Parking lot guidance device, system, method, and program

Abstract

The present disclosure makes it possible to guide a user to a parking lot that the user can enter smoothly. A congestion determination means (21) uses sensor information output by a sensor (30) as a basis to determine whether a road in the vicinity of the entrance to a first parking lot toward which a vehicle is traveling is congested. When it is determined by the congestion determination means (21) that the road in the vicinity of the entrance to the first parking lot is congested, a selection means (22) selects a second parking lot toward which the vehicle is to be guided from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot. A notification means (23) notifies the vehicle of the selected second parking lot.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to parking guidance devices, systems, methods, and computer-readable media. [Background technology]

[0002] As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a parking assistance device. The parking assistance device described in Patent Document 1 detects whether there are any vehicles waiting to enter a full parking lot. When there are vehicles waiting to enter, the parking assistance device detects whether there are any vacant parking spaces in one or more nearby parking lots adjacent to the full parking lot. The parking assistance device outputs guidance information to the vehicle to encourage parking in a nearby parking lot that has vacant parking spaces. The parking assistance device also reserves a vacant parking space and outputs information about the reserved parking space to the vehicle. Patent Document 2 is an example of a document that describes another related technique. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2006 / 109828 [Patent Document 2] JP 2000-113393 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, even if the parking lot is not full, the entrance to the parking lot may become a bottleneck, causing road congestion near the entrance. In Patent Document 1, when the parking lot is full and there are vehicles waiting to enter, the vehicle is guided to a nearby parking lot. For this reason, in Patent Document 1, the user is not guided to a nearby parking lot if the parking lot is not full.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure aims to provide a parking lot guidance device, system, method, and computer-readable medium that can guide a user to a parking lot where the user can enter smoothly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides, as a first aspect, a parking lot guidance device. The parking lot guidance device has congestion determination means for determining whether a road near an entrance to a first parking lot to which a vehicle is heading is congested based on sensor information output by a sensor, selection means for selecting a second parking lot to be guided to the vehicle from one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot when the congestion determination means determines that the road is congested, and notification means for notifying the vehicle of the second parking lot.

[0007] The present disclosure provides, as a second aspect, a parking lot guidance system. The parking lot guidance system includes a sensor that outputs sensor information, and a parking lot guidance device that guides a vehicle heading to a first parking lot to the parking lot. The parking lot guidance device includes congestion determination means that determines whether a road near an entrance to the first parking lot is congested based on the sensor information, selection means that selects a second parking lot to guide the vehicle from one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot when the congestion determination means determines that the road is congested, and notification means that notifies the vehicle of the second parking lot.

[0008] The present disclosure provides, as a third aspect, a parking lot guidance method, which includes determining whether a road near an entrance to a first parking lot to which a vehicle is heading is congested based on sensor information output by a sensor, and, if it is determined that the road is congested, selecting a second parking lot to guide the vehicle to from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot, and notifying the vehicle of the second parking lot.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer-readable medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute a process of determining whether a road near an entrance to a first parking lot to which a vehicle is heading is congested based on sensor information output by a sensor, and, if it is determined that the road is congested, selecting a second parking lot to guide the vehicle to from one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot, and notifying the vehicle of the second parking lot. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The parking lot guidance device, system, method, and computer-readable medium according to the present disclosure can guide a user to parking lots where the user can smoothly enter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a parking lot guidance system according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a parking lot guidance system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a parking lot information device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relative positions of multiple parking lots. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the parking lot information device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Prior to describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a parking lot guidance system according to the present disclosure. The parking lot guidance system 10 includes a parking lot guidance device 20 and a sensor 30. The sensor 30 outputs sensor information. The parking lot guidance device 20 guides a vehicle heading for a first parking lot to the parking lot.

[0013] Parking lot information device 20 has congestion determination means 21, selection means 22, and notification means 23. Congestion determination means 21 determines whether or not the road near the entrance to the first parking lot to which vehicle 50 is heading is congested based on sensor information output by sensor 30. If congestion determination means 21 determines that the road is congested, selection means 22 selects a second parking lot to guide the vehicle to from one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot. Notification means 23 notifies the vehicle of the selected second parking lot.

