Calculation system, calculation method, and recording medium

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a waiting time (estimated standby time) for a vehicle waiting in a waiting vehicle queue occurring in a specific lane on a road.　This calculation system comprises: a detection unit that, on the basis of information about a first area set in front of a specific point, detects the leading vehicle in a queue of waiting vehicles heading to the specific point; a first calculation unit that calculates the travel time required for the leading vehicle to pass the specific point, on the basis of the movement of the leading vehicle; a vehicle counting unit that detects vehicles that have entered a second area serving as a waiting place for following vehicles that follow the leading vehicle, and thereby counts the number of following vehicles that follow the leading vehicle; and a second calculation unit that calculates an estimated waiting time for a vehicle when the vehicle newly joins the queue of waiting vehicles, on the basis of said travel time and the number of following vehicles.

Description

Calculation system, calculation method, and recording medium

[0001] The present invention relates to a calculation system, a calculation method, and a recording medium.

[0002] Traffic jams can occur in certain lanes on surrounding roads as people enter parking lots for roadside stores and other businesses. The waiting time for such traffic jams is difficult to predict, which tends to worsen the congestion. Accidents can also occur when vehicles that have entered a waiting queue can no longer wait and try to leave. Traffic jams can also occur due to short-term increases in traffic volume before intersections.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an information center that transmits to a mobile information terminal of a person requesting parking the intervals between the most recently entered vehicles and images of the queue of vehicles waiting to enter. The same document also discloses that the intervals between vehicles entering the parking lot can be detected from the intervals between the opening and closing of a barrier installed at the entrance parking gate and signals from a vehicle detection sensor.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-91798

[0005] There is a need to alleviate congestion that occurs in specific lanes of a road or local congestion that occurs before intersections or railroad crossings, or to prevent congestion from worsening. The information center configuration in Patent Document 1 detects the entry interval based on the operation of entrance parking gates and barriers, so there is a problem in that it is not possible to predict waiting times in such specific lanes of a road.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a calculation system, calculation method, and recording medium that can provide waiting time (estimated waiting time) when waiting in a queue of vehicles that occurs in a specific lane of a road or in front of an intersection, etc.

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a calculation system including: a detection unit that detects the leading vehicle in a line of waiting vehicles heading towards a specific point based on information about a first area set just before the specific point; a first calculation unit that calculates the travel time until the leading vehicle passes the specific point based on the movement of the leading vehicle; a number measurement unit that detects vehicles that have entered a second area that is a waiting area for subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle and counts the number of subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle; and a second calculation unit that calculates an estimated waiting time if a new vehicle were to line up in the line of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of the subsequent vehicles.

[0008] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for calculating an estimated waiting time to a specific point, which includes detecting the lead vehicle in a line of waiting vehicles heading towards the specific point based on information about a first area set just before the specific point, calculating the travel time until the lead vehicle passes the specific point based on the movement of the lead vehicle, detecting vehicles that have entered a second area that serves as a waiting area for subsequent vehicles following the lead vehicle, measuring the number of subsequent vehicles following the lead vehicle, and calculating an estimated waiting time if a new vehicle were to join the line of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of subsequent vehicles.

[0009] According to a third aspect, there is provided a recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: detecting the leading vehicle in a line of waiting vehicles heading towards a specific point based on information about a first area set just before the specific point; calculating the travel time until the leading vehicle passes the specific point based on the movement of the leading vehicle; detecting vehicles that have entered a second area that serves as a waiting area for following vehicles following the leading vehicle, and counting the number of following vehicles following the leading vehicle; and calculating an estimated waiting time if a new vehicle joins the line of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of following vehicles.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle with the waiting time (estimated waiting time) when it is waiting in a queue of vehicles that occurs in a specific lane of a road or in front of an intersection, etc.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating one configuration of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one configuration of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of images of the first and second areas captured by a camera. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first and second areas. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of one configuration of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting the first and second areas in another configuration of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of another configuration of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer constituting an information processing device of the present disclosure.

[0012] First, an overview of one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this disclosure, the drawings relate to one or more embodiments. The reference numerals in the drawings attached to this overview are attached to each element for convenience as an example to facilitate understanding, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the illustrated form. Furthermore, connecting lines between blocks in the drawings and the like referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of main signals (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. A program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and, if necessary, a display device. Furthermore, this computer device is configured to be able to communicate with internal or external devices (including computers) via the communication interface, whether wired or wireless. Although ports or interfaces are present at the input / output connection points of each block in the drawings, they are not shown.

