Display system

Abstract

To provide a display system that facilitates the determination of the number of mobile objects that can move along a route. [Solution] The display system 1 according to this disclosure displays routes connecting multiple locations. The display system 1 includes a storage unit 104 that stores at least one of location information 112 relating to the number of mobile vehicles 2 that can be accommodated at each location, and route information 114 relating to the width of each route, and a determination unit 122 that, when the storage unit 104 stores location information 112 for each location, determines the display mode of the route from the first location to the second location based on at least the location information of the second location, and when the storage unit 104 stores route information 114, determines the display mode of the route from the first location to the second location based on at least the route information 114 of the route.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation device that guides a route from the current location of a vehicle to a destination. The navigation device displays a map in which roads where passage is prohibited are deleted. Alternatively, the navigation device displays a road where passage is prohibited in a different color from other roads, or overlays a mark indicating that passage is prohibited on the road, or displays a blinking road where passage is prohibited.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The prior art does not consider the width of each route and information on points accessible by a moving body, and is insufficient as a technology for displaying the moving environment of a moving body.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above background, and an object thereof is to provide a display system that facilitates grasping the number of moving bodies that can move on a route.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The display system according to this disclosure is a display system for displaying routes connecting multiple points, and comprises: a storage unit that stores at least one of point information relating to the number of mobile vehicles that can be accommodated at each point, and route information relating to the width of each route; and a determination unit that, when the storage unit stores point information for each point, determines the display configuration of the route from a first point to a second point based on at least the point information for the second point, and when the storage unit stores route information, determines the display configuration of the route from the first point to the second point based on at least the route information for the route. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure provides a display system that facilitates the determination of the number of mobile objects that can move along a route. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement environment of the mobile body according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement environment of the mobile body according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the display system according to Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiment 1 Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the display system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The display system 1 may be connected to the mobile body 2 by wire or wireless. The display system 1 may include the mobile body 2. The display system 1 may be mounted on the mobile body 2.

[0010] Display system 1 outputs display information showing multiple points (also called nodes) and multiple paths (also called edges) placed in the mobile environment of mobile body 2. Each path goes from a starting point (also called a first point) to an ending point (also called a second point). The starting and ending points are included in multiple points. The starting and ending points of a path are different from each other. For example, a user may set nodes and edges on a map representing the mobile environment of mobile body 2 via the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of display system 1. Mobile body 2 is, for example, an autonomous mobile robot equipped with sensors such as a camera, radar, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).

[0011] Display system 1 is, for example, a computer such as a server. Display system 1 can be implemented, for example, by cloud computing. In this case, the multiple components of display system 1, described later, may each be implemented on physically different computers.

[0012] The display system 1 has a main hardware configuration consisting of a control unit 102, a storage unit 104, a communication unit 106, an input unit 108, and a display unit 110. The control unit 102, storage unit 104, communication unit 106, input unit 108, and display unit 110 are interconnected via a data bus or the like. If the display system 1 is implemented on multiple computers, each of the computers may have the hardware configuration shown in Figure 1.

[0013] The control unit 102 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 102 has the function of an arithmetic unit that performs control processing and calculation processing. The control unit 102 may have multiple processors.

[0014] The storage unit 104 is, for example, a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 104 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 104 has the function of storing control programs and arithmetic programs executed by the control unit 102. In other words, the storage unit 104 (memory) stores one or more instructions. The storage unit 104 also has the function of temporarily storing processing data, etc. The storage unit 104 may include a database. Furthermore, the storage unit 104 may have multiple memories.

[0015] The communication unit 106 performs the necessary processing for communicating with other devices via a network. The communication unit 106 may include a communication port, router, firewall, etc. The input unit 108 and the display unit 110 are, for example, a GUI. The input unit 108 is an input device such as a keyboard, touch panel, or mouse. The display unit 110 is a display device such as a display. The input unit 108 and the display unit 110 may be configured so that the input device and output device are integrated, for example, a touch panel. The input unit 108 accepts data input operations from the user and outputs information to the display unit 110 for the user.

[0016] The aforementioned storage unit 104 stores at least one of the location information 112 and the route information 114. Multiple locations and multiple routes are set on a map representing the movement environment of the mobile body 2. Locations and routes may also be set by the user via the input unit 108.

[0017] The location information 112 is information regarding the number of moving bodies 2 that can be accommodated at each location. For example, since the number of moving bodies 2 that can access predetermined facilities such as charging facilities and delivery posts is limited, there is an upper limit to the number of moving bodies 2 that can be accommodated at the locations where the predetermined facilities are provided. The location information 112 may be information indicating the number of moving bodies 2 that can be accommodated at each location. Alternatively, the location information 112 may be information indicating whether a predetermined facility is provided at each location. The route information 114 is information regarding the width of each route.

