Tracking support device, tracking support method, and program

Abstract

To provide a tracking support device or the like capable of suppressing a failure rate of tracking a vehicle regardless of presence / absence of a road-side camera.SOLUTION: A tracking support device comprises: position information acquisition means for acquiring position information on a position of a mobile body which tracks a vehicle; information display means for displaying a map of an area on which a device display is superimposed, the device display indicating a position of a suppression device which is arranged in the area including the position indicated by the position information so as to suppress traveling and a present state of the suppression device; and state change means for changing the state of the suppression device when a request for changing the state of the suppression device is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tracking assistance device, a tracking assistance method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There are limitations to using fixed cameras to track fleeing vehicles after accidents, hit-and-runs, etc. There is a low probability that a patrol car or police motorcycle (a white motorcycle, a motorcycle used for traffic enforcement) that can directly track a fleeing vehicle will be stationed at the scene.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle deterrent device that calculates control parameters for extending the red light of a traffic signal based on hit position information of the license plate of a wanted vehicle from a vehicle recognition camera installed on a road and the predicted travel range of the wanted vehicle. This vehicle deterrent device uses the control parameters to control traffic lights within the travel range of the wanted vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-52464 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology of Patent Document 1 cannot confirm the location of a vehicle in areas other than where a vehicle recognition camera is installed. Furthermore, the technology of Patent Document 1 cannot confirm or estimate the location of a vehicle in areas where a vehicle recognition camera is not installed. Therefore, even if the technology of Patent Document 1 is used to extend the red light of a traffic signal, the red light of the traffic signal will not necessarily be extended in the area where the wanted vehicle is traveling. The technology of Patent Document 1 cannot be said to be able to accurately deter the traveling of wanted vehicles.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tracking support device, a tracking support method, and a program that can reduce the failure rate in tracking a vehicle regardless of whether a roadside camera is present or not. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A tracking assistance device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a location information acquisition means for acquiring location information, which is information about the location of a moving body tracking a vehicle; an information display means for displaying a map of the area on which a device display showing the location of a suppression device, which is a device that suppresses driving installed in an area including the location indicated by the location information, and the current status of the suppression device is superimposed; and a status change means for changing the status of the suppression device when a request to change the status of the suppression device is received.

[0008] A tracking assistance method according to one aspect of the present disclosure acquires location information, which is information about the location of a moving body tracking a vehicle, displays a map of the area on which is superimposed a device display showing the location of a suppression device, which is a device that suppresses driving and is installed in an area including the location indicated by the location information, and the current status of the suppression device, and when a request to change the status of the suppression device is received, changes the status of the suppression device.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a location information acquisition process that acquires location information, which is information about the location of a moving body that is tracking a vehicle; an information display process that displays a map of the area on which a device display showing the location of a suppression device, which is a device that suppresses driving installed in an area including the location indicated by the location information, and the current status of the suppression device is superimposed; and a status change process that changes the status of the suppression device when a request to change the status of the suppression device is received. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present disclosure has the effect of reducing the failure rate of vehicle tracking regardless of whether or not a roadside camera is present. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that can realize a tracking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings of the present disclosure, elements connected by lines represent information exchange between the elements. However, information exchange may also occur between elements not connected by lines.

[0013] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] <Configuration> First, the configuration of the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure.

[0016] First, the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the tracking assistance device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a position information acquisition unit 110, an information display unit 130, and a state change unit 150.

[0018] <Location information acquisition unit 110> The location information acquisition unit 110 acquires location information, which is information about the location of a moving object that tracks a vehicle.

[0019] <Information display section 130> The information display unit 130 displays a map of the area on which is superimposed a device display showing the location of a restraint device, which is a device that restrains driving and is installed in the area including the location indicated by the location information, and the current status of the restraint device.

[0020] The information display unit 130 displays, for example, a map on which a device display is superimposed on a display device of the tracking assistance device 10. The information display unit 130 may also display the map on which the device display is superimposed on a display device of an information processing device such as a terminal device that is communicably connected to the tracking assistance device 10. In this case, the information display unit 130 transmits information of the map on which the device display is superimposed to the information processing device such as a terminal device. The information processing device such as a terminal device receives the information of the map on which the device display is superimposed. The information processing device such as a terminal device displays the map on which the device display is superimposed, indicated by the received information of the map on which the device display is superimposed, on a display device of the information processing device such as a terminal device.

[0021] <State change unit 150> When a request to change the state of the suppression device is received, the state change unit 150 changes the state of the suppression device.

[0022] Specifically, when a request to change the state of the suppression device is received, the state change unit 150 transmits an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to the suppression device. The instruction to change the state of the suppression device is, for example, an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to a state that suppresses vehicle travel. In response to receiving the instruction to change the state of the suppression device to a state that suppresses vehicle travel, the suppression device changes the state of the suppression device to, for example, a state that suppresses vehicle travel.

[0023] The device that controls changing the state of the suppression device may be implemented as a control device separate from the suppression device. In this case, when a request to change the state of the suppression device is received, the state change unit 150 transmits an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to the control device that controls changing the state of the suppression device. In response to receiving the instruction to change the state of the suppression device to a state that suppresses vehicle travel, the control device changes the state of the suppression device to, for example, a state that suppresses vehicle travel.

[0024] <Operation> Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure.

[0026] The operation of the tracking assistance device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0027] 2, the location information acquisition unit 110 acquires location information, which is information about the location of a moving object that tracks a vehicle (step S11). The information display unit 130 displays a map of the area on which an equipment display indicating the location of a suppression device, which is a device that suppresses traveling and is installed in the area including the location indicated by the location information, and the current status of the suppression device is superimposed (step S12). When a request to change the status of the suppression device is received, the status change unit 150 changes the status of the suppression device (step S13).

[0028] <Effects> The present disclosure has the effect of reducing the failure rate of vehicle tracking regardless of whether or not a roadside camera is present.

[0029] This is because the location information acquisition unit 110 acquires location information, which is information about the location of a moving object tracking a vehicle. The information display unit 130 then displays a map of the area including the location indicated by the location information, on which an equipment display indicating the location of the suppression device installed in the area and the current status of the suppression device is superimposed. The status change unit 150 then changes the status of the suppression device when a request to change the status of the suppression device is received. When the status of the suppression device changes to a state in which vehicle travel is suppressed, vehicles heading toward the suppression device are stopped. The travel of the vehicle being tracked by the moving object is obstructed by other vehicles stopped near the suppression device. This increases the likelihood that the vehicle being tracked by the moving object will be tracked and captured by an emergency vehicle such as a patrol car.

[0030] The location information, which is information about the location of a moving object tracking a vehicle, indicates, for example, a position where the vehicle can be seen. Therefore, the accuracy of tracking the vehicle is improved compared to tracking a vehicle using a camera installed on a road. Furthermore, the vehicle can be tracked even if there is no camera installed on the road. Therefore, there is an effect that the failure rate of vehicle tracking can be reduced regardless of the presence or absence of a roadside camera.

[0031] <Details of the First Embodiment> The first embodiment will be described in further detail below.

[0032] <Suppressor status> The suppression device status information may be obtained from the suppression device. The suppression device status information may be obtained from a device that collects suppression device status information. The suppression device status information may be obtained from a control device that controls the suppression device status information.

[0033] <Mobile object> In the present disclosure, the moving body is, for example, a drone flying in the air. The moving body may also be, for example, a vehicle traveling on the ground. The moving body includes a position measurement unit that measures the position of the moving body using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or the like, an imaging unit that images the surroundings, and a transmission unit that transmits the measured position to a tracking assistance device 10 or the like. The transmission unit is configured to transmit images (for example, moving images) obtained by imaging by the imaging unit to a device located in, for example, a command center.

[0034] The moving body tracks the vehicle by remote control by an operator at a remote location, such as a command center, away from the moving body while viewing images captured by the imaging unit of the moving body and displayed on a device that receives the images.

[0035] The mobile body may be tracked by a remote control device or the like that is installed in a remote location, such as a command center, away from the mobile body and configured to receive images captured by an imaging unit of the mobile body and remotely control the mobile body to track a specified vehicle in the images. The vehicle to be tracked is specified, for example, by an operator at the command center or the like, using an input device such as a mouse or touch panel of the remote control device while viewing an image of the vehicle displayed on the remote control device.

[0036] The mobile object may be configured to track a vehicle specified in an image captured by the imaging unit by an operator at a command center, for example.

[0037] <Suppression device> When the suppression device receives an instruction to change the state of the suppression device (for example, an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to a state that suppresses the vehicle's movement), the suppression device changes the state of the suppression device to a state that suppresses the vehicle's movement. If the state of the suppression device is in a state that suppresses the vehicle's movement, when the suppression device receives an instruction to change the state of the suppression device, the suppression device does not change the state of the suppression device in response to the reception of the instruction to change the state of the suppression device. When the state of the suppression device changes to a state that suppresses the vehicle's movement, other vehicles (vehicles other than the vehicle being pursued by the moving body) traveling toward the suppression device stop. When a vehicle traveling in front of a vehicle being pursued by the moving body stops, the movement of the vehicle being pursued by the moving body is obstructed.

[0038] The state change unit 150 may transmit the same instruction as an instruction to change the state of the suppression device regardless of the state of the suppression device. In this case, the suppression device that receives the instruction to change the state of the suppression device may perform an operation according to the state of the suppression device at the time when the instruction to change the state of the suppression device is received. That is, if the state of the suppression device is not a state that suppresses vehicle travel at the time when the instruction to change the state of the suppression device is received, the suppression device may operate to change the state of the suppression device to a state that suppresses vehicle travel. Furthermore, if the state of the suppression device is a state that suppresses vehicle travel at the time when the instruction to change the state of the suppression device is received, the suppression device may operate not to change the state of the suppression device in response to the reception of the instruction to change the state of the suppression device.

