, 130...communication unit, 200, 200A...projection unit, 211, 212, 213, 214...direction guidance image, 215...full parking image, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225...parking position image, 226...position guidance image, 227...warning image, 300, 300A...photography unit, 500...parking lot, 501...elevator hall, 502...handicapped parking space, 503...entrance / exit, 504, 505, 507, 508, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 518...general parking space, 506, 509, 517, 519, 520...temporary parking space, 1000...parking space setting system

Claims

1. A control unit controls the projection unit to project an image, The control unit is Acquire information regarding the location of a non-target parking space in which a non-target vehicle, which is a vehicle that does not have predetermined identification information, can be parked; and controlling the projection unit to project a parking position image indicating that the parking space is a new exclusive parking space for a target vehicle, which is a vehicle having the predetermined identification information, onto the position of the non-target parking space. Information processing device.

2. When the control unit determines that a predetermined condition regarding the target vehicle is satisfied, the control unit causes the projection unit to project the parking position image. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit is After detecting that the target vehicle has been parked in the new dedicated parking space onto which the parking position image has been projected, when detecting that the target vehicle has left the dedicated parking space, causing the projection unit to end the projection of the parking position image. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The control unit is When it is detected that the non-target vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance from the new dedicated parking space, A warning image is projected on the projection unit. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The predetermined condition is satisfied when the control unit detects that the target vehicle has entered a parking lot. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

6. The predetermined condition is satisfied when the control unit detects that there is no vacant parking space reserved for the target vehicle. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

7. The predetermined condition is satisfied when the control unit detects that the target vehicle has entered the parking lot and that there is no vacant parking space reserved for the target vehicle. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

8. The control unit is The parking position image is projected onto a first position that spans two or more adjacent non-target parking spaces where a vehicle is not parked, or onto a second position that has an area of ​​a predetermined area or more that includes the non-target parking spaces where a vehicle is not parked. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. The target vehicle is a vehicle for disabled people, a vehicle for elderly people, or a large vehicle, The control unit is projecting the parking position image, having a size in which each of the target vehicles can be parked, onto the first position or the second position; The information processing device according to claim 8.

10. A control unit that controls the projection unit to project an image, Acquire information regarding the location of a non-target parking space in which a non-target vehicle, which is a vehicle that does not have predetermined identification information, can be parked; and controlling the projection unit to project a parking position image indicating that the parking space is a new exclusive parking space for a target vehicle, which is a vehicle having the predetermined identification information, onto the position of the non-target parking space. How to set up a parking space.

11. A computer having a control unit that controls the projection unit to project an image, Acquire information regarding the location of a non-target parking space in which a non-target vehicle, which is a vehicle that does not have predetermined identification information, can be parked; and controlling the projection unit to project a parking position image indicating that the parking space is a new exclusive parking space for a target vehicle, which is a vehicle having the predetermined identification information, onto the position of the non-target parking space. A program that executes a process.

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