[0013] In one embodiment, the present disclosure can be realized in a calculation system including a calculation device 10 equipped with a detection unit 11, a first calculation unit 12, a number measurement unit 13, and a second calculation unit 14, as shown in FIG.

[0014] Specifically, the detection unit 11 detects the leading vehicle in a line of waiting vehicles heading toward the specific point P based on information about a first area AR1 set just before the specific point P. The information about the first area AR1 can be acquired by a sensor S or the like installed near the first area AR1.

[0015] Based on the movement of the lead vehicle, the first calculation unit 12 calculates a travel time required for the lead vehicle to pass the specific point P. Also, the symbol G in Fig. 1 indicates a guide who guides the lead vehicle.

[0016] The number counting unit 13 detects vehicles located in a second area AR2, which is a waiting area for following vehicles following the lead vehicle, from the image from camera C, and counts the number of following vehicles following the lead vehicle.

[0017] The second calculation unit 14 calculates an estimated waiting time when a vehicle newly joins the queue of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of following vehicles.

[0018] The calculation device 10 configured as described above operates as follows: First, the calculation device 10 detects the leading vehicle in a queue of waiting vehicles heading toward a specific point P based on information about a first area AR1 set just before the specific point P (step S01 in FIG. 2).

[0019] Next, the calculation device 10 calculates the unit travel time until the lead vehicle passes the specific point based on the movement of the lead vehicle (step S02 in FIG. 2). Various methods can be used to calculate this unit travel time. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the unit travel time can be the time it takes for the lead vehicle V1 to pass the specific point P and reach position P1. The unit travel time can also be calculated based on the time it takes for the following vehicle to reach the position of vehicle V1 after the lead vehicle V1 has moved. Measurement of the lead vehicle, which is the basis for calculating the unit travel time, may be performed multiple times. For example, the time it takes for a predetermined number of lead vehicles (e.g., three) V1, V2, and V3 to pass the specific point may be measured, and the average or moving average of the measurements may be used as the unit travel time.

[0020] Next, the calculation device 10 detects vehicles that have entered a second area AR2, which is a waiting area for vehicles following the lead vehicle, and counts the number of vehicles following the lead vehicle (step S03 in FIG. 2). For example, in the example in FIG. 3, the number of vehicles following the lead vehicle is counted as six, V2 to V7.

[0021] Finally, the calculation device 10 calculates the estimated waiting time for a vehicle to newly join the queue of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of following vehicles (step S04 in FIG. 2). This estimated waiting time can be calculated very simply by multiplying the unit travel time by the number of vehicles + 1, as shown in FIG. 3. The reason for adding 1 to the number is to add the waiting time of vehicles that will soon join the queue of waiting vehicles.

[0022] [First Embodiment] Next, a first embodiment will be described in which an estimated waiting time is provided to vehicles traveling on a road when lining up in a line of vehicles that occurs at the entrance to a parking lot or the like on the side of the road. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one configuration of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the configuration of a calculation system is shown in which two terminals 110 and 120 connected to cameras C1 and C2 are connected to an information processing device 130. In the following description, the specific point is a connecting road to the parking lot. It is also assumed that a guide is stationed in the parking lot and guides the lead vehicle into the parking lot depending on the availability of parking spaces.

[0023] The terminal 110 is connected to a camera C1 capable of capturing images of the area near the entrance to the parking lot, and includes a detection unit 111 and a first calculation unit 112. Fig. 5 shows an image captured by the cameras C1 and C2. When the cameras C1 and C2 are installed to capture images of vehicles passing on the road, an image of the road captured from an obliquely downward angle, as shown in Fig. 5, is obtained. A first area AR1 and a second area AR2 are set in such an image.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the first area AR1 and the second area AR2 of Fig. 5. The first area AR1 is set to include a position where the lead vehicle waits just before a specific point P (connecting road to the parking lot). The second area AR2 is set to an area of ​​length L so as to cover the line of vehicles following the lead vehicle.

