Parking recommendation system

Abstract

This parking lot recommendation system (1) comprises: a destination information acquisition unit (11) for acquiring destination information indicating the location of a destination (M) of a user; a visiting place estimation unit (12) for estimating, on the basis of the destination information, the location of an estimated visiting place (S) that the user visits; a parking lot information acquisition unit (13) for acquiring parking lot information indicating the location of a parking lot (P); and a parking lot determination unit (14) for determining a parking lot (P) recommended for the user, on the basis of travel along a route including the location of the destination (M) indicated by the destination information, the location of the estimated visiting place (S), and the location of the parking lot (P) indicated by the parking lot information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a parking recommendation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a parking recommendation system described in Patent Document 1 exists as a system that guides users to recommended parking lots. This parking recommendation system searches for a route from the starting point to the destination, identifies intermediate facilities along the searched route, and identifies multiple parking lots located near the identified intermediate facilities. From among the identified multiple parking lots, this parking recommendation system selects a parking lot as a recommended parking lot, taking into account the time required to park, the time required for the user to arrive at the intermediate facility after parking, and the time that may be incurred due to traffic congestion, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-202920 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] Users may visit multiple facilities while using a single parking lot. The parking recommendation system described above recommends parking lots considering travel between the starting point, intermediate facilities, and parking lots, but it does not consider that users may visit multiple facilities (as destinations, not intermediate points) while using a single parking lot. Therefore, the parking recommendation system described above may recommend parking lots that are not suitable for the user in the above cases, etc.

[0005] This disclosure is made in view of the above and aims to provide a parking recommendation system that can recommend appropriate parking spaces to users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the parking recommendation system relating to this disclosure comprises: a destination information acquisition unit that acquires destination information indicating the location of the user's destination; a destination estimation unit that estimates the location of estimated places to be visited by the user based on the destination information; a parking information acquisition unit that acquires parking information indicating the location of a parking lot; and a parking lot determination unit that makes a decision regarding a parking lot to be recommended to the user based on movement along a route including the location of the destination indicated by the destination information, the location of the estimated places to be visited, and the location of the parking lot indicated by the parking lot information.

[0007] The parking recommendation system described herein makes decisions regarding parking lots recommended to the user based on the user's travel along a route that includes the location of their destination, estimated places to visit, and parking lots. For example, the system can make decisions regarding parking lots that minimize the burden of traveling along a route that includes the destination, estimated places to visit, and parking lots. Since the system can make decisions regarding parking lots by considering the relative positions of the destination, estimated places to visit, and parking lots, it can recommend appropriate parking lots to the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to recommend suitable parking to users. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of the parking lot recommendation system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This diagram shows a schematic representation of the relative locations of the destination, estimated places of visit, and parking area. [Figure 3] This figure shows examples of tables stored in the POI database, parking database, and visitor database. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a method for generating an estimated visitor database. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a method for generating a selection probability database. [Figure 6]It is a diagram showing an example of the display of a recommended parking lot. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a parking lot recommendation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a parking lot recommendation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a parking lot recommendation system according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows a parking lot recommendation system 1 according to the present embodiment. The parking lot recommendation system 1 recommends a parking lot to a user. The parking lot recommendation system 1, for example, presents a parking lot to be recommended to the user. The user is, for example, a person who is recommended a parking lot by using the parking lot recommendation system 1.

[0012] A parking lot refers to a place where a vehicle can be parked. In the present embodiment, the parking lot includes a bicycle parking lot where bicycles can be parked. The parking lot is not necessarily limited to a place used only for the purpose of parking vehicles, and may be a place located near a commercial facility such as a convenience store and where a vehicle can be parked.

[0013] The parking lot recommendation system 1 is composed of a computer such as a PC (personal computer) or a server device having a communication function. The parking lot recommendation system 1 may be composed of a plurality of computers, that is, a computer system. The parking lot recommendation system 1 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via a network such as a mobile communication network with the user terminal 2.