[0039] The state change unit 150 may transmit an instruction to change the state of the suppression device, which varies depending on the state of the suppression device. Specifically, when the state of the suppression device is not a state in which vehicle travel is suppressed, the state change unit 150 may transmit an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to a state in which vehicle travel is suppressed and to maintain the state of the suppression device in the state in which vehicle travel is suppressed, as the instruction to change the state of the suppression device. When the state of the suppression device is a state in which vehicle travel is suppressed, the state change unit 150 may transmit an instruction to maintain the state of the suppression device in the state in which vehicle travel is suppressed, as the instruction to change the state of the suppression device.

[0040] After receiving an instruction to change the state of the suppression device, the suppression device may not change the state of the suppression device from the state that suppresses vehicle travel until, for example, receiving an instruction to set the state of the suppression device to the normal state from state change unit 150. After receiving an instruction to change the state of the suppression device, the suppression device may not change the state of the suppression device from the state that suppresses vehicle travel until, for example, a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

[0041] The normal state is a state in which the light color changes according to a predetermined procedure when the suppression device is a traffic signal, as described below. The normal state is a state in which the gate can be opened when a predetermined condition is met when the suppression device is a gate, as described below. The normal state is a state in which the suppression device is an obstructing vehicle, as described below, when the suppression device is an obstructing vehicle, where the obstructing vehicle is not parked at the designated stopping location.

[0042] When a predetermined time has elapsed since a vehicle being tracked by a moving object passed a location where the suppression device is installed, the state change unit 150 may send an instruction to the suppression device to change the state of the suppression device to a normal state. For example, the state change unit 150 may determine that the time when the position of the moving object becomes closer than a predetermined distance from the location where the suppression device is installed and then becomes a predetermined distance or more from the location where the suppression device is installed as the time when the vehicle being tracked by the moving object passed the location where the suppression device is installed.

[0043] The state change unit 150 may send an instruction to the suppression device to change the state of the suppression device to a normal state if the distance between the vehicle being tracked by the moving body and the location where the suppression device is installed is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

[0044] <First specific example of a suppression device> The inhibitor is, for example, a traffic light that is configured to change state according to external control.

[0045] Traffic lights are installed at locations such as intersections and crosswalks. A location where a traffic light is installed is referred to as a traffic light installation location. Generally, traffic lights are often installed facing multiple directions at a traffic light installation location, except for traffic light installation locations that are not intersections on one-way roads. In this disclosure, a combination of multiple traffic lights installed at a single traffic light installation location is treated as a single suppression device. A combination of multiple traffic lights installed at a single traffic light installation location, i.e., a suppression device at a single traffic light installation location, may include a traffic light for vehicles and a traffic light for pedestrians installed at the traffic light installation location. In this disclosure, a suppression device suppresses vehicle traffic when all traffic lights in the traffic light combination represented by the suppression device are red. In this disclosure, a traffic light treated as a single suppression device is described as a single traffic light. When a single control device controls traffic lights treated as a single suppression device, the state change unit 150 sends an instruction to the control device to change the state of the suppression device. When multiple traffic lights treated as one suppression device are controlled by multiple different control devices, the state change unit 150 transmits an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to each of the multiple control devices. In this case, the position of the suppression device is, for example, a position represented by the average coordinate of the coordinates representing the positions of the multiple traffic lights included in the suppression device.

[0046] If the suppression device is a traffic light, the state of the suppression device is the light color of the traffic light. The state in which vehicle travel is suppressed is, for example, a state in which the light color is red. When a request to change the state of the suppression device is received, the state change unit 150 transmits an instruction to change the state of the suppression device (for example, an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to a state in which vehicle travel is suppressed) to the traffic light. When the traffic light receives the instruction to change the state of the suppression device, it changes the light color to red. Note that if the light color of the traffic light is solid yellow, the traffic light changes the light color to red according to a procedure for changing the light color to red. In this case, even if the traffic light receives an instruction to change the state of the suppression device, it may continue operating according to the procedure for changing the light color to red until the light color becomes red. If the light color of the traffic light is green, flashing yellow, or flashing red, the traffic light changes the light color to red according to the procedure for changing the light color to red when it receives an instruction to change the state of the suppression device. Note that if the traffic light includes only a yellow lamp used in a flashing state, the traffic light does not need to change the light color.

[0047] Furthermore, when the light color of the traffic light is other than red, the state change unit 150 may, upon receiving a request to change the state of the suppression device, transmit to the traffic light an instruction to change the light color to red (i.e., red light) as an instruction to change the state of the suppression device. When the traffic light receives the instruction to change the light color to red, it changes the light color to red according to a procedure for changing the light color to red. If the traffic light is not a pedestrian traffic light, the procedure for changing the light color to red may, for example, be to change the light color to yellow after a predetermined time has elapsed since receiving the instruction to change the light color to red, and then change the light color to red after a second predetermined time has elapsed. When the light color of the traffic light is red, the state change unit 150 may, upon receiving a request to change the state of the suppression device, transmit to the traffic light an instruction to change the light color to red (i.e., keep red light) as an instruction to change the state of the suppression device.

[0048] When a traffic light and a device that controls the light color of the traffic light are implemented as separate devices, the state change unit 150 transmits an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to the device that controls the light color of the traffic light. Note that in the present disclosure, even when a traffic light and a device that controls the light color of the traffic light are implemented as separate devices, the traffic light and the device that controls the light color of the traffic light are collectively referred to as a traffic light. Similarly, the state change unit 150 transmitting an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to the device that controls the light color of the traffic light is referred to as the state change unit 150 transmitting an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to the traffic light.

[0049] In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, when a traffic light is red, it means that the traffic light is lit red, in other words, the traffic light is red and the traffic light is lit (i.e., the traffic light is not flashing).

[0050] <Second specific example of suppression device> The restraining device may include a gate that inhibits vehicle movement, such as an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System, registered trademark) gate, configured to change state in accordance with external control. In this case, the restraining device (i.e., the gate) is configured so that the state of the restraining device can be a normal state in which the gate can be in an open state (referred to as an open state) and a closed state in which the gate cannot be in an open state. In this case, the state that inhibits vehicle movement is the closed state.

[0051] When a request to change the state of the suppression device is received, the state change unit 150 changes the state of the gate to a closed state as the state of the suppression device. In this case, specifically, when a request to change the state of the suppression device is received, the state change unit 150 may send an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to the gate control unit. When the state of the gate is a normal state, the gate control unit changes the state of the gate to a closed state upon receiving an instruction to change the state of the suppression device. When the state of the gate is a closed state, the gate control unit does not change the state of the gate from the closed state even when receiving an instruction to change the state of the suppression device.

[0052] When the gate state is in the normal state, upon receiving a request to change the state of the suppression device, the state change unit 150 may transmit, to the gate control unit, an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to the closed state as an instruction to change the state of the suppression device. In this case, upon receiving a request to change the state of the suppression device, the state change unit 150 may transmit, to the gate control unit, an instruction to change the state of the suppression device to the closed state and to maintain the gate state in the closed state as an instruction to change the state of the suppression device. When the gate state is in the closed state, the state change unit 150 may not transmit an instruction to the gate control unit even if a request to change the state of the suppression device is received. When the gate state is in the closed state, upon receiving a request to change the state of the suppression device, the state change unit 150 may transmit, to the gate control unit, an instruction to maintain the gate state in the closed state. If the gate (specifically, the gate control unit) is configured to not return the gate state to the normal state when the gate state is in the closed state until receiving an instruction to return to the normal state, the state change unit 150 may not transmit an instruction to maintain the gate state in the closed state.

[0053] <Third specific example of a suppression device> The suppression device may be, for example, an autonomously traveling obstructing vehicle that can be used to obstruct the movement of a vehicle. Upon receiving information about a designated location, the obstructing vehicle autonomously drives on a road toward the designated location. The obstructing vehicle is configured to stop in a predetermined state at the designated location. The predetermined state is, for example, a state in which the obstructing vehicle obstructs the movement of a vehicle at the designated location. More specifically, if the designated location is a location on a road, the predetermined state is a state in which the obstructing vehicle blocks the road. The state in which the movement of a vehicle is suppressed is a state in which the obstructing vehicle is stopped in a predetermined state at a designated location (i.e., a designated stopping location described below).

[0054] In this case, the position of the suppression device is, for example, a predetermined location on the road (for example, a location where the obstructing vehicle can block the road by stopping). A predetermined location on the road is referred to as a designated stopping location. One or more designated stopping locations are predetermined on the road. The states of the suppression device are a state where the obstructing vehicle is stopped at the designated stopping location and a state where the obstructing vehicle is not stopped at the designated stopping location.

[0055] When a request to change the state of the suppression device at a certain designated stopping location is received, the state change unit 150 transmits an instruction to change the state of the suppression device at that designated stopping location to the control device that controls the interfering vehicle. When the control device receives the instruction to change the state of the suppression device at the designated stopping location, it transmits information about the designated stopping location to the interfering vehicle that is closest to the designated stopping location and is not stopped at any of the designated stopping locations. Upon receiving the information about the designated stopping location, the interfering vehicle drives automatically toward the designated stopping location. The interfering vehicle stops at the designated stopping location in a predetermined state.