[0025] When the detection unit 111 detects a leading vehicle V1 in a queue of waiting vehicles heading toward a specific location based on an image of the first area AR1 captured by the camera C1, the detection unit 111 notifies the first calculation unit 112 that the leading vehicle V1 has been detected. This vehicle detection mechanism can use various technologies known as object recognition technology. For example, the detection unit 111 can employ a method of detecting vehicles in an image using an inference model created in advance by machine learning or the like. Furthermore, if a vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed or faster, it is considered that no substantial traffic congestion has occurred, and therefore the detection unit 111 suppresses notification to the first calculation unit 112. That is, when the detection unit 111 detects a vehicle traveling or stopping in the first area AR1 at less than a predetermined speed, the detection unit 111 determines that the vehicle is the leading vehicle.

[0026] The first calculation unit 112 calculates the travel time (unit travel time) until the lead vehicle V1 passes the specific point based on the movement of the lead vehicle V1 detected by the detection unit 111. This travel time (unit travel time) can be calculated by tracking the movement of the lead vehicle V1 and calculating the time it takes for the lead vehicle V1 to completely pass the specific point. Another method for calculating the travel time (unit travel time) is to use a method in which the travel time (unit travel time) is determined to be the time from when the lead vehicle V1 moves until the vehicle V2 following the lead vehicle moves to the front of the queue of waiting vehicles. In other words, the travel time (unit travel time) may be determined to be the period from when the lead vehicle in the queue of waiting vehicles moves until the second vehicle moves to the position of the lead vehicle. These calculation methods for the travel time (unit travel time) can be selected as appropriate depending on the structure of the parking lot, the accuracy of the estimated waiting time to be ultimately provided, and the like.

[0027] The terminal 120 is connected to a camera C2 capable of capturing images of the queue of waiting vehicles and includes a vehicle counting unit 121. The vehicle counting unit 121 analyzes the image captured by the camera C2 and counts the number of waiting vehicles V2 to V4 (excluding the lead vehicle) located in the second area AR2. Similar to the detection unit 111, various technologies known as object recognition technologies can be used to count the number of waiting vehicles. Instead of connecting the camera C2 to the terminal 120, a group of sensors that detect waiting vehicles may be connected to the terminal 120. In the example of FIG. 4 , one camera C2 is connected to the terminal 120, but the number of cameras is not limited. If a large number of waiting vehicles are expected, it is possible to handle a long queue of waiting vehicles by increasing the number of cameras C2 connected to the terminal 120 or adding sensors that detect waiting vehicles.

[0028] The terminals 110 and 120 may be devices called servers, IoT gateways, or the like that are capable of transmitting information to the information processing device 130. When a mobile communication network is used for exchanging information between the terminals 110 and 120 and the information processing device 130, the terminals 110 and 120 may be devices called MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing).

[0029] The information processing device 130 includes a second calculation unit 131 and an information transmission unit 132. The second calculation unit 131 calculates an estimated waiting time using the travel time received from the terminal 110 and the number of waiting vehicles received from the terminal 120.

[0030] The second calculation unit 131 can calculate the estimated waiting time by multiplying the unit travel time by (the number of waiting vehicles + 1), but other information may also be taken into consideration when calculating the estimated waiting time. For example, if the moving average value of the unit travel time is on an increasing trend, the unit travel time may be corrected upward and then multiplied by (the number of waiting vehicles + 1). Conversely, if the moving average value of the unit travel time is on a decreasing trend, the unit travel time may be corrected downward and then multiplied by (the number of waiting vehicles + 1).

[0031] The information transmission unit 132 transmits the calculated estimated waiting time in response to a request from the vehicle Vn approaching the second area. The in-vehicle system of the vehicle Vn that receives the estimated waiting time displays or outputs the estimated waiting time as additional information for the car navigation system or as driving assistance information. Note that in the present disclosure, the information processing device 130 transmits the estimated waiting time in response to a request from the vehicle Vn. However, the information processing device 130 may also actively detect the vehicle Vn approaching the second area and transmit the estimated waiting time.

[0032] Next, the operation of one configuration of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the overall operation of one configuration. Referring to Fig. 7, first, the terminal 110 detects the leading vehicle from the first area AR1 and calculates the unit travel time based on the behavior of the leading vehicle (step S001).

[0033] Next, the terminal 110 transmits the calculated unit travel time to the information processing device 130 (step S002).

[0034] Next, the terminal 120 counts the number of waiting vehicles in the second area AR2 (step S003).