[0014] In the present disclosure, when it is determined that the road near the entrance of the first parking lot to which the vehicle 50 is heading is congested, the selection means 22 selects a second parking lot as an alternative to the first parking lot. In the present disclosure, the parking lot information device 20 can notify, for example, of other nearby parking lots when the vicinity of the bottleneck parking lot entrance is congested. Therefore, the parking lot information device 20 can guide the user to parking lots where the user can smoothly enter.

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail. Fig. 2 shows a parking lot guidance system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The parking lot guidance system 100 has a camera 110, a parking lot guidance device 120, and a wireless communication device 130. Note that Fig. 2 shows an example in which the parking lot guidance system 100 has three cameras 110. However, it is sufficient for the parking lot guidance system 100 to have at least one camera 110, and the number of cameras 110 is not limited to three.

[0016] The parking lot guidance device 120 guides a vehicle 140 heading for a first parking lot to the parking lot. The first parking lot may be, for example, the parking lot closest to the commercial facility among multiple parking lots attached to the commercial facility. For example, the multiple parking lots attached to the commercial facility include a parking lot where customers can enter the commercial facility (building) without crossing the road, and a nearby parking lot located a short distance away from the commercial facility. In this case, the first parking lot may be the parking lot where customers can enter the commercial facility without crossing the road. The parking lot guidance device 120 is installed, for example, in the commercial facility, and is operated by the operator of the commercial facility. The parking lot guidance device 120 corresponds to the parking lot guidance device 20 shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] Camera (imaging device) 110 is a sensor used to obtain road conditions. Camera 110 is placed in a position capable of photographing roads leading to the entrances of multiple parking lots associated with a commercial facility, for example. The photographing range of camera 110 may include the entrance to a first parking lot. Camera 110 is placed in a road facility such as a traffic light, for example. Camera 110 outputs photographed video (video data) as sensor information. Parking lot information device 120 obtains the video photographed by camera 110 via a wireless communication network (not shown) or a network such as the Internet. Camera 110 corresponds to sensor 30 shown in FIG. 1. Another sensor may be used instead of camera 110.

[0018] The wireless communication device (communication device) 130 is configured as a device that performs wireless communication with the vehicle 140. The wireless communication device 130 may be, for example, a roadside unit (RSU) that is installed at each intersection in association with a traffic light or the like. The wireless communication device 130 may be a communication device that configures a wireless communication network using a communication line standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution). Alternatively, the wireless communication device 130 may be a device that configures a wireless communication network such as WiFi (registered trademark) or a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G: 5th generation). The wireless communication device 130 may also be a device that configures a wireless communication network of a sixth generation mobile communication system or later. The vehicle 140 corresponds to the vehicle 50 shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] 3 shows an example of the configuration of the parking lot information device 120. The parking lot information device 120 has a congestion determination unit 121, a parking lot selection unit 122, a vehicle approach detection unit 123, a numbered ticket issuing unit 124, and a parking lot information unit 125. At least a part of the functions of each unit in the parking lot information device 120 can be realized by a computer device having a processor and a memory, in which the processor operates according to a program read from the memory.

[0020] The congestion determination unit 121 acquires an image from the camera 110 (see FIG. 2). The congestion determination unit 121 uses the image acquired from the camera 110 to determine whether or not the road near the entrance of the first parking lot is congested. Here, the vicinity of the entrance of the first parking lot means, for example, a range within a predetermined distance from the entrance of the first parking lot. Alternatively, the vicinity of the entrance of the first parking lot may mean a predetermined section of the road leading to the entrance of the first parking lot, including the entrance of the first parking lot. The predetermined section may be a section on the closer side than the entrance as viewed from the vehicle 140 traveling toward the first parking lot.

