1. An information providing apparatus, characterized in that,

has an external recognition unit (58), an information provision control unit (62), and a determination unit (64),

the external recognition unit (58) recognizes an external situation of the mobile body (10);

the information providing control portion (62) provides parking recommendation information according to the indication of the traffic signal lamp (72A, 72B) identified by the external identification portion;

the determination unit (64) determines whether or not the degree of proximity between the intersection 1 and the intersection 2 satisfies a predetermined condition when the intersection 1 (70A) and the intersection 2 (70B) are located in the traveling direction of the moving object,

when the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the information provision control unit suppresses the parking recommendation information providing an instruction according to the traffic light (72B) to which the 2 nd intersection belongs.

2. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1,

the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when a distance (L1) between the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection is smaller than a distance threshold (TH 1).

3. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1,

the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when a distance (L2) between the traffic light to which the 1 st intersection belongs and the traffic light to which the 2 nd intersection belongs is smaller than a distance threshold (TH 2).

4. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising an intersection area determination unit (69) for determining a 1 st intersection area (78A) corresponding to the 1 st intersection and a 2 nd intersection area (78B) corresponding to the 2 nd intersection,

the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the 1 st intersection region and the 2 nd intersection region overlap.

5. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprises an intersection area determination unit and a supply start point determination unit (68), wherein,

the intersection region determination unit determines a 1 st intersection region corresponding to the 1 st intersection and a 2 nd intersection region corresponding to the 2 nd intersection;

the provision start point determination unit (68) determines provision start points (76A, 76B) that are points where provision of the parking recommendation information should be started, the points being provided in accordance with the instruction of the traffic light to which the 1 st intersection belongs,

the information provision control unit continues to provide the parking recommendation information until the moving object is located outside the 1 st intersection after the provision start point starts providing the parking recommendation information,

the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the moving object is located within the 2 nd intersection area while the parking recommendation information provided based on the instruction of the traffic light to which the 1 st intersection belongs is continuously provided.

6. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising an intersection area determination unit for determining a 2 nd intersection area corresponding to the 2 nd intersection,

the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when stop lines (74A, 74B) corresponding to the traffic signal to which the 1 st intersection belongs are located within the 2 nd intersection region.

7. The information providing apparatus according to claim 4,

the intersection region determination unit determines the 2 nd intersection region with reference to an intersection boundary (82B) that is a boundary between an intersection (70A, 70B) and a lane (80B).

8. The information providing apparatus according to claim 7,

the intersection boundary coincides with a stop line (74A).

9. The information providing apparatus according to claim 7,

the intersection boundary coincides with a starting point (84a) of a curve constituting the outline of a corner portion (84) of the 2 nd intersection.

10. The information providing apparatus according to claim 4,

the intersection region determination unit determines the 2 nd intersection region with reference to a center (86) of the 2 nd intersection.

11. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1,

the external world identification unit identifies the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection based on information acquired only by a camera (32).

12. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1,

the information provision control unit controls a display unit (40) provided in the mobile body to display the parking recommendation information,

further comprises a sight line determination unit (66) for determining the sight line of the occupant,

the information provision control unit does not inhibit the display unit from providing the parking recommendation information in accordance with an instruction from the traffic signal to which the 2 nd intersection belongs, when it is determined by the line-of-sight determination unit that the line of sight of the occupant is not directed toward the display unit.

13. A movable body characterized in that a movable body is provided,

an information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. An information providing method, characterized in that,

there are a determination step (S6) and a suppression step (S8), wherein,

in the determining step (S6), when the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection are located in the traveling direction of the mobile object, it is determined whether or not the proximity between the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection satisfies a predetermined condition;

in the suppressing step (S8), when it is determined in the determining step that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the provision of the parking recommendation information according to the instruction of the traffic light to which the 2 nd intersection belongs is suppressed.