[0035] Next, the terminal 120 transmits the measured number of waiting vehicles to the information processing device 130 (step S004). Note that in the example of Fig. 7, the terminal 110 calculates and transmits the unit travel time, and then the terminal 120 measures and transmits the number of waiting vehicles, but this order is not limited to this. For example, the terminal 120 may measure and transmit the number of waiting vehicles, and then the terminal 110 may calculate and transmit the unit travel time. Alternatively, the terminal 110 and the terminal 120 may operate simultaneously and independently transmit the unit travel time and the number of waiting vehicles.

[0036] The information processing device 130 receives the unit travel time and the number of waiting vehicles and calculates an estimated waiting time (step S005).

[0037] Thereafter, when a request for transmission of the estimated waiting time is received from the vehicle Vn (step S006), the information processing device 130 transmits the estimated waiting time to the vehicle Vn (step S007).

[0038] The calculation system that operates as described above can provide vehicles approaching the line of waiting vehicles that has formed at the entrance to the parking lot with the waiting time (estimated waiting time) that they will have to wait in that line.

[0039] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment in which the present disclosure is applied to providing an estimated waiting time for a specific lane at an intersection will be described. The second embodiment can be realized with a configuration almost similar to that of the first embodiment, and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0040] 8 is a plan view of a first area AR1 and a second area AR2 when providing an estimated waiting time for a left-turn lane at an intersection using the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 8, the first area AR1 is provided just before the stop line for the left-turn lane at the intersection. The second area AR2 is provided so as to cover a predetermined length of the line of vehicles in the left-turn lane. In this embodiment, the specific point P is provided so as to cover the left-turn course of a left-turning vehicle within the intersection.

[0041] 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of this embodiment. The estimated waiting time for the left-turn lane at an intersection can be calculated by the following procedure: (1) First, measure the total stop time of the leading vehicle within one signal cycle. (2) Calculate the average total stop time for the most recent multiple signal cycles. (3) Measure the time it takes for each vehicle to turn left. (4) Calculate the average time it takes for the most recent multiple left turns. (5) Calculate the unit travel time by adding the average total stop time (2) to the average time taken for the left turn (4). This unit travel time is the travel time (unit travel time) until the leading vehicle passes a specific point within one signal cycle.

[0042] Next, the terminal 120 calculates the number of waiting vehicles V21 to V2q that follow the last vehicle V1p of the group of leading vehicles V1 to V1p. The terminal 120 transmits the number of waiting vehicles V21 to V2q to the information processing device 130.

[0043] The information processing device 130 calculates the estimated waiting time based on the information received from the terminals 110 and 120. The number of waiting signal cycles is calculated from the number of vehicles that were able to pass within one signal cycle, obtained in the calculation processes (1) to (5), and the current number of waiting vehicles. The estimated waiting time can then be calculated from the number of waiting signal cycles in the travel time (unit travel time) until the lead vehicle passes a specific point in one signal cycle. A more accurate estimated waiting time can be calculated by calculating the number of waiting signal cycles, including decimal points.

[0044] By obtaining such information, the driver of the vehicle Vn can decide whether to line up in the left turn lane to make a left turn, or to go straight and take a different route to his destination.

[0045] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and further modifications, substitutions, and adjustments can be made without departing from the basic technical concept of the present disclosure. For example, the network configurations, element configurations, and data representation formats shown in the drawings are examples intended to aid in understanding the present disclosure, and are not limited to the configurations shown in these drawings.

[0046] For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the terminal 110 calculates the travel time (unit travel time) using the camera C or a sensor, but if the information processing device 130 can acquire position information from a probe car, the information processing device 130 may calculate the travel time (unit travel time) using the position information from the probe car. Of course, the terminal 110 may calculate a more accurate travel time using the travel time (unit travel time) calculated by the camera C or a sensor and the travel time (unit travel time) calculated using the position information from the probe car.

[0047] In the first and second embodiments described above, the estimated waiting time calculation system is configured by distributing the respective functions among the terminals 110, 120 and the information processing device 130, but the calculation system can also be configured as a single device as shown in Fig. 1. Also, some of the functions of the terminals 110, 120 and the information processing device 130 can be arranged on the network side. For example, it is possible to arrange functions corresponding to the first calculation unit 121 of the terminal 110 and the number counting unit 121 of the terminal 120 on the network side, and to provide the travel time (unit travel time) and the number of devices from these functions to the information processing device 130.

