JP2012159944A - Congestion state notifying system, congestion state notifying method, parking state managing server, on-vehicle device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a congestion information distributing system 10 which can detect and distribute empty information of parking areas at low cost.SOLUTION: The congestion information distributing system 10 comprises a congestion information distributing server 20 for distributing congestion information of each parking area, and an on-vehicle device 30 installed in each of a plurality of vehicles 13. The congestion information distributing server 20 calculates degree of congestion in the parking area to distribute it to each vehicle 13 based on the information transmitted from the congestion information distributing server 20 when the vehicle 13 is parked.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for distributing congestion information indicating the congestion status of each parking lot to an in-vehicle device mounted on each vehicle.

  In Patent Document 1 below, in a gated parking lot, the number of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot is counted by counting the number of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot as the barrier bar is opened and closed. A technique for centrally managing the number of units as full / vacant information at the center is disclosed.

JP 2001-175998 A

  By the way, in the technique currently disclosed by the said patent document 1, it is necessary to provide a gate in a parking lot. In addition, when the entrance and the exit are in different places, it is necessary to install two gates. However, some family restaurants and convenience stores may not have a gate, and may not be able to detect parking space availability information.

  Also, in outdoor parking lots, the gates are exposed to wind and rain, so maintenance may be costly. From the viewpoint of cost reduction, the availability of parking lots should be detected without providing a gate in the parking lot. Is desirable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to detect and distribute parking lot availability information at a low cost.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a congestion information distribution system that distributes congestion information indicating the congestion status of each parking lot, a congestion information distribution server that distributes the congestion information of each parking lot, and a plurality of A congestion information distribution server, for each parking lot ID that identifies each parking lot, the current accommodation number, which is the number of vehicles currently accommodated in the parking lot, And parking information holding means that holds the maximum number of vehicles that can be accommodated in the parking lot, and parking information that includes a parking lot ID from each in-vehicle device is included in the parking information. When the current accommodation number held by the parking information holding means is increased by 1 in association with the parking lot ID being received and movement information including the parking lot ID is received from each in-vehicle device, the movement information is included in the movement information. In response to a parking information management means that reduces the current accommodation number held by the parking information holding means in association with the parking lot ID being received, and a congestion status request including the parking lot ID, refer to the parking information holding means. A congestion information distribution means for creating congestion information from the current accommodation number and the maximum accommodation number associated with the parking lot ID included in the congestion status request, and delivering the created congestion information, For each parking lot ID, a parking lot information holding means for holding information indicating the position and area of the parking lot corresponding to the parking lot ID, a current position calculating means for calculating the current position of the vehicle, When the vehicle is parked in any parking lot with reference to the parking lot information holding means based on the current position of the vehicle calculated by the current position calculating means, the parking including the parking lot ID of the parking lot is included. A parking status notifying means for creating information transmitted to the congestion information distribution server and generating movement information including the parking lot ID of the parking lot and transmitting to the congestion information distribution server when the vehicle has moved from the parking position; When a parking lot is designated by the user, a congestion status request including the parking lot ID of the designated parking lot is created and transmitted to the congestion information distribution server, and in response to the congestion status request, the congestion information distribution server And a congestion information notification means for notifying the user of the congestion information of the parking lot distributed from the vehicle.

  According to the congestion information distribution system of the present invention, parking space availability information can be detected and distributed at low cost.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a congestion information distribution system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a congestion information distribution server 20. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the data which the imaging | photography information holding part 22 hold | maintains. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an imaging | photography position and an imaging | photography direction. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the data which the division information holding part 24 hold | maintains. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the data which the parking information holding part 26 hold | maintains. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the parking position schematic diagram 50 which shows the parking position in parking. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an in-vehicle device 30. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the data which the link data holding part 38 hold | maintains. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the data which the parking lot information holding part 37 hold | maintains. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the data which the camera information holding part 36 hold | maintains. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the congestion information image 60 displayed on the display apparatus 15 by the congestion information notification part 32. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a congestion information distribution server 20. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the in-vehicle device 30. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer 70 that realizes the function of the congestion information distribution server 20. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram which shows an example of the computer 80 which implement | achieves the function of the vehicle equipment 30.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a congestion information distribution system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The congestion information distribution system 10 includes a congestion information distribution server 20 and an in-vehicle device 30 mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles 13.

  The congestion information distribution server 20 is connected to a communication line 11 such as the Internet. Each in-vehicle device 30 communicates with one of a plurality of base stations 12 based on a wireless communication system such as WCDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access) or PHS (Personal Handyphone System), and is congested via the base station 12. It communicates with the information distribution server 20.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the congestion information distribution server 20. The congestion information distribution server 20 includes a shooting position notification unit 21, a shooting information holding unit 22, a parking information management unit 23, a section information holding unit 24, a congestion information distribution unit 25, and a parking information holding unit 26.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the shooting information holding unit 22 associates a shooting position 222 for each parking lot ID 220 that identifies each parking lot with a shooting position ID 221 that identifies a shooting position for shooting the parking lot. And the shooting direction 223 is held. For the parking lot with the parking lot ID “T001”, the shooting position and shooting direction shown in FIG. 3 are illustrated in FIG. 4, for example.

