Output device

Abstract

To provide an output device capable of capturing a destination having shortest total time including the time from the current location.SOLUTION: The output device is provided with a capturing unit for capturing a destination that a user wants to reach by driving a vehicle, and an output unit for outputting a candidate location that has the shortest total time of a predicted required time from the current location of the user and a predicted waiting time of a parking lot related to the candidate location among the candidate locations capable of reaching the destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an output device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information providing system that predicts the congestion level of a parking lot related to a destination at the predicted arrival time at the destination of a vehicle and outputs parking information including the prediction result regarding the congestion level and the waiting time at the parking lot.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The information providing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot grasp a point where the total time including the required time from the current location is the shortest.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object thereof is to provide an output device that can grasp a point where the total time including the required time from the current location is the shortest.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An output device according to a first aspect includes an acquisition unit that acquires an object that a user wants to achieve by getting in a vehicle, and an output unit that outputs a candidate location among candidate locations where the object can be achieved, the candidate location having the shortest total time of a predicted required time from the current location of the user and a predicted waiting time at a parking lot related to the candidate location.

[0007] In the output device according to the first aspect, the acquisition unit acquires the purpose that the user wants to achieve by getting in the vehicle, and the output unit outputs, among the candidate locations where the purpose can be achieved, the candidate location with the shortest total time of the predicted required time from the current location of the user and the predicted waiting time at the parking lot related to the candidate location. According to the output device according to the first aspect, it is possible to grasp the location with the shortest total time including the required time from the current location.

[0008] The output device according to the second aspect is the output device according to the first aspect, wherein the output unit outputs the candidate location with the shortest total time of the predicted required time predicted from the satellite image in which the road from the current location to the candidate location is photographed and the predicted waiting time predicted from the satellite image in which the parking lot is photographed.

[0009] According to the output device according to the second aspect, it is possible to grasp the location with the shortest total time without newly installing a device such as a sensor.

[0010] The output device according to the third aspect is the output device according to the second aspect, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires the target date on which the user wants to achieve the purpose, and the output unit outputs the candidate location with the shortest total time of the predicted required time predicted from the satellite image in which the road is photographed on a date related to the target date and the predicted waiting time predicted from the satellite image in which the parking lot is photographed on a date related to the target date.

[0011] According to the output device according to the third aspect, it is possible to grasp the total time predicted with high accuracy as compared with the case where the predicted required time and the predicted waiting time are not predicted based on the satellite image photographed on a date related to the target date.

[0012] The output device according to the fourth aspect is the output device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein when there are a plurality of candidate locations with the shortest total time, the output unit outputs the candidate location with the shortest predicted waiting time among the candidate locations with the shortest total time.

[0013] According to the output device according to the fourth aspect, compared with the case of outputting the candidate location with the shortest predicted required time among the candidate locations with the shortest total time, it is possible to reduce the congestion of the parking lot.

[0014] The output device according to the fifth aspect is the output device according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the destination of the vehicle and acquires, as the purpose, the genre indicating the outline of the destination.

[0015] According to the output device according to the fifth aspect, the purpose intended to be achieved at the destination can be achieved at the candidate location with the shortest total time.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to grasp the location with the shortest total time including the required time from the current location.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the output system 100 of the present embodiment is configured to include a satellite server 10, a vehicle 12, and a center server 30. The center server 30 is an example of an output device. The vehicle 12 is equipped with an in-vehicle device 20. Note that the number of vehicles 12 included in the output system 100 is not limited to the number shown in FIG. 1. The satellite server 10, the vehicle 12, and the center server 30 are interconnected via a network CN1, respectively.

[0019] The satellite server 10 stores satellite images, which are images of the ground taken from above by artificial satellites or aircraft. Specifically, the satellite server 10 stores satellite images in association with the dates on which the satellite images were taken and the locations where the satellite images were taken.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the devices mounted on the vehicle 12 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 12 of the present embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 20 and a GPS (Global Positioning System) device 22.

[0021] The GPS device 22 is a device that acquires position information, which is the current location of the vehicle 12.

[0022] The in-vehicle device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C, a storage 20D, a wireless communication I / F (Inter Face) 20E, and an input / output I / F 20G. The CPU 20A, the ROM 20B, the RAM 20C, the storage 20D, the wireless communication I / F 20E, and the input / output I / F 20G are communicably connected to each other via a bus 20I.

[0023] The CPU 20A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 20A reads a program from the ROM 20B or the storage 20D and executes the program using the RAM 20C as a working area.