[0018] The display system 1 has a determination unit 122 as a component. Each component can be realized, for example, by executing a program under the control of the control unit 102. More specifically, each component can be realized by the control unit 102 executing a program (instruction) stored in the storage unit 104. Also, by recording the necessary program on an arbitrary non-volatile storage medium and installing it as needed, each component may be realized. Further, each component is not limited to being realized by software based on a program, and may be realized by any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Also, each component may be realized using a user-programmable integrated circuit such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or a microcontroller. In this case, a program composed of the above components may be realized using this integrated circuit.

[0019] The determination unit 122 determines the display mode of the route from the starting point to the ending point based on at least one of the location information 112 and the route information 114. The display mode of the route may be, for example, the display color of the line representing the route (e.g., blue, yellow, red), the type of the line representing the route (e.g., dotted line, solid line, dash-dot line), or the number of lines representing the route.

[0020] A method for determining the display mode of a route based on location information 112 will be specifically described. A plurality of locations in the movement environment of the mobile body 2 includes accommodation-restricted locations. There is an upper limit to the number of mobile bodies 2 that can be accommodated at the accommodation-restricted locations. For example, a predetermined facility is provided at the accommodation-restricted locations. Note that the number of mobile bodies 2 that can be accommodated at the accommodation-restricted locations may be limited due to the presence of obstacles around the accommodation-restricted locations.

[0021] There is an upper limit to the number of mobile bodies 2 that can access a predetermined facility. The predetermined facility is, for example, the entrance and exit of an elevator car, a delivery charging facility, a waiting place for the mobile body 2, a delivery box, a delivery post, or an automatic door. The number of mobile bodies 2 that can access the predetermined facility may be one. Also, a plurality of locations in the movement environment of the mobile body 2 includes locations where no predetermined facility is provided (also referred to as non-accommodation-restricted locations), for example, locations provided on a passageway. The passageway may be any place where the mobile body 2 can move. The determination unit 122, for example, sets the display color of the line representing the route to yellow when no predetermined facility is provided at the end point of the route. The determination unit 122, for example, sets the display color of the line representing the route to blue when no predetermined facility is provided at the end point of the route.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates the movement environment of the mobile body 2. In FIG. 2, a plurality of locations A to F and a plurality of routes 21 to 28 are set. Route 21 is a route from location A to location B. Route 22 is a route from location A to location D. Route 23 is a route from location B to location C. Route 24 is a route from location B to location E. Route 25 is a route from location C to location D. Route 26 is a route from location D to location E. Route 27 is a route from location E to location F. Route 28 is a route from location F to location A.

[0023] Locations B, D, and F are equipped with the specified facilities. Location B is equipped with an elevator entrance 31. Location D is equipped with charging equipment 32. Location F is equipped with a delivery box 33. Routes 21, 22, 25, and 27 leading to locations B, D, or F are represented by dashed lines. Locations A, C, and E are unrestricted capacity locations. Routes 23, 24, 26, and 28 leading to locations A, C, or E are represented by dashed lines.

[0024] The determination unit 122 makes the display patterns for routes 21, 22, 25, and 27 different from those for routes 23, 24, 26, and 28. For example, the determination unit 122 sets the display color of the lines representing routes 21, 22, 25, and 27 to yellow, and the display color of the lines representing routes 23, 24, and 26 to blue.

[0025] The way the route is displayed may correspond to the number of mobile bodies 2 that can be accommodated at the end of the route, for example, the number of mobile bodies 2 that can access a predetermined facility provided at the end of the route. Therefore, the determination unit 122 may display a different way for a route leading to an end that can accommodate one mobile body 2 than for a route leading to an end that can accommodate two mobile bodies 2. For example, the determination unit 122 may set the display color of the line representing the route leading to an end that can accommodate two mobile bodies 2 to a color different from both yellow and blue. Alternatively, for example, the determination unit 122 may represent a route that can accommodate two mobile bodies 2 with two lines and set the display color of the two lines to yellow.

[0026] Referring to Figure 3, the route includes a point G that cannot accommodate the mobile object 2 (also referred to as an unaccommodable point). In other words, point G is a point that the mobile object 2 cannot access and can be said to be a point that does not exist on the path. Routes 41 and 42 are routes leading to point G. The determination unit 122 sets the display mode of routes 41 and 42 to a specific display mode. For example, the determination unit 122 sets the display color of the lines representing routes 41 and 42 to red. Route 43 is a route that starts from point G. Route 43 is also represented by a dotted line. The determination unit 122 may also set the display color of the line representing route 43 to red. The user can intuitively understand that there is an error in the node (point) setting by visually checking the routes displayed in a specific display color.