  4, reference numeral 40 indicates a parking position, reference numeral 41 indicates a parking position ID for identifying the parking position, and reference numeral 42 indicates a shooting position (the shooting position ID is “2” in the example of FIG. 4). The reference numeral 43 indicates the shooting direction, the reference numeral 44 indicates the exit of the parking lot, and the reference numeral 45 indicates the entrance of the parking lot.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the photographing information holding unit 22 photographs the south direction at the location where the photographing position ID is “1”, photographs the west direction at the location where the photographing position ID is “2”, and the photographing position ID. Stores information that the west direction is imaged at the location “3” and the north direction is imaged at the location where the imaging position ID is “4”. In many cases, the manager of the parking lot is most well aware of which direction in the parking lot should be taken and which direction is easy to grasp the situation in the parking lot. Therefore, the data in the shooting information holding unit 22 is registered in the shooting information holding unit 22 in advance by a parking lot manager or the like.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the section information holding unit 24 indicates, for each parking lot ID 240 that identifies a parking lot, an area of the parking position in association with a parking position ID 241 that identifies the parking position of the parking lot. The area information 242 is held. The area information 242 stores, for example, the coordinates of each vertex of a polygon that indicates the area of the parking position.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the parking information holding unit 26 holds the parking lot information 261 regarding the parking lot for each parking lot ID 260 that identifies the parking lot. Each parking lot information 261 includes a current accommodation number 262 that is the number of vehicles currently accommodated, a maximum accommodation number 263 that is the maximum number of vehicles that can be accommodated, and a parking position ID of a parking position where the vehicle is parked. And a parking lot schematic diagram 265 showing an outline of the parking lot are stored.

  Further, each parking lot information 261 is associated with a shooting position ID 266 for identifying each shooting position in the parking lot, a shooting direction 267 at the shooting position, a parking lot image 268 shot at the shooting position, and A shooting time 269 indicating the time when the parking lot image 268 was shot is also stored. In the parking lot information 261, the maximum accommodation number 263, the parking lot schematic diagram 265, the shooting position ID 266, and the shooting direction 267 are registered in advance by a parking lot manager or the like.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. When receiving a shooting position request including a parking lot ID from any of the in-vehicle devices 30 via the communication line 11, the shooting position notification unit 21 refers to the shooting information holding unit 22 and receives the received shooting position request. The shooting position and the shooting direction for each shooting position ID associated with the parking lot ID included in is extracted. Then, the shooting position notification unit 21 creates a shooting position response including the shooting position and shooting direction for each extracted shooting position ID, and communicates the created shooting position response to the in-vehicle device 30 that is the transmission source of the shooting position request. Transmit via line 11.

  The parking information management unit 23 refers to the section information holding unit 24 when receiving parking information including information indicating the parking lot ID and the current position of the vehicle from any of the in-vehicle devices 30 via the communication line 11. The parking position ID associated with the parking lot ID included in the received parking information is associated with the area information including the current position of the vehicle included in the received parking information. The parking position ID is specified.

  And the parking information management part 23 refers to the parking information holding | maintenance part 26, and in the parking lot information matched with the parking lot ID contained in the received parking information, while increasing the now accommodation number, The parking position ID specified with reference to the section information holding unit 24 is additionally registered in the parking position.

  In addition, when the movement information including the parking lot ID and information indicating the current position of the vehicle is received from any of the in-vehicle devices 30 via the communication line 11, the parking information management unit 23 refers to the section information holding unit 24. The parking position ID associated with the parking lot ID included in the received movement information is associated with the area information including the current position of the vehicle included in the received movement information. The parking position ID is specified.

  And the parking information management unit 23 refers to the parking information holding unit 26, and in the parking lot information associated with the parking lot ID included in the received movement information, the current accommodation number is reduced by 1, The parking position ID specified with reference to the section information holding unit 24 is deleted from the parking position.

  Further, when an image registration request including a parking lot ID, a shooting position ID, a shooting direction, a parking lot image, and a shooting time is received from any of the in-vehicle devices 30 via the communication line 11, the parking information management unit 23 Referring to the parking information holding unit 26, in the parking lot information associated with the parking lot ID included in the received image registration request, the shooting position ID and the shooting included in the received image registration request Overwrite and register the direction, parking image, and shooting time.

  When the congestion information distribution unit 25 receives a congestion status request including a parking lot ID, the congestion information distribution unit 25 refers to the parking information holding unit 26 and stores the parking lot information corresponding to the parking lot ID included in the received congestion status request. Is identified. Then, the congestion information distribution unit 25 creates congestion information indicating the ratio of the currently accommodated number of vehicles to the maximum accommodated number in the specified parking lot information, and sends the created congestion information to the in-vehicle device 30 that is the transmission source of the congestion information request. And transmitted via the communication line 11. The congestion information distribution unit 25 is, for example, “full” when the ratio of the currently accommodated number to the maximum accommodated number is 100%, “congested” when the ratio is 80% or more and less than 100%, and is 0% or more and less than 80%. In this case, “empty car” is created as congestion information.

  Further, in the parking lot information corresponding to the parking lot ID included in the congestion status request, when the currently accommodated number is 1 or more, the congestion information distribution unit 25 refers to the parking position and the vehicle is parked. The parking position ID of the parking position is specified. Then, the congestion information distribution unit 25 refers to the section information holding unit 24 and extracts area information corresponding to the specified parking position ID.

  Then, the congestion information distribution unit 25 acquires a parking lot schematic diagram of the parking information corresponding to the parking lot ID included in the congestion status request from the parking information holding unit 26. And the congestion information distribution part 25 is parking the area | regions 51 and 52 corresponding to the area | region information specified with reference to the division information holding | maintenance part 24 in the acquired parking lot schematic, as shown, for example in FIG. The parking position schematic diagram 50 changed to a display indicating this is created, and the created parking position schematic diagram 50 is transmitted via the communication line 11 to the in-vehicle device 30 that is the transmission source of the congestion information request.

