Information providing device

Abstract

This invention provides an information-providing device that clearly displays the movement of vehicles within a parking lot over time, along with the duration of time each vehicle remains in the parking lot. [Solution] A map image 32 including a parking lot is displayed on the display 14, and an icon 35 indicating the location of a vehicle parked in the parking lot is displayed for each vehicle on the map image 32. Furthermore, the display of the icon 35 is configured to update the display position of the icon 35 in accordance with changes in the vehicle's position over time, and to display the icon 35 in a manner that indicates the elapsed time since the corresponding vehicle was parked and the ignition was turned on.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device that displays the movement of vehicles in a parking lot.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in large commercial facilities such as shopping malls and outlet malls, theme parks, concert venues, stadiums, etc., where many people gather from afar, there are often large parking lots with a large number of accommodatable vehicles. On the other hand, since the time when customers visiting these facilities return home is the same time zone (for example, at the end of an event or near closing time), there is a problem that the cars returning home concentrate and the exit from the parking lot cannot be smooth. Similarly, there is the same problem when coming to the facility. For example, at the start time of an event or lunchtime, etc., the cars coming to the facility concentrate, and there is a problem that it takes time to park even after entering the parking lot.

[0003] Therefore, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-186205, there is a proposal for a navigation device that displays a detailed map of a shopping mall and guides the user by guiding the recommended parking blocks for parking when the user enters a large parking lot of a shopping mall.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, for example, the relationship between the facility's entrance and parking block indicates which parking block is recommended as the easiest to access the facility. However, because such parking blocks are convenient for all users, vehicles tend to concentrate in these blocks, resulting in problems such as longer parking times. Similarly, when leaving the facility, if many cars park in the same parking block, it becomes even more congested, and it takes longer to exit. It is also conceivable to distribute vehicles by recommending empty parking blocks, but even if such guidance is provided, it would only be effective for a limited number of users equipped with the appropriate navigation system, and would not solve the problem for the parking lot as a whole.

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems with large parking lots, effective measures include improving pathways within the parking lot, installing signs, and deploying traffic controllers where necessary. However, for this to be effective, it was crucial for the manager to actually understand the movement of vehicles within the parking lot.

[0007] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems of the conventional method, and aims to provide an information-providing device that can clearly display the movement of vehicles in a parking lot over time, along with the amount of time the vehicles remain in the parking lot. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the first information providing device according to the present invention includes a map image display means for displaying a map image including a parking lot on a display device, and an icon display means for displaying an icon indicating the location of a vehicle parked in the parking lot for each vehicle on the map image, wherein the icon display means updates the display position of the icon in accordance with changes in the vehicle's position over time, and displays the icon in a manner that indicates the elapsed time since the corresponding vehicle completed parking and the ignition was turned on.

[0009] Furthermore, the second information providing device according to the present invention includes a map image display means for displaying a map image including a parking lot on a display device, and an icon display means for displaying an icon indicating the position of a vehicle parked in the parking lot for each vehicle on the map image, wherein the icon display means updates the display position of the icon in accordance with changes in the vehicle's position over time, and displays the icon in a manner that indicates the elapsed time since the corresponding vehicle entered the parking lot. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the first information providing device of the present invention having the above configuration, it is possible to clearly display the movement of vehicles over time within a parking lot using icons displayed on a map image including a parking lot. Furthermore, since it can show the elapsed time since parking was completed and the ignition was turned on for each vehicle, it is also possible to easily understand the amount of time a vehicle remains in the parking lot without being able to leave.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the second information providing device of the present invention having the above configuration, it is possible to clearly display the movement of vehicles over time within a parking lot using icons displayed on a map image including the parking lot. In addition, since the elapsed time since each vehicle entered the parking lot can be shown, it is also possible to easily understand the amount of time a vehicle remains in the parking lot because it is unable to park. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the simulator system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the simulator system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the actual vehicle driving data that is collected. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the simulator device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of the simulation processing program according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Shows the simulation results for any one specified virtual vehicle. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart of a simulation result display processing program according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a simulation result screen immediately after the start of playback of simulation results. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a simulation result screen after some time has passed since the start of playback of simulation results. [Figure 10] It is a diagram explaining the display mode of an icon indicating a virtual vehicle. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, the first embodiment and the second embodiment in which the information providing apparatus according to the present invention is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [First Embodiment] First, in the first embodiment, an embodiment in which the information providing apparatus is embodied as the simulator apparatus 1 will be described. First, the schematic configuration of the simulator system 2 including the simulator apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the simulator system 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the simulator system 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the simulator system 2 according to the first embodiment basically includes a vehicle 4 that collects actual driving data on a parking lot 3 to be evaluated by simulation and its surrounding roads, and a simulator apparatus 1 that simulates the movement of vehicles in the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads based on the driving data collected from the vehicle 4 and outputs the results.