[0056] The interfering vehicle may be remotely driven by, for example, an operator at a command center, who drives the vehicle without being in the vehicle. In this case, the above-mentioned control device transmits information about the designated stopping locations to, for example, a terminal of the operator of the interfering vehicle that is closest to the designated stopping locations and is not stopped at any of the designated stopping locations. The operator using the terminal to which the information about the designated stopping locations is transmitted remotely drives the interfering vehicle to the designated stopping location. The operator then stops the interfering vehicle at the designated stopping location in a predetermined state.

[0057] <Map and device display> As described above, the information display unit 130 displays a map with a device display superimposed on it of an area including the position indicated by the position information. The information display unit 130 may display the map while changing the area displayed as the map in response to changes in the position indicated by the position information so that the position indicated by the position information becomes a predetermined position on the screen on which the map is displayed, for example.

[0058] The information display unit 130 may superimpose a device display representing the suppression device on a position on a map showing the position of the suppression device in three-dimensional space. The device display representing the suppression device may indicate the status of the suppression device.

[0059] As in the above example, if the suppression device is a traffic signal and the state of the suppression device is the light color of the traffic signal, the device display is, for example, a graphic in a color representing the light color. The device display may also be, for example, an illustration of a traffic signal in a color representing the light color. The device display may also be, for example, a graphic corresponding to the light color. The graphic corresponding to the light color is, for example, a graphic or illustration that differs for each light color. The device display may also be, for example, a graphic with a pattern corresponding to the light color. The graphic with a pattern corresponding to the light color is, for example, a graphic or illustration that differs for each light color. The graphic corresponding to the light color may also be, for example, a graphic with a pattern corresponding to the light color. The pattern may be, for example, the color of the device display, the color of the line representing the device display, the thickness of the line representing the device display, the flashing state of the device display (flashing state or not flashing state), etc.

[0060] As in the above example, when the restraint device is a traffic gate and the state of the restraint device is normal or closed, the device display may be, for example, a graphic corresponding to the state of the restraint device. The device display may be, for example, a graphic corresponding to the state of the restraint device. The device display may be, for example, a graphic corresponding to the state of the restraint device.

[0061] The graphic corresponding to the state of the suppression device is a graphic or illustration that is predetermined for the normal state and a graphic or illustration that is predetermined for the closed state. The graphic or illustration may be a graphic or illustration that does not change over time while the state of the suppression device is not changing. The graphic or illustration may be represented by a still image. It may also be a graphic or illustration whose color and / or shape change over time even while the state of the suppression device is not changing. The graphic in a manner corresponding to the state of the suppression device is, for example, a graphic or illustration in a manner that is predetermined for the normal state and a graphic or illustration in a manner that is predetermined for the closed state.

[0062] When the suppression device is an obstructing vehicle, the device display is, for example, a graphic corresponding to the state of the suppression device (i.e., whether the obstructing vehicle is stopped at the designated stopping location). The device display may be, for example, a graphic corresponding to the state of the suppression device. The device display may be, for example, a graphic corresponding to the state of the suppression device, in a manner corresponding to the state of the suppression device.

[0063] A state in which an obstructing vehicle is stopped at a designated stopping location is referred to as an obstructing state. A state in which an obstructing vehicle is not stopped at a designated stopping location is referred to as a driveable state. The figure corresponding to the state of the suppression device is a figure or illustration that is predetermined for the obstructing state, or a figure or illustration that is predetermined for the driveable state. The figure of a form corresponding to the state of the suppression device is a figure or illustration that is predetermined for the obstructing state, or a figure or illustration that is predetermined for the driveable state.

[0064] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0065] <Configuration> First, the configuration of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure.

[0067] The configuration of the tracking assistance device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0068] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the tracking assistance device 100 includes a location information acquisition unit 110, a suppression device selection unit 120, an information display unit 130, a request reception unit 140, a status change unit 150, a device status acquisition unit 160, and a driving direction estimation unit 170.

[0069] <Location information acquisition unit 110> The location information acquisition unit 110 acquires location information, which is information about the location of a moving object that is tracking a vehicle. The location information acquisition unit 110 may acquire the location information directly from the moving object. The location information acquisition unit 110 may acquire the location information from the moving object via another device that collects the location of the moving object. While tracking the vehicle, the moving object measures its location at multiple times and transmits location information indicating the measured location. The moving object may transmit the location information periodically, for example, at predetermined time intervals.

[0070] The location information acquisition unit 110 of this embodiment is the same as the location information acquisition unit 110 of the first embodiment.

[0071] <Information storage section 180> The information storage unit 180 stores map information and information on the location of the suppression device. If there are multiple types of suppression devices (for example, traffic signals and gates), the information storage unit 180 may further store the types of suppression devices.

[0072] <Traveling direction estimation unit 170> The traveling direction estimation unit 170 estimates the traveling direction of the vehicle from the change in position indicated by the position information of the moving object.

[0073] The traveling direction estimation unit 170 estimates the traveling direction of the moving body from the transition of the position information of the moving body. The traveling direction estimation unit 170 may estimate the traveling direction of the moving body from the latest position information and position information at one or more timings immediately before the latest position information. The traveling direction estimation unit 170 regards the traveling direction of the moving body as the traveling direction of the vehicle. The traveling direction estimated by the traveling direction estimation unit 170 is represented by a bearing.

[0074] The suppression device selection unit 120 estimates the road on which the vehicle being tracked by the moving body is traveling, for example, based on map information and information on the position of the moving body. The suppression device selection unit 120 may, for example, estimate that the road closest to the position of the moving body is the road on which the vehicle being tracked by the moving body is traveling. The suppression device selection unit 120 may, for example, estimate that the location closest to the position of the moving body on the road is the location on which the vehicle being tracked by the moving body is traveling.

[0075] The suppression device selection unit 120 estimates the vehicle's traveling direction, which is the direction in which the vehicle is traveling on the road, from information on the road on which the vehicle is traveling, information on the position of the moving object, and information on the traveling direction of the moving object.

[0076] The vehicle's traveling direction is the direction along the road. Specifically, for example, in a section of a road where a vehicle travels between two intersections, the vehicle's traveling direction indicates the direction toward which end point the vehicle is moving when the section is represented by a curve connecting two end points corresponding to the two intersections. Note that in a section of a road connected to a section where the vehicle is estimated to be traveling, the vehicle's traveling direction is the direction the vehicle would travel if the vehicle were to continue traveling straight through the intersection through which the vehicle passes. In the following description, the road in the vehicle's traveling direction is the section of the road on which the vehicle is estimated to be traveling that faces the vehicle's traveling direction from the position closest to the moving object's position. The road in the vehicle's traveling direction includes roads beyond one or more intersections in the vehicle's traveling direction.

[0077] <Suppression device selection unit 120> The suppression device selection unit 120 selects a suppression device using the position of the moving body and the traveling direction of the vehicle. The selected suppression device is referred to as a selected suppression device.

[0078] <Example 1> The suppression device selection unit 120 selects a suppression device adjacent to the position of the moving body in the vehicle's traveling direction as the selected suppression device. The suppression device adjacent to the position of the moving body is the suppression device closest to the position of the moving body. The suppression device closest to the position of the moving body may be, for example, the suppression device that is closest in a straight line distance from the position of the moving body. The suppression device closest to the position of the moving body may be, for example, the suppression device that is closest in a distance from the position of the moving body in a direction along the road on which the vehicle is traveling.

[0079] For example, the suppression device selection unit 120 selects the suppression device closest to the position of the moving object in the vehicle's traveling direction on the road on which the vehicle is estimated to be traveling. If the moving object is located within an intersection, the suppression device selection unit 120 may select the suppression device closest to the position of the moving object on each road branching off from the intersection, excluding the road heading in the opposite direction to the vehicle's traveling direction. In this case, specifically, for example, if three roads branch off from the intersection—forward, right, and left—the suppression device selection unit 120 selects the suppression device closest to the road heading forward, the suppression device closest to the road heading right, and the suppression device closest to the road heading left. If the intersection is, for example, a T-junction, the suppression device selection unit 120 selects the suppression device closest to the road heading right and the suppression device closest to the road heading left. If four or more roads branch off from the intersection, excluding the road heading in the opposite direction to the vehicle's traveling direction, the suppression device selection unit 120 selects the suppression device closest to the position of the moving object on each of the four or more roads (the same number of suppression devices as the number of roads). If the position of the mobile object is within an intersection where a suppressor is present, the suppressor selection unit 120 may select the suppressor at that intersection.

[0080] <Example 2> For example, the suppression device selection unit 120 may select a suppression device within a predetermined distance from the position of the moving object on a road on which the vehicle is estimated to be traveling, in the direction of travel of the vehicle. In this case, the distance from the position of the moving object to the suppression device may be a straight-line distance. The distance from the position of the moving object to the suppression device may be a distance along the road.

[0081] <Example 3> For example, the suppression device selection unit 120 may select a suppression device that is within a predetermined distance from the suppression device closest to the position of the moving object on a road on which the vehicle is estimated to be traveling and on a road in the traveling direction of the vehicle. In Examples 2 and 3, the suppression device selection unit 120 does not have to select a suppression device on a road on which the vehicle being tracked by the moving object can travel by making at least one of a right turn and a left turn a predetermined number of times or more from the road on which the vehicle is estimated to be traveling.