  When the currently accommodated number is 0, the congestion information distribution unit 25 may transmit the parking lot schematic diagram of the corresponding parking lot as it is to the in-vehicle device 30 that is the transmission source of the congestion information request. Thereby, the user can consider beforehand the magnitude | size of a parking lot, the ease of parking, etc.

  In addition, in the parking information corresponding to the parking lot ID included in the congestion status request, when there is a parking lot image captured between the current time and a predetermined time before (for example, one hour before), the congestion information The distribution unit 25 transmits the parking lot image together with the shooting position ID, the shooting direction, and the shooting time to the in-vehicle device 30 that has transmitted the congestion information request via the communication line 11.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the in-vehicle device 30. The in-vehicle device 30 includes a wireless communication unit 31, a congestion information notification unit 32, a shooting control unit 33, a parking status notification unit 34, a current position calculation unit 35, a camera information holding unit 36, a parking lot information holding unit 37, and link data holding. Part 38.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the link data holding unit 38 holds mesh data 380 including information on links indicating roads included in the mesh for each mesh that is a predetermined map area. Each mesh data 380 includes a mesh ID 381 that identifies each mesh, link data 382 that is data related to a link in the mesh, and the like.

  Each link data 382 includes a link ID 383 for identifying each link, a start node coordinate 384 of the link, an end node coordinate 385 of the link, a road type 386 of the link, a link length 387 of the link, A start connection link 388 that is identification information of another link connected to the start node, an end connection link 389 that is identification information of another link connected to the end node of the link, and the like are stored.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the parking lot information holding unit 37 holds area information 371 indicating the area of the parking lot for each parking lot ID 370 that identifies each parking lot. The area information 371 stores, for example, the coordinates of each vertex of a polygon indicating a parking lot. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the camera information holding unit 36 is associated with a camera ID 360 that identifies one or more cameras mounted on the vehicle 13, and the shooting direction of the camera based on the traveling direction of the vehicle. 361 is held. Data in the camera information holding unit 36, the parking lot information holding unit 37, and the link data holding unit 38 is registered in advance by a manufacturer or a user of the in-vehicle device 30.

  Returning to FIG. The wireless communication unit 31 communicates with the nearest base station 12 based on a wireless communication method such as WCDMA or PHS. The congestion information notification unit 32, the imaging control unit 33, and the parking status notification unit 34 communicate with the congestion information distribution server 20 via the wireless communication unit 31. The sensor 18 is, for example, a GPS receiver, an azimuth sensor, a distance sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and the like, and measures a GPS signal transmitted from a geodetic satellite, a traveling direction of the vehicle, a moving distance of the vehicle, a vehicle speed, and the like. Is supplied to the current position calculation unit 22.

  Based on the measurement information supplied from the sensor 18 and the link data held by the link data holding unit 38, the current position calculating unit 35 moves the vehicle 13 on which the in-vehicle device 30 is mounted a predetermined distance (for example, 10 m). Each time, for example, the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle are calculated by map matching or the like, and information indicating the calculated current position and traveling direction of the vehicle is provided to the imaging control unit 33 and the parking state notification unit 34.

  The parking status notifying unit 34 refers to the parking lot information holding unit 37 based on the current position of the vehicle 13 calculated by the current position calculating unit 35, and when the vehicle 13 is parked in any parking lot, Parking information including the parking lot ID of the parking lot and the current position of the vehicle 13 is created, and the created parking information is transmitted to the congestion information distribution server 20 via the wireless communication unit 31. For example, when the engine of the vehicle 13 stops in the parking lot, the parking state notification unit 34 determines that the vehicle 13 is parked.

  In addition, the parking status notifying unit 34 refers to the parking lot information holding unit 37 based on the current position of the vehicle 13 calculated by the current position calculating unit 35, and when the vehicle 13 moves from the parking position, the parking is performed until then. The travel information including the parking lot ID of the parking lot and the current position of the vehicle 13 is created, and the created travel information is transmitted to the congestion information distribution server 20 via the wireless communication unit 31. For example, the parking state notification unit 34 determines that the vehicle 13 has moved from the parking position when the engine of the vehicle 13 starts in the parking lot and the vehicle 13 starts moving.

  The imaging control unit 33 refers to the parking lot information holding unit 37 based on the current position of the vehicle 13 calculated by the current position calculation unit 35, and when the vehicle 13 enters one of the parking lots, the parking lot A shooting position request including the parking lot ID of the first parking lot is created, and the created shooting position request is transmitted to the congestion information distribution server 20 via the wireless communication unit 31. When receiving a shooting position response from the congestion information distribution server 20 via the wireless communication unit 31, the shooting control unit 33 takes a shooting position and a shooting direction for each shooting position ID included in the received shooting position response. Is stored in a memory in the in-vehicle device 30.

  Based on the current position of the vehicle 13 calculated by the current position calculation unit 35, the shooting control unit 33 responds to the shooting position when the vehicle 13 approaches one of the shooting positions held in the memory. The camera ID of the camera that can be photographed with the photographing direction attached and stored in the memory is extracted from the camera information holding unit 36, and the camera 17 corresponding to the extracted camera ID is photographed.