[0016] The simulator system 2 simulates the movement of vehicles in the parking lot 3 to be evaluated and the surrounding roads by setting virtual conditions. The parking lot 3 to be evaluated in the simulator system 2 is, for example, a large parking lot provided by large commercial facilities such as shopping malls and outlet malls, theme parks, concert venues, stadiums, etc., where many people gather from afar. In such a parking lot, there is a problem that cars arriving or leaving the parking lot concentrate especially during a specific time period, and it is impossible to smoothly exit or park from the parking lot.

[0017] In order to solve the problems of the above large parking lot, for example, it is effective to improve the passages in the parking lot, install signboards, arrange traffic guides in necessary places, etc. For that purpose, it is important to actually know the movement of cars in the parking lot. For that purpose, the simulator system 2 simulates the movement of vehicles in the parking lot 3 to be evaluated and the surrounding roads. The simulation result is notified to the evaluator 5 by displaying an icon indicating the position of the vehicle on the map image on the display provided in the simulator device 1 as described later. Then, the evaluator 5 (for example, the administrator of the parking lot 3) refers to the simulation result and, in order to improve the flow of cars in the parking lot 3, for example, sets regulations on the passages in the parking lot, installs signboards for guiding vehicles, determines the location of traffic guides, etc.

[0018] And in order to execute the above simulation, the simulator device 1 appropriately collects probe information (material information) including the current time, driving data, etc. from each vehicle 4 traveling across the country as shown in FIG. 2 and accumulates it in the database. However, the device that collects and accumulates the probe information may be a different device from the simulator device 1. In that case, the simulator device 1 acquires the data collected by the other device and stores it in the database.

[0019] Furthermore, the simulator device 1 extracts actual vehicle driving data, particularly for the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads, based on the information collected from each vehicle 4. Specifically, the extracted driving data includes at least the driving trajectory (also called the driving path or driving route) 6 of the vehicle 4, as shown in Figure 3. The example shown in Figure 3 shows the driving trajectory 6 of vehicle 4 from turning on the ignition at the parking position in parking lot 3 until exiting parking lot 3 onto the surrounding road 8. However, the driving trajectory 6 also exists for the reverse: entering parking lot 3 from the surrounding road, moving to the parking position, and turning off the ignition.

[0020] Furthermore, the extracted driving data may include more detailed data showing how the vehicle followed the driving trajectory 6, in addition to the driving trajectory 6 described above. For example, if the driving trajectory 6 is for exiting a parking lot, it may include changes in vehicle speed and current position over time since the ignition was turned on at the parking position, the stopping position, and the stopping time at the stopping position. The simulator device 1 then collects the above driving trajectory 6 data from a large number of vehicles 4 and uses this collected data to simulate the movement of vehicles in the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads.

[0021] Furthermore, the simulator device 1 is equipped with operating means such as a keyboard and display means such as a display, and is configured to allow input and output of various information through the operation of evaluator 5, who evaluates the simulation results. In particular, evaluator 5 inputs simulation conditions to the simulator device 1. In addition to specifying the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads to be evaluated, the input conditions may include the date and time, the weather, the degree of congestion of the facility on that day if the parking lot is attached to a facility, and the scale of the event if the facility is an event venue. On the other hand, the placement of guide signs in the parking lot and the placement of traffic controllers can also be input as simulation conditions. Moreover, instead of abstract conditions such as the date and weather, specific numerical values ​​such as the number of vehicles parked in the parking lot at the start of the simulation, the parking ratio to the number of available parking spaces, and the frequency of cars visiting the parking lot can also be input as simulation conditions. Furthermore, it is possible to simulate the movement of vehicles only for vehicles that have finished parking and are leaving the parking lot, or for vehicles only for vehicles that are entering the parking lot to park, or to simulate both simultaneously. Then, the simulator device 1 constructs a virtual environment for performing the simulation according to the input conditions (scenarios).

[0022] Furthermore, the simulator device 1 uses the constructed virtual environment and the actual vehicle driving data for parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads collected from each vehicle as described above to simulate the movement of vehicles in parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads within the constructed virtual environment. The simulated vehicle movements are notified to the evaluator 5 by displaying icons indicating the vehicle's position on a map image on the display of the simulator device 1. Details on how the simulation results are notified to the evaluator 5 will be described later.

[0023] Next, the details of the simulator device 1 described above will be explained. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the simulator device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the simulator device 1 comprises a control unit 11 that performs various calculation processes such as constructing a virtual environment for simulation, executing simulations in the virtual environment constructed using driving data collected from a vehicle, and outputting simulation results; a driving data DB 12 connected to the control unit 11 as an information recording means; an input operation unit 13 consisting of a touch panel or keyboard; a display 14 consisting of a liquid crystal display panel or the like; and a map DB 15 in which map information is stored.