[0014] The user terminal 2 is a terminal used by the user. The user terminal 2 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal carried by the user, and is used to recommend parking lots to the user. The user terminal 2 may be, for example, an in-vehicle terminal mounted on a vehicle in which the user rides and included in a car navigation system. The user terminal 2 may be the same as a conventional user terminal.

[0015] The user terminal 2 is, for example, input with destination information indicating the position of the user's destination by the user. The destination refers to, for example, a place where the user hopes to arrive. The user terminal 2 transmits the destination information input by the user to the parking lot recommendation system 1.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship among the destination M, the estimated visit place S, and the parking lot P. For example, around the destination M, there are located the estimated visit place S and the parking lot P. The estimated visit place S is, for example, a place that is estimated to be visited by a person who visits the destination M. For example, when the user's destination M is a tourist spot such as a temple, the estimated visit place S is another tourist spot related to the tourist spot.

[0017] While the user is using one parking lot P, the user may visit not only the destination M but also an estimated visit place S different from the destination M. Therefore, when recommending the parking lot P to the user, it is desirable to consider visiting both the destination M and the estimated visit place S. The parking lot recommendation system 1 according to the present embodiment has the following-described configuration to solve such a problem.

[0018] Subsequently, the functions of the parking lot recommendation system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the parking lot recommendation system 1 includes a destination information acquisition unit 11, a visit place estimation unit 12, a parking lot information acquisition unit 13, and a parking lot determination unit 14.

[0019] The destination information acquisition unit 11 acquires destination information. In this embodiment, the destination information acquisition unit 11 receives and acquires destination information from the user terminal 2. The destination information includes, for example, the latitude and longitude of destination M.

[0020] The destination estimation unit 12 estimates the location of the estimated destination S to be visited by the user based on the destination information acquired by the destination information acquisition unit 11. In this embodiment, the destination estimation unit 12 estimates the location of the estimated destination S based on the destination information by referring to the POI database DB1 described below.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the POI database DB1 contains POIs (Point of Interest). It stores information indicating the location of the POI. In this embodiment, the POI includes, for example, a place such as a tourist destination that can be visited by people. The information indicating the location of the POI includes, for example, the latitude and longitude of the POI.

[0022] In this embodiment, the destination estimation unit 12 obtains information indicating the location of a POI by referring to the POI database DB1. Based on the destination information and the information indicating the location of the POI, the destination estimation unit 12 calculates the distance from the destination M to the POI. Based on the calculated distance, the destination estimation unit 12 estimates the location of a POI located within a predetermined distance from the destination M as the location of the estimated destination S. This predetermined distance is, for example, set in advance and can be changed as appropriate.

[0023] The destination estimation unit 12 may estimate the location of the estimated destination S to be visited by the user based on destination information using methods other than those described above, such as using conventional methods. The destination estimation unit 12 may, for example, estimate the location of the estimated destination S based on pre-set attributes of the destination M and POI. Furthermore, the estimation of the location of the estimated destination S may be performed according to the user (using user information). In addition, the destination estimation unit 12 may, for example, statistically calculate the estimated destination S based on trajectory data of people who have previously visited the same destination M (collaborative filtering).

[0024] The parking information acquisition unit 13 shown in Figure 1 acquires parking information indicating the location of parking lot P. In this embodiment, the unit acquires information indicating the location of parking lot P by referring to the parking database DB2 described below.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the parking database DB2 stores information indicating the location of parking lot P. This information includes the latitude and longitude of parking lot P.

[0026] In this embodiment, the parking information acquisition unit 13 calculates the distance from destination M to parking lot P based on the destination information and information indicating the location of parking lot P acquired by the destination information acquisition unit 11. Based on the calculated distance, the parking information acquisition unit 13 acquires the location of parking lot P located within a predetermined distance from destination M as parking information. This predetermined distance is, for example, set in advance and can be changed as appropriate. The parking information acquisition unit 13 may also acquire information indicating the location of all parking lot P from the parking database DB2 without using destination information.

[0027] The method for generating the POI database DB1 and the parking lot database DB2 is not particularly limited. The POI database DB1 and the parking lot database DB2 can be generated by known methods.