[0021] The congestion determination unit 121 determines whether or not the road near the entrance of the first parking lot is congested by, for example, performing image analysis on the image acquired from the camera 110. The congestion determination unit 121 analyzes, for example, the number of vehicles on the road near the entrance of the first parking lot and the average speed. If the number of vehicles is equal to or greater than a threshold value and the average speed is equal to or less than a predetermined speed, the congestion determination unit 121 determines that vehicles are parked on the road near the entrance of the first parking lot and that the road is congested. The congestion determination unit 121 corresponds to the congestion determination means 21 shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] When the congestion determination unit 121 determines that the road is congested, the parking lot selection unit 122 selects a second parking lot to guide the vehicle 140 from one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot. The parking lot selection unit 122 selects the second parking lot from multiple other available parking lots in, for example, a commercial facility related to the first parking lot.

[0023] For example, the parking lot selection unit 122 may select, as the second parking lot, a parking lot having an entrance at a position along the traveling direction of the vehicle 140 from among the plurality of parking lots. Alternatively, the parking lot selection unit 122 may select, as the second parking lot, a parking lot into which the vehicle 140 can enter without crossing an oncoming lane from among the plurality of parking lots. That is, the parking lot selection unit 122 may select, as the second parking lot, a parking lot having an entrance on the side of the lane into which the vehicle 140 is scheduled to travel from among the plurality of parking lots. The parking lot selection unit 122 may select, as the second parking lot, a parking lot into which the vehicle 140 can enter without turning from among the plurality of parking lots. The parking lot selection unit 122 corresponds to the selection means 22 shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] Vehicle approach detection unit (approach detection means) 123 detects that vehicle 140 has approached the first parking lot. When congestion determination unit 121 detects that vehicle 140 has approached the first parking lot, it may determine whether or not the road near the entrance to the first parking lot is congested. When it is detected that vehicle 140 has approached the first parking lot and congestion determination unit 121 has determined that the road is congested, parking lot selection unit 122 may select a second parking lot.

[0025] Alternatively, the congestion determination unit 121 may determine whether or not a road near the entrance of the first parking lot is congested when the vehicle 140 passes a point that is a specified checkpoint that is in a specified positional relationship with the entrance of the first parking lot. The congestion determination unit 121 may determine whether or not a road near the entrance of the first parking lot is congested, regardless of the position of the vehicle 140. The parking lot selection unit 122 may check whether or not the congestion determination unit 121 has determined that the road is congested at the time when the vehicle 140 passes the specified checkpoint, and select the second parking lot if it has been determined that the road is congested.

[0026] The numbered ticket issuing unit (numbered ticket issuing means) 124 issues a numbered ticket to the vehicle 140 for entering the second parking lot. The numbered ticket issuing unit 124 issues a numbered ticket to the vehicle 140 electronically, for example, via wireless communication. The numbered ticket issuing unit 124 issues an electronic numbered ticket to the vehicle 140 traveling on the road from a wireless communication device 130 (see FIG. 2) installed on road equipment such as a traffic light. A vehicle that has been issued a numbered ticket can enter the second parking lot with priority. By issuing a numbered ticket for the second parking lot to the vehicle 140, the vehicle 140 can be guided to the second parking lot. The numbered ticket issuing unit 124 may be omitted.

[0027] When the parking lot selection unit 122 selects the second parking lot, the parking lot guidance unit 125 notifies the vehicle 140 of the selected second parking lot. The parking lot guidance unit 125 notifies the vehicle 140 of the second parking lot, for example, through the wireless communication device 130. The parking lot guidance unit 125 notifies the vehicle 140 of, for example, the location of the second parking lot. The parking lot guidance unit 125 may transmit route information to the second parking lot to the vehicle 140. In that case, the parking lot guidance unit 125 may present to the vehicle 140 a route that bypasses the congested road near the entrance of the first parking lot, and guide the vehicle 140 to the second parking lot. The parking lot guidance unit 125 corresponds to the notification unit 24 shown in FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows the relative positions of multiple parking lots. FIG. 4 shows three parking lots 301-303 as parking lots associated with a certain commercial facility. In FIG. 4, it is assumed that at least one camera 110 (see FIG. 2) is installed in each of four traffic lights 201-204 installed at an intersection. It is assumed that the camera mounted on at least one of the traffic lights 201 and 202 photographs a predetermined area 211 of a road leading to an entrance G1 of the parking lot 301 and a predetermined area 212 of a road leading to an entrance G2 of the parking lot 302. It is assumed that the camera mounted on at least one of the traffic lights 203 and 204 photographs a predetermined area 213 of a road leading to an entrance G3 of the parking lot 303.