[0025] The control unit 11 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire simulator device 1, and includes a CPU 21 as an arithmetic device and control device, RAM 22 used as working memory when the CPU 21 performs various arithmetic processing, a ROM 23 that stores control programs as well as simulation processing programs (see Figure 5) and simulation result display processing programs (Figure 7) described later, and an internal storage device such as a flash memory 24 that stores programs read from the ROM 23. The control unit 11 also has various means as processing algorithms. For example, the map image display means displays a map image including a parking lot on the display 14. The icon display means displays an icon indicating the position of a vehicle parked in the parking lot on the map image, for each vehicle. The information collection means collects the driving trajectory of vehicles within the parking lot. The simulation means simulates the movement of vehicles within the parking lot based on the information collected by the information collection means. In other words, the control unit 11 is an example of the map image display means, icon display means, information collection means, and simulation means.

[0026] Furthermore, the driving data DB12 is a storage means for storing driving data collected from each vehicle 4 traveling across the country in order to run a simulation in the simulator device 1, and is composed of, for example, non-volatile memory or an HDD. In addition to the driving trajectory 6 traveled by the vehicle 4 as shown in Figure 3, the driving data may also include more detailed driving data showing how the vehicle traveled along the trajectory 6.

[0027] Furthermore, the input operation unit 13 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel provided on the front of the display 14, and is configured to accept various operations from the evaluator 5. The control unit 11 then controls the system to execute various corresponding operations based on the operations input via the input operation unit 13. For example, in the first embodiment, it is operated when inputting simulation conditions.

[0028] Furthermore, the display 14 is a type of display device, positioned in a location visible to the evaluator 5, and uses a liquid crystal display, organic EL display, or the like. It is used to display the simulation results after the simulation has been performed in the simulator device 1.

[0029] Furthermore, the map DB15 is a storage means that stores map information registered based on external input data and input operations. Here, the map information includes, for example, network data including nodes and links that show the road network, link data related to roads (links), node data related to node points, intersection data related to each intersection, location data related to locations such as facilities, map display data for displaying a map, search data for searching for a route, search data for searching for a location, etc. In particular, the first embodiment has detailed information about the parking lot in order to simulate the movement of cars in the parking lot. For example, this includes information about the passages in the parking lot (areas where vehicles can travel), the direction of travel designated for the passages, entrances and exits, and the arrangement of parking spaces. Furthermore, map images of the parking lot and the surrounding roads used when displaying the simulation results are also stored.

[0030] Next, the simulation processing program executed in the simulator device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the simulation processing program according to the first embodiment. Here, the simulation processing program is executed when the input operation unit 13 of the simulator device 1 receives a simulation execution operation, and constructs a virtual environment based on the simulation conditions that have been input in advance, and simulates the movement of vehicles in the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads in the constructed virtual environment. The programs shown in the flowcharts in Figures 5 and 7 below are stored in the RAM 22, ROM 23, etc., of the simulator device 1 and are executed by the CPU 21.

[0031] First, in step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S), the CPU 21 of the simulator device 1 acquires the simulation conditions (scenario) that have been pre-entered into the simulator device 1. The simulation conditions first specify the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads to be evaluated. Other conditions include the date and time, weather, the degree of congestion of the facility on that day if the parking lot is attached to a facility, and the scale of the event if the facility is an event venue. On the other hand, the placement of guide signs in the parking lot and the placement of traffic controllers can also be entered as simulation conditions. Furthermore, instead of abstract conditions such as the date and weather, specific numerical values ​​such as the number of vehicles parked in the parking lot at the start of the simulation, the parking ratio to the number of available parking spaces, and the frequency of cars visiting the parking lot can also be acquired as simulation conditions. In addition, it is possible to limit the vehicles to be simulated. For example, it is possible to simulate the movement of vehicles only that have finished parking and are leaving the parking lot, or to simulate the movement of vehicles only that are entering the parking lot in order to park, or to simulate both simultaneously.

[0032] Subsequently, in S2, the CPU 21 constructs a virtual environment for the simulation according to the conditions obtained in S1. For example, it places vehicles (virtual vehicles, hereinafter referred to as virtual vehicles 25) in the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads that are to be evaluated. It also sets the frequency of new virtual vehicles 25 entering the parking lot. Information regarding the shape of the parking lot to be evaluated, the arrangement of parking spaces, the roads that vehicles can travel on within the parking lot, and the direction of travel of the roads is obtained from the map DB 15.