[0048] (Hardware Configuration) In each embodiment of the present disclosure, each component of each device represents a functional unit block. Some or all of the components of each device are realized by an arbitrary combination of an information processing device 900 and a program, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 that realizes each component of each device. The information processing device 900 includes, as an example, the following configuration: - CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901 - ROM (Read Only Memory) 902 - RAM (Random Access Memory) 903 - Program 904 loaded into RAM 903 - Storage device 905 that stores the program 904 - Drive device 907 that reads and writes to a recording medium 906 - Communication interface 908 that connects to a communication network 909 - Input / output interface 910 that inputs and outputs data - Bus 911 that connects each component

[0049] Each component of each device in each embodiment is realized by the CPU 901 acquiring and executing a program 904 that realizes the function. That is, the CPU 901 in FIG. 10 executes a leading vehicle detection program and a vehicle counting program, and performs an update process for each calculation parameter stored in the RAM 903, the storage device 905, etc. The program 904 that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in advance in, for example, the storage device 905 or the ROM 902, and is read by the CPU 901 as needed. The program 904 may be supplied to the CPU 901 via the communication network 909, or may be stored in advance in the recording medium 906, and the drive device 907 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 901.

[0050] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 900 and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components of each device may be realized by any combination of a single information processing device 900 and a program. That is, each unit (processing means, function) of the information processing device shown in the first and second embodiments can be realized by a computer program that causes a processor installed in the device to execute each of the above-mentioned processes using its hardware.

[0051] In addition, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by other general-purpose or dedicated circuits, processors, etc., or a combination of these. These may be configured by a single chip, or by multiple chips connected via a bus.

[0052] Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits and programs.

[0053] When some or all of the components of each device are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in a form in which each device is connected via a communication network.

[0054] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. In other words, those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the above-described embodiments to construct various modified forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0055] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0056] [Supplementary Note 1] A calculation system comprising: a detection unit that detects a leading vehicle in a line of waiting vehicles heading toward a specific point based on information about a first area set just before the specific point; a first calculation unit that calculates a travel time until the leading vehicle passes the specific point based on the movement of the leading vehicle; a vehicle counting unit that detects vehicles that have entered a second area where subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle will wait and counts the number of subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle; and a second calculation unit that calculates an estimated waiting time for a new vehicle to join the line of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of subsequent vehicles. [Supplementary Note 2] The detection unit of the calculation system may be configured to determine a vehicle as the leading vehicle if it detects a vehicle traveling through the first area at less than a predetermined speed or stopped in the first area. [Supplementary Note 3] The second calculation unit of the calculation system may be configured to calculate the estimated waiting time by multiplying the travel time by the number of subsequent vehicles plus 1. [Supplementary Note 4] The vehicle counting unit of the calculation system may be configured to count the number of following vehicles based on an image from a camera capturing the second area or information from a sensor installed in the second area. [Supplementary Note 5] The first calculation unit of the calculation system may be configured to measure the movement of the lead vehicle multiple times and calculate the travel time using the statistical value. [Supplementary Note 6] The first calculation unit of the calculation system may be configured to calculate the travel time using the movement of a probe car included in the multiple lead vehicles. [Supplementary Note 7] In the calculation system described above, the specific point may be an intersection, and the first calculation unit may calculate the travel time based on the number of vehicles that pass through the intersection during a unit time. [Supplementary Note 8] In the calculation system described above, the unit time may be the period of a traffic signal light installed at the intersection.[Supplementary Note 9] A method for calculating an estimated waiting time to a specific point, comprising: detecting a leading vehicle in a line of waiting vehicles heading towards the specific point based on information about a first area set just before the specific point; calculating a travel time until the leading vehicle passes the specific point based on the movement of the leading vehicle; detecting vehicles that have entered a second area that serves as a waiting area for subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle, and counting the number of subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle; and calculating an estimated waiting time if a new vehicle joins the line of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of subsequent vehicles. [Supplementary Note 10] A recording medium storing a program causing a computer to execute the following steps: detect a leading vehicle in a queue of waiting vehicles heading toward a specific point based on information about a first area set before the specific point; calculate a travel time until the leading vehicle passes the specific point based on the movement of the leading vehicle; detect vehicles that have entered a second area where subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle will wait, and count the number of subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle; and calculate an estimated waiting time for a new vehicle to join the queue of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of subsequent vehicles. Note that the embodiments described in the above supplementary notes can be combined with each other after making necessary modifications. For example, a configuration that combines the contents of Supplementary Note 2 and Supplementary Note 3, narrows down the number of leading vehicles, and calculates the estimated waiting time by multiplying the number of subsequent vehicles by one, is also within the scope of the present specification. The embodiments of Supplementary Notes 9 and 10 can be expanded into the embodiments of Supplementary Notes 2 to 8, similarly to Supplementary Note 1.