[0028] In this embodiment, the parking recommendation system 1 generates the visitor database DB3 described below. However, the generation of the visitor database DB3 may be performed outside of the parking recommendation system 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the visitor database DB3 stores information indicating the route taken by persons who have previously visited a POI (hereinafter referred to as "visitor"). In this embodiment, the route information includes the date and time (time) when the visitor visited the POI, the latitude and longitude of the POI visited by the visitor, and the POI visited by the visitor. The visitor database DB3 stores route information for each device owned by the visitor (e.g., a smartphone).

[0030] The following describes an example of how to generate the visitor database DB3, with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an example of generating information indicating the route of a visitor who owns a terminal A. First, as shown in the second to fourth columns from the left of the table, the parking recommendation system 1 obtains information indicating the date and time and the visitor's location at that date and time. The information indicating the visitor's location includes the latitude and longitude of terminal A. The parking recommendation system 1 may, for example, obtain the information indicating the date and time and the visitor's location at that date and time by periodically communicating with terminal A.

[0031] Next, as shown in the fifth column from the left of the table, the parking recommendation system 1 calculates the travel speed based on the date and time and information indicating the visitor's location at that date and time. In this embodiment, the parking recommendation system 1 obtains time changes based on the date and time. The parking recommendation system 1 also obtains travel distance based on information indicating the visitor's location at that date and time. Then, the parking recommendation system 1 calculates the travel speed by dividing the above travel distance by the above time change.

[0032] For example, the parking recommendation system 1 obtains the time from a predetermined date and time T1 to a later date and time T2 as a change in time. The parking recommendation system 1 obtains the distance traveled from the point represented by the latitude and longitude of terminal A at T1 to the point represented by the latitude and longitude of terminal A at T2 as the travel distance. Then, the parking recommendation system 1 calculates the travel speed as V2, which is the value obtained by dividing the above travel distance by the above change in time. The parking recommendation system 1 stores the calculated travel speed in the fifth column from the left of the table.

[0033] Subsequently, as described in the sixth column from the left of the table, the parking lot recommendation system 1 executes a stay determination for each date and time. The stay determination refers to determining whether a visitor is staying. Staying means, for example, staying at a predetermined point or in its vicinity for a predetermined period of time. As an example, when the following equations (1), (2), and (3) are satisfied, the parking lot recommendation system 1 is at a predetermined date and time T n to T n at a later predetermined date and time T m determines that the visitor is staying during the period. In the following equations, Th t is a predetermined threshold value related to time, Th v is a predetermined threshold value related to speed, V k is the moving speed at T k and k is a subscript corresponding to the date and time. T m -T n >Th t …(1) V k <Th v …(2) n≦k≦m …(3)

[0034] The values of the above Th t and Th v are, for example, preset and can be changed as appropriate. When the parking lot recommendation system 1 determines that the visitor is staying between T<end of the code> n and T m it adds a stay flag to the sixth column from the left of the table.

[0035] Next, as shown in the seventh column from the left of the table, the parking recommendation system 1 identifies the POIs (Points of Interest) visited by the visitor. The parking recommendation system 1 obtains information indicating the visitor's location over consecutive dates and times, and for which a dwell flag has been added. Next, based on the obtained information indicating the visitor's location, the parking recommendation system 1 calculates the centroid of the visitor's location. Then, the parking recommendation system 1 refers to the POI database DB1 and identifies the POI closest to that centroid as the POI visited by the visitor. The parking recommendation system 1 stores the identified POI in the seventh column from the left of the table. The parking recommendation system 1 repeats the above process for each of the multiple terminals. In addition, the parking recommendation system 1 generates the visitor database DB3 by removing records without POI data (without a dwell flag) from the table shown in Figure 4 and deleting the fifth and sixth columns from the left.

[0036] The parking lot determination unit 14 shown in Figure 1 makes a decision regarding the parking lot P recommended to the user by referring to the selection probability database DB4 described below. In this embodiment, the parking lot determination unit 14 generates the selection probability database DB4.

