Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of displaying locations near destinations, including parking lots. [Solution] The information processing device includes a storage unit that stores map information including road images and information on the height of structures on the road; an acquisition unit that acquires image information obtained by imaging an area including the entrance to a parking lot and vehicle information generated by a vehicle entering the parking lot; an extraction unit that analyzes the image information (image) and extracts features that obstruct the view of the entrance to the parking lot; an evaluation unit that uses at least one of the image information (image) and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information to evaluate the visibility of the entrance to the parking lot and related content to determine how easily they can be seen; and a display control unit that, if the value of the visibility evaluation by the evaluation unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value, performs a transparency display processing to relatively increase the transparency of features recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction unit when displaying a 3D video.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a map display device. When drawing a three-dimensional map of a route from a departure point to a destination, the map display device performs a semi-transparency process of overlaying semi-transparent route lines on all route lines including the route lines hidden by obstacles (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when moving along the route from the departure point to the destination, there may be obstacles such as street trees and billboards near the destination, and the entrance of the destination may be difficult for the driver of the vehicle to see. In this case, the driver may pass by the entrance of the destination. The same may be said for the route guidance display that guides the driver along the route. By improving the route guidance display from the driver's perspective, especially the guidance display near the destination such as a parking lot, it is required to make it easier for the driver to enter the vehicle into the parking lot (for the driver to easily grasp the entrance of the parking lot). Note that Patent Document 1 described above does not describe improving the guidance display near the destination such as a parking lot.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of performing display near a destination including a parking lot.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment of the information processing device includes: a storage unit that stores map information including road images and information on the height of road structures, capable of displaying 3D videos of road guidance from both a bird's-eye view and a driver's viewpoint; an acquisition unit that acquires image information obtained by imaging an area including the entrance to a parking lot and vehicle information generated by a vehicle entering the parking lot; an extraction unit that analyzes the images recorded in the image information and extracts features that obstruct the view of the entrance to the parking lot; an evaluation unit that uses at least one of the images recorded in the image information and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information to evaluate the visibility of the entrance to the parking lot and related content, and a display control unit that, if the value of the visibility evaluation by the evaluation unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value, performs a transparency display process to relatively increase the transparency of features recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction unit when displaying 3D videos. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program disclosed herein can display information about the vicinity of a destination, including parking lots. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram (outline diagram) illustrating an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates an example of a geographic feature. (A) shows an example of a geographic feature (tree) that impairs the visibility of the parking lot entrance, and (B) shows an example of the case where the geographic feature (tree) that impairs the visibility of the parking lot entrance is made transparent. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates an example of widening the display field of view at the entrance to a parking lot. (A) shows an example where the road guidance reaches the entrance to the parking lot, and (B) shows an example where the viewpoint exemplified in (A) is lowered to widen the display field of view. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment will be described below.

[0010] [Overview of Information Processing Device 100] First, an overview of the information processing device 100 according to one embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram (overview diagram) illustrating an information processing device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0011] The information processing device 100 may be configured, for example, as a maintenance device that provides road guidance (route guidance) from a starting point to a destination, particularly for improving (improving) the guidance signs near the destination. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 may be configured, for example, as a guidance (display) device that provides road guidance (route guidance) using the improved (improved) guidance signs near the destination. The information processing device 100 is not limited to the example device described above, but may be configured as various other devices. The information processing device 100 may be a computer such as a server, desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or navigation device. The navigation device is a device that performs route searching and road guidance (route guidance), etc. The navigation device may be installed in a vehicle as an in-vehicle navigation device, for example.

[0012] The information processing device 100 stores map information, which includes images of roads and information on the height of structures along those roads. This map information is the basis for generating the 3D video 200 of the road guidance, which is displayed from both a bird's-eye view and the driver's perspective when providing route guidance.

[0013] The information processing device 100 acquires image information obtained by imaging an area including the entrance 400 of the parking lot. The image information may be, for example, video and still images taken by an in-vehicle camera (for example, images taken by a drive recorder). The image information may also be, for example, video and still images (images) taken during an on-site survey, and video and still images (images) taken for various purposes.

[0014] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 acquires vehicle information generated by vehicles that enter the parking lot. The vehicle information may include, for example, location information related to the position recorded by the vehicle, time information related to the time recorded by the vehicle, steering angle information related to the steering angle of the steering wheel used to operate the vehicle, and acceleration information related to the acceleration measured by the vehicle. Specific examples of vehicle information may include CAN information and probe information.

[0015] The information processing device 100 analyzes the image recorded in the image information described above and extracts features 300 that obstruct the view of the parking lot entrance 400. The parking lot entrance 400 may be a concept that includes the area around the parking lot entrance 400. The area around the parking lot entrance 400 may include not only the parking lot entrance 400 but also areas where signs guiding to the parking lot entrance 400 are installed, for example. The image processing device extracts features 300 that obstruct the view of the parking lot entrance 400 by using known analysis methods such as pattern matching and learning (a trained model that has learned various objects) as image analysis. Examples of features 300 here may be street trees, signs, and buildings. The information processing device 100 extracts the features 300 as features 300 that obstruct the view of the parking lot entrance 400 if there are many features 300 near the entrance 400 of the parking lot as seen from the road (driver (vehicle)), or if the entrance 400 of the parking lot (at least a part of the entrance 400) is obscured by the features 300 as seen from the road (driver (vehicle)).

[0016] The information processing device 100 evaluates the visibility of at least one of the image recorded in the image information and the driving history of the vehicle recorded in the vehicle information, and evaluates whether it is easy to visually recognize the entrance 400 of the parking lot and the content related to the entrance 400. The information processing device 100 may numerically evaluate the visibility of the entrance 400 of the parking lot and the guide board (content related to the entrance 400 of the parking lot) of the parking lot (near the entrance 400 of the parking lot) based on, for example, the presence or absence of the ground object 300 obtained by analyzing the image information (image) as described above, the amount of the ground object 300, and the degree to which the entrance 400 of the parking lot and the guide board of the parking lot (near the entrance 400 of the parking lot) are hidden by the ground object 300. The information processing device 100 may numerically evaluate the visibility of the entrance 400 of the parking lot and the guide board (content related to the entrance 400 of the parking lot) of the parking lot (near the entrance 400 of the parking lot) based on, for example, the behavior (driving history) of the vehicle when the vehicle enters the parking lot set as the destination of the route guidance.