[0027] Referring again to Figure 1, the determination unit 122 may determine the display mode for each route based on the route information. The number of mobile bodies 2 that can move along the route simultaneously may be limited by the width of the route. The determination unit 122 calculates the number of mobile bodies 2 that can move along the route simultaneously based on the width of the route and the dimensions of the mobile bodies 2. Then, if the number of mobile bodies 2 that can move along the first route simultaneously is different from the number of mobile bodies 2 that can move along the second route simultaneously, the determination unit 122 may make the display mode for the first route and the display mode for the second route different from each other. In other words, the display mode of the route may correspond to the number of mobile bodies 2 that can move along the route simultaneously.

[0028] The determination unit 122 may set a travel route based on both the location information 112 and the route information 114. The determination unit 122 may also determine the display mode of the route based on the smaller of the number of mobile bodies 2 that can be accommodated at the end of the route and the number of mobile bodies 2 that can move simultaneously along the route.

[0029] After the user sets the locations and routes, the display system 1 may set 3D coordinates for each location and output configuration information, including the 3D information of each location, to the mobile body 2. The mobile body 2 moves autonomously based on the configuration information. The configuration information may also include information indicating constraints on the number of mobile bodies 2 that can be accommodated at each location and the number of mobile bodies 2 that can move simultaneously on each route. The mobile body 2 may use sensors to determine the locations and routes of other mobile bodies 2 and move autonomously to satisfy the constraints.

[0030] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the display system 1. First, the determination unit 122 identifies the endpoint of the route for which the display color is to be set (step S101) and determines whether a predetermined facility is provided at the endpoint of the route (step S102). If the predetermined facility is provided at the endpoint of the route (YES in step S102), the determination unit 122 sets the display color of the route based on the number of mobile bodies 2 that can access the predetermined facility (step S103). If the predetermined facility is not provided at the endpoint of the route (NO in step S102), the determination unit 122 determines whether the endpoint of the route is on a passageway (step S104). If the endpoint of the route is on a passageway (YES in step S104), the determination unit 122 determines the display color of the route based on the number of mobile bodies 2 that can move along the route simultaneously (step S105). If the endpoint of the route does not exist on the path (NO in step S104), the determination unit 122 sets the display color of the route to a specific display color that indicates it is impassable (e.g., red) (step S106).

[0031] Embodiment 1 displays each path in the environment of the mobile body 2 in a display manner corresponding to the number of mobile bodies 2 that can move along the path simultaneously and the number of mobile bodies 2 that can access a predetermined facility provided at the end of the path. Therefore, Embodiment 1 makes it easy to grasp the number of mobile bodies 2 that can move along the path.

[0032] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, this disclosure can be implemented by having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a computer program to perform some or all of the processing in the control unit 102. For example, the control unit 102 can be implemented as a program-executable device such as the central processing unit of a computer. Various functions can also be implemented by programs.

[0033] The program described above includes a set of instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions. The program may be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium. Examples, but not limited to, include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. The program may be transmitted over a temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium. Examples, but not limited to, include temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium that includes electrically, optically, acoustically or otherwise propagating signals.

[0034] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Display System 2 Mobile Units A~G points Routes 21-28 and 41-43 31 Elevator entrance / exit 32 Charging equipment 33 Delivery Post 102 Control Unit 104 Storage section 106 Communications Department 108 Input section 110 Display section 112 Location Information 114 Route Information 122 Decision Section

Claims

1. A display system that shows routes connecting multiple points, A storage unit that stores at least one of the following: location information relating to the number of mobile units that can be accommodated at each location, and route information relating to the width of each route. When the storage unit stores location information for each point, it determines the display method of the route from the first point to the second point based on at least the location information of the second point, and when the storage unit stores the route information, it determines the display method of the route from the first point to the second point based on at least the route information of the route, A display system equipped with the following features.

2. The determination unit makes the display mode of the route leading to the second point where the predetermined equipment is installed different from the display mode of the route leading to the second point where the predetermined equipment is not installed. The aforementioned designated equipment is one of the following: an elevator car entrance / exit, a delivery charging facility, a waiting area for the mobile vehicle, a delivery box, a delivery post, or an automatic door. The display system according to claim 1.

3. The display mode corresponds to the number of mobile bodies that can move simultaneously along the path. The display system according to claim 1.

4. The display configuration corresponds to the number of mobile units that can be accommodated at the second location. The display system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The determination unit sets the display mode of the route leading to the second point where the moving body cannot be accommodated to a specific display mode. The display system according to claim 1 or 2.

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