Information providing device, information providing method, and information providing program

Abstract

To provide a technique for making it easier for passengers to reach an installation place of an emergency telephone.SOLUTION: An information providing device disclosed herein includes: an image acquisition unit 101 that acquires a captured image; an emergency telephone detection unit 103 that detects emergency telephones provided on expressways from the captured image; a memory unit 104 that stores a position of the detected emergency telephone; a vehicle position acquisition unit that acquires a position of an own vehicle; a generation unit 107 that generates support information to support an occupant of the own vehicle in reaching an installation place of the emergency telephone based on the newly detected position of the emergency telephone and the position of the own vehicle; and an output unit 108 that outputs the support information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to information providing technology.

Background Art

[0002] There is a disclosed technology for holding data of the location information and related information of a no-parking zone in a navigation device and displaying the location information of the no-parking zone and guiding a route to the no-parking zone in an emergency (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, when an accident occurs on a highway or the like, passengers are required to move to the location where an emergency phone is installed and use the emergency phone to contact the road control center. However, since the passengers do not know the location where the emergency phone is installed, it has been time-consuming to reach the location where the emergency phone is installed.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that facilitates a passenger to reach the location where an emergency phone is installed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an information providing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an image acquisition unit that acquires a captured image, an emergency phone detection unit that detects an emergency phone provided on a highway from the captured image, a storage unit that stores the position of the detected emergency phone, a vehicle position acquisition unit that acquires the position of the own vehicle, a generation unit that generates support information for assisting a passenger of the own vehicle to reach the installation location of the emergency phone based on the position of the newly detected emergency phone and the position of the own vehicle, and an output unit that outputs the support information.

[0007] An information providing method according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a step of acquiring a captured image, a step of detecting an emergency phone provided on a highway from the captured image, a step of storing the position of the detected emergency phone, a step of acquiring the position of the own vehicle, a step of generating support information for assisting a passenger of the own vehicle to reach the installation location of the emergency phone based on the position of the newly detected emergency phone and the position of the own vehicle, and a step of outputting the support information.

[0008] An information providing program according to still another aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a step of acquiring a captured image, a step of detecting an emergency phone provided on a highway from the captured image, a step of storing the position of the detected emergency phone, a step of acquiring the position of the own vehicle, a step of generating support information for assisting a passenger of the own vehicle to reach the installation location of the emergency phone based on the position of the newly detected emergency phone and the position of the own vehicle, and a step of outputting the support information.

[0009] Note that any combination of the above components, and those obtained by converting the expression of the present disclosure among a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as aspects of the present disclosure.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technology that facilitates a passenger to reach the installation location of an emergency phone.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a navigation system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The navigation system 1 in FIG. 1 includes a user terminal 10 and a navigation device 100 provided in a vehicle 20 which is the own vehicle.

[0013] The user terminal 10 is a terminal device used by a vehicle passenger. In FIG. 1, a smartphone is presented as the user terminal 10, but it is not limited thereto. The user terminal 10 may be, for example, a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The user terminal 10 and the navigation device 100 can communicate with each other via a wireless network NW such as the Internet.

[0014] The navigation device 100 is a car navigation device mounted on the vehicle 20, but it is not limited thereto. For example, it may be a drive recorder, other in-vehicle devices, and terminal devices. The navigation device 100 of the first embodiment is an example of an information providing device.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The navigation device 100 includes an image acquisition unit 101, a vehicle information acquisition unit 102, an emergency call detection unit 103, a storage unit 104, an accident detection unit 105, a distance calculation unit 106, a generation unit 107, an output unit 108, and an end determination unit 109. Each functional block shown in the first embodiment can be realized, for example, by the cooperation of hardware and software. The hardware of the navigation device 100 is realized by elements and mechanical devices such as a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) of a computer and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The software of the navigation device 100 is realized by a computer program or the like.

[0016] The image acquisition unit 101 acquires a captured image from an in-vehicle camera 30 provided in a drive recorder or the like mounted on the vehicle 20.

[0017] The vehicle information acquisition unit 102 acquires vehicle information regarding the vehicle 20. The vehicle information includes, for example, the position information, speed information, and acceleration information of the vehicle 20. The vehicle information acquisition unit 102 acquires the position information of the vehicle 20 from a GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 20. The vehicle information acquisition unit 102 acquires the speed information and acceleration information of the vehicle 20 from an acceleration sensor (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 20, respectively. The vehicle information acquisition unit 102 of the first embodiment is an example of a vehicle position acquisition unit.

[0018] The emergency call detection unit 103 detects an emergency call based on the acquired captured image. For example, the detection unit detects an emergency call by searching within the acquired captured image using a known image recognition technique.