[0017] For example, when the numerical value of the visibility of the entrance 400 of the parking lot and the guide board (content related to the entrance 400 of the parking lot) of the parking lot (near the entrance 400 of the parking lot) is relatively large, the information processing device 100 may evaluate that it is easier to visually recognize. Alternatively, for example, when the numerical value of the visibility of the entrance 400 of the parking lot and the guide board (content related to the entrance 400 of the parking lot) of the parking lot (near the entrance 400 of the parking lot) is relatively small, the information processing device 100 may evaluate that it is more difficult to visually recognize.

[0018] The information processing apparatus 100 can generate a 3D video 200 for route guidance based on map information. That is, the information processing apparatus 100 uses map information including information on the image of a road (road image) and the height of the structures of that road, and can generate a video (3D video 200) expressed in 3D for that road guidance (e.g., animation, etc.) when performing road guidance (route guidance). When playing the 3D video 200, the information processing apparatus 100 can switch the viewing point of the video and display it, for example, between an aerial view point 201 and a driver's view point 202. A method for generating a 3D video from map information can use, for example, known techniques. In this case, for example, when the value of the above-described visibility evaluation is below a predetermined value, the information processing apparatus 100 performs a transparency display process that relatively increases the transparency when generating (displaying) the 3D video 200 for the feature 300 (feature that becomes an obstacle when viewing the entrance 400 of the parking lot) recorded in the map information and extracted as described above among the features on the map. That is, the information processing apparatus 100 increases the transparency (transparency when displaying the feature 300) of the feature 300 recorded in the map information, which becomes an obstacle when viewing the entrance 400 of the parking lot, compared to other features and the road, making the feature 300 that becomes an obstacle when viewing the entrance 400 of the parking lot less visible, that is, performing a process to make the entrance 400 of the parking lot more visible. In the case illustrated in FIG. 1, as a result of performing the transparency process (transparency display process) on the feature 300, the feature 300 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0019] [Details of the information processing apparatus 100] Next, the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

[0020] The information processing device 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, and a control unit 110. The communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 may be embodiments of the output unit. The control unit 110 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 111, an extraction unit 112, an evaluation unit 113, and a display control unit 114. The control unit 110 may be configured by, for example, the arithmetic processing unit of the information processing device 100. The control unit 110 (for example, the arithmetic processing unit) may realize the functions of each unit (for example, the acquisition unit 111, the extraction unit 112, the evaluation unit 113, and the display control unit 114) by appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 122, etc. In other words, the functions of each unit may be realized by computer implementation.

[0021] The communication unit 121 is a communication interface that enables the transmission and reception of various types of information with, for example, devices outside the information processing device 100 (external devices) (not shown). The external devices may be, for example, servers, vehicles, and user terminals. The user terminal is, for example, a terminal used by a user receiving road guidance (route guidance). As a specific example, the user terminal may be a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

[0022] The storage unit 122 may store, for example, various information and programs. Examples of the storage unit 122 include memory, solid-state drives, and hard disk drives. The storage unit 122 may also be, for example, a storage area and server located in the cloud.

[0023] The memory unit 122 stores map information that includes road images and information on the height of structures along those roads. This map information may include, for example, map information that includes road images and information on the height of structures along those roads, enabling the display of a 3D video 200 of road guidance from both a bird's-eye view and the driver's viewpoint. The road images may be, for example, animated images that represent (for example, abstracted) the shape, structure, and size of roads, as well as the shape, structure, and size of structures such as buildings and bridges, in an easy-to-understand manner for the driver (user).

[0024] Map information may include location information such as latitude and longitude. In other words, the map information may include road images and information such as the height and latitude and longitude of road structures, enabling the display of 3D video 200 of road guidance from both a bird's-eye view and the driver's perspective.

[0025] The control unit 110 can use map information, including road images and information on the height of structures along those roads, to generate a three-dimensional video (3D video 200) (for example, an animation) for road guidance (route guidance), etc. When playing back the 3D video 200, the control unit 110 can switch the viewpoint of the video between, for example, a bird's-eye view 201 and a driver's view 202 (see Figure 1).

[0026] The display unit 123 is a display capable of displaying various characters, symbols, images, etc.

[0027] The acquisition unit 111 acquires image information obtained by imaging the area including the entrance 400 of the parking lot, and vehicle information generated by vehicles that have entered the parking lot.

[0028] The image information may include, for example, video and still images captured by an in-vehicle camera (for example, images captured by a dashcam). Alternatively, the image information may include, for example, video and still images (images) captured by a camera during on-site surveys, and video and still images (images) captured for various purposes. The in-vehicle camera and the images (image information) captured by the camera are stored, for example, in a server or in the storage unit 122 of the information processing device 100. The acquisition unit 111 acquires image information from a server, for example, via the communication unit 121. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111 acquires image information from the storage unit 122.

[0029] Vehicle information may include, for example, location information related to the vehicle's position, time information related to the vehicle's time, steering angle information related to the steering angle of the steering wheel used to operate the vehicle, and acceleration information related to the acceleration measured by the vehicle. Specific examples of vehicle information may include CAN information and probe information. Here, the vehicle may acquire location information and time information based on receiving signals from positioning satellites such as GPS and GNSS. The vehicle may also acquire steering angle information (information on the steering angle of the steering wheel) and acceleration information, respectively, using angle sensors placed on the steering wheel and acceleration sensors placed on the vehicle itself. Furthermore, the vehicle may acquire various information using various sensors mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle generates vehicle information and transmits it to the server or information processing device 100. The acquisition unit 111 acquires vehicle information from a server or vehicle, for example, via the communication unit 121.