Background

Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2009-104543 discloses an information providing device that outputs driving assistance information including a dangerous traveling area based on speed information and signal information of a vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

However, in japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2009-104543, the parking recommendation information is not necessarily accurately notified.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information providing device, a moving object, and an information providing method capable of accurately notifying parking recommendation information.

An information providing device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an external recognition unit that recognizes an external situation of a moving body, an information providing control unit, and a determination unit; the information providing control part informs parking recommendation information according to the indication of the traffic signal lamp identified by the outside identification part; the determination unit determines whether or not a degree of proximity between the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection satisfies a predetermined condition when the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection are located in a traveling direction of the moving object, and the information provision control unit suppresses the parking recommendation information to be notified of an instruction by the traffic light to which the 2 nd intersection belongs when the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

A mobile object according to another aspect of the present invention includes the information providing apparatus described above.

An information providing method according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a determination step of determining whether or not a degree of proximity between a 1 st intersection and a 2 nd intersection satisfies a predetermined condition when the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection are located in a traveling direction of a moving object; in the suppressing step, when it is determined in the determining step that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the parking recommendation information that is notified of an instruction by a traffic light to which the 2 nd intersection belongs is suppressed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information providing apparatus, a moving body, and an information providing method that can accurately notify parking recommendation information.

The above objects, features and advantages can be easily understood from the following description of the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a mobile object including an information providing apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a driving lane.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a driving lane.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing apparatus according to the modification of embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a mobile object including the information providing apparatus according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a travel lane.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing apparatus according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing apparatus according to variation 1 of embodiment 2.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing apparatus according to variation 2 of embodiment 2.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an information providing apparatus, a moving object, and an information providing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by referring to preferred embodiments.

[ embodiment 1 ]

The information providing apparatus, the moving object, and the information providing method according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a mobile object including an information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Here, a case where the mobile body 10 is a vehicle will be described as an example, but the mobile body 10 is not limited to a vehicle. For example, the mobile body 10 may be a robot or the like.

The mobile body 10 includes an information providing device 12, i.e., an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for notification Control. The mobile body 10 also has an external sensor 14, a speed sensor 16, a communication unit 20, an HMI (human machine interface) 22, a navigation device 30, and a positioning unit 33. The moving body 10 may have components other than these components, but the description thereof is omitted here.

The external sensor 14 acquires external information, that is, information of the outside of the mobile body 10. The environment sensor 14 has a plurality of cameras 32 and a plurality of radars 34. The ambient sensor 14 also has a plurality of LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) 36.

Camera information, which is information acquired by the camera (imaging unit) 32, is supplied from the camera 32 to the information providing apparatus 12. The camera information includes shooting information and the like. The camera information is combined with radar information and LiDAR information, which will be described later, to constitute external information. In fig. 1, 1 camera 32 is illustrated, but actually, there are a plurality of cameras 32.

The radar 34 emits a transmission wave to the outside of the moving body 10, and receives a reflected wave reflected by a detection object out of the emitted transmission wave. Examples of the transmission wave include an electromagnetic wave. Examples of the electromagnetic wave include a millimeter wave. The radar 34 generates radar information (reflected wave signal) from the reflected wave or the like. The radar 34 supplies the generated radar information to the information providing apparatus 12. In fig. 1, 1 radar 34 is illustrated, but the mobile body 10 actually has a plurality of radars 34. The radar 34 is not limited to the millimeter-wave radar. For example, a laser radar, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like may be used as the radar 34.

The LiDAR36 continuously emits laser light in all directions of the moving body 10, measures the three-dimensional position of the reflection point from the reflected wave of the emitted laser light, and outputs three-dimensional information, which is information on the three-dimensional position. The LiDAR36 supplies this three-dimensional information, i.e., LiDAR information, to the information provider 12. In FIG. 1, 1 LiDAR36 is illustrated, but in practice the mobile body 10 has multiple LiDAR 36.

The speed sensor 16 can detect the speed of the mobile body 10, i.e., the vehicle speed. Information detected by the speed sensor 16, that is, information indicating the speed of the mobile body 10 may be supplied to the information providing control section 62.