[0037] Figure 5 shows an example of a table stored in the selection probability database DB4. The selection probability database DB4 stores, for each candidate route described later, the number of visitors who have previously selected that candidate route, and an index value indicating the degree to which a user selects that candidate route. In this embodiment, the index value is the selection probability. The selection probability is the ratio of the number of visitors who selected each candidate route to the total number of visitors who have previously selected any candidate route.

[0038] The following describes an example of how the selection probability database DB4 is generated, with reference to Figure 5. First, as shown in the first and second entries from the left of the table in the selection probability database DB4, the parking lot determination unit 14 calculates multiple candidate routes. Candidate routes are candidate sequences in which the user visits destination M and estimated places to visit S. However, candidate routes may include options that do not visit any of the estimated places to visit S (options that only visit destination M).

[0039] More specifically, the parking lot determination unit 14 calculates multiple candidate routes based on destination information acquired by the destination information acquisition unit 11 and estimated destination S estimated by the destination estimation unit 12. For example, the parking lot determination unit 14 generates all combinations of estimated destination S (including combinations that do not include estimated destination S). The parking lot determination unit 14 calculates all permutations of combinations that add a destination M to each combination as candidate routes. The parking lot determination unit 14 may calculate multiple candidate routes such that the number of estimated destination S included in the candidate routes is less than or equal to a preset maximum number, so that the total number of candidate routes does not become enormous. In this case, the maximum number may be preset, for example, and can be changed as appropriate. This suppresses excessive computation. The parking lot determination unit 14 may calculate candidate routes by methods other than those described above. The parking lot determination unit 14 stores the calculated candidate routes in the second column from the left of the table.

[0040] In this embodiment, the parking location determination unit 14 acquires route information indicating the route taken by visitors who have previously visited destination M. More specifically, the parking location determination unit 14 acquires (calculates) information from the generated visitor database DB3 (see Figure 3) that indicates visitors whose visited POIs include destination M, based on the destination information acquired by the destination information acquisition unit 11. Based on the acquired information, the parking location determination unit 14 acquires the order of the POIs visited by the visitor as route information. The order of the POIs acquired as route information from the visitor database DB3 is assumed to represent a series of visits to the visited POIs. For example, if the interval between visits to consecutive POIs is less than or equal to a predetermined value, those POIs are assumed to have been visited in a series of visits.

[0041] Next, as shown in the third column from the left of the table, the parking location determination unit 14 obtains the number of visitors who have previously selected each candidate route. More specifically, based on the obtained route information, the parking location determination unit 14 identifies visitors who have followed the calculated candidate routes. For example, the parking location determination unit 14 identifies those who visited the destination M and estimated destination S included in the candidate route in the calculated permutation order as having followed the said candidate route. The parking location determination unit 14 calculates the number of people who followed the identified candidate route. The parking location determination unit 14 stores the calculated number in the third column from the left of the table.

[0042] Next, as shown in the fourth column from the left of the table, the parking lot determination unit 14 calculates an index value (selection probability) for each candidate route. Based on the route information, the parking lot determination unit 14 obtains an index value for each of the multiple candidate routes. More specifically, based on the number of people calculated above, the parking lot determination unit 14 calculates the selection probability as the ratio of the number of visitors who selected each candidate route to the total number of visitors who selected a candidate route in the past. The parking lot determination unit 14 stores the calculated selection probability in the fourth column from the left of the table. The parking lot determination unit 14 generates the selection probability database DB4 through the above process.

[0043] In this embodiment, the parking recommendation system 1 stores a POI database DB1, a parking database DB2, a visitor database DB3, and a selection probability database DB4. However, the POI database DB1, the parking database DB2, the visitor database DB3, and the selection probability database DB4 may be stored outside the parking recommendation system 1.

[0044] The parking lot determination unit 14 makes a decision regarding the parking lot P recommended to the user based on movement along a route that includes the location of destination M indicated by destination information acquired by destination information acquisition unit 11, the location of estimated destination S estimated by destination estimation unit 12, and the location of parking lot P indicated by parking lot information acquired by parking lot information acquisition unit 13.