[0030] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a feature 300. Figure 3(A) shows an example of a feature 300 (a tree in the example shown in Figure 3) that impairs the visibility of the entrance 400 to the parking lot, and Figure 3(B) shows an example of the result when transparency processing is applied to the feature 300 (a tree in the example shown in Figure 3) that impairs the visibility of the entrance 400 to the parking lot. In the example shown in Figure 3, the feature 300 is shown as a dashed line as a result of the transparency processing (transparent display processing) applied to the feature 300.

[0031] The extraction unit 112 analyzes the image recorded in the image information and extracts features 300 (obstacles) (see Figure 3(A)) that obstruct the view of the parking lot entrance 400. The parking lot entrance 400 may be a concept that includes, for example, the area around the parking lot entrance 400. The area around the parking lot entrance 400 may include, for example, the parking lot entrance 400 and the area where signs guiding to the parking lot entrance 400 (signs installed relatively close to the entrance 400) are installed, and other areas relatively close to the entrance 400. The extraction unit 112 performs image analysis on the image information (image) acquired by the acquisition unit 111. For example, the extraction unit 112 uses known analysis methods such as pattern matching and learning (a trained model that has learned various objects) as image analysis to extract features 300 that obstruct the view of the parking lot entrance 400 (or the vicinity of the parking lot entrance 400). Examples of features 300 here may include street trees, signs (signs of other stores excluding the sign at the parking lot entrance 400), and buildings. The extraction unit 112 extracts the features 300 as features 300 that obstruct the view of the parking lot entrance 400 if there are many features 300 near the entrance 400 of the parking lot as seen from the road (driver (vehicle)), or if the entrance 400 of the parking lot (at least a part of the entrance 400) is obscured by the features 300 as seen from the road (driver (vehicle)).

[0032] The evaluation unit 113 uses at least one of the images recorded in the image information and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information to evaluate the visibility of the parking lot entrance 400 and the content related to the entrance 400. The content related to the parking lot entrance 400 may be, for example, a sign guiding people to the parking lot (parking lot entrance 400). The content related to the parking lot entrance 400 is installed at the parking lot entrance 400 (near the parking lot entrance 400).

[0033] The evaluation unit 113 may, for example, numerically evaluate the visibility of the area around the entrance 400 of the parking lot, that is, the visibility of the entrance 400 of the parking lot and the information sign for the parking lot (the area around the entrance 400), based on the presence or absence of features 300 obtained by analyzing the image information (image) by the extraction unit 112, the amount of features 300, and the degree to which the features 300 obscure the entrance 400 of the parking lot and the information sign for the parking lot (the area around the entrance 400). The evaluation unit 113 may set the evaluation value relatively low (worse) if there is a feature 300, if the amount of the feature 300 is relatively large, or if the degree to which the parking lot entrance 400 and the parking lot sign are obscured by the feature 300 is relatively high. On the other hand, the evaluation unit 113 may set the evaluation value relatively high (better) if there is no feature 300, if the amount of the feature 300 is relatively small, or if the degree to which the parking lot entrance 400 and the parking lot sign are obscured by the feature 300 is relatively low.

[0034] The evaluation unit 113 may, for example, numerically evaluate the visibility of the area around the entrance 400 of a parking lot, that is, the visibility of the entrance 400 of the parking lot and the information signs (content related to the entrance 400) of the parking lot, depending on the behavior (driving history) of the vehicle when it enters the parking lot set as the destination for road guidance (route guidance).

[0035] In this case, the evaluation unit 113 may, for example, determine whether there was a driving history of the vehicle based on various information recorded in the vehicle information, such as location information and time information, including whether the vehicle passed the entrance 400 to the parking lot, made a U-turn, returned, and entered the parking lot. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 113 may, for example, determine, based on acceleration information, whether there was a driving history of the vehicle based on various information recorded in the vehicle information, such as whether a relatively large deceleration (sudden braking) occurred near the entrance 400 of the parking lot, that is, whether a relatively large acceleration value was recorded. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 113 may, for example, determine, based on acceleration information, whether there was a driving history of the vehicle based on various information recorded in the vehicle information, such as whether there was repeated (unstable) deceleration and acceleration of the vehicle near the entrance 400 of the parking lot (near the entrance 400 of the parking lot relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle), that is, whether there was a driving history in which acceleration values ​​in the positive and negative directions relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle were repeatedly recorded. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 113 may, for example, determine, based on the steering angle information, whether the driver's steering was unstable near the entrance 400 of the parking lot (near the entrance 400 of the parking lot relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle), that is, whether there was a driving history such as whether a steering angle was recorded in which the vehicle turned to the left (or to the right), but then immediately returned to the straight-ahead direction. The evaluation unit 113 may, not limited to the example described above, acquire the behavior (driving history) of the vehicle when it is driving at or near the entrance 400 of the parking lot, and determine whether that behavior (driving history) was unstable, based on the vehicle information.

[0036] If the evaluation unit 113 has a driving history such as the example described above, it may lower the evaluation value relatively (make it worse) if it determines that the area around the entrance 400 of the parking lot is relatively difficult to see. On the other hand, if the evaluation unit 113 does not have a driving history such as the example described above, it may raise the evaluation value relatively (make it better) if it determines that the area around the entrance 400 of the parking lot is relatively easy to see. The evaluation unit 113 may determine whether there is a driving history such as the example described above, and may numerically evaluate the visibility of the parking lot entrance 400 and the signage for the parking lot (the entrance 400) (content related to the entrance 400) according to the number of vehicles that have recorded such driving history. If the number of vehicles is relatively large, the evaluation unit 113 may lower the evaluation value relatively (worse) if the area around the parking lot entrance 400 is relatively difficult to see. On the other hand, if the number of vehicles is relatively small, the evaluation unit 113 may raise the evaluation value relatively (better) if the area around the parking lot entrance 400 is relatively easy to see.

[0037] Furthermore, the evaluation unit 113 may evaluate that, for example, if the visibility around the entrance 400 of the parking lot is relatively good, the vehicle will decelerate smoothly before the entrance 400, then stably turn left (or right) with steering input and enter the parking lot, resulting in a stable driving history. The evaluation unit 113 may evaluate that the visibility around the entrance 400 of the parking lot is relatively good in the case of such a stable vehicle driving history. On the other hand, the evaluation unit 113 may evaluate that the visibility of the parking lot entrance 400 is relatively poor in the case of a driving history different from the stable driving history described above.