[0082] <Example 4> For example, the suppression device selection unit 120 may select a predetermined number of suppression devices from the position of the moving body on a road in the traveling direction of the vehicle on a road on which the vehicle is estimated to be traveling. If the moving body is located within an intersection, the suppression device selection unit 120 may select a predetermined number of suppression devices from the position of the moving body for each of the roads branching off from the intersection, excluding the road heading in the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0083] <Example 5> The suppression device selection unit 120 may select a suppression device in front of the moving body that is within a predetermined distance from the position of the moving body. The suppression device in front of the moving body is, for example, a suppression device whose angle between the traveling direction of the moving body and the direction from the position of the moving body to the position of the suppression device is within a predetermined angle.

[0084] The suppression device selected by the suppression device selection unit 120 may be the selected suppression device of Example 1. The suppression device selected by the suppression device selection unit 120 may be a combination of the selected suppression device of Example 1 and any of the selected suppression devices of Examples 2 to 5.

[0085] <Backward example> The suppression device selector 120 may further select a suppression device on a road in the opposite direction to the vehicle's traveling direction, thereby preventing the vehicle from traveling even if the vehicle being pursued by the moving object turns around.

[0086] <Backward Example 1> The suppression device selection unit 120 may further select, for example, a suppression device that is closest to the position of the moving object on a road on which the vehicle is estimated to be traveling, in the opposite direction to the vehicle's traveling direction.

[0087] <Backward example 2> For example, the suppression device selection unit 120 may further select a suppression device within a predetermined distance from the position of the moving object on a road opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle on a road on which the vehicle is estimated to be traveling. In this case, the distance from the position of the moving object to the suppression device may be a straight-line distance. The distance from the position of the moving object to the suppression device may be a distance along the road.

[0088] <Backward Example 3> The suppression device selection unit 120 may further select a suppression device that is within a predetermined distance from the suppression device closest to the position of the moving body, for example, on a road on which the vehicle is estimated to be traveling in the opposite direction to the vehicle's traveling direction.

[0089] <Backward Example 4> For example, the suppression device selection unit 120 may further select a predetermined number of suppression devices from the position of the moving object on the road in the traveling direction of the vehicle on the road on which the vehicle is estimated to be traveling.

[0090] <Backward Example 5> The suppression device selection unit 120 may select a suppression device behind the moving body that is within a predetermined distance from the moving body's position. The suppression device behind the moving body is, for example, a suppression device whose angle between the moving body's direction of travel and the direction from the suppression device's position to the moving body's position is within a predetermined angle.

[0091] The suppression device selection unit 120 may further select a suppression device selected by at least one combination of backward example 1 to backward example 5, in addition to the selection requesting device selected by example 1 and a suppression device selected by any of examples 2 to 5. The suppression device selection unit 120 may further select a suppression device selected by at least one combination of backward example 1 to backward example 5, in addition to the selection requesting device selected by example 1 and a suppression device selected by any of examples 2 to 5.

[0092] <Device Status Acquisition Unit 160> The device status acquisition unit 160 acquires information on the status of the suppression device. For example, the device status acquisition unit 160 acquires information on the status of suppression devices within a predetermined range from the position of the mobile object. The device status acquisition unit 160 may acquire the information on the status of the suppression device from the suppression device itself. The device status acquisition unit 160 may acquire the information on the status of the suppression device from a control device that controls the suppression device.

[0093] The information on the state of the suppression device is information indicating whether the suppression device is in a state in which the suppression device suppresses the vehicle's travel or whether the suppression device is not in a state in which the suppression device suppresses the vehicle's travel. The information on the state of the suppression device may include information on the time that has elapsed since the suppression device entered a state in which the suppression device suppresses the vehicle's travel. The information on the state of the suppression device may include information on the time until the suppression device next enters a state in which the suppression device is not in a state in which the suppression device suppresses the vehicle's travel if the state of the suppression device has not been changed.

[0094] <Information display section 130> The information display unit 130 displays a map of the area, on which is superimposed a device display showing the location of a restraint device, which is a device that restrains driving and is installed in the area including the location indicated by the location information, and the current status of the restraint device.

[0095] The information display unit 130 displays, for example, a map on which a device display is superimposed on a display device of the tracking assistance device 100. The information display unit 130 may also display the map on which the device display is superimposed on a display device of an information processing device such as a terminal device that is communicably connected to the tracking assistance device 100. In this case, the information display unit 130 transmits information of the map on which the device display is superimposed to the information processing device such as a terminal device. The information processing device such as a terminal device receives the information of the map on which the device display is superimposed. The information processing device such as a terminal device displays the map on which the device display is superimposed, indicated by the received information of the map on which the device display is superimposed, on a display device of the information processing device such as a terminal device.

[0096] As described above, the information display unit 130 may display the map while changing the area displayed as the map in accordance with changes in the position indicated by the position information, for example, so that the position indicated by the position information becomes a predetermined position on the screen on which the map is displayed.

[0097] The information display unit 130 may superimpose a device display representing the suppression device on a position on a map showing the position of the suppression device in three-dimensional space. The device display representing the suppression device may indicate the status of the suppression device.

[0098] The information display unit 130 further superimposes on the map the device display of the selected suppression device, which is the selected suppression device, in a manner different from the device displays of the non-selected suppression devices.

[0099] For example, the information display unit 130 may superimpose the device display of the selection suppression device on the map together with a graphic indicating the device display of the selection suppression device (in other words, a graphic indicating that the device display is the device display of the selected device display). The graphic indicating the device display of the selection suppression device is, for example, a rectangle, a rounded rectangle with rounded corners, an ellipse, or other graphic that surrounds the device display of the selection suppression device. The graphic indicating the device display of the selection suppression device may be, for example, a graphic that points to the device display of the selection suppression device, such as an arrow or a triangle. In this case, the information display unit 130 does not superimpose a graphic indicating the device display of the non-selected suppression device on the map.

[0100] The information display unit 130 may, for example, change the color of the background region of the device display of the selection suppression device superimposed on the map. The background region of the device display of the selection suppression device is, for example, a rectangle, a rounded rectangle with rounded corners, an ellipse, or other area within a shape surrounding the device display of the selection suppression device, other than the device display. For example, if the map is drawn in black and white, the information display unit 130 may change at least a portion of the background region of the device display of the selection suppression device to a color different from the color of that area. At least a portion of the background region of the device display is, for example, the background region of the map within the background region of the device display. The background region of the map is the area of ​​the map other than the foreground region of the map, which is the area of ​​the map where terrain and structures such as roads are depicted. At least a portion of the background region of the device display may be the foreground region of the map within the background region of the device display. At least a portion of the background region of the device display may be the foreground region of the map and the background region of the map (i.e., the entire background region of the device display).

[0101] The information display unit 130 may, for example, superimpose the device display of the selection suppression device on a map together with a graphic showing the device display of the selection suppression device, and further change the color of the background area of ​​the device display of the selection suppression device superimposed on the map.

[0102] For example, the information display unit 130 may make the outline of the area indicating the state of the selected suppression device in the device display of the selected suppression device different from the outline of the area indicating the state of the suppression device in the device display of a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device. The outline may have at least one of a color and a thickness, for example.

[0103] The device display of the suppression device that is in a state of suppressing the vehicle's travel may include information on the time that has elapsed since the suppression device entered a state of suppressing the vehicle's travel. For example, the information display unit 130 may superimpose on the map, as the device display of the suppression device that is in a state of suppressing the vehicle's travel, the device display of the suppression device that includes a character string that indicates the time that has elapsed since the suppression device entered a state of suppressing the vehicle's travel.

[0104] The device display of the restraint device that is in a state of restraining the vehicle from traveling may include information on the time until the restraint device will next no longer be in a state of restraining the vehicle from traveling. For example, the information display unit 130 may superimpose on the map, as the device display of the restraint device that is in a state of restraining the vehicle from traveling, the device display of the restraint device including a character string indicating the time until the restraint device will next no longer be in a state of restraining the vehicle from traveling.

[0105] The device display of a suppression device (e.g., a suppression device that is not in a state where the vehicle's travel is suppressed) may include information about the time until the suppression device next enters a state where the vehicle's travel is suppressed. For example, the information display unit 130 may superimpose, on the map, a device display of a suppression device (e.g., a suppression device that is not in a state where the vehicle's travel is suppressed), the device display of the suppression device including a character string indicating the time until the suppression device next enters a state where the vehicle's travel is suppressed. Note that the device display of a suppression device that is in a state where the vehicle's travel is suppressed may also include information about the time until the suppression device next enters a state where the vehicle's travel is suppressed. In this case, the information display unit 130 may superimpose, on the map, a device display of a suppression device including a character string indicating the time until the suppression device next enters a state where the vehicle's travel is suppressed.

[0106] The information display unit 130 may superimpose an interface (e.g., a button image or a rectangular or other shape) on the displayed map to accept a request to change the status of the suppression device (e.g., a request to change the status of all suppression devices at once).

[0107] <Request Receiving Unit 140> The request receiving unit 140 receives a request to change the state of a suppression device. The request to change the state of a suppression device may be a request to change the state of all selected suppression devices at once. The request to change the state of a suppression device may be a request to change the state of a specified selected suppression device individually.

[0108] The request receiving unit 140 may receive a predetermined operation using an input device (e.g., at least one of a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard) as a request to change the state of the suppression device. This predetermined operation may be an operation of selecting an interface superimposed on the map. The operation of selecting an interface may be, for example, an operation of clicking with a mouse or an operation of touching a portion of a touch panel where the interface is displayed.

[0109] The input device is, for example, the input device of the tracking support device 100. In this case, the request receiving unit 140 receives a request to change the state of the suppression device from the input device of the tracking support device 100.