[0033] The number of virtual vehicles 25 to be placed and the frequency of new virtual vehicles 25 arriving at the parking lot are determined by the simulation conditions obtained in S1. For example, if the parking lot being evaluated is attached to an event venue and the simulation is to simulate the movement of vehicles immediately after the end of a large-scale event, then parking lot 3 will be filled with virtual vehicles 25, or nearly full. Alternatively, if the simulation is to simulate the movement of vehicles before the start time of a large-scale event, then the frequency of virtual vehicles 25 arriving at parking lot 3 will be set higher than the normal value.

[0034] Next, in S3, the CPU 21 uses the virtual environment constructed in S2 and the actual vehicle driving data stored in the driving data DB 12 to simulate the movement of vehicles in the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads within the constructed virtual environment. Specifically, it predicts how each virtual vehicle 25, which is virtually placed in the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads, will move afterwards based on the actual driving data for each virtual vehicle 25, and moves each virtual vehicle 25 based on the prediction results. In addition, it also predicts how each virtual vehicle 25 that newly enters the parking lot will move afterwards based on the actual driving data for each virtual vehicle 25, and moves each virtual vehicle 25 based on the prediction results. Note that the movement of each virtual vehicle 25 is determined by referring to the actual vehicle driving data stored in the driving data DB 12, but is also greatly influenced by other virtual vehicles 25 placed in the same virtual environment. For example, if another virtual vehicle 25 is stopped ahead in the direction of travel, the virtual vehicle will wait in place until the other virtual vehicle 25 moves, and if another virtual vehicle 25 traveling on the same track is ahead, the virtual vehicle will move in accordance with the other virtual vehicle 25.

[0035] Subsequently, in S4, CPU21 determines whether or not to terminate the simulation. The termination condition for the simulation may be the elapsed time (not real time, but time within the simulation) since the start of the simulation, or it may be the condition that the parking lot situation reaches a predetermined condition. For example, predetermined conditions may include when the number of virtual vehicles 25 in the parking lot falls below a predetermined number, or when congestion (waiting lines) of virtual vehicles 25 in the parking lot is resolved. If the simulation only targets vehicles that have finished parking and are leaving the parking lot, the termination condition may be when a predetermined percentage (e.g., 80% or 100%) or more of the cars have left the parking lot. If the simulation only targets vehicles that are about to enter the parking lot to park, the termination condition may be when a predetermined percentage (e.g., 80% or 100%) or more of the parking spaces are filled.

[0036] If it is determined that the simulation should be terminated (S4:YES), the process proceeds to S5. Conversely, if it is determined that the simulation should not be terminated (S4:NO), the simulation continues to run.

[0037] In S5, the CPU 21 stores the results of the simulation performed in S3 in flash memory 24 or the like, in units of 25 virtual vehicles. Here, the simulation results stored in S5 include, in addition to the driving trajectory of the virtual vehicle 25, data to identify the elapsed time since parking was completed and the ignition was turned on for virtual vehicles 25 that are leaving the parking lot. On the other hand, data to identify the elapsed time since entering the parking lot for virtual vehicles 25 that are about to park is included.

[0038] For example, Figure 6 shows an example of the simulation results stored in the flash memory 24 in S5. Note that Figure 6 shows the simulation results for an arbitrary virtual vehicle 25, but in reality, the simulation results shown in Figure 6 are obtained for each virtual vehicle 25 that appears in the simulation and stored in the flash memory 24. As shown in Figure 6, the simulation results include not only the driving trajectory 26 that the virtual vehicle 25 traveled during the simulation, but also a driving history 27 that shows how the driving trajectory 26 was traveled. The example shown in Figure 6 shows the simulation results for a virtual vehicle 25 that turns on its ignition at a parking position in the parking lot 3 and exits the parking lot 3 onto the surrounding road 8.

[0039] Furthermore, the driving history 27, for example, for a virtual vehicle 25 exiting a parking lot, would be the change in vehicle speed over time from when the ignition was turned on at the parking position, as shown in Figure 6. By combining the driving trajectory 26 and driving history 27 shown in Figure 6, the simulator device 1 can determine the specific trajectory that the virtual vehicle 25 took to exit the parking lot 3, as well as the elapsed time from when the ignition was turned on at each point along that trajectory (the elapsed time from when the exit began).

[0040] Figure 6 shows the simulation results for a virtual vehicle 25 exiting a parking lot, but the simulation results for a virtual vehicle 25 parking in parking lot 3 are similarly stored. Therefore, by combining the driving trajectory 26 and the driving history 27, the simulator device 1 can also determine the specific trajectory of the virtual vehicle 25 when parking in parking lot 3, as well as the elapsed time from entry into the parking lot at each point along that trajectory during the parking process.