[0038] The evaluation unit 113 may, for example, generate a trained model by learning vehicle information that records the stable driving history described above. The evaluation unit 113 may input the vehicle information to be evaluated into the trained model and estimate (evaluate) whether the driving history recorded in the vehicle information to be evaluated is a stable driving history. The evaluation unit 113 may estimate (evaluate) a driving history (vehicle information to be evaluated) that was not estimated to be a stable driving history as a driving history different from a stable driving history. In this case, when the evaluation unit 113 uses the trained model for estimation, if the vehicle information to be evaluated (driving history) is a stable driving history, it will have a higher degree of agreement value (estimated probability value). On the other hand, when the evaluation unit 113 uses the trained model for estimation, if the vehicle information to be evaluated (driving history) is a driving history different from a stable driving history, it will have a lower degree of agreement value (estimated probability value). The evaluation unit 113 may, for example, set a numerical value for visibility, indicating how easily the area around the entrance 400 of the parking lot can be seen, according to the degree of agreement value (estimated probability value).

[0039] The evaluation unit 113 may also perform an evaluation of visibility according to the time of year (season). In other words, the evaluation unit 113 may, for example, use at least one of the images recorded in the image information and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information, depending on when the image information was generated (when the image was captured) and when the vehicle information was generated (when the vehicle was driven), to evaluate the visibility of whether the entrance to the parking lot 400 and the contents related to the entrance 400 are easily visible. For example, during spring, summer, and autumn, street trees grow densely, making it difficult to see the entrance 400 to the parking lot. In this case, there is a relatively high probability that the street trees will become an obstruction to the visibility of the entrance 400 to the parking lot and related features. On the other hand, as an example, when it is winter, the street trees (trees) lose their leaves, making the entrance 400 to the parking lot more visible compared to spring, summer, and autumn. At this time, the possibility of the street trees (trees) becoming an obstacle to the visibility of the entrance 400 to the parking lot and related content is relatively low. Therefore, the evaluation unit 113 may, for example, use the image recorded in the image information to evaluate the visibility of the parking lot entrance 400 and the contents related to the entrance 400, depending on the time of year (season) when the image information was generated (when the image was captured). Similarly, the evaluation unit 113 may, for example, use the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information to evaluate the visibility of the parking lot entrance 400 and related content, depending on the time of year (season) when the vehicle information was generated (when the vehicle was driven).

[0040] The display control unit 114 may, for example, if the visibility evaluation value by the evaluation unit 113 is less than or equal to a predetermined value, relatively increase the transparency of the features 300 recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction unit 112 (see Figure 3(B)) to generate a 3D video 200. The display control unit 114 may, for example, control the display unit 123 to display the generated 3D video 200.

[0041] Specifically, if the visibility evaluation value by the evaluation unit 113 is below a predetermined value, the display control unit 114 performs a transparency display process to relatively increase the transparency of the features 300 recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction unit 112 when displaying the 3D video 200. The display control unit 114 is capable of generating a 3D video 200 for use in road guidance (route guidance) based on map information. In this case, for example, if the value of the visibility evaluation described above is below a predetermined value, the display control unit 114 performs a transparency process (transparent display process) to relatively increase the transparency (transparency) of the feature 300 (a feature that obstructs the view of the vicinity of the parking lot entrance 400) that is extracted by the extraction unit 112 from among the features recorded in the map information when generating (displaying) the 3D video 200. In other words, the display control unit 114 increases the transparency (transparency when displaying the feature 300) of the feature 300 recorded in the map information that obstructs the view of the vicinity of the parking lot entrance 400 compared to other features (structures) and roads, making the feature 300 that obstructs the view of the vicinity of the parking lot entrance 400 less noticeable on the 3D video 200, that is, it performs a transparency process to make the vicinity of the parking lot entrance 400 easier to see on the 3D video 200.

[0042] As an example, if the visibility evaluation value by the evaluation unit 113 is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the display control unit 114 may set the transparency (transmittance) of the feature 300 recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction unit 112 to 100%, and perform a transparent display process to erase the feature 300 when displaying the 3D video 200. Alternatively, as another example, if the visibility evaluation value by the evaluation unit 113 is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the display control unit 114 may set the transparency (transmittance) of the feature 300 recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction unit 112 to greater than 0% and less than 100%, and perform a transparent display process for the feature 300 when displaying the 3D video 200. As another example, if the visibility evaluation value by the evaluation unit 113 is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the display control unit 114 may perform a transparency display process to relatively increase the transparency of the features 300 that are recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction unit 112, specifically those on the approach side (near the vehicle's direction of travel) relative to the parking lot entrance 400 when displaying the 3D video 200 (making them more transparent than features on the far side relative to the vehicle's direction of travel relative to the parking lot entrance 400).

[0043] Furthermore, when the display control unit 114 generates (plays) a 3D video 200, if the vehicle is relatively far from the parking lot entrance 400 with respect to the direction of travel, the 3D video 200 is generated (played) in a bird's-eye view 201, and if the vehicle is relatively close to the parking lot entrance 400, the 3D video 200 transitions from the bird's-eye view 201 to the driver's view 202 (smoothly and continuously switching viewpoints from the bird's-eye view 201 to the driver's view 202) (see Figure 1). The display control unit 114 may also change the timing of the switch from the bird's-eye view 201 to the driver's view 202 depending on whether or not to perform transparency display processing for the features 300.

[0044] Figure 4 illustrates an example of widening the display field of view at the entrance 400 of the parking lot. Figure 4(A) shows an example where the road guidance reaches the entrance 400 of the parking lot, and Figure 4(B) shows an example where the viewpoint exemplified in Figure 4(A) is lowered to the rear to widen the display field of view.