[0110] The input device may be an input device of an information processing device such as a terminal device communicatively connected to the tracking support device 100. In this case, the information processing device such as a terminal device receives a request to change the state of the suppression device from the input device of the information processing device. The information processing device such as a terminal device transmits information of the received request to change the state of the suppression device to the tracking support device 100. The tracking support device 100 receives information of the request to change the state of the suppression device from the information processing device such as a terminal device. In this case, in other words, the request receiving unit 140 of the tracking support device 100 receives a request to change the state of the suppression device from the information processing device such as a terminal device.

[0111] The above-mentioned request to change the state of the suppression device (e.g., a request to change the state of the suppression devices collectively) may be made by selection (e.g., touching or clicking) on ​​an interface for accepting requests to change the state of the suppression device. In this case, the request accepting unit 140 accepts the selection, made by the input device, on the interface for accepting requests to change the state of the suppression device as a request to change the state of the suppression device.

[0112] Furthermore, a request to individually change the state of a selection suppression device may be made, for example, by selecting (for example, touching or clicking) the device display of the selection suppression device. In this case, the request receiving unit 140 receives the selection of the device display of the selection suppression device by the input device as a request to change the state of the selection suppression device.

[0113] <State change unit 150> When a request to change the state of a suppression device is received, the state change unit 150 changes the state of the selection suppression device. The state change unit 150 changes the state of the selection suppression device in the same manner as the method by which the state change unit 150 of the first embodiment changes the state of a suppression device. When multiple selection suppression devices exist, the state change unit 150 may change the states of the selection suppression devices collectively when a request to change the state of a suppression device (for example, a request to change the state of the suppression devices collectively) is received. When a request to change the state of a selection suppression device individually is received, the state change unit 150 may change the state of that selection suppression device.

[0114] <Operation> Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0115] 4 and 5 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure.

[0116] Hereinafter, the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0117] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the location information acquisition unit 110 acquires location information, which is information about the location of a moving object tracking the vehicle (step S101). Next, the traveling direction estimation unit 170 estimates the traveling direction of the vehicle from the transition of the moving object's position (step S102). The suppression device selection unit 120 selects a suppression device adjacent to the position of the moving object in the traveling direction of the vehicle as a selected suppression device (step S103). The device status acquisition unit 160 acquires the status of the suppression device (step S104). The information display unit 130 displays a map of an area including the location of the moving object, on which a device display showing the location and status of the suppression device is superimposed (step S105).

[0118] Next, in step S106 of Fig. 5, the request receiving unit 140 receives a request to change the state of the selection suppression device (step S106). If the request to change the state is not received (NO in step S107), the tracking support device 100 ends the operation shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0119] If the request to change the state is accepted (YES in step S107), the state change unit 150 changes the state of the selection suppression device (step S108). Then, the tracking support device 100 ends the operations shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0120] The tracking assistance device 100 may repeat the operations shown in FIGS.

[0121] <Effects> The present embodiment described above has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0122] <Modification of the second embodiment> The tracking support device 100 may be configured to receive from the moving object the position of the moving object and an image (e.g., a moving image, i.e., a video) captured by the moving object. Then, the tracking support device 100 may use the position of the moving object, the image captured by the moving object, and map information to control the movement of the moving object so that the moving object tracks a vehicle specified in the image captured by the moving object. In this case, the tracking support device 100 extracts vehicle features from the area of ​​the vehicle specified in the image captured by the moving object. The vehicle features may be determined as appropriate. The tracking support device 100 estimates the direction in which the vehicle is traveling in the video, and controls the moving object to move in the direction in which the vehicle is traveling. In this case, the tracking support device 100 may use the position of the moving object and the shape of the road in the map information to limit the directions in which the vehicle may travel, i.e., candidate directions in which the moving object may be moved.

[0123] This modification can be applied to other embodiments.

[0124] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0125] <Configuration> First, the configuration of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0126] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure.

[0127] The configuration of the tracking assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0128] 6, a tracking support device 101 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure includes a location information acquisition unit 110, a suppression device selection unit 120, an information display unit 130, a request reception unit 140, a status change unit 150, a device status acquisition unit 160, a traveling direction estimation unit 170, and a device change reception unit 141. The tracking support device 101 of this embodiment is the same as the tracking support device 100 of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below. Among the components of this embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 110, the suppression device selection unit 120, the information display unit 130, the request reception unit 140, the status change unit 150, the device status acquisition unit 160, and the traveling direction estimation unit 170 are the same as the components of the second embodiment that are given the same names and the same reference numerals, except for the differences described below.

[0129] <Device Change Reception Unit 141> The device change receiving unit 141 receives information indicating a suppression device that is to be changed from a suppression device that is not a selection suppression device to a selection suppression device, and information indicating a selection suppression device that is to be changed from a selection suppression device to a suppression device that is not a selection suppression device. This information indicating a suppression device is information that identifies the suppression device. This information indicating a selection suppression device is information that identifies the selection suppression device.

[0130] A suppression device that is changed from a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device to a selected suppression device is a suppression device selected from the suppression devices that are not selected suppression devices, whose device display is superimposed on the map by the information display unit 130. A suppression device that is changed from a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device to a selected suppression device is referred to as an added suppression device. A selected suppression device that is changed from a selected suppression device to a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device is a selected suppression device selected from the selected suppression devices, whose device display is superimposed on the map by the information display unit 130. A selected suppression device that is changed from a selected suppression device to a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device is referred to as an excluded suppression device.

[0131] When the device change receiving unit 141 receives information indicating a suppression device, the device change receiving unit 141 may determine that the suppression device is an additional suppression device.When the device change receiving unit 141 receives information indicating a selected suppression device, the device change receiving unit 141 may determine that the selected suppression device is an excluded suppression device.

[0132] The device change receiving unit 141 receives information indicating the additional suppression device and information indicating the excluded suppression device from, for example, an input device of the tracking support device 101. The device change receiving unit 141 may receive the information indicating the additional suppression device and information indicating the excluded suppression device from, for example, an information processing device such as a terminal device that is communicatively connected to the tracking support device 101. In this case, the information processing device such as a terminal device receives information indicating the additional suppression device and information indicating the excluded suppression device selected using the input device of the information processing device such as a terminal device from the input device of the information processing device such as a terminal device. The information processing device such as a terminal device transmits the information indicating the additional suppression device and information indicating the excluded suppression device to the tracking support device 101. Then, the tracking support device 101 receives the information indicating the additional suppression device and information indicating the excluded suppression device from the information processing device such as a terminal device. Specifically, the device change receiving unit 141 of the tracking support device 101 receives the information indicating the additional suppression device and the information indicating the excluded suppression device.

[0133] For example, the operator may select a device representation on a displayed map with a device representation of a suppression device superimposed thereon. The device representation of a suppression device that is changed to a state that suppresses vehicle travel is displayed on the displayed map as a device representation of a selected suppression device. The device representation of a suppression device that is not changed to a state that suppresses vehicle travel is displayed on the displayed map as a device representation of a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device.

[0134] When the operator changes a restraining device that is not changed to a state that restrains the vehicle from traveling to a restraining device that is changed to a state that restrains the vehicle from traveling, the operator uses the input device to select the device display of the restraining device that is displayed as the device display of the restraining device that is not the selected restraining device. When the operator changes a restraint device that is changed to a state that restrains the vehicle from traveling to a restraint device that is not changed to a state that restrains the vehicle from traveling, the operator uses the input device to select the device display of the restraint device that is displayed as the device display of the selected restraint device. The restraint device whose device display is selected using the input device, i.e., the restraint device designated using the input device, is referred to as the designated restraint device.

[0135] The input device is, for example, a mouse or a touch panel. The operator selects the suppression device by clicking or touching the device display of the suppression device. The input device receives the coordinates of the clicked or touched position on the screen displaying the map as information indicating the suppression device (i.e., the designated suppression device).

[0136] In this case, the device change accepting unit 141 identifies a suppression device whose device display is superimposed at the position indicated by the coordinates of the clicked or touched position accepted as information indicating the suppression device. If the identified suppression device is a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device, the device change accepting unit 141 identifies the identified suppression device as an additional suppression device. If the identified suppression device is a selected suppression device, the device change accepting unit 141 identifies the identified suppression device as an excluded suppression device.

[0137] The operation of specifying a suppression device as a selection suppression device using an input device (i.e., the operation of selecting a selection suppression device to be excluded from the selection suppression devices) is different from the operation of selecting a device display of a selection suppression device using an input device to request an individual change in the state of the selection suppression device. For example, if the input device is a keyboard, the operation of selecting a device display of a selection suppression device using an input device to request an individual change in the state of the selection suppression device may be a right-click on the device display. In this case, the operation of specifying a suppression device as a selection suppression device (i.e., the operation of selecting a selection suppression device to be excluded from the selection suppression devices) may be a left-click or a right-double-click on the display of the selection suppression device. For example, if the input device is a touch panel, the operation of selecting a device display of a selection suppression device using an input device to request an individual change in the state of the selection suppression device may be a tap on the device display. In this case, the operation of specifying a suppression device as a selection suppression device (i.e., the operation of selecting a selection suppression device to be excluded from the selection suppression devices) may be a double-tap or a flick on the display of the selection suppression device. A double-tap refers to consecutive taps within a predetermined period of time. The flick in this case may be a flick in any direction. An operation to identify a suppression device that is a selection suppression device (i.e., an operation to select a selection suppression device to be excluded from the selection suppression devices) is referred to as an “exclusion operation.” An operation to select the device display of a selection suppression device using an input device to request to individually change the state of a selection suppression device is referred to as a “state change operation.”