[0057] The disclosures of the above-cited patent documents are incorporated herein by reference and may be used as the basis or part of this disclosure, as necessary. Modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible within the scope of this disclosure (including the claims), and further based on its basic technical concept. Furthermore, various combinations and selections (including partial deletions) of various disclosed elements (including elements of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible within the scope of this disclosure. In other words, this disclosure naturally includes various modifications and alterations that would be possible by a person skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical concept. In particular, with regard to the numerical ranges described herein, any numerical value or subrange within that range should be construed as specifically described, even if not otherwise specified. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above-cited documents, when used in part or in whole in combination with the disclosures herein as part of this disclosure, in accordance with the spirit of this disclosure, are also deemed to be included in the disclosures of this application.

[0058] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Calculation device 11, 111 Detection unit 12, 112 First calculation unit 13, 121 Number measurement unit 14, 131 Second calculation unit 110, 120 Terminal 130 Information processing device 132 Information transmission unit 900 Information processing device 901 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 902 ROM (Read Only Memory) 903 RAM (Random Access Memory) 904 Program 905 Storage device 906 Recording medium 907 Drive device 908 Communication interface 909 Communication network 910 Input / output interface 911 Bus AR1 First area AR2 Second area C, C1, C2 Camera G Guide P Specific point P1 Position S Sensor V1 to V7, V11 to V1p, V21 to V2q, Vn Vehicle

Claims

1. A calculation system comprising: a detection unit that detects the leading vehicle in a line of waiting vehicles heading towards a specific point based on information about a first area set just before the specific point; a first calculation unit that calculates the travel time until the leading vehicle passes the specific point based on the movement of the leading vehicle; a vehicle count measurement unit that detects vehicles located in a second area that is a waiting area for subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle and counts the number of subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle; and a second calculation unit that calculates an estimated waiting time if a new vehicle were to join the line of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of the subsequent vehicles.

2. The calculation system of claim 1, wherein the detection unit determines a vehicle as the leading vehicle when the detection unit detects a vehicle traveling through the first area at less than a predetermined speed or stopping in the first area.

3. A calculation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second calculation unit calculates the estimated waiting time by multiplying the travel time by the number of the following vehicles plus 1.

4. A calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the number measurement unit measures the number of following vehicles based on an image taken by a camera photographing the second area or information from a sensor installed in the second area.

5. A calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first calculation unit measures the movement of the leading vehicle multiple times and calculates the travel time using the statistical values.

6. The calculation system according to claim 5, wherein the first calculation unit calculates the travel time using the movement of a probe car included in the plurality of leading vehicles.

7. A calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the specific point is an intersection, and the first calculation unit calculates the travel time based on the number of vehicles that pass through the intersection within a unit time.

8. The calculation system according to claim 7, wherein the unit time is the period of the traffic signal lights installed at the intersection.

9. A method for calculating an estimated waiting time to a specific point, comprising: detecting the leading vehicle in a line of waiting vehicles heading towards the specific point based on information about a first area set just before the specific point; calculating the travel time until the leading vehicle passes the specific point based on the movement of the leading vehicle; detecting vehicles located in a second area that is a waiting area for subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle, and counting the number of subsequent vehicles following the leading vehicle; and calculating an estimated waiting time if a new vehicle joins the line of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of subsequent vehicles.

10. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: a process for detecting the leading vehicle in a queue of waiting vehicles heading towards a specific point based on information about a first area set just before the specific point; a process for calculating the travel time until the leading vehicle passes the specific point based on the movement of the leading vehicle; a process for detecting vehicles located in a second area that is a waiting area for following vehicles following the leading vehicle and counting the number of following vehicles following the leading vehicle; and a process for calculating an estimated waiting time if a new vehicle joins the queue of waiting vehicles based on the travel time and the number of following vehicles.

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