  And the imaging | photography control part 33 is the parking lot image of the parking lot where the imaging | photography parking area image, the imaging | photography position ID of the imaging | photography position where the said parking lot image was image | photographed, the direction where the said parking lot image was image | photographed, and the vehicle 13 is located. An image registration request including the ID and the time when the parking lot image was taken is created, and the created image registration request is transmitted to the congestion information distribution server 20 via the wireless communication unit 31.

  When a parking lot is designated by the user, the congestion information notification unit 32 creates a congestion situation request including the parking lot ID of the designated parking lot, and sends the created congestion situation request via the wireless communication unit 31. It transmits to the congestion information distribution server 20. When the congestion information, the parking position schematic diagram, the parking lot image, and the shooting time are received, the congestion information notification unit 32 uses the received information to generate a congestion information image 60 as shown in FIG. It is created and displayed on the display device 15.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, congestion information is displayed in the area 61, a parking lot image and a shooting time are displayed for each shooting position, and parking in which a parking position during parking is clearly shown in the area 63. A location schematic is displayed. Moreover, in the parking position schematic diagram, a shooting position 64 and a shooting direction 65 are displayed. The numerical value at the photographing position indicates the photographing position ID.

  As described above, the in-vehicle device 30 can obtain and display the congestion information of the parking lot instructed by the user even in a parking lot where a facility such as a gate is not provided. In addition, since the parking position schematic diagram is displayed, the user can know in advance which position in the parking lot is vacant in advance, and whether or not the vacant parking position is difficult to park in advance. Can be confirmed. Further, the user can determine the parking position in advance without actually looking around the parking lot, and can park more quickly.

  In addition, since the image in the parking lot is provided, the user can check whether there is a vehicle waiting for parking even if the vehicle is full, or if the vehicle is not parked for some reason. Information such as a parking position that cannot be used (for example, a color cone is placed at the tenth parking position in FIG. 12) can be obtained.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the congestion information distribution server 20. For example, the congestion information distribution server 20 starts the operation shown in this flowchart at a predetermined timing such as starting after a predetermined setting.

  First, the parking information management unit 23 determines whether parking information has been received (S100). When the parking information is received (S100: Yes), the parking information management unit 23 refers to the partition information holding unit 24 and the parking position ID associated with the parking lot ID included in the received parking information. The parking position ID associated with the area information including the current position of the vehicle included in the received parking information is specified.

  Then, the parking information management unit 23 refers to the parking information holding unit 26 and increases the current accommodation number by 1 in the parking lot information associated with the parking lot ID included in the received parking information (S101). . Then, the parking information management unit 23 additionally registers the parking position ID specified with reference to the section information holding unit 24 in the parking position (S102), and executes the process shown in step S100 again.

  When parking information is not received (S100: No), parking information management part 23 judges whether movement information was received (S103). When the movement information is received (S103: Yes), the parking information management unit 23 refers to the section information holding unit 24, and the parking position ID associated with the parking lot ID included in the received movement information. The parking position ID associated with the area information including the current position of the vehicle included in the received parking information is specified.

  Then, the parking information management unit 23 refers to the parking information holding unit 26 and reduces the current accommodation number by 1 in the parking lot information associated with the parking lot ID included in the received movement information (S104). . And the parking information management part 23 deletes parking position ID specified with reference to the division information holding | maintenance part 24 from the parking position (S105), and performs the process shown to step S100 again.

  When the movement information has not been received (S103: No), the congestion information distribution unit 25 determines whether a congestion information request has been received (S106). When the congestion status request is received (S106: Yes), the congestion information distribution unit 25 refers to the parking information holding unit 26, and provides the parking lot information corresponding to the parking lot ID included in the received congestion status request. Identify.

  And the congestion information delivery part 25 produces the congestion information which shows the ratio of the current accommodation number with respect to the maximum accommodation number in the specified parking lot information. In addition, when the currently accommodated number is 1 or more in the specified parking lot information, the congestion information distribution unit 25 extracts area information corresponding to the parking position ID registered in the parking position from the partition information holding unit 24. In the parking lot schematic diagram, a parking position schematic diagram is created in which a portion corresponding to the area information specified with reference to the section information holding unit 24 is changed to a display indicating that the vehicle is parked.

  Further, in the specified parking lot information, when there is a parking lot image taken between the current time and a predetermined time before, the congestion information distribution unit 25, the parking lot image, the shooting position ID, the shooting direction, and The shooting time is acquired from the parking information holding unit 26.

  Then, the congestion information distribution unit 25 transmits the congestion information, the parking position schematic diagram, the parking lot image, the shooting position ID, the shooting direction, and the shooting time to the in-vehicle device 30 that has transmitted the congestion information request (S108), The parking information management unit 23 executes the process shown in step S100 again.

  When the congestion status request has not been received (S106: No), the shooting position notification unit 21 determines whether a shooting position request has been received (S109). When the photographing position request is received (S109: Yes), the photographing position notifying unit 21 refers to the photographing information holding unit 22 and performs photographing corresponding to the parking lot ID included in the received photographing position request. A shooting position and a shooting direction for each position ID are extracted, and a shooting position response including the shooting position and the shooting direction for each extracted shooting position ID is created. Then, the shooting position notification unit 21 transmits the created shooting position response to the in-vehicle device 30 that is the transmission source of the shooting position request (S110), and the parking information management unit 23 executes the process shown in step S100 again. .

  When the imaging position request has not been received (S109: No), the parking information management unit 23 determines whether an image registration request has been received (S111). When the image registration request has not been received (S111: No), the parking information management unit 23 executes the process shown in step S100 again.