[0041] Figure 6 shows an example of simulation results stored in the flash memory 24, but the method of acquiring and storing simulation results is not limited to the format shown in Figure 6. For example, the changes in the coordinates of the virtual vehicle 25 over time can be recorded, and data linked to each coordinate point (for a virtual vehicle 25 leaving the parking lot, this would be the time elapsed since the ignition was turned on; for a virtual vehicle 25 about to park, this would be the time elapsed since entering the parking lot) could be acquired and stored as simulation results.

[0042] Next, the simulation result display processing program executed in the simulator device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a flowchart of the simulation result display processing program according to the first embodiment. Here, the simulation result display processing program is executed after the above simulation processing program (Figure 5) has finished and when the input operation unit 13 of the simulator device 1 receives an operation to display the simulation results, and displays the simulation results to the evaluator 5.

[0043] First, in S11, the CPU 21 reads the simulation results for each virtual vehicle 25 stored in the flash memory 24 in S5 of the simulation processing program (Figure 5). The simulation results include the driving trajectory of the virtual vehicle 25, and for virtual vehicles 25 exiting the parking lot, data to determine the elapsed time since parking was completed and the ignition was turned on. On the other hand, for virtual vehicles 25 entering the parking lot in order to park, data to determine the elapsed time since entering the parking lot is included.

[0044] Next, in S12, the CPU 21 displays a simulation results screen 31 on the display 14, which shows the results of the simulation. Figures 8 and 9 show examples of the simulation results screen 31 displayed on the display 14. In particular, Figure 8 shows the simulation results screen 31 immediately after the start of playback of the simulation results, and Figure 9 shows the simulation results screen 31 some time after the start of playback of the simulation results.

[0045] Here, the simulation results screen 31 accepts various operations from evaluator 5. Specifically, operations such as starting playback of the simulation results, changing the playback position of the simulation results, and pausing playback of the simulation results are possible. The simulation results screen 31 will be explained in more detail below.

[0046] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the simulation results screen 31 displays a map image 32 including the parking lot 3 to be evaluated and the surrounding roads 8. The map image 32 including the parking lot 3 and the surrounding roads 8 is pre-stored in the map DB 15. In addition, the map image 32 displays an icon 35 for each virtual vehicle, indicating the location of a virtual vehicle 25 that has parked in the parking lot or a virtual vehicle 25 that is about to park. The icons 35 are displayed not only within the parking lot 3 but also on the surrounding roads 8. As described later, the display position of the icons 35 is updated in accordance with the change in the position of the virtual vehicle 25 over time (S14, S15), and is also displayed in a manner that indicates the elapsed time (for a virtual vehicle 25 that is leaving the parking lot, this is the time elapsed since the ignition was turned on; for a virtual vehicle 25 that is about to park, this is the time elapsed since entering the parking lot).

[0047] Here, using Figure 10 to explain the display modes of the icons 35, in the first embodiment, the display color of the corresponding icon 35 changes depending on the elapsed time of the virtual vehicle 25. Specifically, first, regarding the virtual vehicle 25 leaving the parking lot, the icon 35 representing the virtual vehicle 25 in a parked state before the ignition is turned on is displayed in gray. After that, the icon 35 representing the virtual vehicle 25 is displayed in yellow until 5 minutes have passed since the ignition was turned on. Furthermore, the icon 35 representing the virtual vehicle 25 is displayed in orange from 5 minutes after the ignition was turned on until 10 minutes have passed. Then, after 10 minutes or more have passed since the ignition was turned on, the icon 35 representing the virtual vehicle 25 is displayed in red. As a result, the evaluator 5 who views the simulation results screen 31 can understand the elapsed time since the ignition was turned on for the virtual vehicle 25 corresponding to that icon 35 by the display color of the icon 35. Therefore, if, for example, many red icons 35 are displayed in a particular area, it can be understood that virtual vehicles 25 are unable to exit the parking lot in that area and their movement is stalled. Accordingly, it can be determined that measures such as installing signs to prevent cars from flowing from other areas into that area, or deploying traffic controllers to prioritize the flow of cars in that area, would be effective in improving the flow of traffic in that area.