[0029] In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the vehicle 140 is heading toward the parking lot 301. In other words, it is assumed that the parking lot 301 is a first parking lot. The congestion determination unit 121 acquires the congestion status (degree of congestion) of the predetermined area 211 near the entrance G1 of the parking lot 301, using images from a camera installed at the traffic light 201 or 202. The congestion determination unit 121 also acquires the congestion status of the predetermined area 212 near the entrance G2 of the parking lot 302, and the congestion status of the predetermined area 213 near the entrance G3 of the parking lot 303. If the degree of congestion in the predetermined area 211 is greater than a threshold value, the congestion determination unit 121 determines that the road near the entrance G1 of the parking lot 301 is congested.

[0030] When it is determined that the predetermined area 211 near the entrance G1 is congested, the parking lot selection unit 122 selects the parking lot 302 or 303 as the second parking lot. The parking lot selection unit 122 may select the parking lot 302 or 303 as the second parking lot depending on the congestion state of the predetermined area 212 near the entrance G2 of the parking lot 302 and the congestion state of the predetermined area 213 near the entrance G3 of the parking lot 303. When the parking lot to which the vehicle 140 is initially heading is the parking lot 302, the parking lot 302 is the first parking lot, and the parking lot 301 or 303 is selected as the second parking lot. When the parking lot to which the vehicle 140 is initially heading is the parking lot 303, the parking lot 303 is the first parking lot, and the parking lot 301 or 302 is selected as the second parking lot.

[0031] It is assumed that the parking lot selection unit 122 selects the parking lot 302 as the second parking lot. The parking lot guidance unit 125 notifies the vehicle 140 of the parking lot 302 as a parking lot that is an alternative to the parking lot 301. The parking lot guidance unit 125 may search for the position of the vehicle 140 in the wireless communication network and notify the parking lot 302 from the wireless communication device 130 installed at the intersection through which the vehicle 140 passes. The parking lot guidance unit 125 can present to the vehicle 140 a route toward the entrance G2 of the parking lot 302 that does not pass through the predetermined area 211 near the entrance G1 of the parking lot 301. When the driver of the vehicle 140 follows that route toward the parking lot 302, the vehicle 140 can reach the parking lot 302 without driving near the entrance G1 of the parking lot 301, which is crowded.

[0032] If the user so desires, the numbered ticket issuing unit 124 issues an electronic numbered ticket for the parking lot 302 to the vehicle 140 (its on-board device). The vehicle 140 receives the electronic numbered ticket from a wireless communication device 130 (see FIG. 2 ) installed at a traffic light, for example, at an intersection on the way to the parking lot 301. The electronic numbered ticket may include, for example, information specifying a time period during which the vehicle 140 can enter the parking lot 302. The vehicle 140 that has been issued with an electronic numbered ticket can enter the parking lot 302 preferentially during the specified time period, even if the parking lot 302 is crowded.

[0033] Although not shown in FIG. 4, each parking lot may have a dedicated gate through which vehicles that have been issued a numbered ticket can enter preferentially. Vehicles that have been issued a numbered ticket can enter the parking lot through a dedicated gate that is different from the entrance gate used by general vehicles. In that case, even if there are vehicles waiting to enter at the regular entrance gate, vehicles that have been issued a numbered ticket can enter the parking lot preferentially through the dedicated gate.