[0045] The parking lot determination unit 14 makes a decision regarding parking lot P, for example, based on evaluation values. In this embodiment, the parking lot determination unit 14 refers to the selection probability database DB4 and obtains the selection probability of each candidate route as an evaluation value. The parking lot determination unit 14 makes a decision regarding parking lot P based on the obtained selection probabilities. The parking lot determination unit 14 also obtains the distance of the walking route, including the location of destination M, the location of estimated destination S, and the location of parking lot P, as an evaluation value, based on destination information, the location of estimated destination S, and parking lot information. The parking lot determination unit 14 makes a decision regarding parking lot P based on the obtained distance.

[0046] In this embodiment, the parking location determination unit 14 calculates a candidate route from among the calculated candidate routes that has a selection probability higher than a predetermined value as the predicted route that the user is expected to follow. This predetermined value is, for example, set in advance and is 0.05 as an example. This predetermined value can be changed as appropriate. The parking location determination unit 14 calculates a walking route that includes the location of destination M and estimated destination S included in the calculated predicted route, as well as the location of parking lot P indicated by the parking information. More specifically, the parking location determination unit 14 calculates a walking route that starts from parking lot P, visits all destinations (destination M and estimated destination S respectively) in the order of the candidate route, and returns to parking lot P, based on the geographical location of the roads stored in the database in advance. However, the parking location determination unit 14 may calculate a route other than the above as the walking route. The parking location determination unit 14 calculates the walking distance when traveling along the calculated walking route, based on the geographical location of the roads stored in the database in advance.

[0047] In this embodiment, the parking lot determination unit 14 determines, based on the calculated walking distance, that parking lots P included in the walking route where the walking distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance are recommended to the user as recommended parking lots P (hereinafter referred to as "recommended parking lots"). This predetermined distance is set in advance, for example, 100m. This predetermined distance can be changed as appropriate.

[0048] The parking lot determination unit 14 outputs information indicating the determined recommended parking lot. In this embodiment, the parking lot determination unit 14 transmits information indicating the recommended parking lot to the user terminal 2 as output. The user terminal 2, upon receiving the information indicating the recommended parking lot, displays the information indicating the recommended parking lot. The information indicating the recommended parking lot includes the calculated selection probability for each predicted route, the walking distance, and information identifying the recommended parking lot, as shown in Figure 6.

[0049] Figure 6 shows an example of the display of recommended parking lots. The parking lot determination unit 14 displays, for example, predicted routes with a high probability of selection from top to bottom. The parking lot determination unit 14 displays, from top to bottom, parking lots P included in walking routes with the shortest walking distance among walking routes that include destination M and estimated destination S included in predicted routes with the same probability of selection. However, the parking lot determination unit 14 may, for example, display the determined recommended parking lots on the user terminal 2 without any order. The output of information indicating recommended parking lots may be performed by methods other than those described above. The output information indicating recommended parking lots may be other than those described above, as long as it is information related to the decision regarding the parking lot P recommended to the user.

[0050] Next, the processes performed by the parking recommendation system 1 according to this embodiment will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 7. Figure 7 is a flowchart of an example of the operation of the parking recommendation system 1 according to this embodiment. In this process, destination information is entered by the user into the user terminal 2.

[0051] Next, the destination information acquisition unit 11 acquires destination information (step S1). In step S1, the destination information acquisition unit 11 receives and acquires destination information from the user terminal 2.

[0052] Next, the destination estimation unit 12 estimates the location of the estimated destination S (step S2). In step S2, the destination estimation unit 12 estimates the location of the estimated destination S based on the destination information acquired by the destination information acquisition unit 11. The destination estimation unit 12 refers to the POI database DB1 to acquire information indicating the location of POIs. Based on the destination information and the information indicating the location of POIs, the destination estimation unit 12 calculates the distance from destination M to POI. Based on the calculated distance, the destination estimation unit 12 estimates the location of POIs located within a predetermined distance from destination M as the location of the estimated destination S.