[0138] An operation of specifying a suppression device to be changed to a selected suppression device using an input device (i.e., an operation of adding a suppression device to a selected suppression device) is referred to as an add operation. The add operation may be the same operation as a status change operation on the device display of a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device. The add operation may be the same operation as an exclusion operation on the device display of a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device. The add operation may be an operation different from the status change operation and the exclusion operation on the device display of a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device.

[0139] The operations are not limited to the above examples.

[0140] <Suppression device selection unit 120> The suppression device selection unit 120 of this embodiment has the same functions as the suppression device selection unit 120 of the second embodiment.

[0141] Furthermore, when the suppression device selection unit 120 of this embodiment receives information indicating an excluded suppression device, it excludes the excluded suppression device from the selection requesting devices. When the suppression device selection unit 120 receives information indicating an added suppression device, it adds the added suppression device to the selection requesting devices. In other words, when the suppression device selection unit 120 receives information indicating an added suppression device, it selects the added suppression device as the selection requesting device.

[0142] <Information display section 130> The information display unit 130 of this embodiment has the same functions as the information display unit 130 of the second embodiment.

[0143] Furthermore, when an excluded suppression device is excluded from the selected suppression devices, the information display unit 130 changes the device display mode of the exclusion requesting device superimposed on the map to the device display mode of a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device.When an added suppression device is added to the selected suppression devices, the information display unit 130 changes the device display mode of the added suppression device superimposed on the map to the device display mode of the selected suppression device.

[0144] <Operation> Next, the operation of the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0145] 7 and 8 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure.

[0146] Hereinafter, the operation of the tracking assistance device 101 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0147] The operations from step S101 to step S105 of the tracking support device 101 shown in FIG. 7 are the same as the operations from step S101 to step S105 of the tracking support device 101 of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

[0148] Next, the device change receiving unit 141 receives information on the designated suppression device (S201). The tracking support device 101 of this embodiment performs the operation of step S201 shown in Fig. 7 and then the operation of step S202 shown in Fig. 8.

[0149] In the example shown in FIG. 8, if the information on the designated suppression device is not accepted in step S202 (NO in step S202), the tracking support device 101 then performs the operation of step S106.

[0150] If the information on the designated suppression device is accepted (YES in step S202), the device change accepting unit 141 determines whether the designated suppression device is a selected suppression device or an unselected suppression device (step S203).

[0151] If the designated suppression device is a selected suppression device (YES in step S204), the designated suppression device is an excluded suppression device that is excluded from the selected suppression devices. In this case, the suppression device selection unit 120 excludes the designated suppression device that is the excluded suppression device from the selected suppression devices (step S205). The tracking support device 101 then performs the operation of step S106.

[0152] If the designated suppression device is not a selected suppression device (NO in step S204), the designated suppression device is an additional suppression device that is added to the selected suppression devices from a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device. In this case, the suppression device selection unit 120 adds the additional suppression device to the selected suppression devices (step S206). The tracking support device 101 then performs the operation of step S106.

[0153] The tracking support device 101 may repeat the operations from step S201 to step S205 or step S206. When the tracking support device 101 receives a request to change the state of the selected suppression device instead of the information of the suppression device, the tracking support device 101 may perform the operations from step S106 onwards.

[0154] The operations from step S106 to step S108 of the tracking support device 101 of this embodiment are the same as the operations from step S106 to step S108 of the tracking support device 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

[0155] The tracking assistance device 101 may repeat the operations shown in FIGS.

[0156] <Effects> The present embodiment described above has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0157] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0158] <Configuration> First, the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0159] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure.

[0160] Hereinafter, the configuration of the tracking assistance device according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0161] 9, the tracking support device 102 includes a location information acquisition unit 110, a suppression device selection unit 120, an information display unit 130, a request reception unit 140, a status change unit 150, a device status acquisition unit 160, a traveling direction estimation unit 170, and a congestion status acquisition unit 161. The tracking support device 102 of this embodiment is the same as the tracking support device 100 of the second embodiment, except for the differences described below. Among the components of this embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 110, the suppression device selection unit 120, the information display unit 130, the request reception unit 140, the status change unit 150, the device status acquisition unit 160, and the traveling direction estimation unit 170 are the same as the components of the second embodiment that are given the same names and the same reference numerals, except for the differences described below.

[0162] <Congestion Status Acquisition Unit 161> The congestion state acquisition unit 161 acquires information on the congestion state of roads. The congestion state acquisition unit 161 acquires information on the congestion state of roads in the range displayed as a map, for example, from a server that provides information on road congestion and traffic regulations. The congestion state information may be expressed, for example, by any one of a plurality of predetermined values ​​that indicate the degree of congestion. The congestion state information is provided for each predetermined section of a road.

[0163] For example, the congestion state acquisition unit 161 may determine the congestion state of a portion of the road immediately before reaching the suppression device on the shortest route from the location estimated as the location where the vehicle is traveling to the suppression device as the congestion state of the road on which the suppression device is installed. As described above, the location estimated as the location where the vehicle is traveling is, for example, the location on the road that is closest to the location of the moving object. For example, the congestion state acquisition unit 161 may determine the congestion state of the road that shows the least congestion state among the roads that reach the location where the suppression device is installed as the congestion state of the road on which the suppression device is installed.

[0164] The congestion state acquisition unit 161 may acquire information on traffic regulations for the area displayed as a map from, for example, a server that provides information on road congestion and traffic regulations. The information on traffic regulations includes information on locations where traffic regulations are implemented. The information on traffic regulations may further include information indicating the type of traffic regulation (for example, road closure, alternating one-way traffic, lane regulation, etc.).

[0165] <State change unit 150> The state change unit 150 of this embodiment has the same functions as the state change unit 150 of the second embodiment.

[0166] Furthermore, when a request to change the state of the suppression device is accepted, the state change unit 150 changes the state of the selective suppression device after a hold time corresponding to the congestion state of the road on which the selective suppression device is installed has elapsed. The state change unit 150 changes the state of the selective suppression device in the same way as the state change unit 150 in the first embodiment changes the state of the suppression device.

[0167] The state change unit 150 determines the hold time so that the hold time is longer as the congestion level indicated by the congestion state increases. When there are multiple selection devices, the state change unit 150 determines a hold time for each selection suppression device according to the congestion level of the road on which the selection suppression device is installed.

[0168] <Information display section 130> The information display unit 130 of this embodiment has the same functions as the information display unit 130 of the second embodiment.

[0169] Furthermore, the information display unit 130 may further superimpose a traffic regulation indication, which is an indication represented by a graphic, illustration, character string, or at least a partial combination thereof, on the map. The information display unit 130 superimposes the traffic regulation indication at a position on the map corresponding to a location where a traffic regulation is in place. The traffic regulation indication may further indicate the type of traffic regulation. In this case, a different traffic regulation indication may be defined for each type of traffic regulation. The traffic regulation indication may include character strings indicating the type of traffic regulation.

[0170] <Operation> Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0171] 10 and 11 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure.

[0172] Hereinafter, the operation of the tracking assistance device 102 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0173] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the operations from step S101 to step S104 and the operation of step S105 are the same as the operations from step S101 to step S104 and the operation of step S105 shown in FIG.

[0174] 10, the tracking support device 102 performs the operation of step S301 between step S104 and step S105. In step S301, the congestion state acquisition unit 161 acquires information on the congestion state of the road (step S301).

[0175] Comparing Fig. 11 with Fig. 5, the operations of step S106 and step S107 shown in Fig. 11 are the same as the operations of step S106 and step S107 shown in Fig. 5. In addition, in the example shown in Fig. 11, the tracking assistance device 102 performs the operation of step S308 instead of the operation of step S108.

[0176] In step S308, the state change unit 150 changes the state of the selective suppression device at a timing according to the congestion state of the road (step S308).

[0177] The tracking assistance device 102 may repeat the operations shown in FIGS.

[0178] <Effects> The present embodiment described above has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0179] <Fifth embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0180] <Configuration> First, the configuration of the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0181] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure.

[0182] Hereinafter, the configuration of a tracking assistance device according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0183] 12, the tracking assistance device 103 includes a location information acquisition unit 110, a suppression device selection unit 120, an information display unit 130, a request reception unit 140, a status change unit 150, a device status acquisition unit 160, a traveling direction estimation unit 170, a device change reception unit 141, and a congestion status acquisition unit 161. This embodiment is a combination of the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment. Differences between this embodiment and the second embodiment include differences between the third embodiment and the second embodiment and differences between the fourth embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0184] <Device Change Reception Unit 141> The device change receiving unit 141 receives information indicating a suppression device that is to be changed from a suppression device that is not a selective suppression device to a selective suppression device, and information indicating a selective suppression device that is to be changed from a selective suppression device to a suppression device that is not a selective suppression device.

[0185] The device change acceptance unit 141 of this embodiment is the same as the device change acceptance unit 141 of the fourth embodiment.

[0186] <Suppression device selection unit 120> The suppression device selection unit 120 of this embodiment has the same functions as the suppression device selection unit 120 of the second embodiment.

[0187] Furthermore, when the suppression device selection unit 120 of this embodiment receives information indicating an excluded suppression device, it excludes the excluded suppression device from the selection requesting devices. When the suppression device selection unit 120 receives information indicating an added suppression device, it adds the added suppression device to the selection requesting devices. In other words, when the suppression device selection unit 120 receives information indicating an added suppression device, it selects the added suppression device as the selection requesting device.