[0048] Next, let's describe the virtual vehicle 25 that will be parking in the parking lot. The icon 35 representing the virtual vehicle 25 before it enters the parking lot is displayed in gray. After that, the icon 35 representing the virtual vehicle 25 is displayed in light blue until 5 minutes have passed since it entered the parking lot. Furthermore, the icon 35 representing the virtual vehicle 25 is displayed in blue from 5 minutes after it entered the parking lot until 10 minutes have passed. After 10 minutes or more have passed since it entered the parking lot, the icon 35 representing the virtual vehicle 25 is displayed in purple. Once the virtual vehicle 25 has finished parking and the ignition is turned off, the icon 35 is displayed in gray again. As a result, the evaluator 5 who views the simulation results screen 31 can understand the elapsed time since the virtual vehicle 25 corresponding to the icon 35 entered the parking lot by the display color of the icon 35. Therefore, for example, if many purple icons 35 are displayed in a particular area, it can be understood that many virtual vehicles 25 are waiting to park in that area. Therefore, it can be concluded that effective measures include installing signs to reduce the number of cars directed into that area, or deploying traffic controllers to direct cars to other areas.

[0049] Furthermore, although the above explanation only touched upon problems within the parking lot, in this embodiment, the evaluation target includes not only the parking lot 3 but also the surrounding roads 8. Therefore, if, for example, the virtual vehicles 25 exiting the parking lot are causing congestion on the surrounding roads, measures to alleviate that congestion can also be taken. For example, measures such as creating a new dedicated side road that can be used when exiting or entering the parking lot, installing traffic lights, or changing the control of the traffic lights can be considered.

[0050] Furthermore, the simulation conditions obtained in S1 can be modified to include conditions that assume the above countermeasures have been implemented. For example, after reviewing the simulation results, evaluator 5 can re-simulate and verify how vehicle movement changes if the pathways within the parking lot are modified, or how vehicle movement changes if the signal light control is changed. This allows for the optimization of countermeasures to improve vehicle movement in the parking lot and surrounding roads.

[0051] Furthermore, the display configuration of the icon 35 shown in Figure 10 is just one example. For example, the display color of the icon 35 can be set in any way as long as the evaluator 5, who is viewing the simulation results screen 31, can grasp the elapsed time of the virtual vehicle 25. In addition, the elapsed time of the virtual vehicle 25 can be indicated by methods other than changing the display color. For example, the display size of the icon 35 can be increased as the elapsed time increases, or the transparency can be changed.

[0052] The simulation results screen 31 also includes a playback bar 36 that indicates the current playback position of the simulation results, a playback tag 37 that is operated when changing the playback position of the simulation results to an arbitrary position, a playback icon 38 that is operated when starting playback of the simulation results, and a pause icon 39 that is operated when pausing playback of the simulation results.

[0053] By manipulating the tags and icons located on the simulation results screen 31, evaluator 5 can repeatedly play parts of the simulation results, pause at any scene, and perform verifications.

[0054] Subsequently, in S13, the CPU 21 determines whether or not to start playback of the simulation results on the simulation results screen 31. Specifically, it determines whether or not the playback icon 38 has been operated.

[0055] Then, if it is determined on the simulation results screen 31 to start playback of the simulation results (S13: YES), playback of the simulation results begins and the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if it is determined on the simulation results screen 31 not to start playback of the simulation results (S13: NO), the process waits until playback can be started.

[0056] The following processes S14 and S15 are executed for each virtual vehicle 25 whose simulation results were read in S11. After the processes have been executed for all virtual vehicles 25, the process proceeds to S16.

[0057] First, in S14, the CPU 21 determines the position and elapsed time of the virtual vehicle 25 to be processed at the current time (not the actual time, but the time within the replayed simulation) based on the simulation results of the virtual vehicle 25 to be processed read in S11. The elapsed time is the time elapsed since the ignition was turned on for a virtual vehicle 25 that is leaving the parking lot, and the elapsed time since entering the parking lot for a virtual vehicle 25 that is about to park. The simulation results read in S11 include, as mentioned above, the driving trajectory of the virtual vehicle 25, as well as data to determine the elapsed time since parking was completed and the ignition was turned on for a virtual vehicle 25 that is leaving the parking lot. On the other hand, for a virtual vehicle 25 that is about to enter the parking lot to park, the results include data to determine the elapsed time since entering the parking lot.

[0058] Subsequently, in S15, the CPU 21 displays an icon 35 representing the virtual vehicle 25 to be processed, in a display mode corresponding to the position and elapsed time specified in S14. As mentioned above, the display color of the icon 35 changes in stages according to the elapsed time (Figure 9).

[0059] Furthermore, the processing in S14 and S15 is performed for all virtual vehicles 25 in units of the frame rate of the video on the simulation results screen 31. As a result, the display position of the icon 35 is updated in accordance with the change in the position of the virtual vehicles 25 over time in the simulation results, and the display color of the icon 35 changes in stages according to the elapsed time of the virtual vehicles 25. After processing in S14 and S15 is performed for all virtual vehicles 25, the program proceeds to S16.