[0053] Next, the parking information acquisition unit 13 acquires parking information (step S3). In step S3, the parking information acquisition unit 13 refers to the parking database DB2 and acquires information indicating the location of parking lot P. Based on the destination information and the information indicating the location of parking lot P, the parking information acquisition unit 13 calculates the distance from destination M to parking lot P. Based on the calculated distance, the parking information acquisition unit 13 acquires the location of parking lot P, which is located within a predetermined distance from destination M, as parking information.

[0054] Next, the parking lot determination unit 14 makes a decision regarding parking lot P (step S4). In step S4, the parking lot determination unit 14 makes a decision regarding parking lot P recommended to the user based on movement along a route that includes the location of destination M indicated by destination information acquired by destination information acquisition unit 11, the location of estimated destination S estimated by destination estimation unit 12, and the location of parking lot P indicated by parking lot information acquired by parking lot information acquisition unit 13.

[0055] In step S4, the parking location determination unit 14 generates the selection probability database DB4 described above. Based on the destination information obtained by the destination information acquisition unit 11 and the estimated destination S estimated by the destination estimation unit 12, the parking location determination unit 14 calculates multiple candidate routes. The parking location determination unit 14 refers to the selection probability database DB4 and obtains the selection probability of each candidate route as an evaluation value. Based on the obtained selection probabilities, the parking location determination unit 14 calculates the candidate routes with a selection probability higher than a predetermined value from among the calculated candidate routes as the predicted route.

[0056] In step S4, the parking lot determination unit 14 calculates the walking distance when traveling along a walking route that includes the location of the destination M and the estimated place to visit S included in the calculated predicted route, as well as the location of parking lot P indicated by the parking lot information. Based on the calculated walking distance, the parking lot determination unit 14 determines the parking lot P included in the walking route where the walking distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance as the recommended parking lot.

[0057] Next, the parking lot determination unit 14 outputs information indicating the determined recommended parking lot (step S5). In step S5, the parking lot determination unit 14 sends the information indicating the recommended parking lot to the user terminal 2 as output. The user terminal 2, having received the information indicating the recommended parking lot, displays the information indicating the recommended parking lot.

[0058] The parking lot selection unit 14 displays predicted routes with a high probability of selection from top to bottom. The parking lot selection unit 14 then displays parking lots P included in walking routes with the shortest walking distance among the walking routes that include destination M and estimated destination S included in the predicted routes with the same probability of selection, from top to bottom. The above is the processing performed by the parking lot recommendation system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0059] When recommending a parking lot P to a user, the location of not only the destination M but also the relative positions of the estimated destination S and parking lot P should be considered. However, typical navigation systems assume the input of a single destination location, making it difficult for the system to obtain the locations of multiple estimated destinations S. Therefore, it has been difficult to recommend a parking lot P that takes into account the relative positions of the estimated destination S and parking lot P mentioned above.

[0060] In this embodiment, a decision regarding the parking lot P recommended to the user is made based on travel along a route that includes the location of the user's destination M, the location of the estimated destination S, and the location of the parking lot P. For example, the decision regarding the parking lot P recommended to the user can be made in a way that minimizes the burden of traveling along a route that includes the location of the destination M, the location of the estimated destination S, and the location of the parking lot P. Since the decision regarding the parking lot P can be made considering all the positional relationships between the destination M, the estimated destination S, and the parking lot P, an appropriate parking lot P can be recommended to the user.

[0061] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the parking location determination unit 14 may acquire candidate routes, which are candidate sequences in which the user may visit destination M and estimated destination S, based on the location of estimated destination S estimated by the destination estimation unit 12. In this case, since candidate routes can be acquired taking into account the location of estimated destination S, candidate routes can be acquired considering that the user will visit not only destination M but also estimated destination S. As a result, an appropriate route for the user can be recommended.