  When the image registration request is received (S111: Yes), the parking information management unit 23 refers to the parking information holding unit 26 and parks the parking lot associated with the parking lot ID included in the received image registration request. In the parking lot information, the shooting position ID, shooting direction, parking lot image, and shooting time included in the received image registration request are overwritten and registered (S112), and the parking information management unit 23 again performs the process shown in step S100. Execute.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the in-vehicle device 30. For example, the vehicle-mounted device 30 starts the operation shown in this flowchart at a predetermined timing such as when the engine of the vehicle 13 is started.

  First, the imaging control unit 33 refers to the parking lot information holding unit 37 based on the current position of the vehicle 13 calculated by the current position calculation unit 35, and determines whether the vehicle 13 has entered any parking lot. Determine (S200). When the vehicle 13 enters one of the parking lots (S200: Yes), the shooting control unit 33 creates a shooting position request including the parking lot ID of the parking lot and transmits it to the congestion information distribution server 20 (S201). ). Then, the shooting control unit 33 receives the shooting position response from the congestion information distribution server 20, and stores the shooting position and shooting direction for each shooting position ID included in the received shooting position response in the memory in the in-vehicle device 30. To do.

  Next, based on the current position of the vehicle 13 calculated by the current position calculation unit 35, the shooting control unit 33 determines whether the vehicle 13 has reached one of the shooting positions held in the memory (S202). ). When the vehicle 13 approaches one of the shooting positions (S202: Yes), the shooting control unit 33 sets the camera ID of the camera capable of shooting the shooting direction associated with the shooting position and stored in the memory. The information is extracted from the information holding unit 36, and the camera 17 corresponding to the extracted camera ID is photographed (S203).

  Next, the shooting control unit 33 picks up the shot parking image, the shooting position ID of the shooting position where the parking image was shot, the direction in which the parking image was shot, and the parking of the parking lot where the vehicle 13 is located. An image registration request including the car park ID and the time when the parking lot image was taken is created and transmitted to the congestion information distribution server 20 (S204), and the process shown in step S202 is executed again.

  When the vehicle 13 is not approaching the shooting position (S202: No), the parking state notification unit 34 refers to the parking lot information holding unit 37 based on the current position of the vehicle 13 calculated by the current position calculation unit 35, It is determined whether or not the vehicle 13 is parked (S205). When the vehicle 13 is parked (S205: Yes), the parking state notification unit 34 creates parking information including the parking lot ID of the parked parking lot and the current position of the vehicle 13, and transmits the parking information to the congestion information distribution server 20 ( S206).

  Next, the parking status notification unit 34 refers to the parking lot information holding unit 37 based on the current position of the vehicle 13 calculated by the current position calculation unit 35, and whether or not the vehicle 13 has started moving from the parking position. Is determined (S207). When the vehicle 13 starts moving (S207: Yes), the parking state notification unit 34 creates movement information including the parking lot ID of the parking lot and the current position of the vehicle 13, and transmits the movement information to the congestion information distribution server 20 ( (S208), the imaging control unit 33 executes the process shown in step S202 again.

  In step S205, when the vehicle 13 is not parked (S205: No), the imaging control unit 33 refers to the parking lot information holding unit 37 based on the current position of the vehicle 13 calculated by the current position calculation unit 35. Then, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 13 has left the parking lot (S209). When the vehicle 13 leaves the parking lot (S209: Yes), the imaging control unit 33 executes the process shown in step S200 again. On the other hand, when the vehicle 13 has not left the parking lot (S209: No), the imaging control unit 33 executes the process shown in step S202 again.

  In step S200, when the vehicle 13 has not entered any parking lot (S200: No), the congestion information notification unit 32 determines whether or not a parking lot has been designated by the user (S210). When the parking lot is not designated by the user (S210: No), the imaging control unit 33 executes the process shown in step S200 again.

  When a parking lot is designated by the user (S210: Yes), the congestion information notification unit 32 creates a congestion status request including the parking lot ID of the designated parking lot and transmits it to the congestion information distribution server 20 (S211). ). Then, the congestion information notification unit 32 receives the congestion information, the parking position schematic diagram, the parking lot image, and the shooting time, and uses the received information, for example, the congestion information image 60 as described in FIG. The image is created and displayed on the display device 15 (S212), and the imaging control unit 33 executes the process shown in step S200 again.

  FIG. 15 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer 70 that realizes the function of the congestion information distribution server 20. The computer 70 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 71, a random access memory (RAM) 72, a read only memory (ROM) 73, a hard disk drive (HDD) 74, a communication interface (I / F) 75, an input / output interface (I). / F) 76 and a media interface (I / F) 77.

  The CPU 71 operates based on a program stored in the ROM 73 or the HDD 74 and controls each part. The ROM 73 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 71 when the computer 70 is started up, a program depending on the hardware of the computer 70, and the like.

  The HDD 74 stores programs executed by the CPU 71, data, and the like. The communication interface 75 receives data from other devices via the communication line 11 and sends the data to the CPU 71, and transmits data generated by the CPU 71 to other devices via the communication line 11.

  The input / output interface 76 sends data generated by the CPU 71 to an output device such as a display, and sends signals from an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse to the CPU 71. The CPU 71 controls the input / output device via the input / output interface 76.

  The media interface 77 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 78 and provides it to the CPU 71 via the RAM 72. The CPU 71 loads the program from the recording medium 78 onto the RAM 72 via the media interface 77 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 78 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or PD (Phase change rewritable disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Etc.