[0019] The storage unit 104 stores the position of the detected emergency call each time the emergency call detection unit 103 detects an emergency call. The storage unit 104 updates the position of the emergency call stored until then according to the position of the newly detected emergency call each time an emergency call is detected. Further, the storage unit 104 stores map information of the highway, vehicle information, and a program for executing various processes of the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0020] The accident detection unit 105 detects an accident of the vehicle 20. For example, the accident detection unit 105 detects an accident when the variation in acceleration indicated by the acceleration information exceeds a predetermined reference value.

[0021] The distance calculation unit 106 calculates a first distance D1 between the newly detected emergency call and the vehicle 20 and a second distance D2 between the next emergency call to be reached and the vehicle 20 based on the position of the newly detected emergency call, the position of the vehicle 20, and the map information of the highway. The distance calculation unit 106 of the first embodiment calculates the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 when an accident is detected. The calculation methods of the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 will be described later.

[0022] The generation unit 107 generates support information for assisting the passengers of the vehicle 20 to reach the location where the emergency phone is installed, based on the newly detected location of the emergency phone and the location of the vehicle 20. The support information will be described later.

[0023] The output unit 108 outputs the support information. The output unit 108 of the first embodiment outputs the support information to the user terminal 10 via the wireless network NW, so as to display the support information on the display of the user terminal 10. However, it is not limited thereto, and the output unit 108 may display the support information on a display (not shown) of the navigation device 100, or may display the support information on the display of an in-vehicle device such as a drive recorder via the wireless network NW.

[0024] The end determination unit 109 determines whether to end the process for generating the support information.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows an installation example of the emergency phone. The emergency phone 50 is installed on the left shoulder of the highway 5 to contact the road control center when an emergency such as an accident occurs. The emergency phone 50 is installed at intervals of about 200 meters within the tunnel 40 of the highway 5, and at intervals of about 1000 meters in the portions of the highway 5 other than the tunnel 40. In addition, the emergency phone 50 is also installed at interchanges, service areas, parking areas, bus stops, and emergency parking zones. The passengers of the vehicle 20 that has encountered an emergency such as an accident can contact the road control center by picking up the receiver of the emergency phone 50.

[0026] Here, the map information stored in the storage unit 104 of the navigation device 100 is created by a map information production company. However, currently, the map information does not include information regarding the installation location of the emergency phone 50. Therefore, when passengers in the vehicle 20 encounter an emergency such as an accident, they need to move on foot along the highway 5 and find the emergency phone 50 by themselves. However, since passengers usually do not know where the emergency phone 50 is, it may take time to find the emergency phone 50. In addition, on the highway 5, the vehicle 20 is traveling at high speed, which is dangerous. Therefore, passengers need to quickly find the emergency phone 50 for safety reasons.

[0027] In view of the above, the processing by the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process S100 for generating support information by the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment. The process S100 starts, for example, when the navigation device 100 determines that the vehicle 20 has entered the highway from a general road based on the position information of the vehicle 20 described later.

[0028] In step S101, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires a captured image of the in-vehicle camera 30.

[0029] In step S102, the vehicle information acquisition unit 102 acquires vehicle information regarding the vehicle 20.

[0030] In step S103, the emergency phone detection unit 103 executes a search process for the emergency phone 50 on the acquired captured image, and determines whether the emergency phone 50 is detected in the acquired captured image. If the emergency phone 50 is detected (Yes in step S103), the process S100 proceeds to step S104. If the emergency phone 50 is not detected (No in step S103), the process S100 proceeds to step S105.

[0031] In step S104, the storage unit 104 stores the position of the detected emergency phone 50 based on the position information in the vehicle information when the emergency phone 50 is detected.

[0032] In step S105, the accident detection unit 105 determines whether an accident has occurred in the vehicle 20 based on the acceleration information in the vehicle information. If an accident has occurred (Yes in step S105), the process S100 proceeds to step S106. If no accident has occurred (No in step S105), the process S100 proceeds to step S109.

[0033] In step S106, the distance calculation unit 106 calculates the first distance D1 and the second distance D2. Using FIG. 5, the distance calculation process S106 in step S106 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the distance calculation process S106 in step S106.

[0034] In step S201, the distance calculation unit 106 calculates the distance between the position of the newly detected emergency phone 50 and the position of the vehicle 20 as the first distance D1 [meter]. For example, the distance calculation unit 106 reads out the position of the emergency phone 50 stored in the storage unit 104, and calculates the first distance D1 by a known method based on the read position of the emergency phone 50 and the position information in the vehicle information.