[0024] The ROM 20B stores various programs and various data. The RAM 20C temporarily stores a program or data as a working area. The storage 20D as a storage unit is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

[0025] The wireless communication I / F 20E is an interface for connecting to the network CN1.

[0026] The input / output I / F 20G is an interface for communicating with each device mounted on the vehicle 12. In the in-vehicle device 20 of the present embodiment, a GPS device 22 is connected via the input / output I / F 20G. Note that the GPS device 22 may be directly connected to the bus 20I.

[0027] (Center server) As shown in FIG. 3, the center server 30 includes a CPU 30A, a ROM 30B, a RAM 30C, and a communication I / F 30G. The CPU 30A, the ROM 30B, the RAM 30C, and the communication I / F 30G are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 30H.

[0028] The CPU 30A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 30A reads a program from the ROM 30B and executes the program using the RAM 30C as a working area.

[0029] The ROM 30B stores various programs and various data. The RAM 30C temporarily stores a program or data as a working area.

[0030] In the ROM 30B of the present embodiment, an output program and a location database are stored.

[0031] The output program is a program for realizing each function of the center server 30.

[0032] In the location database, locations on the map are stored as a location list together with the genre of the location. The genre is information indicating an overview of the location, such as a supermarket, a park, an amusement park, and a department store. The location database can be updated via the network CN1. Note that the location database may be acquired via the network CN1.

[0033] In the speed database, the average speed of vehicles traveling on the road section is stored for each density of vehicles (i.e., traffic density) in the road section. The speed database according to the present embodiment is stored such that the average speed decreases as the traffic density increases.

[0034] The communication I / F 30G is an interface for connecting to the network CN1.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the CPU 30A. As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 30A has an acquisition unit 300, a prediction unit 310, and an output unit 320. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 30A reading out the output program stored in the ROM 30B and executing it.

[0036] The acquisition unit 300 has a function of acquiring the purpose (hereinafter simply referred to as "purpose") that the user wants to achieve by boarding the vehicle 12. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 300 acquires the destination of the vehicle 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as "destination") from the in-vehicle device 20 via the communication I / F 30G. Then, the acquisition unit 300 acquires the genre of the acquired destination as the purpose. Specifically, the acquisition unit 300 acquires, as the purpose, the genre stored in association with the acquired destination in the location database. For example, when the acquisition unit 300 acquires "Store B of Supermarket A" as the destination from the in-vehicle device 20, the acquisition unit 300 acquires, as the purpose, the genre (for example, "supermarket" or "Supermarket A", etc.) stored in association with "Store B of Supermarket A" in the location database.

[0037] In addition, the acquisition unit 300 acquires candidate locations (hereinafter simply referred to as "candidate locations") where the purpose can be achieved. Specifically, the acquisition unit 300 acquires, as candidate locations, all the locations stored in association with the acquired purpose in the location database. For example, when the acquisition unit 300 acquires "supermarket" as the purpose, the acquisition unit 300 acquires "Store B of Supermarket A", "Store C of Supermarket A", "Store D of Supermarket A", "Store B of Supermarket X", and "Store C of Supermarket Y", etc., stored in association with "supermarket" in the location database, as candidate locations.

[0038] Note that the acquisition unit 300 may directly acquire the purpose without acquiring the destination. In this case, the acquisition unit 300 acquires the purpose (for example, supermarket, park, amusement park, or department store, etc.) from the in-vehicle device 20 via the communication I / F 30G.

[0039] In addition, the acquisition unit 300 acquires the current location of the user (hereinafter simply referred to as the "current location") from the in-vehicle device 20 via the communication I / F 30G. In the present embodiment, the user is applied to the passengers in the vehicle 12. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as the current location, the current location acquired by the vehicle 12 via the GPS device 22 is applied. However, it is not limited to this example. As the current location, the position information of a user terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user, or the current location input by the user may be applied.

[0040] In addition, the acquisition unit 300 has a function of further acquiring the target date that the user wants to achieve the purpose. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 300 acquires the target date from the in-vehicle device 20 via the communication I / F 30G. However, it is not limited to this example. The target date may be acquired from a user terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user.

[0041] Then, the acquisition unit 300 acquires, from the satellite server 10 via the communication I / F 30G, satellite images in which the road from the current location to the candidate location (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "road") is photographed, and satellite images in which the parking lot related to the candidate location (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "parking lot") is photographed. Hereinafter, the satellite images in which the road is photographed and the satellite images in which the parking lot is photographed are also collectively referred to as "satellite images".