[0034] Next, the operation procedure will be described. FIG. 5 shows the operation procedure (parking lot guidance method) in the parking lot information device 120. The vehicle approach detection unit 123 detects that the vehicle 140 is approaching the first parking lot (step S1). The congestion determination unit 121 acquires an image from the camera 110 and determines whether the road near the entrance of the first parking lot is congested (step S2). The parking lot selection unit 122 determines whether the road near the entrance is determined to be congested in step S1 (step S3). If it is determined in step S2 that the road near the entrance is not congested, the vehicle 140 may head to the first parking lot, and the process ends. Alternatively, the parking lot information device 120 may notify the vehicle 140 that the road near the entrance of the first parking lot is not congested.

[0035] If it is determined in step S2 that the road near the entrance is congested, the parking lot selection unit 122 selects a second parking lot to guide the vehicle to from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot (step S4). In step S4, the parking lot selection unit 122 selects a second parking lot that is close to the first parking lot and serves as an alternative to the first parking lot. The parking lot guidance unit 125 notifies the vehicle 140 of the second parking lot selected in step S4 (step S5). If the user wishes, the numbered ticket issuing unit 124 issues an electronic numbered ticket for the second parking lot to the vehicle 140 (step S6).

[0036] In this embodiment, the congestion determination unit 121 determines whether the road near the entrance of the first parking lot is congested. When the parking lot selection unit 122 determines that the road near the entrance of the first parking lot is congested, it selects a parking lot different from the first parking lot as the second parking lot. The parking lot guidance unit 125 notifies the vehicle 140 of the selected second parking lot. In this way, the parking lot guidance device 120 can guide the vehicle 140 to the second parking lot near the first parking lot when the vicinity of the entrance of the bottleneck parking lot is congested. Therefore, in this embodiment, the parking lot guidance device 120 can guide the user to a parking lot where the user can smoothly enter.

[0037] In the present disclosure, the parking lot information device 120 may be configured as a computer device (server device). Fig. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a computer device that may be used as the parking lot information device 120. The computer device 500 has a control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 510, a storage unit 520, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 530, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 540, a communication interface (IF: Interface) 550, and a user interface 560.

[0038] The communication interface 550 is an interface for connecting the computer device 500 to a communication network via a wired communication means or a wireless communication means, etc. The user interface 560 includes a display unit such as a display, and an input unit such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0039] The storage unit 520 is an auxiliary storage device that can hold various data. The storage unit 520 does not necessarily need to be a part of the computer device 500, and may be an external storage device or a cloud storage connected to the computer device 500 via a network.

[0040] The ROM 530 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, a semiconductor storage device with a relatively small capacity, such as a flash memory, is used for the ROM 530. The programs executed by the CPU 510 can be stored in the storage unit 520 or the ROM 530. The storage unit 520 or the ROM 530 stores various programs for implementing the functions of each unit in the parking lot information device 120, for example.

[0041] The above program can be stored and provided to the computer device 500 using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. The non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media, magneto-optical recording media, optical disk media, and semiconductor memories. The magnetic recording media include recording media such as flexible disks, magnetic tapes, or hard disks. The magneto-optical recording media include recording media such as magneto-optical disks. The optical disk media include disk media such as compact discs (CDs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs). The semiconductor memory includes memories such as mask ROMs, programmable ROMs (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), flash ROMs, or RAMs. The program may also be provided to the computer using various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of the temporary computer-readable media include electric signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable media can provide the program to the computer via wired communication paths such as electric wires and optical fibers, or wireless communication paths.

[0042] The RAM 540 is a volatile storage device. Various semiconductor memory devices such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM) are used for the RAM 540. The RAM 540 can be used as an internal buffer for temporarily storing data and the like. The CPU 510 loads a program stored in the storage unit 520 or the ROM 530 into the RAM 540 and executes it. The CPU 510 executes a program to realize the functions of each unit in the parking lot information device 120. The CPU 510 may have an internal buffer for temporarily storing data and the like.

[0043] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments that do not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure are also included in the present disclosure.