[0035] In step S202, the distance calculation unit 106 determines whether the vehicle 20 is located inside the tunnel 40 based on the position of the vehicle 20 and the map information. For example, the distance calculation unit 106 reads out the map information from the storage unit 104 and determines whether the vehicle 20 is located inside the tunnel 40 in the map information. If the vehicle 20 is located inside the tunnel 40 (Yes in step S202), the distance calculation process S106 proceeds to step S203. If the vehicle 20 is not located inside the tunnel 40 (No in step S202), the distance calculation process S106 proceeds to step S204.

[0036] In step S203, since the emergency phones 50 are installed at intervals of about 200 meters inside the tunnel 40, the distance calculation unit 106 calculates the second distance D2 [meter] using the following formula (1). D2 = 200 - D1 Formula (1)

[0037] In step S204, since the emergency phones 50 are installed at intervals of approximately 1000 meters in the portions outside the tunnel 40 of the highway, the distance calculation unit 106 calculates the second distance D2 [meters] using the following formula (2). D2 = 1000 - D1 Formula (2)

[0038] After steps S203 and S204, the distance calculation process S106 ends, and the process S100 proceeds to step S107.

[0039] In step S107, the generation unit 107 generates support information based on the first distance D1 and the second distance D2. FIG. 6 illustrates the support information of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows an example of the support information when the vehicle 20 is located inside the tunnel 40 and D1 = 50 [meters] and D2 = 150 [meters] are calculated. For example, in the support information of FIG. 6, the positional relationship between the newly detected emergency phone 50A, the own vehicle 20, and the next emergency phone 50B to be reached is shown. Also, for example, in the support information of FIG. 6, the distance between the newly detected emergency phone 50A and the vehicle 20 and the distance between the vehicle 20 and the next emergency phone 50B to be reached by the vehicle 20 are shown as 50:150 (= 1:3). Also, for example, in the support information of FIG. 6, D1 = 50 [meters] and D2 = 150 [meters] are shown.

[0040] In step S108, the output unit 108 outputs the support information to the user terminal 10. As a result, for example, the support information of FIG. 6 is displayed on the user terminal 10.

[0041] After step S108, the process S100 proceeds to step S109.

[0042] In step S109, the end determination unit 109 determines whether to end the process S100 for generating support information. For example, when the end determination unit 109 receives a user input to end the process S100 for generating support information via a user input device (not shown) provided in the navigation device 100 or the user terminal 10, or when the vehicle 20 enters a general road from a highway based on the position information, it determines to end the process S100 for generating support information. If it determines to end (Yes in step S109), the process S100 ends. If it does not determine to end (No in step S109), the process S100 returns to step S101, and steps S101 to S109 are repeatedly executed until it is determined to end in step S109.

[0043] In the first embodiment, the navigation device 100 includes an image acquisition unit 101 that acquires a photographed image, an emergency phone detection unit 103 that detects an emergency phone 50 provided on the highway 5 from the photographed image, a storage unit 104 that stores the position of the detected emergency phone 50, a vehicle information acquisition unit 102 (vehicle position acquisition unit) that acquires the position of the own vehicle 20, and a generation unit 107 that generates support information for assisting the passengers of the own vehicle 20 to reach the installation location of the emergency phone 50 based on the position of the newly detected emergency phone 50 and the position of the own vehicle 20, and an output unit 108 that outputs the support information. According to this configuration, it becomes easier for the passengers to reach the installation location of the emergency phone 50.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the distance calculation unit 106 calculates a first distance D1 between the newly detected emergency phone 50A and the host vehicle 20 and a second distance D2 between the next-arriving emergency phone 50B and the host vehicle 20 based on the position of the newly detected emergency phone 50A, the position of the host vehicle 20, and the map information of the highway. The generation unit 107 generates support information indicating the positional relationship among the newly detected emergency phone 50A, the host vehicle 20, and the next-arriving emergency phone 50B based on the first distance D1 and the second distance D2. According to this configuration, since the passenger can grasp the positional relationship among the newly detected emergency phone 50A, the host vehicle 20, and the next-arriving emergency phone 50B, it is possible to easily reach an appropriate installation location of the emergency phone 50.

[0045] Hereinafter, a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the support information indicates the positional relationship among the newly detected emergency phone 50A, the host vehicle 20, and the next-arriving emergency phone 50B, but is not limited thereto. For example, the support information may indicate only the positional relationship between the newly detected emergency phone 50A and the host vehicle 20, or may indicate only the positional relationship between the host vehicle 20 and the next-arriving emergency phone 50B.