[0188] <Congestion Status Acquisition Unit 161> The congestion state acquisition unit 161 acquires information on the congestion state of roads. The congestion state acquisition unit 161 acquires information on the congestion state of roads in the range displayed as a map, for example, from a server that provides information on road congestion and traffic regulations. The congestion state information may be expressed, for example, by any one of a plurality of predetermined values ​​that indicate the degree of congestion. The congestion state information is provided for each predetermined section of a road.

[0189] The congestion state acquisition unit 161 of this embodiment is the same as the congestion state acquisition unit 161 of the fourth embodiment.

[0190] <State change unit 150> The state change unit 150 of this embodiment has the same functions as the state change unit 150 of the second embodiment.

[0191] Furthermore, when a request to change the state of the suppression device is accepted, the state change unit 150 changes the state of the selective suppression device after a hold time corresponding to the congestion state of the road on which the selective suppression device is installed has elapsed. The state change unit 150 changes the state of the selective suppression device in the same way as the state change unit 150 in the first embodiment changes the state of the suppression device.

[0192] The state change unit 150 determines the hold time so that the hold time is longer as the congestion level indicated by the congestion state increases. When there are multiple selection devices, the state change unit 150 determines a hold time for each selection suppression device according to the congestion level of the road on which the selection suppression device is installed.

[0193] <Information display section 130> The information display unit 130 of this embodiment has the same functions as the information display unit 130 of the second embodiment.

[0194] Furthermore, when an excluded suppression device is excluded from the selected suppression devices, the information display unit 130 changes the device display mode of the exclusion requesting device superimposed on the map to the device display mode of a suppression device that is not a selected suppression device.When an added suppression device is added to the selected suppression devices, the information display unit 130 changes the device display mode of the added suppression device superimposed on the map to the device display mode of the selected suppression device.

[0195] Furthermore, the information display unit 130 may further superimpose a traffic regulation indication, which is an indication represented by a graphic, illustration, character string, or at least a partial combination thereof, on the map. The information display unit 130 superimposes the traffic regulation indication at a position on the map corresponding to a location where a traffic regulation is in place. The traffic regulation indication may further indicate the type of traffic regulation. In this case, a different traffic regulation indication may be defined for each type of traffic regulation. The traffic regulation indication may include a character string indicating the type of traffic regulation.

[0196] <Operation> Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0197] 13 and 14 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the tracking assistance device according to the present disclosure.

[0198] Hereinafter, a tracking assistance device 103 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0199] Comparing FIG. 13 with FIG. 7 showing the operation of the tracking support device 101 of the third embodiment, the operations from step S101 to step S104 in FIG. 13 are the same as the operations from step S101 to step S104 of the tracking support device 101 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7. The operations of step S105 and step S201 in FIG. 13 are the same as the operations of step S105 and step S201 of the tracking support device 101 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7. The tracking support device 103 of this embodiment performs the operation of step S301 between step S104 and step S105. The operation of step S301 is the same as the operation of step S301 of the tracking support device 102 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

[0200] Comparing Fig. 14 with Fig. 8 showing the operation of the tracking support device 101 of the third embodiment, the operations from step S202 to step S206 in Fig. 13 are the same as the operations from step S202 to step S206 of the tracking support device 101 of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, the operations of S106 and step S107 in Fig. 13 are the same as the operations of S106 and step S107 of the tracking support device 101 of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 7. The tracking support device 103 of this embodiment performs the operation of step S308 instead of the operation of step S108. The operation of step S308 is the same as the operation of step S308 of the tracking support device 102 of the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 11.

[0201] The tracking support device 101 may repeat the operations from step S201 to step S205 or step S206. When the tracking support device 101 receives a request to change the state of the selected suppression device instead of the information of the suppression device, the tracking support device 101 may perform the operations from step S106 onwards.

[0202] Furthermore, the tracking assistance device 103 may repeat the operations shown in FIGS.

[0203] <Effects> The present embodiment described above has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0204] <Other embodiments> A tracking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be realized by a computer including a memory into which a program read from a storage medium is loaded and a processor that executes the program. A tracking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized by dedicated hardware. A tracking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized by a combination of the computer and dedicated hardware.

[0205] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer capable of realizing a tracking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example illustrated in FIG. 15, the computer 1000 includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage device 1003, and an I / O (Input / Output) interface 1004. The computer 1000 can also access a storage medium 1005. The memory 1002 and the storage device 1003 are, for example, storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and a hard disk. The storage medium 1005 is, for example, a storage device such as RAM or a hard disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a portable storage medium. The storage device 1003 may also be the storage medium 1005. The processor 1001 can read and write data and programs from and to the memory 1002 and the storage device 1003. The processor 1001 can access, for example, a mobile object and another information processing device via the I / O interface 1004. The processor 1001 can also access the storage medium 1005. The storage medium 1005 stores a program that causes the computer 1000 to operate as a tracking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0206] The processor 1001 loads a program stored in the storage medium 1005, which causes the computer 1000 to operate as a tracking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, into the memory 1002. Then, the processor 1001 executes the program loaded into the memory 1002, causing the computer 1000 to operate as the tracking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0207] The location information acquisition unit 110, the suppression device selection unit 120, the information display unit 130, the request reception unit 140, the device change reception unit 141, the status change unit 150, the device status acquisition unit 160, the congestion status acquisition unit 161, and the traveling direction estimation unit 170 can be realized, for example, by a processor 1001 that executes a program loaded into a memory 1002. The information storage unit 180 can be realized by the memory 1002 or a storage device 1003 such as a hard disk drive included in the computer 1000. Some or all of the location information acquisition unit 110, the suppression device selection unit 120, the information display unit 130, the request reception unit 140, the device change reception unit 141, the status change unit 150, the device status acquisition unit 160, the congestion status acquisition unit 161, the traveling direction estimation unit 170, and the information storage unit 180 can also be realized by dedicated circuits.

[0208] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0209] (Appendix 1) a position information acquiring means for acquiring position information that is information on the position of a moving object that tracks a vehicle; an information display means for displaying a map of the area on which a device display showing the location of a restraining device, which is a device for restraining travel installed in an area including the location indicated by the location information, and a current status of the restraining device is superimposed; a state change means for changing the state of the suppression device when a request to change the state of the suppression device is received; A tracking assistance device comprising:

[0210] (Appendix 2) When a request to change the state of the suppression device is received, the state change unit further changes the state of an adjacent suppression device, which is another suppression device adjacent to the suppression device. 10. The tracking assistance device of claim 1.

[0211] (Appendix 3) a request receiving means for receiving a request to change the state of the suppression device; 3. The tracking assistance device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

[0212] (Appendix 4) The state change means changes the state of the restraint device to a restraint state in which travel is restrained. 3. A tracking assistance device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0213] (Appendix 5) a travel direction estimation means for estimating a travel direction of the vehicle from a change in the position indicated by the position information; a suppression device selection means for selecting the suppression device installed on a road in the travel direction; Furthermore, the information display means displays the map on which a selection indication indicating a selected suppression device that is the selected suppression device is superimposed, The tracking assistance device a request receiving means for receiving a request to change the state of the selective suppression device; Further equipped 3. A tracking assistance device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0214] (Appendix 6) The suppression device selection means further selects a suppression device adjacent to the suppression device installed on the road in the traveling direction as the selected suppression device, the request receiving means receives the request to change the state of the selective suppression devices all at once; The state change unit changes the states of the selection suppression devices collectively when the request to change the states of the selection suppression devices collectively is received. 6. A tracking assistance device as described in appended claim 5.

[0215] (Appendix 7) a device change receiving means for receiving information on an excluded restriction device to be excluded from the selected restriction device; Equipped with the suppression device selection means excludes the excluded suppression device from the selected suppression devices; When the request to collectively change the states of the selection suppression devices is accepted, the state change means collectively changes the states of the excluded selection suppression devices. 7. The tracking assistance device of claim 6.

[0216] (Appendix 8) the suppression device is a traffic light; the state is the light color of the traffic light, When the request is accepted, the state change means changes the color of the traffic light to red. 3. A tracking assistance device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0217] (Appendix 9) The request receiving means receives information indicating an additional suppression device selected from the suppression devices that are not the selected suppression device. Equipped with The suppression device selection means adds the additional suppression device to the selected suppression devices. 7. The tracking assistance device of claim 6.

[0218] (Appendix 10) The information display means displays the map on which the time that has elapsed since the state of the suppression device changed to the current state is further superimposed. 3. A tracking assistance device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0219] (Appendix 11) congestion information receiving means for receiving information on the congestion state of the road on which the vehicle is traveling; Equipped with When the request is received, the state change means changes the state of the suppression device after a hold time corresponding to the congestion state of the road on which the suppression device is installed has elapsed. 3. A tracking assistance device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0220] (Appendix 12) The state change means determines the holding time so that the higher the level of congestion indicated by the congestion state, the longer the holding time. 12. The tracking assistance device of claim 11.

[0221] (Appendix 13) The mobile unit measures its location and transmits information indicating the location obtained by the measurement. 3. The tracking assistance device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

[0222] (Appendix 14) When the current state of the restraint device is a restraint state in which travel is restrained, the state change means, upon receiving the request, extends the time period during which the restraint device is in the restraint state. 3. A tracking assistance device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0223] (Appendix 15) Acquire location information, which is information on the location of a moving object tracking the vehicle; displaying a map of the area on which a device display showing the location of a restraint device that is a device for restraining travel installed in the area including the location indicated by the location information and a current status of the restraint device is superimposed; When a request to change the state of the suppression device is received, the state of the suppression device is changed. Tracking support methods.