[0042] Note that the acquisition unit 300 acquires two satellite images in which the parking lot is photographed. Specifically, the acquisition unit 300 acquires a satellite image in which the parking lot is photographed and a satellite image in which the same parking lot is photographed after a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes or 30 minutes, etc.) has elapsed since the parking lot was photographed.

[0043] In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 300 acquires satellite images taken on a date related to the target date from the satellite server 10. Specifically, the acquisition unit 300 acquires satellite images taken on a date on which at least one of the target date, day of the week, and time period is the same. The time period is, for example, one week before and after the same month and day as the target date. For example, when the target date is August 15, 2023 (Tuesday), the acquisition unit 300 acquires at least one of the satellite images taken on Tuesday and the satellite images taken from August 8, 2022 to August 22, 2022. Note that the time period may be two weeks before and after or one month before and after the same month and day as the target date. Also, whether the acquisition unit 300 acquires the satellite images taken on a date on which the target date and the day of the week are the same, a date on which the target date and the time period are the same, or a date on which the target date, the day of the week, and the time period are the same may be determined in advance by the user or may be determined in advance by the administrator of the center server 30 or the like.

[0044] Note that when the acquisition unit 300 does not acquire the target date, the acquisition unit 300 may acquire the latest satellite image stored in the satellite server 10.

[0045] Also, the acquisition unit 300 may acquire satellite images taken on a date on which at least one of the target date, holiday status, and time period is the same. The holiday status indicates whether it is Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday. For example, when the target date is August 15, 2023 (Tuesday), the target date is not a holiday. Therefore, the acquisition unit 300 acquires at least one of the satellite images taken on weekdays, i.e., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, and the satellite images taken from August 8, 2022 to August 22, 2022.

[0046] In addition, when the acquisition unit 300 further acquires the target time at which the user wants to achieve the goal, the acquisition unit 300 acquires a satellite image taken in the same time zone as the acquired target time. The time zone is, for example, 30 minutes before and after the target time acquired by the acquisition unit 300. For example, when the target time is 13:00, the acquisition unit 300 acquires a satellite image taken from 12:30 to 13:30. Note that the time zone may be 1 hour before and after or 3 hours before and after the target time acquired by the acquisition unit 300, etc.

[0047] In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 300 transmits the current location, the candidate location, and the target date to the satellite server 10. Then, the satellite server 10 transmits a satellite image for each candidate location taken on a date related to the target date to the center server 30. Thereby, the acquisition unit 300 acquires a satellite image for each candidate location taken on a date related to the target date. Note that when the road from the current location to the candidate location is photographed across a plurality of satellite images, the acquisition unit 300 acquires the plurality of satellite images.

[0048] The prediction unit 310 predicts the predicted required time from the current location to the candidate location and the predicted waiting time at the parking lot based on the satellite image for each candidate location acquired by the acquisition unit 300. That is, the prediction unit 310 predicts the total time of the predicted required time and the predicted waiting time on the target date.

[0049] Specifically, the prediction unit 310 extracts the area of the road from the current location to the candidate location from the satellite image in which the road is photographed. Then, the prediction unit 310 extracts the front and rear surfaces of the vehicle from the extracted road area and calculates the number of vehicles traveling on the road. Then, the prediction unit 310 calculates the vehicle density by dividing the calculated number of vehicles by the area of the road. Then, the prediction unit 310 reads out the average speed of the vehicle stored in association with the calculated vehicle density from the speed database. Then, the prediction unit 310 predicts the predicted required time from the current location to the candidate location by dividing the length of the road by the read average speed of the vehicle.

[0050] Note that the method for predicting the required time is not limited to the above-described example. For example, the prediction unit 310 may predict the required time by inputting the satellite image of the road captured by the acquisition unit 300 into a required time prediction model that has learned, as a dataset, the actual required time from one point to another point and the satellite image of the road from the one point to the other point.

[0051] In addition, the prediction unit 310 may predict the required time based on the information collected by sensors installed at each point on the road without using the satellite image of the road. Further, the prediction unit 310 may predict the required time based on the position information of a plurality of vehicles 12 traveling on the road.