[0062] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the parking lot determination unit 14 may acquire route information indicating the routes taken by people (visitors) who have previously visited destination M, acquire an index value indicating the degree to which the user is likely to select a route for each of the multiple candidate routes based on the route information, and make a decision regarding parking lot P based on the acquired index value. In this case, since the decision regarding parking lot P recommended to the user is made taking into account the routes taken by people who have previously visited destination M, a more appropriate parking lot P can be recommended to the user. Note that the index value may be something other than the selection probability described above, as long as it indicates the degree to which the user is likely to select a route.

[0063] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the parking lot determination unit 14 may make a decision regarding parking lot P based on the distance of the route, which includes the location of the destination M, the location of the estimated destination S, and the location of parking lot P. In this case, for example, the decision regarding parking lot P can be made in a way that reduces the burden of travel for the user along the route, thus allowing for the recommendation of a more appropriate parking lot P to the user.

[0064] The configuration and processing of the parking lot recommendation system 1 described in the above embodiment are examples, and various modifications can be made. Representative modifications are described below.

[0065] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the parking lot determination unit 14 makes a decision regarding parking lot P based on the distance of a route including the location of destination M, the location of estimated destination S, and the location of parking lot P. However, the parking lot determination unit 14 may also make a decision regarding parking lot P based on the time required to travel along a route including the location of destination M, the location of estimated destination S, and the location of parking lot P. In this case, the parking lot determination unit 14 may obtain the value obtained by dividing the distance of the route by the user's walking speed as the required time, and may determine the parking lot P with the shortest obtained required time as the recommended parking lot. The user's walking speed is, for example, pre-set and can be changed as appropriate.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the parking lot determination unit 14 calculated candidate routes with a selection probability higher than a predetermined value from among the calculated candidate routes as predicted routes. However, the parking lot determination unit 14 may also calculate a predetermined number of candidate routes as predicted routes, starting with the candidate routes with the highest selection probability from among the calculated candidate routes. Also in the above embodiment, the parking lot determination unit 14 determined parking lots P included in walking routes where the calculated walking distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance as recommended parking lots. However, the parking lot determination unit 14 may also determine a predetermined number of parking lots P included in walking routes where the calculated walking distance decreases, starting with the parking lots P included in walking routes. That is, in addition to determining the parking lots recommended to the user, the parking lot determination unit 14 may also determine the order in which the parking lots recommended to the user are selected.

[0067] Furthermore, the parking lot determination unit 14's decision regarding the parking lot recommended to the user may be made in a manner other than described above, as long as it is based on movement along a route that includes the location of the destination M, the location of the estimated place to visit S, and the location of the parking lot.

[0068] The contents of the POI database DB1, parking lot database DB2, visitor database DB3, selection probability database DB4, and road database described above are merely examples and are not limited to those listed above.

[0069] The block diagrams used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may also be realized by combining the above one device or the above multiple devices with software.

[0070] Functions include judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and distribution. Examples include assigning, but are not limited to these. For example, a function to enable transmission. The block (component) is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. They are referred to as such. As mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0071] For example, the parking recommendation system 1 in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs information processing according to the present disclosure. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the parking recommendation system 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The parking recommendation system 1 described above may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, memory 1002, storage 1003, communication device 1004, input device 1005, output device 1006, bus 1007, etc. The hardware configuration of the terminal 20 may also be as described herein.

[0072] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be replaced with "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of Parking Recommendation System 1 may include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it may be configured to omit some of the devices.

[0073] Each function in the parking recommendation system 1 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of the reading and writing of data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0074] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running the operating system. The processor 1001 is part of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control units, arithmetic units, registers, etc. It may be configured in this way. For example, each function in the parking recommendation system 1 described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0075] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, data, etc., from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, each function in the parking recommendation system 1 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and operated on the processor 1001. Although the above processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0076] Memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Memory 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. Memory 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for carrying out information processing according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0077] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, such as an optical disc like a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, or a flexible cable. Compact discs, magneto-optical discs (e.g., compact discs, digital multipurpose discs) Blu-ray® discs, smart cards, flash memory (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives), floppy® discs, magnetic stripe drives It may consist of at least one such as a top. The storage 1003 may also be called an auxiliary storage device. The storage medium provided by the parking recommendation system 1 may be, for example, a database, server or other suitable medium including at least one of the memory 1002 and the storage 1003.