[0060] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the simulation results screen 31 not only displays the simulation results for the entire parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads that are being evaluated, but it is also possible to display simulation results limited to a specific virtual vehicle. For example, if the user selects an arbitrary icon 35 on the simulation results screen 31, the detailed driving history of the virtual vehicle 25 corresponding to the selected icon 35 can be displayed individually. Therefore, if the evaluator 5 sees a virtual vehicle 25 that interests them after reviewing the simulation results screen 31, they can obtain more detailed information about that virtual vehicle 25.

[0061] In S16, the CPU 21 determines whether or not to terminate the playback of the simulation results. The conditions for terminating the playback of the simulation results may be that the entire period of the simulation results for each virtual vehicle 25 stored in the flash memory 24 in S5 of the simulation processing program (Figure 5) has been displayed on the simulation results screen 31, or that a certain amount of time (elapsed time within the simulation, not real time) has elapsed since the start of the playback of the simulation results, or that the user has performed a termination operation.

[0062] Then, if it is determined that the playback of the simulation results should be terminated (S16:YES), the simulation result display processing program is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the playback of the simulation results should not be terminated (S16:NO), the playback of the simulation results is continued.

[0063] As described in detail above, the simulator device 1 and the computer program executed by the simulator device 1 according to the first embodiment display a map image 32 including a parking lot on the display 14 (S12), and display icons 35 indicating the location of a vehicle parked in the parking lot on the map image 32 for each vehicle (S15). Furthermore, the display position of the icons 35 is updated in accordance with changes in the vehicle's position over time, and the icons 35 are displayed in a manner that indicates the elapsed time since the corresponding vehicle completed parking and the ignition was turned on. Therefore, the icons displayed on the map image including the parking lot make it possible to clearly display the movement of vehicles over time within the parking lot. In addition, since the elapsed time since the ignition was turned on for each vehicle can be shown, it is also possible to easily grasp the amount of time a vehicle remains in the parking lot without being able to leave. Furthermore, a map image 32 including the parking lot is displayed on the display 14 (S12), and icons 35 indicating the location of vehicles parked in the parking lot are displayed for each vehicle on the map image 32 (S15). In addition, the display position of the icons 35 is updated in accordance with the change in the vehicle's position over time, and the icons 35 are displayed in a manner that shows the elapsed time since the corresponding vehicle entered the parking lot. As a result, the icons displayed on the map image including the parking lot make it possible to clearly display the movement of vehicles over time within the parking lot. Also, since the elapsed time since the vehicle entered the parking lot can be shown for each vehicle, it is easy to understand the amount of time a vehicle remains in the parking lot because it is unable to park. Furthermore, the system collects the vehicle's driving trajectory 6 within the parking lot, simulates the vehicle's movement within the parking lot based on the collected information (S3), and displays the icon 35 by obtaining the elapsed time based on the simulation results (S5). By performing a simulation using actual vehicle driving data, it is possible to reproduce the vehicle's movement in the parking lot in a manner close to reality. Furthermore, a map image 32 including parking lot 3 and the surrounding roads 8 is displayed (S12), and in the display of icons 35, icons 35 are displayed for vehicles located in parking lot 3 and on roads 8 (S15). This makes it possible to display vehicle movements in an easy-to-understand manner, not only within the parking lot but also on the surrounding roads. Therefore, for example, if traffic congestion is caused on surrounding roads by vehicles exiting the parking lot, measures such as creating a new dedicated side road that can be used when exiting or entering the parking lot, or changing the control of traffic signals, can be taken.

[0064] [Second Embodiment] Next, an information providing device according to the second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in the configuration of the simulator device 1 according to the first embodiment in Figures 1 to 10 indicate the same or corresponding parts as those used in the configuration of the simulator device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0065] The general configuration of the information providing device according to this second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the simulator device 1 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the various control processes are also substantially the same as those of the simulator device 1 according to the first embodiment. However, the simulator device 1 according to the first embodiment constructs a virtual environment for simulation according to the input conditions (scenario), simulates the movement of vehicles in the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads under the constructed virtual environment, and notifies the evaluator 5 of the simulated vehicle movement using icons 35, whereas the information providing device according to the second embodiment differs in that it notifies the evaluator 5 of the actual movement of vehicles in the parking lot 3 and its surrounding roads using icons 35, rather than the results of the simulation.

[0066] In other words, the information providing device according to the second embodiment acquires the driving trajectory 26 and driving history 27 shown in Figure 6, targeting vehicles that actually traveled on the parking lot 3 and the surrounding roads 8 that are to be evaluated. That is, in the second embodiment, the driving trajectory 26 and driving history 27 are acquired from actual vehicles, not vehicles that were virtually set up in the simulation. For example, this information may be acquired by collecting location information and vehicle speed data from each vehicle via communication, or it may be acquired from a server that monitors the parking lot.