[0052] On the other hand, the prediction unit 310 extracts the area of the parking lot from the satellite image of the parking lot captured. In the present embodiment, as the parking lot, a parking lot adjacent to the candidate location is applied. Then, the prediction unit 310 extracts the front and rear surfaces of the vehicles parked along the extracted area of the parking lot, and calculates the number of vehicles lined up in the parking lot. Then, the prediction unit 310 identifies the last vehicle lined up among the vehicles lined up in the parking lot. Further, the prediction unit 310 calculates the number of newly lined up vehicles behind the last lined up vehicle from the satellite image of the same parking lot captured after a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, the prediction unit 310 divides the number of newly lined up vehicles by the predetermined time to calculate the number of vehicles lined up in the parking lot per unit time. Then, the prediction unit 310 uses Little's formula to divide the number of vehicles lined up in the parking lot by the number of vehicles lined up in the parking lot per unit time to predict the waiting time. Note that when the number of vehicles lined up in the parking lot is 0, the prediction unit 310 predicts the waiting time as 0 minutes.

[0053] In addition, the method for predicting the waiting time is not limited to the above-described example. For example, the prediction unit 310 may predict the waiting time by multiplying the average parking time of the parking lot by the number of vehicles lined up in the parking lot. In this case, the average parking time may be stored in advance in the point database or may be calculated from a plurality of satellite images of the same parking lot.

[0054] Further, the prediction unit 310 may predict the predicted waiting time by inputting the satellite image of the parking lot acquired by the acquisition unit 300 into a waiting time prediction model learned using the actual waiting time of a certain parking lot and the satellite image of the certain parking lot as a dataset.

[0055] Further, the prediction unit 310 may predict the predicted waiting time based on the information collected by sensors installed at the entrance and exit of the parking lot without using the satellite image of the parking lot. Further, the prediction unit 310 may predict the predicted waiting time based on the position information of the vehicles 12 lined up in the parking lot.

[0056] The output unit 320 has a function of outputting, among the candidate locations, the candidate location with the shortest total time of the predicted required time from the current location and the predicted waiting time of the parking lot. In the present embodiment, the output unit 320 outputs the candidate location with the shortest total time of the predicted required time predicted from the satellite image of the road taken on a date related to the target date and the predicted waiting time predicted from the satellite image of the parking lot taken on a date related to the target date. That is, the output unit 320 outputs the candidate location with the shortest total time predicted by the prediction unit 310. In the present embodiment, the output unit 320 outputs the candidate location with the shortest total time to the in-vehicle device 20 via the communication I / F 30G. However, it is not limited to this example. The output unit 320 may output the candidate location with the shortest total time to a user terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user. Further, when the center server 30 includes a display device, the output unit 320 may output the candidate location with the shortest total time to the display device.

[0057] In addition, in the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of candidate locations with the shortest total time, the output unit 320 has a function of outputting the candidate location with the shortest predicted waiting time among the candidate locations with the shortest total time. However, it is not limited to this example. The output unit 320 may output the candidate location with the shortest predicted required time among the candidate locations with the shortest total time, or may output all the candidate locations with the shortest total time. Further, when there are a plurality of candidate locations with the shortest total time, which candidate location among the candidate locations with the shortest predicted waiting time or the shortest predicted required time, or all the candidate locations with the shortest total time among the candidate locations with the shortest total time the output unit 320 outputs may be determined in advance by the user, or may be determined in advance by the administrator of the center server 30 or the like.

[0058] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the flow of the output process for outputting the candidate location with the shortest total time will be described. The output process is performed by the CPU 30A reading out the output program from the ROM 30B, expanding it in the RAM 30C, and executing it.

[0059] In step S100 of FIG. 5, the CPU 30A waits for the in-vehicle device 20 to acquire the current location. When the CPU 30A acquires the current location (step S100: YES), it proceeds to step S101.

[0060] In step S101, the CPU 30A waits for the in-vehicle device 20 to acquire the destination. When the CPU 30A acquires the destination (step S101: YES), it proceeds to step S102.

[0061] In step S102, the CPU 30A acquires the purpose. Specifically, the CPU 30A acquires, as the purpose, the genre stored in association with the destination acquired in step S101 in the location database.

[0062] In step S103, the CPU 30A acquires candidate locations. Specifically, the CPU 30A acquires, as candidate locations, all the locations stored in association with the purpose acquired in step S102 in the location database.

[0063] In step S104, the CPU 30A waits for the in-vehicle device 20 to acquire the target date. When the CPU 30A acquires the target date (step S104: YES), it proceeds to step S105.

[0064] In step S105, the CPU 30A transmits the current location, candidate locations, and target date to the satellite server 10.

[0065] In step S106, the CPU 30A acquires, for each candidate location, satellite images of roads and satellite images of parking lots taken on dates related to the target date. Specifically, the CPU 30A acquires, for each candidate location, satellite images of roads and satellite images of parking lots taken on dates on which at least one of the day of the week and time period is the same as that of the target date from the satellite server 10.