  The CPU 71 of the computer 70 executes a program loaded on the RAM 72 to thereby obtain a shooting position notification unit 21, a shooting information holding unit 22, a parking information management unit 23, a section information holding unit 24, a congestion information distribution unit 25, and Each function of the parking information holding unit 26 is realized. Further, the ROM 73 or the HDD 74 stores data in the photographing information holding unit 22, the section information holding unit 24, or the parking information holding unit 26.

  The computer 70 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 78, but as another example, the computer 70 may acquire these programs via the communication line 11.

  FIG. 16 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer 80 that implements the functions of the in-vehicle device 30. The computer 80 includes a CPU 81, a RAM 82, a ROM 83, an HDD 84, a wireless communication device 85, an input / output interface (I / F) 86, and a media interface (I / F) 87.

  The CPU 81 operates based on a program stored in the ROM 83 or the HDD 84 and controls each unit. The ROM 83 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 81 when the computer 80 is started up, a program depending on the hardware of the computer 80, and the like.

  The HDD 84 stores programs executed by the CPU 81, data, and the like. The radio communication device 85 provides the data received from the base station 12 via the antenna 16 to the CPU 81 and transmits the data generated by the CPU 81 to the base station 12 via the antenna 16.

  The input / output interface 86 sends data generated by the CPU 81 to the display device 15 or the camera 17, and sends signals from the input device 14, the sensor 18, or the camera 17 to the CPU 81. The CPU 81 controls the input device 14, the display device 15, the camera 17, and the sensor 18 via the input / output interface 86.

  The media interface 87 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 88 and provides it to the CPU 81 via the RAM 82. The CPU 81 loads the program from the recording medium 88 onto the RAM 82 via the media interface 87, and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 88 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as DVD or PD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as MO, a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

  The CPU 81 of the computer 80 executes a program loaded on the RAM 82, thereby causing the wireless communication unit 31, the congestion information notification unit 32, the imaging control unit 33, the parking status notification unit 34, the current position calculation unit 35, and camera information storage. The functions of the unit 36, the parking lot information holding unit 37, and the link data holding unit 38 are realized. The ROM 83 or the HDD 84 stores data in the camera information holding unit 36, the parking lot information holding unit 37, and the link data holding unit 38.

  The computer 80 reads these programs from the recording medium 88 and executes them. However, as another example, the computer 80 may acquire these programs via the wireless communication device 85.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the congestion information distribution system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to detect and distribute the parking lot availability information to each vehicle 13 at a low cost.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, Many deformation | transformation are possible within the range of the summary.

  For example, when the vehicle enters the parking lot, when the vehicle parks, and when the vehicle leaves the parking lot, the in-vehicle device 30 notifies the congestion information distribution server 20 to that effect, and distributes the congestion information. The server 20 may detect that the parking lot is full when the vehicle enters the parking lot but leaves the parking lot without parking. Thereby, even if it is a case where the vehicle equipment 30 is not mounted in all the vehicles, the congestion information delivery server 20 determines the vacant state of a parking lot based on the information from the vehicle 13 in which the vehicle equipment 30 is mounted. can do.

  In addition, when the vehicle 13 is parked, each in-vehicle device 30 causes all the cameras provided in the vehicle 13 to photograph the periphery of the vehicle 13 and transmits it to the congestion information distribution server 20. 20 is a parking lot where the entire parking lot is looked down from above, for example, by synthesizing images sent from the in-vehicle device 30 for each parking lot or by complementing the unphotographed part with a schematic diagram of the parking lot The entire image may be created and distributed to each vehicle. Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain the structure of a parking lot, and an empty condition more rapidly.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Congestion information delivery system, 11 ... Communication line, 12 ... Base station, 13 ... Vehicle, 14 ... Input device, 15 ... Display device, 16 ... Antenna, 17 ... Camera, 18 ... Sensor, 20 ... Congestion information distribution server, 21 ... Shooting position notification unit, 22 ... Shooting information holding unit, 23 ... Parking information management unit, 24 ... Section information holding unit, 25 ... congestion information distribution unit, 26 ... parking information holding unit, 30 ... in-vehicle device, 31 ... wireless communication unit, 32 ... congestion information notification unit, 33 ..Shooting control unit 34 ... Parking status notification unit 35 ... Current position calculation unit 36 ... Camera information holding unit 37 ... Parking information holding unit 38 ... Link data holding 50, parking position schematic diagram, 60 ... congestion information image

Claims (10)