[0067] Furthermore, in the information providing device according to the second embodiment, a screen similar to the simulation result screen 31 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is displayed, but instead of a virtual vehicle 25, the movement of the actual vehicle is displayed. That is, an icon 35 indicating the actual vehicle's position is displayed for each vehicle. The icons 35 are displayed not only within the parking lot 3 but also on the surrounding roads 8. The display position of the icons 35 is updated as the vehicle's position changes over time, and is further displayed in a manner that indicates the elapsed time (the time elapsed since the ignition was turned on for a vehicle leaving the parking lot, or the time elapsed since entering the parking lot for a vehicle about to park).

[0068] Furthermore, in the information providing device according to the second embodiment, the icon 35 may display real-time information at the present time, or it may display past information (for example, information for a date and time specified by the evaluator 5).

[0069] As described in detail above, the information providing device and the computer program executed by the information providing device according to the second embodiment display a map image 32 including a parking lot on the display 14, and display an icon 35 for each vehicle indicating the location of a vehicle parked in the parking lot on the map image 32. Furthermore, the display position of the icon 35 is updated in accordance with changes in the vehicle's position over time, and the icon 35 is displayed in a manner that indicates the elapsed time since the corresponding vehicle completed parking and the ignition was turned on. Therefore, the icons displayed on the map image including the parking lot make it possible to easily display the movement of vehicles over time within the parking lot. In addition, since the elapsed time since the vehicle completed parking and the ignition was turned on can be shown for each vehicle, it is also possible to easily grasp the amount of time a vehicle remains in the parking lot without being able to leave. Furthermore, a map image 32 including the parking lot is displayed on the display 14, and an icon 35 indicating the location of a vehicle parked in the parking lot is displayed for each vehicle on the map image 32. In addition, the display position of the icon 35 is updated in accordance with the change in the vehicle's position over time, and the icon 35 is displayed in a manner that shows the elapsed time since the corresponding vehicle entered the parking lot. As a result, the icons displayed on the map image including the parking lot make it possible to clearly display the movement of vehicles over time within the parking lot. Moreover, since the elapsed time since the vehicle entered the parking lot can be shown for each vehicle, it is also easy to understand the amount of time a vehicle remains in the parking lot because it is unable to park.

[0070] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the evaluation targets are specifically large-scale parking lots, but the method is not limited to large-scale parking lots and can also be applied to small and medium-sized parking lots.

[0071] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the elapsed time indicated by the icon 35 is the elapsed time from when the ignition is turned on for a vehicle leaving the parking lot, and the elapsed time from when the vehicle enters the parking lot for a vehicle about to park. However, it may also be the elapsed time from when the vehicle starts moving instead of from when the ignition is turned on, or the measurement of time may be stopped when the vehicle leaves the parking lot (the elapsed time may not be increased).

[0072] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the display mode of the icon 35 itself is changed according to the elapsed time of the vehicle, but instead of changing the icon 35, it is also possible to change, for example, the display color of the map image that serves as the background of the icon 35 (for example, the color of the passage).

[0073] Furthermore, while the first and second embodiments include not only the parking lot but also the surrounding roads as part of the information provision, it may be limited to only the parking lot itself. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1... Simulator device, 2... Simulator system, 3... Parking lot, 4... Vehicle, 5... Evaluator, 6... Driving trajectory, 11... Control unit (example of map image display means, icon display means, information collection means, simulation means), 21... CPU, 31... Simulation result screen, 32... Map image, 35... Icon

Claims

1. A map image display means that displays a map image including a parking lot on a display device, The system includes an icon display means that displays an icon indicating the location of each vehicle parked in the aforementioned parking lot on the aforementioned map image, The icon display means is an information providing device that updates the display position of the icon in accordance with changes in the vehicle's position over time, and displays the icon in a manner that indicates the elapsed time since the corresponding vehicle was parked and the ignition was turned on.

2. A map image display means that displays a map image including a parking lot on a display device, The system includes an icon display means that displays an icon indicating the location of each vehicle parked in the aforementioned parking lot on the aforementioned map image, The icon display means is an information providing device that updates the display position of the icon in accordance with changes in the vehicle's position over time, and displays the icon in a manner that indicates the elapsed time since the corresponding vehicle entered the parking lot.

3. Information gathering means for collecting the driving trajectory of a vehicle within the aforementioned parking lot, The system includes a simulation means that simulates the movement of vehicles within a parking lot based on the information collected by the aforementioned information collection means, The information providing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the icon display means obtains the elapsed time based on the results of the simulation and displays the icon.

4. The map image display means displays a map image including the parking lot and the roads surrounding the parking lot. The information providing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the icon display means displays the icon for vehicles located in the parking lot and the road.

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