[0078] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transceiver / receiver device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc.

[0079] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that performs output to an external source (e.g., display, speaker, LED light). (e.g., a pump). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0080] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0081] Furthermore, the parking recommendation system 1 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and the system may also utilize such hardware. Some or all of each functional block may be implemented. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0082] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0083] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0084] The determination may be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0085] Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0086] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0087] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0088] Furthermore, software, commands, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, software may be transmitted using wired technology (coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), etc.) and wireless technology (infrared). When transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of the following (wired, wireless, etc.):

[0089] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0090] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information.

[0091] The terms “determining” and “decision” as used in this disclosure may encompass a wide range of actions. “Determining” and “judgment” can include, for example, “judging” and “calculation.” Calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, searching (for example, tables, databases or This can include considering the "judgment" or "decision" to be made after searching in a different data structure and confirming (ascertaining). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can also include receiving (for example, receiving information). This can include considering something as a "judgment" or "decision" based on actions such as believing, transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can also include considering something as a "judgment" or "decision" based on actions such as resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and comparing. In short, "judgment" and "decision" are... This can include considering that some action has been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be rephrased as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0092] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0093] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0094] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0095] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0096] In this disclosure, for example, articles such as a, an, and the in English are added through translation. If so, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0097] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0098] The parking recommendation system described herein has the following configuration. [1] A destination information acquisition unit that acquires destination information indicating the location of the user's destination, A destination estimation unit estimates the location of the estimated destination to be visited by the user based on the destination information, A parking information acquisition unit that acquires parking information indicating the location of a parking lot, The system includes a parking determination unit that determines the parking lot to recommend to the user based on movement along a route including the location of the destination indicated by the destination information, the location of the estimated place to visit, and the location of the parking lot indicated by the parking lot information. Parking recommendation system. [2] The parking location determination unit acquires candidate routes, which are candidate sequences in which the user will visit the destination and the estimated destination, based on the location of the estimated destination estimated by the destination estimation unit. [1] The parking recommendation system described above. [3] The parking lot determination unit is, We obtain route information showing the routes taken by people who have previously visited the aforementioned destination. Based on the aforementioned route information, an index value indicating the degree to which the user selects a route is obtained for each of the multiple candidate routes. Based on the acquired indicator values, a decision regarding the parking lot is made. [2] The parking recommendation system described. [4] The parking lot determination unit makes a decision regarding the parking lot based on the distance of the route, which includes the location of the destination, the location of the estimated place to visit, and the location of the parking lot. A parking recommendation system as described in [1] to [3]. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 1...Parking recommendation system, 11...Destination information acquisition unit, 12...Visiting location estimation unit, 13...Parking information acquisition unit, 14...Parking location determination unit, M...Destination, P...Parking lot, S...Estimated visiting location.

Claims

1. A destination information acquisition unit that acquires destination information indicating the location of the user's destination, A destination estimation unit estimates the location of the estimated destination to be visited by the user based on the destination information, A parking information acquisition unit that acquires parking information indicating the location of a parking lot, The system includes a parking determination unit that determines the parking lot to be recommended to the user based on movement along a route that includes the location of the destination indicated by the destination information, the location of the estimated place to visit, and the location of the parking lot indicated by the parking lot information, The parking location determination unit acquires candidate routes, which are candidate sequences in which the user will visit the destination and the estimated destination, based on the location of the estimated destination estimated by the destination estimation unit. The aforementioned parking lot determination unit is, We obtain route information showing the routes taken by people who have previously visited the aforementioned destination. Based on the aforementioned route information, an index value indicating the degree to which the user selects a route is obtained for each of the multiple candidate routes. Based on the acquired indicator values, a decision regarding the parking lot is made. Parking recommendation system.

2. The parking lot determination unit makes a decision regarding the parking lot based on the location of the destination, the location of the estimated place to visit, and the distance of the route including the location of the parking lot. The parking lot recommendation system according to claim 1.

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