[0066] In step S107, the CPU 30A predicts the predicted travel time for each candidate location. Specifically, the CPU 30A predicts the predicted travel time for each candidate location by dividing the length of the road by the average speed of the vehicle calculated based on the satellite image in which the road was taken.

[0067] In step S108, the CPU 30A predicts the predicted waiting time for each candidate location. Specifically, the CPU 30A predicts the predicted waiting time by dividing the number of vehicles lined up in the parking lot calculated from the satellite image of the parking lot by the number of vehicles lined up in the parking lot per unit time.

[0068] In step S109, the CPU 30A predicts the total time for each candidate location. Specifically, the CPU 30A sums the predicted travel time predicted in step S107 and the predicted waiting time predicted in step S108.

[0069] In step S110, the CPU 30A determines whether there are multiple candidate locations with the shortest total time. If there are multiple candidate locations with the shortest total time (step S110: YES), the CPU 30A proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, if there is only one candidate location with the shortest total time (step S110: NO), the CPU 30A proceeds to step S112.

[0070] In step S111, the CPU 30A outputs to the in-vehicle device 20 the candidate location with the shortest predicted waiting time among the candidate locations with the shortest total time, and ends this output process.

[0071] In step S112, the CPU 30A outputs to the in-vehicle device 20 the candidate location with the shortest total time, and ends this output process.

[0072] [Remarks] In the above embodiment, the center server 30 configured separately from the vehicle 12 was applied as the output device. However, it is not limited to this example. A device built into the vehicle 12 may be applied as the output device. Also, instead of the vehicle 12, a user terminal owned by the user may be applied. In this case, a device built into the user terminal may be applied as the output device.

[0073] Also, in the above embodiment, satellite images were stored in the satellite server 10 configured separately from the center server 30. However, it is not limited to this example. Satellite images may be stored in a storage device such as the ROM 30B or the storage included in the center server 30.

[0074] Also, in the above embodiment, the center server 30 predicted the total time. However, it is not limited to this example. A device other than the center server 30 may predict the total time. In this case, the center server 30 outputs the candidate location with the shortest total time predicted by a device other than the center server 30.

[0075] Also, the processes executed by the CPU by reading and executing software (programs) in the above embodiments may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of the processor in this case include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) whose circuit configurations can be changed after manufacturing, such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), and dedicated electric circuits such as processors having circuit configurations designed specifically for executing specific processes, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). Also, the above-described processes may be executed by one of these various processors, or may be executed by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a plurality of FPGAs, and combinations of a CPU and an FPGA, etc.). Further, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0076] Also, in the above embodiments, the mode in which each program is pre-stored (installed) in the ROM has been described, but it is not limited to this. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Also, the program may be in a form downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0077] The flow of the processes described in the above embodiments is also an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order of the processes may be changed within the scope not departing from the gist.

[0078] In addition, each configuration of the satellite server 10, the vehicle 12, and the center server 30 described in the above embodiments is an example, and may be changed according to the situation within the scope not departing from the gist.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0079] 12 vehicles 30 center servers (output devices) 300 acquisition unit 320 output unit

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires the purpose the user wants to achieve by getting in the vehicle; An output unit that outputs, among the candidate locations where the purpose can be achieved, the candidate location with the shortest total time of the predicted required time from the current location of the user and the predicted waiting time at the parking lot associated with the candidate location; The output device is provided with: The output unit outputs the candidate location with the shortest total time of the predicted required time predicted from the satellite image in which the road from the current location to the candidate location is photographed and the predicted waiting time predicted from the satellite image in which the parking lot is photographed. Output device.

2. The acquisition unit further acquires the target date when the user wants to achieve the purpose; The output unit outputs the candidate location with the shortest total time of the predicted required time predicted from the satellite image in which the road is photographed on a date related to the target date and the predicted waiting time predicted from the satellite image in which the parking lot is photographed on a date related to the target date. The output device according to claim 1.

3. An acquisition unit that acquires the purpose the user wants to achieve by getting in the vehicle; An output unit that outputs, among the candidate locations where the purpose can be achieved, the candidate location with the shortest total time of the predicted required time from the current location of the user and the predicted waiting time at the parking lot associated with the candidate location; The output device is provided with: When there are a plurality of candidate locations with the shortest total time, the output unit outputs the candidate location with the shortest predicted waiting time among the candidate locations with the shortest total time. Output device.

4. The acquisition unit acquires the destination of the vehicle and acquires, as the purpose, the genre indicating the outline of the destination. The output device according to claim 3.

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