[0044] For example, some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0045] [Appendix 1] a congestion determination means for determining whether a road near the entrance of the first parking lot to which the vehicle is heading is congested based on sensor information output by the sensor; a selection means for selecting a second parking lot to guide the vehicle to from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot when the congestion determination means determines that the road is congested; and a notification means for notifying the vehicle of the second parking lot.

[0046] [Appendix 2] The parking lot guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the notification means presents the vehicle with a route that detours around a road near the entrance to the first parking lot, and guides the vehicle to the second parking lot.

[0047] [Appendix 3] A parking lot guidance device as described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the selection means selects, from the one or more parking lots, a parking lot having an entrance located along the direction of travel of the vehicle as the second parking lot.

[0048] [Appendix 4] A parking lot guidance device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the selection means selects, from the one or more parking lots, a parking lot having an entrance on the side of the lane on which the vehicle is scheduled to travel as the second parking lot.

[0049] [Appendix 5] A parking lot guidance device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the selection means selects a parking lot from the one or more parking lots into which the vehicle can enter without turning as the second parking lot.

[0050] [Appendix 6] 6. A parking lot information device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a ticket issuing means for issuing a ticket to the vehicle for entering the second parking lot.

[0051] [Appendix 7] 7. A parking lot information device as described in claim 6, wherein the ticket issuing means electronically issues the ticket to the vehicle via wireless communication.

[0052] [Appendix 8] The parking lot information device described in Appendix 7, wherein the ticket issuing means transmits the electronically issued ticket to the vehicle from a communication device installed in road equipment provided on the road on which the vehicle travels.

[0053] [Appendix 9] The vehicle further includes an approach detection means for detecting an approach of the vehicle to the first parking lot, A parking lot guidance device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 7, wherein the selection means selects the second parking lot from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot when the approach detection means detects that the vehicle has approached the first parking lot and when the congestion determination means determines that the road is congested.

[0054] [Appendix 10] The sensor includes an imaging device having an imaging range including the entrance to the first parking lot, A parking lot guidance device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 9, wherein the congestion determination means determines whether or not a road near the entrance to the first parking lot is congested using image captured by the imaging device.

[0055] [Appendix 11] A sensor that outputs sensor information; a parking lot guidance device that guides a vehicle heading toward the first parking lot to the parking lot; The parking lot guidance device is A congestion determination means for determining whether a road near an entrance to the first parking lot is congested based on the sensor information; a selection means for selecting a second parking lot to guide the vehicle to from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot when the congestion determination means determines that the road is congested; and a notification means for notifying the vehicle of the second parking lot.

[0056] [Appendix 12] The parking lot guidance system according to claim 11, wherein the notification means presents the vehicle with a route that detours around a road near the entrance to the first parking lot, and guides the vehicle to the second parking lot.

[0057] [Appendix 13] The parking lot information system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the parking lot information device further comprises a ticket issuing means for issuing a ticket to the vehicle for entering the second parking lot.

[0058] [Appendix 14] The vehicle further includes a communication device installed in a road facility provided on a road along which the vehicle travels, The parking lot information system according to claim 13, wherein the ticket issuing means transmits an electronically issued ticket from the communication device to the vehicle.

[0059] [Appendix 15] The sensor includes an imaging device having an imaging range including the entrance to the first parking lot, A parking lot guidance system as described in any one of Appendices 11 to 14, wherein the congestion determination means determines whether or not the road near the entrance to the first parking lot is congested using image captured by the imaging device.

[0060] [Appendix 16] determining whether a road near an entrance to a first parking lot to which the vehicle is heading is congested based on sensor information output by the sensor; When it is determined that the road is congested, a second parking lot to which the vehicle is guided is selected from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot; A parking lot guidance method that notifies the vehicle of the second parking lot.