[0045] In other words, the display control unit 114 may generate the following types of videos (3D video 200) in a series of videos (3D video 200) (see Figure 1) from the bird's-eye view 201 to the driver's view 202 and up to the entrance 400 of the parking lot. (i) If the display control unit 114 performs a transparent display process on a feature 300 when the value of the visibility evaluation by the evaluation unit 113 falls below a predetermined value, it may generate a video (3D video 200) in which the ratio of the video time of the driver's viewpoint 202 to the video time of the bird's-eye view 201 is longer. (ii) If the display control unit 114 does not perform transparent display processing for the feature 300 because the value of the visibility evaluation by the evaluation unit 113 exceeds a predetermined value, it may generate a video (3D video 200) in which the ratio of the video time of the bird's-eye view 201 to the video time of the driver's view 202 is longer. (iii) The display control unit 114 may, for example, generate a video (3D video 200) in which the viewpoint is moved so that the display field of view is widened when the driver's viewpoint 202 reaches the entrance 400 (see Figure 4).

[0046] In the case of (i) above, the display control unit 114 may, for example, in the 3D video 200 of road guidance (route guidance) from the vehicle's position to the destination parking lot (parking lot), make the ratio of the video duration of the driver's view 202 longer than the video duration of the bird's-eye view 201 in the approach section of the road to the entrance 400 of the parking lot, and switch from the bird's-eye view 201 to the driver's view 202 at a point relatively far from the entrance 400 of the parking lot.

[0047] In the case of (ii) above, the display control unit 114 may, for example, in the 3D video 200 of road guidance (route guidance) from the vehicle's position to the destination parking lot (parking lot), make the ratio of the video duration of the bird's-eye view 201 longer than the video duration of the driver's-eye view 202 in the road approach section to the entrance 400 of the parking lot, and switch from the bird's-eye view 201 to the driver's-eye view 202 at a point relatively close to the entrance 400 of the parking lot.

[0048] In each of (i) and (ii) above, the display control unit 114 determines a trajectory (the movement trajectory of the driver's viewpoint 202) that moves to the parking lot entrance 400 while maintaining the driver's viewpoint 202. Furthermore, in each of (i) and (ii) above, the display control unit 114 determines a trajectory (movement trajectory of the bird's-eye view 201) that moves in the direction of the parking lot entrance 400 while maintaining the bird's-eye view 201. The display control unit 114 may also determine the movement trajectories of the driver's viewpoint 202 and the bird's-eye view 201 so as to follow the road guidance route (guidance line 210) to the destination (parking lot entrance 400) determined at the vehicle's departure point.

[0049] In the case of (iii) above, the display control unit 114 may, for example, move the viewpoint so that the display field of view is widened when the driver's viewpoint 202 reaches the entrance 400. When the 3D video 200 switches from the bird's-eye view 201 to the driver's viewpoint 202 and reaches the entrance 400 of the parking lot in that driver's viewpoint 202 state (see Figure 4(A)), the display control unit 114 may move the viewpoint away from the entrance 400 of the parking lot in the 3D video 200 (away from the driver's viewpoint 202 of the vehicle entering the parking lot towards the lane opposite to the lane the vehicle is traveling in (oncoming lane)) to widen the display field of view (angle of view) around the entrance 400 of the parking lot (see Figure 4(B)). In other words, the display control unit 114 may, for example, determine a viewpoint movement trajectory such that when the driver's viewpoint 202 reaches the entrance 400 of the parking lot, it moves away from the entrance 400 (towards the opposite lane (oncoming lane) from the lane traveled by vehicles traveling along the road guidance lines 210 (vehicles entering the parking lot entrance 400)). In other words, the display control unit 114 may generate a video (3D video 200) that pulls back the viewpoint and depicts a wide area around the parking lot entrance 400, rather than faithfully moving the viewpoint along the guide line 210 during road guidance (route guidance).

[0050] The display control unit 114 generates a 3D video 200 (animation) that traces the movement trajectory from the bird's-eye view 201, the movement trajectory from the driver's view 202, and the movement trajectory from the viewpoint at the parking lot entrance 400, as determined above. Furthermore, the display control unit may, for example, first generate a guide line 210 for road guidance (route guidance), and then generate movement trajectories for each viewpoint, such as the bird's-eye view 201, the driver's view 202, and the viewpoint moving at the parking lot entrance 400, and generate a 3D video 200 (animation) that includes the guide line 210 and follows the movement trajectory at the bird's-eye view 201, the driver's view 202, and the viewpoint at the parking lot entrance 400.

[0051] The display control unit 114 may, for example, loop the 3D video 200 (animation) generated as described above when the vehicle stops due to a signal at a position just before the destination parking lot (just before the parking lot in the direction of travel of the vehicle). The display control unit 114 may, for example, play the 3D video 200 (animation) generated as described above, showing the portion of the video 200 (animation) ahead of the vehicle's current position, according to the progress of the vehicle's travel position.

[0052] In other words, when the display control unit 114 displays the generated video (3D video 200), it may loop-play the video (3D video 200) while the vehicle is stopped, just before the vehicle is actually driving and entering the parking lot. The display control unit 114 acquires vehicle information (for example, location information, time information, and driving speed information, etc.) from the vehicle that is actually driving (providing road guidance (route guidance)).

[0053] The display control unit 114 uses vehicle information (for example, location information and time information) to determine whether the vehicle is stopped. For example, the display control unit 114 may determine that the vehicle is stopped if it has not moved for a predetermined time. The display control unit 114 uses vehicle information (for example, driving speed information) to obtain the vehicle's speed and determines whether the vehicle is stopped. Vehicles stop, for example, when the traffic light is red (stop).

[0054] Furthermore, the display control unit 114 can determine, for example, whether the vehicle is actually moving, or whether the vehicle is just before entering the parking lot (just before the parking lot in the direction of travel), based on the location (longitude and latitude) of the starting point of the road guidance (route guidance), the location (longitude and latitude) of the parking lot that is the destination of the road guidance (route guidance), and the actual location (longitude and latitude) of the vehicle recorded in the vehicle information (e.g., location information).