[0047] In FIG. 6, the support information is generated so as to indicate D1 = 50 [meters] and D2 = 150 [meters], but is not limited thereto. For example, in the support information, the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 may not be indicated. Further, in the support information, only the smaller one of the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 may be indicated.

[0048] In the first embodiment, the generation unit 107 generates the support information when an accident is detected, but is not limited thereto, and the support information may be generated at all times.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the support information is displayed on the display, but may be output as sound.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the position information of the vehicle 20 is obtained from a GPS (not shown) or the like mounted on the vehicle 20, but it is not limited thereto. Starting from the time when the emergency phone 50 is newly detected, the first distance D1 may be calculated based on the elapsed time since the emergency phone 50 was newly detected and the average speed of the vehicle 20.

[0051] For example, when the passenger arrives at the installation location of the emergency phone 50, the output unit 108 may output information exemplifying how to use the emergency phone 50.

[0052] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described mainly focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the common points with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it recommends using the emergency phone 50 closest to the vehicle 20.

[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates the support information according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, for example, the generation unit 107 generates support information as shown by recommending the use of the emergency phone 50 closest to the vehicle 20 based on the first distance D1 and the second distance D2. In the example of FIG. 7, the emergency phone 50A closest to the vehicle 20 is the recommended emergency phone, and the route to the emergency phone 50A is indicated by an arrow. According to the second embodiment, it is possible to guide the passenger of the vehicle 20 to the installation location of the closest emergency phone 50.

[0054] Third Embodiment Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described mainly focusing on the differences from the second embodiment, and the description of the common points with the second embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that it recommends the use of an appropriate emergency phone 50 based not only on the emergency phone 50 closest to the vehicle 20 but also on various conditions.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the support information generation process S107 in step S107 of FIG. 4 according to the third embodiment.

[0056] In step S301, the generation unit 107 determines whether the vehicle 20 is located inside the tunnel 40 based on the position of the vehicle 20 and the map information. For example, the generation unit 107 reads the map information from the storage unit 104 and determines whether the vehicle 20 is located inside the tunnel 40 in the map information. If the vehicle 20 is not located inside the tunnel 40 (No in step S301), the support information generation process S107 proceeds to step S307.

[0057] In step S307, the generation unit 107 generates support information to guide the vehicle to the nearest emergency phone.

[0058] When returning to step S301, if the vehicle 20 is located inside the tunnel 40 (Yes in step S301), the support information generation process S107 proceeds to step S302.

[0059] In step S302, the generation unit 107 determines whether the current time is night. For example, the generation unit 107 reads the current date and time information from a clock (not shown) of the navigation device 100 and determines whether the current time is night based on the date and time information. If it is night (Yes in step S302), the support information generation process S107 proceeds to step S303.

[0060] In step S303, the generation unit 107 determines whether there is a location for installing an emergency phone in a better environment around the vehicle 20. For example, the generation unit 107 reads map information from the storage unit 104 and determines whether there is a location for installing an emergency phone 40 in a good environment within a range of 700 meters from the position of the vehicle 20. The location for installing an emergency phone 50 in a good environment refers to, for example, a location for an emergency phone 50 in an environment that satisfies at least one of (a) bright, (b) safe, (c) not easily exposed to rain and wind, and (d) warm temperature (for example, 10°C to 25°C, etc.), such as an interchange, a service area, a parking area, a bus stop, an emergency parking zone, a tunnel, etc. If there is a location for installing an emergency phone 50 in a good environment around the vehicle 20 (Yes in step S303), the support information generation process S107 proceeds to step S306. If there is no location for installing an emergency phone 50 in a good environment around the vehicle 20 (No in step S303), the support information generation process S107 proceeds to step S307.

[0061] In step S306, the generation unit 107 generates support information to guide to the emergency phone at the installation location in a good environment.

[0062] When returning to step S302, if it is not nighttime (No in step S302), the support information generation process S107 proceeds to step S304.

[0063] In step S304, the generation unit 107 determines whether the temperature at the position of the vehicle 20 is outside the reference range. For example, the generation unit 107 accesses a server installed in, for example, the Japan Meteorological Agency via the wireless network NW to obtain temperature information, and determines whether the temperature at the position of the vehicle 20 is outside the reference range (for example, 5°C to 30°C). If the temperature is outside the reference range (Yes in step S304), the support information generation process S107 proceeds to step S303. If the temperature is not outside the reference range (No in step S304), the support information generation process S107 proceeds to step S305.