[0224] (Appendix 16) When a request to change the state of the suppression device is accepted, the state of another suppression device adjacent to the suppression device is further changed. 16. The tracking assistance method according to claim 15.

[0225] (Appendix 17) Accepting a request to change the state of the suppressor 17. A tracking assistance method according to claim 15 or 16.

[0226] (Appendix 18) The state of the restraint device is changed to a restraint state in which travel is restrained. 17. A tracking assistance method according to claim 15 or 16.

[0227] (Appendix 19) estimating a traveling direction of the vehicle from a change in the position indicated by the position information; Select the suppression device installed on a road in the travel direction, displaying the map on which a selection indication indicating a selected suppression device that is the selected suppression device is superimposed; Accepting a request to change the state of the selective suppression device 17. A tracking assistance method according to claim 15 or 16.

[0228] (Appendix 20) Further selecting a suppression device adjacent to the suppression device installed on a road in the travel direction as the selected suppression device; accepting the request to collectively change the state of the selective suppression devices; When the request to collectively change the state of the selective suppression devices is accepted, the state of the selective suppression devices is changed collectively. 19. A tracking assistance method as set forth in claim 19.

[0229] (Appendix 21) receiving information on an excluded suppression device to be excluded from the selected suppression device; excluding the excluded suppression device from the selected suppression device; When the request to collectively change the states of the selective suppression devices is accepted, the excluded suppression device collectively changes the states of the excluded selective suppression devices. 20. A tracking assistance method as set forth in claim 20.

[0230] (Appendix 22) the suppression device is a traffic light; the state is the light color of the traffic light, If the request is accepted, the traffic light changes to red. 17. A tracking assistance method according to claim 15 or 16.

[0231] (Appendix 23) receiving information indicating an additional suppression device selected from the suppression devices that are not the selected suppression device; Adding the additional suppression device to the selected suppression device 20. A tracking assistance method as set forth in claim 20.

[0232] (Appendix 24) The map is displayed with the time that has elapsed since the state of the suppression device changed to the current state superimposed thereon. 17. A tracking assistance method according to claim 15 or 16.

[0233] (Appendix 25) receiving information about the congestion state of the road on which the vehicle is traveling; When the request is accepted, the state of the suppression device is changed after a hold time corresponding to the congestion state of the road on which the suppression device is installed has elapsed. 17. A tracking assistance method according to claim 15 or 16.

[0234] (Appendix 26) The holding time is determined so that the higher the congestion level indicated by the congestion state, the longer the holding time. 25. A tracking assistance method as set forth in Appendix 25.

[0235] (Appendix 27) The mobile unit measures its position and transmits information indicating the position obtained by the measurement. 17. A tracking assistance method according to claim 15 or 16, comprising:

[0236] (Appendix 28) If the current state of the restraint device is a restraint state in which travel is restrained, when the request is received, the restraint device extends the time in the restraint state. 17. A tracking assistance method according to claim 15 or 16.

[0237] (Appendix 29) a location information acquisition process for acquiring location information that is information on the location of a moving object that tracks the vehicle; an information display process for displaying a map of the area on which a device display showing the location of a restraint device that is a device for restraining travel and is installed in the area including the location indicated by the location information and a current status of the restraint device is superimposed; a state change process for changing the state of the suppression device when a request to change the state of the suppression device is received; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0238] (Appendix 30) When a request to change the state of the suppression device is accepted, the state change process further changes the state of an adjacent suppression device, which is another suppression device adjacent to the suppression device. 29. The program described in Appendix 29.

[0239] (Appendix 31) A request acceptance process for accepting a request to change the state of the suppression device. 31. The program according to claim 29 or 30, further causing a computer to execute the above.

[0240] (Appendix 32) The state change process changes the state of the restraint device to a restraint state in which traveling is restrained. 31. The program according to claim 29 or 30.

[0241] (Appendix 33) a travel direction estimation process for estimating a travel direction of the vehicle from a change in the position indicated by the position information; a suppression device selection process for selecting the suppression device installed on a road in the travel direction; Then, the computer executes the information display process displays the map on which a selection display indicating a selected suppression device that is the selected suppression device is superimposed; The program A request acceptance process for accepting a request to change the state of the selective suppression device. Then have the computer execute 31. The program according to claim 29 or 30.

[0242] (Appendix 34) The suppression device selection process further selects, as the selected suppression device, a suppression device adjacent to the suppression device installed on a road in the traveling direction; the request reception process receives the request to collectively change the states of the selection suppression devices; The state change process changes the states of the selection suppression devices collectively when the request to change the states of the selection suppression devices collectively is received. 33. The program described in Appendix 33.

[0243] (Appendix 35) A device change acceptance process for accepting information on an exclusion restriction device to be excluded from the selection restriction device. on the computer, the suppression device selection process excludes the excluded suppression device from the selected suppression devices; When the request to collectively change the states of the selection suppression devices is accepted, the state change process collectively changes the states of the excluded selection suppression devices. 34. The program described in Appendix 34.

[0244] (Appendix 36) the suppression device is a traffic light; the state is the light color of the traffic light, When the request is accepted, the state change process changes the light color of the traffic light to red. 31. The program according to claim 29 or 30.

[0245] (Appendix 37) The request acceptance process is a device change acceptance process for accepting information indicating an additional suppression device selected from the suppression device that is not the selected suppression device. on the computer, The suppression device selection process adds the additional suppression device to the selected suppression devices. 34. The program described in Appendix 34.

[0246] (Appendix 38) The information display process displays the map on which the time that has elapsed since the state of the suppression device changed to the current state is further superimposed. 31. The program according to claim 29 or 30.

[0247] (Appendix 39) A congestion information receiving process for receiving information on the congestion state of the road on which the vehicle is traveling. on the computer, When the request is accepted, the state change process changes the state of the suppression device after a hold time corresponding to the congestion state of the road on which the suppression device is installed has elapsed. 31. The program according to claim 29 or 30.

[0248] (Appendix 40) The state change process determines the holding time such that the higher the degree of congestion indicated by the congestion state, the longer the holding time. 39. The program described in Appendix 39.

[0249] (Appendix 41) The mobile object connected to a computer measures its position and transmits information indicating the position obtained by the measurement. 31. The program according to claim 29 or 30.

[0250] (Appendix 42) When the current state of the restraint device is a restraint state in which travel is restrained, the state change process extends the time that the restraint device is in the restraint state upon receiving the request. 31. The program according to claim 29 or 30.

[0251] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0252] 10 Tracking support device 100 Tracking Support Device 101 Tracking Support Device 102 Tracking Support Device 103 Tracking Support Device 110 Location information acquisition unit 120 Suppression device selection unit 130 Information display section 140 Request Reception Unit 141 Equipment Change Reception Department 150 State change section 160 Device status acquisition unit 161 Congestion status acquisition unit 170 Travel direction estimation unit 180 Information storage section 1000 computers 1001 processor 1002 memory 1003 Storage device 1004 I / O interface 1005 Storage medium

Claims

1. a position information acquiring means for acquiring position information that is information on the position of a moving object that tracks a vehicle; an information display means for displaying a map of the area on which a device display showing the location of a restraining device, which is a device for restraining travel installed in an area including the location indicated by the location information, and a current status of the restraining device is superimposed; a state change means for changing the state of the suppression device when a request to change the state of the suppression device is received; A tracking assistance device comprising:

2. When a request to change the state of the suppression device is received, the state change unit further changes the state of an adjacent suppression device, which is another suppression device adjacent to the suppression device. The tracking support device according to claim 1 .

3. a request receiving means for receiving a request to change the state of the suppression device; The tracking support device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The state change means changes the state of the restraint device to a restraint state in which travel is restrained. The tracking support device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a travel direction estimation means for estimating a travel direction of the vehicle from a change in the position indicated by the position information; a suppression device selection means for selecting the suppression device installed on a road in the travel direction; Furthermore, the information display means displays the map on which a selection indication indicating a selected suppression device that is the selected suppression device is superimposed, The tracking assistance device a request receiving means for receiving a request to change the state of the selective suppression device; Further equipped The tracking support device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The suppression device selection means further selects a suppression device adjacent to the suppression device installed on the road in the traveling direction as the selected suppression device, the request receiving means receives the request to change the state of the selective suppression devices all at once; The state change unit changes the states of the selection suppression devices collectively when the request to change the states of the selection suppression devices collectively is received. The tracking support device according to claim 5.

7. a device change receiving means for receiving information on an excluded restriction device to be excluded from the selected restriction device; Equipped with the suppression device selection means excludes the excluded suppression device from the selected suppression devices; When the request to collectively change the states of the selection suppression devices is accepted, the state change means collectively changes the states of the excluded selection suppression devices. The tracking assistance device according to claim 6.

8. the suppression device is a traffic light; the state is the light color of the traffic light, When the request is accepted, the state change means changes the color of the traffic light to red. The tracking support device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. Acquire location information, which is information on the location of a moving object tracking the vehicle; displaying a map of the area on which a device display showing the location of a restraint device that is a device for restraining travel installed in the area including the location indicated by the location information and a current status of the restraint device is superimposed; When a request to change the state of the suppression device is received, the state of the suppression device is changed. Tracking support methods.

10. a location information acquisition process for acquiring location information that is information on the location of a moving object that tracks the vehicle; an information display process for displaying a map of the area on which a device display showing the location of a restraint device that is a device for restraining travel and is installed in the area including the location indicated by the location information and a current status of the restraint device is superimposed; a state change process for changing the state of the suppression device when a request to change the state of the suppression device is received; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images