[0061] [Appendix 17] determining whether a road near an entrance to a first parking lot to which the vehicle is heading is congested based on sensor information output by the sensor; When it is determined that the road is congested, a second parking lot to which the vehicle is guided is selected from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot; A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process for notifying the vehicle of the second parking lot. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10: Parking lot information system 20: Parking lot information device 21:Method of determining congestion 22: Selection method 23: Notification means 30: Sensor 50: Vehicle 100: Parking lot information system 110: Camera 120: Parking lot information device 121: Congestion Judgment Department 122: Parking lot selection section 123: Vehicle approach detection unit 124: Ticket issuing department 125: Parking Information Department 130: Wireless communication device 140: Vehicle 201-204: Traffic lights 301-303: Parking lot 211-213: Specified area 500: Computer equipment 510:CPU 520: Storage section 530:ROM 540:RAM 550: Communication interface 560: User Interface

Claims

1. a congestion determination means for determining whether a road near an entrance to the first parking lot to which the vehicle is heading is congested based on sensor information output by the sensor; a selection means for selecting a second parking lot to guide the vehicle to from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot when the congestion determination means determines that the road is congested; a notification means for notifying the vehicle of the second parking lot, the congestion determination means determines whether a road near the entrance of the first parking lot is congested when the vehicle passes a predetermined checkpoint that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the entrance of the first parking lot, The selection means selects, from among the one or more parking lots, a parking lot into which the vehicle can enter without crossing an oncoming lane as the second parking lot.

2. 2. The parking lot guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the notification means presents the vehicle with a route that detours around a road near an entrance to the first parking lot, and guides the vehicle to the second parking lot.

3. 3. The parking lot guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the selection means selects, from among the one or more parking lots, a parking lot having an entrance located along the direction of travel of the vehicle as the second parking lot.

4. The vehicle may further include an approach detection means for detecting an approach of the vehicle to the first parking lot, A parking lot guidance device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the selection means selects the second parking lot from among one or more parking lots other than the first parking lot when the approach detection means detects that the vehicle has approached the first parking lot and when the congestion determination means determines that the road is congested.

5. A parking lot guidance device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a ticket issuing means for issuing an electronic ticket to the vehicle, the electronic ticket including information on the time period during which the vehicle can enter the second parking lot, in response to a request from a user riding in the vehicle.

6. The sensor includes an imaging device having an imaging range including an entrance to the first parking lot, A parking lot guidance device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the congestion determination means determines whether or not a road near the entrance to the first parking lot is congested using image captured by the imaging device.

7. A sensor that outputs sensor information; a parking lot guidance device that guides a vehicle heading toward the first parking lot to the parking lot; The parking lot guidance device is a congestion determination means for determining whether a road near an entrance to the first parking lot is congested based on the sensor information; a selection means for selecting a second parking lot to guide the vehicle to from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot when the congestion determination means determines that the road is congested; a notification means for notifying the vehicle of the second parking lot, the congestion determination means determines whether a road near the entrance of the first parking lot is congested when the vehicle passes a predetermined checkpoint that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the entrance of the first parking lot, The parking lot guidance system, wherein the selection means selects, from the one or more parking lots, a parking lot into which the vehicle can enter without crossing an oncoming lane as the second parking lot.

8. a computer determines, based on sensor information output by a sensor, whether or not a road near the entrance to a first parking lot is congested when a vehicle heading to the first parking lot passes a predetermined checkpoint that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the entrance to the first parking lot; When the computer determines that the road is congested, it selects, from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot, a parking lot into which the vehicle can enter without crossing an oncoming lane as a second parking lot to be guided to the vehicle; A parking lot guidance method, in which the computer notifies the vehicle of the second parking lot.

9. based on sensor information output by a sensor, when a vehicle heading to a first parking lot passes a predetermined checkpoint that is in a predetermined positional relationship with an entrance to the first parking lot, determining whether or not a road near the entrance to the first parking lot is congested; When it is determined that the road is congested, a parking lot into which the vehicle can enter without crossing an oncoming lane is selected from among one or more parking lots different from the first parking lot as a second parking lot to be guided to the vehicle; A program for causing a computer to execute a process of notifying the vehicle of the second parking lot.

Images