[0064] In step S305, the generation unit 107 determines whether the weather at the position of the vehicle 20 is bad weather. For example, the generation unit 107 accesses a server installed in, for example, the Meteorological Agency via the wireless network NW to obtain weather information, and determines whether the weather at the position of the vehicle 20 is bad weather (for example, rain, snow, strong wind). If the weather is bad weather (Yes in step S305), the support information generation process S107 proceeds to step S303. If the weather is not bad weather (No in step S305), the support information generation process S107 proceeds to step S307.

[0065] After steps S306 and S307, the support information generation process S107 ends, and the process S100 proceeds to step S108.

[0066] FIG. 9 illustrates support information according to the third embodiment. In the example of FIG. 9, at least one of the conditions of nighttime in step S302, outside the reference range of the temperature in step S304, and bad weather in step S305 is satisfied (at least one of steps S302, S304, and S305 is Yes), and it is assumed that a service area SA is located within a predetermined range from the vehicle 20 (Yes in step S303). In this case, the generation unit 107 generates support information as shown, recommending the use of the emergency phone 50B provided in the service area SA instead of the emergency phone 50A closest to the vehicle 20. In the example of FIG. 9, the route to the emergency phone 50B is indicated by an arrow.

[0067] In the third embodiment, the generation unit 107 generates support information indicating the emergency phone 50 recommended for use based on at least one of the position of the own vehicle 20, the date and time when the position of the own vehicle 20 was acquired, the temperature, and the weather, the first distance D1, and the second distance D2. According to this configuration, it is possible to guide the passengers of the vehicle 20 to the appropriate installation location of the emergency phone 50 according to the situation.

[0068] When the passengers include the elderly in their later years or infants and toddlers, even if at least one of the conditions in steps S302, S304, and S305 is satisfied, considering the physical strength of the passengers, the generation unit 107 may generate assistance information to guide to the installation location of the nearest emergency phone 50.

[0069] In the third embodiment, the conditions are judged in the order of steps S302, S304, and S305. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The generation unit 107 may judge the conditions of steps S302, S304, and S305 in any order.

[0070] As described above, the present disclosure has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are examples, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each of these components and combinations of each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Signs

[0071] 1 Navigation system, 5 Highway, 10 User terminal, 20 Vehicle, 30 In-vehicle camera, 40 Tunnel, 50 Emergency phone, 100 Navigation device, 101 Image acquisition unit, 102 Vehicle information acquisition unit, 103 Emergency phone detection unit, 104 Storage unit, 105 Accident detection unit, 106 Distance calculation unit, 107 Generation unit, 108 Output unit, 109 End judgment unit.

Claims

1. An image acquisition unit that acquires a captured image; An emergency phone detection unit that detects an emergency phone provided on a highway from the captured image; A storage unit that stores the position of the detected emergency phone; A vehicle position acquisition unit that acquires the position of the own vehicle; A generation unit that generates support information for assisting a passenger of the own vehicle to reach the installation location of the emergency phone based on the position of the newly detected emergency phone and the position of the own vehicle; An output unit that outputs the support information; An information providing device comprising the above.

2. Further comprising a distance calculation unit that calculates a first distance between the newly detected emergency phone and the own vehicle and a second distance between the own vehicle and the next emergency phone to be reached based on the position of the newly detected emergency phone, the position of the own vehicle, and map information of the highway, The generation unit generates the support information indicating the positional relationship between the newly detected emergency phone, the own vehicle, and the next emergency phone to be reached based on the first distance and the second distance. The information providing device according to claim 1.

3. Further comprising a distance calculation unit that calculates a first distance between the newly detected emergency phone and the own vehicle and a second distance between the own vehicle and the next emergency phone to be reached based on the position of the newly detected emergency phone, the position of the own vehicle, and map information of the highway, The generation unit generates the support information indicating the emergency phone recommended for use based on at least one of the position of the own vehicle, the date and time, temperature, and weather when the position of the own vehicle is acquired, the first distance, and the second distance. The information providing device according to claim 1.

4. A step of acquiring a captured image; A step of detecting an emergency phone provided on a highway from the captured image; A step of storing the position of the detected emergency phone; A step of acquiring the position of the own vehicle, A step of generating support information for assisting a passenger of the own vehicle to reach the installation location of the emergency phone based on the position of the newly detected emergency phone and the position of the own vehicle, A step of outputting the support information, An information providing method comprising the above.

5. Causing a computer to, A step of acquiring a photographed image, A step of detecting an emergency phone provided on a highway from the photographed image, A step of storing the position of the detected emergency phone, A step of acquiring the position of the own vehicle, A step of generating support information for assisting a passenger of the own vehicle to reach the installation location of the emergency phone based on the position of the newly detected emergency phone and the position of the own vehicle, A step of outputting the support information, An information providing program for causing the above to be executed.

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