[0055] The display control unit 114 repeatedly plays (displays) the 3D video 200 from its starting position to the parking lot entrance 400 (ending position) as a loop playback. In this case, the display control unit 114 may change the starting position (starting point of playback) of the 3D video 200 according to the movement of the vehicle. The display control unit 114 obtains vehicle information (e.g., location information report) from the vehicle that is actually driving (providing road guidance (route guidance)) and obtains the latest vehicle position (longitude and latitude) recorded in that location information. The display control unit 114 may set the position of the 3D video 200 that corresponds one-to-one with the latest vehicle position (longitude and latitude) as the starting point of playback. The display control unit 114 can determine the location (latitude and longitude) of the latest vehicle using the location information (latitude and longitude) recorded in the map information. The display control unit 114 can generate a 3D video 200 using the map information including the location information (latitude and longitude). Therefore, the display control unit 114 can determine the location (latitude and longitude) of the latest vehicle on the 3D video 200. In other words, the display control unit 114 may use positional information about the vehicle's location acquired when the vehicle is actually driving to display a video (3D video 200) of the route from the vehicle's location to the parking lot from among the generated videos (3D video 200). To put it another way, the display control unit 114 may identify the latest location of the vehicle based on vehicle information (e.g., positional information) generated by the vehicle as it is actually driving, set the position on the 3D video 200 corresponding to the latest location of the vehicle as the starting point for playback, and repeatedly play (loop) the 3D video 200 from the starting point to the entrance 400 of the parking lot (end position).

[0056] Here, the in-vehicle navigation system may, for example, include all the functions of the communication unit 121, storage unit 122, display unit 123, and control unit 110 described above. That is, the control unit 110, including the display control unit 114, may be mounted in the in-vehicle navigation system.

[0057] Alternatively, the in-vehicle navigation system may include all or some of the functions of the display control unit 114 within the control unit 110. If the in-vehicle navigation system has all the functions of the display control unit 114, it may acquire map information stored in the storage unit 122 from the information processing device 100, and further acquire the results of extracting features 300 by the extraction unit 112 (extraction results) and the results of evaluation by the evaluation unit 113 (evaluation results) from the information processing device 100. The in-vehicle navigation system may generate a 3D video 200 based on the map information, extraction results, and evaluation results acquired from the information processing device 100, and display the 3D video 200 on an in-vehicle display unit (not shown). As an example of a case where an in-vehicle navigation system includes a part of the display control unit 114, the in-vehicle navigation system (a part of the functions of the display control unit 114) may, when a 3D video 200 is generated by the information processing device 100 (functions other than those of the display control unit 114), acquire the 3D video 200 and display it on an in-vehicle display unit (not shown).

[0058] Alternatively, the information processing device 100 may, for example, provide various guidance such as facility search and road guidance (route guidance) to a user terminal (not shown) connected via the communication unit 121. The information processing device 100 may, for example, transmit information of the 3D video 200 generated by the display control unit 114 to the user terminal via the communication unit 121 and display the 3D video 200 on a terminal display unit (not shown) installed on the user terminal. In this case, the information processing device 100 may, for example, acquire various information such as location information and time information obtained from the user terminal via the communication unit 121. The information processing device 100 can calculate the moving speed (driving speed) of the user terminal based on the location recorded in the location information and the time recorded in the time information obtained from the user terminal.

[0059] [Information Processing Methods] Next, an information processing method according to one embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to one embodiment.

[0060] In step ST101, the storage unit 122 stores map information that includes images of roads and information about the height of structures along those roads. The map information may be, for example, map information that includes images of roads and information about the height of structures along those roads, enabling the display of a 3D video 200 of road guidance from both a bird's-eye view and a driver's perspective.

[0061] In step ST102, the acquisition unit 111 acquires image information obtained by imaging the area including the entrance 400 of the parking lot, and vehicle information generated by a vehicle that has entered the parking lot.

[0062] In step ST103, the extraction unit 112 analyzes the image recorded in the image information acquired in step ST102 and extracts the features 300 that obstruct the view of the parking lot entrance 400.

[0063] In step ST104, the evaluation unit 113 uses at least one of the images recorded in the image information acquired in step ST102 and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information acquired in step ST102 to evaluate the visibility of the parking lot entrance 400 and the contents related to the entrance 400 to determine how easily they can be seen.

[0064] In step ST105, if the value of the visibility evaluation performed in step ST104 is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the display control unit 114 performs a transparency process (transparent display process) to relatively increase the transparency of the features 300 extracted in step ST102 from among the features recorded in the map information stored in step ST101 when displaying the 3D video 200.

[0065] In step ST106, the display control unit 114 generates a series of videos (3D video 200) in which the viewpoint is moved as follows (i) to (iii) in the video, from the bird's-eye view 201 to the driver's view 202 and up to the entrance 400 of the parking lot. (i) If the display control unit 114 performs transparency processing (transparent display processing) on ​​the feature 300 in step ST105 because the value of the visibility evaluation performed in step ST104 falls below a predetermined value, it may generate a 3D video 200 in which the ratio of the video time of the driver's viewpoint 202 to the video time of the bird's-eye view 201 is longer. (ii) If, for example, the value of the visibility evaluation performed in step ST104 exceeds a predetermined value, the display control unit 114 does not perform transparency processing (transparent display processing) on ​​the feature 300 in step ST105, it may generate a 3D video 200 in which the ratio of the video duration of the bird's-eye view 201 to the video duration of the driver's view 202 is longer. (iii) The display control unit 114 may, for example, generate a 3D video 200 in which the viewpoint is moved so that the display field of view is widened when the driver's viewpoint 202 reaches the entrance 400.

[0066] In step ST107, when the display control unit 114 displays the 3D video 200 generated by the processing in steps ST105 and ST106, it loops the 3D video 200 while the vehicle is stopped, just before the vehicle is actually driving into the parking lot. The display control unit 114 may use the position information of the vehicle acquired when the vehicle is actually driving to display the 3D video 200 of the route from the vehicle's position to the parking lot, which is generated by the processing in step ST105 and step ST106, respectively.