A congestion information distribution system that distributes congestion information indicating the congestion status of each parking lot,
A congestion information distribution server for distributing congestion information of each parking lot;
An in-vehicle device mounted on each of a plurality of vehicles,
The congestion information distribution server is
For each parking lot ID that identifies each parking lot, the current accommodation number that is the number of vehicles that the parking lot currently accommodates and the maximum accommodation number that is the number of vehicles that the parking lot can accommodate Parking information holding means,
When parking information including a parking lot ID is received from each of the on-vehicle devices, the current accommodation number held by the parking information holding unit is increased by 1 in association with the parking lot ID included in the parking information, Parking information management that reduces the current accommodation number held by the parking information holding means in association with the parking lot ID included in the movement information when movement information including a parking lot ID is received from the vehicle-mounted device Means,
When a congestion situation request including a parking lot ID is received, referring to the parking information holding means, from the current accommodation number and the maximum accommodation number associated with the parking lot ID included in the congestion situation request. A congestion information distribution means for generating congestion information and distributing the generated congestion information;
Each of the in-vehicle devices is
For each parking lot ID, parking lot information holding means for holding information indicating the location and area of the parking lot corresponding to the parking lot ID;
A current position calculating means for calculating a current position of the vehicle;
Reference is made to the parking lot information holding means based on the current position of the vehicle calculated by the current position calculating means, and when the vehicle is parked in any parking lot, the parking lot ID of the parking lot is included. Parking information is created and transmitted to the congestion information distribution server, and when the vehicle moves from a parking position, movement information including a parking lot ID of the parking lot is created and transmitted to the congestion information distribution server. Status notification means;
When a parking lot is designated by the user, a congestion status request including a parking lot ID of the designated parking lot is created and transmitted to the congestion information distribution server, and the congestion information distribution is performed in response to the congestion status request. A congestion information distribution system comprising congestion information notification means for notifying a user of congestion information of a parking lot distributed from a server. The congestion information distribution system according to claim 1,
The parking status notification means of the in-vehicle device is:
When the vehicle engine stops in the parking lot, it is determined that the vehicle is parked. When the vehicle engine starts in the parking lot and the vehicle starts moving, the vehicle moves from the parking position. A congestion information distribution system characterized in that it is determined that it has been performed. The congestion information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2,
The congestion information distribution server is
Each parking lot ID further includes a parking location ID for identifying each parking location in the parking lot corresponding to the parking lot ID, and a zone information holding means for holding zone information indicating the location and area of the parking location. And
The parking information holding means of the congestion information distribution server is:
For each parking lot ID, in the parking lot corresponding to the parking lot ID, the parking position ID of the parking position where the vehicle is parked is further held,
The parking status notification means of the in-vehicle device is:
When the vehicle is parked in a parking lot, the current position of the vehicle is further included in the parking information and transmitted to the congestion information distribution server, and when the vehicle moves from the parking position, the current position of the vehicle is In addition to the movement information, send to the congestion information distribution server,
The parking information management means of the congestion information distribution server includes:
When the parking information is accepted, the parking position ID associated with the section information including the current position included in the parking information is identified with reference to the section information holding unit, and the identified parking is performed. When the position ID is registered in the parking information holding means in association with the parking lot ID included in the parking information and the movement information is received, the movement information is further referred to by referring to the section information holding means. Identifying the parking position ID associated with the section information including the current position included in the parking information, deleting the identified parking position ID from the parking information holding means,
The congestion information distribution means of the congestion information distribution server includes:
When distributing congestion information, information indicating a vacant parking position in the parking lot corresponding to the parking lot ID included in the congestion status request with reference to the section information holding means and the parking information holding means Congested information distribution system characterized by delivering together. The congestion information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The parking information holding means of the congestion information distribution server is:
For each parking lot ID, in the parking lot corresponding to the parking lot ID, the image taken at the shooting position and the image are associated with the shooting position ID for identifying the shooting position at which the inside of the parking lot is shot. Keeps the time when it was taken,
The congestion information distribution server is
Shooting information holding means for holding information indicating a shooting position corresponding to the shooting position ID for each combination of a parking lot ID and a shooting position ID;
When a shooting position request including a parking lot ID is received from the in-vehicle device, the shooting information holding unit is referred to based on the parking lot ID included in the shooting position request and is associated with the parking lot ID. A shooting position notification means for delivering a shooting position response including a shooting position for each shooting position ID;
Each of the in-vehicle devices is
A shooting position request including a parking lot ID of the parking lot when the vehicle enters the parking lot with reference to the parking lot information holding unit based on the current position of the vehicle calculated by the current position calculating unit. And is sent to the congestion information distribution server, and parked at the camera mounted on the vehicle at the shooting position included in the shooting position response transmitted from the congestion information distribution server in response to the shooting position request. The image taken by the camera, the image taken by the camera, the shooting position ID corresponding to the shooting position where the shooting was performed, the parking lot ID of the parking lot where the shooting was performed, and the time when the shooting was performed It further includes photographing control means for creating an image registration request including and transmitting the request to the congestion information distribution server,
The parking information management means of the congestion information distribution server includes:
When the image registration request is received from each of the in-vehicle devices, the image and time included in the image registration request are associated with the parking lot ID and the shooting position ID included in the image registration request. Register in the parking information holding means,
The congestion information distribution means includes:
When distributing the congestion information, for each shooting position ID associated with the parking lot ID included in the congestion status request, further distributing the image and time associated with the shooting position ID. A featured congestion information distribution system. The congestion information distribution system according to claim 4,
The in-vehicle device is
For each of a plurality of cameras mounted on the vehicle, it further has camera information holding means for holding information indicating the shooting direction of the camera,
The photographing information holding means of the congestion information distribution server is
For each combination of the parking lot ID and the shooting position ID, further holding information indicating the shooting direction at the shooting position corresponding to the shooting position ID,
The shooting position notification means of the congestion information distribution server includes:
When a shooting position request including a parking lot ID is received from the in-vehicle device, the shooting information holding unit is referred to based on the parking lot ID included in the shooting position request and is associated with the parking lot ID. Including the shooting direction for each shooting position ID included in the shooting position response,
The photographing control means of the in-vehicle device is
When the shooting position response is received from the congestion information distribution server, the shooting direction included in the shooting position response is referred to at the shooting position included in the shooting position response with reference to the camera information holding unit. A congestion information distribution system characterized by having a camera capable of photographing the inside of a parking lot. A congestion information distribution method in a congestion information distribution system that distributes congestion information indicating the congestion status of each parking lot,
The congestion information distribution system includes:
A congestion information distribution server for distributing congestion information of each parking lot;
An in-vehicle device mounted on each of a plurality of vehicles,
The congestion information distribution server is
For each parking lot ID that identifies each parking lot in association with the parking lot ID included in the parking information when parking information including a parking lot ID is received from each of the in-vehicle devices, the parking lot Increases the current accommodation number held by the parking information holding means for holding the current accommodation number that is the number of vehicles currently accommodated and the maximum accommodation number that is the number of vehicles that can be accommodated by the parking lot, Parking information management that reduces the current accommodation number held by the parking information holding means in association with the parking lot ID included in the movement information when movement information including a parking lot ID is received from the vehicle-mounted device Steps,
When a congestion situation request including a parking lot ID is received, referring to the parking information holding means, from the current accommodation number and the maximum accommodation number associated with the parking lot ID included in the congestion situation request. A congestion information distribution step for generating congestion information and distributing the generated congestion information;
Each of the in-vehicle devices is
A current position calculating step for calculating a current position of the vehicle;
Based on the current position of the vehicle calculated in the current position calculation step, for each parking lot ID, refer to a parking lot information holding unit that holds information indicating the position and area of the parking lot corresponding to the parking lot ID. When the vehicle is parked in one of the parking lots, parking information including the parking lot ID of the parking lot is generated and transmitted to the congestion information distribution server, and when the vehicle moves from the parking position, A parking state notification step of creating movement information including a parking lot ID of the parking lot and transmitting it to the congestion information distribution server;
When a parking lot is designated by the user, a congestion status request including a parking lot ID of the designated parking lot is created and transmitted to the congestion information distribution server, and the congestion information distribution is performed in response to the congestion status request. A congestion information distribution method, comprising: a congestion information notification step of notifying a user of congestion information of a parking lot distributed from a server. A congestion information distribution server that distributes congestion information of each parking lot,
For each parking lot ID that identifies each parking lot, the current accommodation number that is the number of vehicles that the parking lot currently accommodates and the maximum accommodation number that is the number of vehicles that the parking lot can accommodate Parking information holding means,
When parking information including a parking lot ID is received from each in-vehicle device, the current accommodation number held by the parking information holding unit is increased by 1 in association with the parking lot ID included in the parking information, Parking information management means for reducing the current accommodation number held by the parking information holding means in association with the parking lot ID included in the movement information when movement information including a parking lot ID is received from the in-vehicle device When,
When a congestion situation request including a parking lot ID is received, referring to the parking information holding means, from the current accommodation number and the maximum accommodation number associated with the parking lot ID included in the congestion situation request. A congestion information distribution server comprising congestion information distribution means for generating congestion information and distributing the generated congestion information. An in-vehicle device that is mounted on each of a plurality of vehicles and transmits information on entering and leaving the parking lot,
For each parking lot ID for identifying each parking lot, a parking lot information holding means for holding information indicating the position and area of the parking lot,
A current position calculating means for calculating a current position of the vehicle;
Reference is made to the parking lot information holding means based on the current position of the vehicle calculated by the current position calculating means, and when the vehicle is parked in any parking lot, the parking lot ID of the parking lot is included. The parking situation which creates parking information, transmits it to the congestion information distribution server, creates movement information including the parking lot ID of the parking lot and transmits it to the congestion information distribution server when the vehicle moves from the parking position Notification means;
When a parking lot is designated by the user, a congestion status request including a parking lot ID of the designated parking lot is created and transmitted to the congestion information distribution server, and the congestion information distribution is performed in response to the congestion status request. A vehicle-mounted device comprising: congestion information notification means for notifying a user of parking lot congestion information distributed from a server. A program that causes a computer to function as a congestion information distribution server that distributes congestion information of each parking lot,
In the computer,
For each parking lot ID that identifies each parking lot, the current accommodation number that is the number of vehicles that the parking lot currently accommodates and the maximum accommodation number that is the number of vehicles that the parking lot can accommodate Parking information retention function,
When parking information including a parking lot ID is received from each in-vehicle device, the current accommodation number held by the parking information holding function is increased by 1 in association with the parking lot ID included in the parking information, A parking information management function for reducing the current accommodation number held by the parking information holding function by 1 in association with the parking lot ID included in the movement information when movement information including a parking lot ID is received from the in-vehicle device. ,and,
When a congestion situation request including a parking lot ID is received, referring to the parking information holding function, from the current accommodation number and the maximum accommodation number associated with the parking lot ID included in the congestion situation request A program characterized by realizing a congestion information distribution function for generating congestion information and distributing the generated congestion information. A computer is installed in each of a plurality of vehicles, and is a program that functions as an in-vehicle device that transmits information of entering and exiting a parking lot,
In the computer,
For each parking lot ID that identifies each parking lot, a parking lot information holding function that holds information indicating the location and area of the parking lot,
A current position calculating function for calculating the current position of the vehicle;
Reference is made to the parking lot information holding function based on the current position of the vehicle calculated by the current position calculation function, and when the vehicle is parked in any parking lot, the parking lot ID of the parking lot is included. The parking situation which creates parking information, transmits it to the congestion information distribution server, creates movement information including the parking lot ID of the parking lot and transmits it to the congestion information distribution server when the vehicle moves from the parking position Notification function, and
When a parking lot is designated by the user, a congestion status request including a parking lot ID of the designated parking lot is created and transmitted to the congestion information distribution server, and the congestion information distribution is performed in response to the congestion status request. A program for realizing a congestion information notification function for notifying a user of parking lot congestion information distributed from a server.

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