[0067] [Regarding functions and circuitry] Next, the functions and circuitry of the information processing device 100 described above will be explained. Each part of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a function of a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. The information processing device 100 may, for example, implement the functions of the acquisition unit 111, extraction unit 112, evaluation unit 113, and display control unit 114 using a single control unit 110 (e.g., an arithmetic processing unit, etc.), or it may implement the functions of the acquisition unit 111, extraction unit 112, evaluation unit 113, and display control unit 114 in a distributed manner using multiple different control units 110 (e.g., arithmetic processing units, etc.). The acquisition unit 111, extraction unit 112, evaluation unit 113, and display control unit 114 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 described above may be implemented as acquisition functions, extraction functions, evaluation functions, and display control functions (control functions) by a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. The information processing program can enable a computer to implement each of the functions described above. The information processing program may be recorded on a computer-readable, non-temporary, tangible recording medium such as memory, a solid-state drive, a hard disk drive, or an optical disc. The storage medium may be rephrased as, for example, a non-temporary, tangible, computer-readable medium for storing the information processing program. The information processing program may also be transmitted online. The information processing program can be implemented into a product (computer program product) by the control unit 110 (for example, an arithmetic processing unit). Furthermore, as described above, each part of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. This arithmetic processing unit or the like is composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. For this reason, each part of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a circuit that constitutes an arithmetic processing unit or the like. That is, the acquisition unit 111, extraction unit 112, evaluation unit 113, and display control unit 114 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as an acquisition circuit, extraction circuit, evaluation circuit, and display control circuit (control circuit) that constitute an arithmetic processing unit or the like of a computer. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, storage unit 122, and display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a communication function, storage function, and display function (output function) that includes the functions of an arithmetic processing unit, for example. Also, the communication unit 121, storage unit 122, and display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a communication circuit, storage circuit, and display circuit (output circuit) by being composed of an integrated circuit, for example. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, storage unit 122, and display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be configured as a communication device, storage device, and display device (output device) by being composed of a plurality of devices, for example.

[0068] The information processing device 100 can be configured to combine one or any multiple of the above-described parts. In this disclosure, the term "information" is used, but the term "information" can be replaced with "data," and the term "data" can be replaced with "information."

[0069] [Aspects and Effects of This Embodiment] Next, an embodiment of this model and the effects of each embodiment will be described. Note that the embodiments described below are examples as of the time of filing, and this embodiment is not limited to the embodiments described below. In other words, this embodiment is not limited to the embodiments described below, and may be realized by appropriately combining the parts described above. Furthermore, lower-level embodiments may be referenced in any of the higher-level embodiments. Furthermore, the effects of this embodiment described below are merely examples, and the effects achieved by each embodiment are not limited to those described below. Also, each embodiment may achieve, for example, at least one of the effects described below.

[0070] (Aspect 1) One embodiment of the information processing device includes: a storage unit that stores map information including road images and information on the height of road structures, capable of displaying 3D videos of road guidance from both a bird's-eye view and a driver's viewpoint; an acquisition unit that acquires image information obtained by imaging an area including the entrance to a parking lot and vehicle information generated by a vehicle entering the parking lot; an extraction unit that analyzes the images recorded in the image information and extracts features that obstruct the view of the entrance to the parking lot; an evaluation unit that uses at least one of the images recorded in the image information and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information to evaluate the visibility of the entrance to the parking lot and related content, and a display control unit that, if the value of the visibility evaluation by the evaluation unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value, performs a transparency display process to relatively increase the transparency of features recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction unit when displaying 3D videos. This allows the information processing device to create a 3D video guiding users to the parking lot entrance, and to display directions to the parking lot and other areas near the destination using this 3D video (animation). In other words, if the visibility of the parking lot entrance is estimated to be relatively poor, the information processing device can make the parking lot entrance easier to see for drivers (users) by applying transparency processing to the features causing the poor visibility in the 3D video.

[0071] Previously, videos were sometimes generated that applied visual effects according to uniform rules, regardless of how difficult (or unclear) the entrance to a parking lot was to see. In such cases, there was a risk that excessive visual effects could be applied to some parking lots, making them difficult to understand. In this regard, the information processing device of this embodiment evaluates the visibility of the parking lot entrance and applies a process to increase the transparency of features (permeable display of features) for parking lots (parking lot entrances) that are evaluated as difficult to see. As a result, the information processing device of this embodiment can generate a 3D video (animation) that makes the situation near the parking lot entrance easy to understand, and by playing this 3D video, the driver (user) can grasp the parking lot entrance in a shorter amount of time.

[0072] (Aspect 2) In one embodiment of an information processing device, the display control unit may, in a series of videos in a 3D video from a bird's-eye view to a driver's view and up to the entrance of a parking lot, (i) if the value of the visibility evaluation by the evaluation unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and therefore transparent display processing is performed on the features, generate a video in which the ratio of the video time from the driver's view to the video time from the bird's-eye view is longer than the video time from the bird's-eye view, and (ii) if the value of the visibility evaluation by the evaluation unit exceeds a predetermined value and therefore transparent display processing is not performed on the features, generate a video in which the ratio of the video time from the bird's-eye view to the video time from the driver's view is longer than the video time from the driver's view. In the above (i), there is a relatively high risk of discrepancies between the 3D video and the actual parking lot entrance. Therefore, the information processing device can extend the duration of the driver's-eye view video to clearly convey the situation near the parking lot entrance to the driver (user). In the above (ii), since there is no discrepancy in scenery between the 3D video and the entrance to the parking lot, the information processing device can extend the duration of the bird's-eye view video to clearly convey the surrounding scenery to the driver (user). In other words, the information processing device can generate a 3D video from the driver's (user's) perspective (user-friendly), and by playing back that 3D video, it can provide the driver (user) with easy-to-understand road guidance (route guidance).

[0073] (Aspect 3) In one embodiment of the information processing device, the display control unit may generate a video in which the viewpoint is shifted so that the display field of view is widened when the driver approaches the entrance. By widening the display field of view, the information processing device can show drivers (users) a wider area near the parking lot entrance. The wider display field of view also allows the information processing device to clearly indicate the parking lot entrance to drivers (users).

[0074] (Aspect 4) In one embodiment of the information processing device, when the display control unit displays the generated video, it may loop the video while the vehicle is stopped, just before the vehicle is actually driving and entering the parking lot. This allows the information processing device to consider the safety of the driver (user) while operating the vehicle, and to loop the 3D video at a time when the driver (user) can view the display screen (3D video) for a relatively long period of time (while the vehicle is stopped). In addition, by looping the 3D video, the information processing device can clearly show the driver (user) the entrance to the parking lot.

[0075] (Aspect 5) In one embodiment of the information processing device, the display control unit may use location information regarding the vehicle's position, acquired when the vehicle is actually driving, to display a video of the route from the vehicle's position to the parking lot from among the generated videos. As a result, the information processing device displays a 3D video of the route the vehicle is scheduled to travel (only the scheduled route), allowing the driver (user) to easily see the parking lot entrance in a shorter amount of time.

[0076] (Aspect 6) In one embodiment of the information processing method, a computer equipped with a storage unit that stores map information including road images and information on the height of road structures, capable of displaying 3D videos of road guidance from both a bird's-eye view and a driver's perspective, performs an acquisition step of acquiring image information obtained by imaging an area including the entrance to a parking lot and vehicle information generated by a vehicle entering the parking lot; an extraction step of analyzing the images recorded in the image information and extracting features that obstruct the view of the entrance to the parking lot; an evaluation step of evaluating the visibility of the entrance to the parking lot and related content, using at least one of the images recorded in the image information and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information; and a display control step of performing a transparency display process to relatively increase the transparency of features recorded in the map information and extracted in the extraction step when displaying 3D videos, if the value of the visibility evaluation in the evaluation step is less than or equal to a predetermined value. As a result, the information processing method may achieve the same effects as the information processing apparatus of the above-described embodiment.

[0077] (Aspect 7) One embodiment of an information processing program provides a computer equipped with a storage unit that stores map information including road images and information on the height of road structures, capable of displaying 3D videos of road guidance from both a bird's-eye view and a driver's perspective. The program includes an acquisition function that acquires image information obtained by imaging an area including the entrance to a parking lot and vehicle information generated by a vehicle entering the parking lot; an extraction function that analyzes the images recorded in the image information and extracts features that obstruct the view of the parking lot entrance; an evaluation function that uses at least one of the images recorded in the image information and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information to evaluate the visibility of the parking lot entrance and related content; and a display control function that, if the value of the visibility evaluation by the evaluation function is below a predetermined value, performs a transparency display process to relatively increase the transparency of features recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction function when displaying 3D videos. As a result, the information processing program may achieve the same effects as the information processing apparatus of the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 100 Information Processing Devices 110 Control Unit 111 Acquisition Department 112 Extraction part 113 Evaluation Department 114 Display Control Unit 121 Communications Department 122 Storage section 123 Display section 200 3D videos (videos, animations) 201 Bird's-eye view 202 Driver's View 210 Induction wire 300 Features 400 Parking lot entrance

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores map information including road images and information on the height of road structures, capable of displaying 3D videos of road guidance from both a bird's-eye view and the driver's perspective, An acquisition unit that acquires image information obtained by imaging an area including the entrance to a parking lot, and vehicle information generated by a vehicle that has entered the parking lot, An extraction unit analyzes the image recorded in the aforementioned image information and extracts geographical features that obstruct the view of the entrance to the parking lot, An evaluation unit that uses at least one of the images recorded in the image information and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information to evaluate the visibility of whether the entrance to the parking lot and the contents related to the entrance are easily visible, If the value of the visibility evaluation by the evaluation unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the display control unit performs a transparency display process to relatively increase the transparency of the features recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction unit when displaying the 3D video, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The display control unit, in a series of videos in the 3D video from a bird's-eye view to a driver's view and up to the entrance of the parking lot, When the visibility evaluation value by the evaluation unit falls below a predetermined value, and transparency display processing is performed on the features, a video is generated in which the ratio of the driver's viewpoint video duration to the bird's-eye view video duration is longer. If the visibility evaluation value by the evaluation unit exceeds a predetermined value, and therefore transparency display processing is not performed for the features, a video is generated in which the ratio of the video duration from the bird's-eye view to the video duration from the driver's view is longer. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The display control unit generates a video in which the viewpoint is shifted so that the display field of view is widened when the driver approaches the entrance. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. When the display control unit displays the generated video, it loops the video while the vehicle is stopped, just before the vehicle actually drives into the parking lot in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The display control unit uses location information regarding the vehicle's position, acquired when the vehicle is actually driving, to display a video of the route from the vehicle's position to the parking lot. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. A computer equipped with a memory unit that stores map information including road images and information on the height of road structures, capable of displaying 3D video of road guidance from both a bird's-eye view and the driver's perspective, An acquisition step of acquiring image information obtained by imaging an area including the entrance to a parking lot and vehicle information generated by a vehicle that has entered the parking lot, An extraction step of analyzing the image recorded in the aforementioned image information and extracting features that obstruct the view of the entrance to the parking lot, An evaluation step to evaluate the visibility of whether the entrance to the parking lot and the contents related to the entrance are easily visible, using at least one of the images recorded in the image information and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information; If the value of the visibility evaluation in the evaluation step is less than or equal to a predetermined value, a display control step is performed to relatively increase the transparency of the features recorded in the map information and extracted in the extraction step when displaying the 3D video. An information processing method that performs the following.

7. A computer equipped with a memory unit that stores map information including road images and information on the height of road structures, capable of displaying 3D videos of road guidance from both a bird's-eye view and the driver's perspective, An acquisition function that acquires image information obtained by imaging an area including the entrance to a parking lot, and vehicle information generated by a vehicle that has entered the parking lot, An extraction function that analyzes the images recorded in the aforementioned image information and extracts geographical features that obstruct the view of the entrance to the parking lot, An evaluation function that uses at least one of the images recorded in the image information and the vehicle's driving history recorded in the vehicle information to evaluate the visibility of the entrance to the parking lot and the contents related to the entrance, If the value of the visibility evaluation by the evaluation function is less than or equal to a predetermined value, a display control function performs a transparency display process that relatively increases the transparency of the features recorded in the map information and extracted by the extraction function when displaying the 3D video. An information processing program that makes this possible.

Images