The communication unit 20 performs wireless communication with an external device not shown. The external device may include, for example, an external server not shown.

The HMI22 accepts operation inputs by the occupant, and provides the occupant with various information in a visual, audible, or tactile manner. The HMI22 may include, for example, the display 40, the camera 44, and the speaker 46.

The display unit 40 can display predetermined information. As the display unit 40, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like can be used, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The display unit 40 may have a touch panel, for example, but is not limited thereto. The display unit 40 may display parking recommendation information and the like described later.

The camera 44 captures an image of the inside of the mobile unit 10, that is, the inside of a vehicle compartment, not shown. The camera 44 can supply information for determining the line of sight of the occupant to a line of sight determination unit 66 described later.

The speaker 46 is used to provide various information to the occupant in the form of voice. The speaker 46 may provide parking recommendation information and the like, which will be described later, to the occupant in a voice manner.

The Navigation device 30 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) sensor (not shown). The navigation device 30 further includes an unillustrated computing unit and an unillustrated storage unit. The GNSS sensor detects the current position of the mobile body 10. The calculation unit reads map information corresponding to the current position detected by the GNSS sensor from the map database stored in the storage unit. The calculation unit specifies a target route from the current position to the destination using the map information. The destination is entered by the occupant through the HMI 22. As described above, the display portion 40 may have a touch panel. By the occupant operating the touch panel, the destination can be input. The navigation device 30 can output the made target route to the information providing device 12. The information providing apparatus 12 can supply the target route to the HMI 22. The HMI22 can display the target route on the display unit 40.

The positioning portion 33 has GNSS 48. The positioning section 33 also has an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) 50 and a map database (map DB) 52. The positioning section 33 determines the position of the mobile body 10 using the information obtained by the GNSS48, the information obtained by the IMU50, and the map information stored in the map database 52 as appropriate. The positioning unit 33 may supply the information providing device 12 with its own position information, which is information indicating the position of the mobile body 10, that is, the position information of the mobile body 10. In addition, the positioning section 33 may supply the map information to the information providing apparatus 12.

The information providing apparatus 12 includes an arithmetic unit 54 and a storage unit 56. The arithmetic unit 54 controls the entire information providing apparatus 12. The arithmetic unit 54 may be constituted by 1 or more processors, for example. The processor may be, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or the like. The arithmetic unit 54 controls each unit based on a program stored in the storage unit 56, thereby performing information supply control.

The arithmetic unit 54 includes a control unit 57, an external recognition unit 58, a travel state determination unit 60, an information provision control unit 62, a determination unit 64, a line-of-sight determination unit 66, and a provision start point determination unit 68. The control unit 57, the external world identification unit 58, the travel state determination unit 60, the information providing control unit 62, the determination unit 64, the line-of-sight determination unit 66, and the providing start point determination unit 68 are realized by the calculation unit 54 executing programs stored in the storage unit 56.

The storage unit 56 includes a volatile memory not shown and a nonvolatile memory not shown. Examples of the volatile Memory include a RAM (Random Access Memory). Examples of the nonvolatile Memory include a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a flash Memory. The external information, the vehicle body behavior information, the moving body operation information, and the like are stored in the volatile memory, for example. Programs, tables, maps (maps), and the like are stored in, for example, a nonvolatile memory.

The control unit 57 controls the entire information providing apparatus 12.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a driving lane. Fig. 2 shows an example of a case where the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B are located in the traveling direction of the mobile object 10. The reference numeral 70 is used to describe a normal intersection, and the reference numerals 70A and 70B are used to describe each intersection. Fig. 2 also shows a 1 st traffic light 72A to which the 1 st intersection 70A belongs and a 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs. The reference numeral 72 is used in describing a general traffic signal, and the reference numerals 72A and 72B are used in describing each traffic signal. Also shown in FIG. 2 are a stop line 74A corresponding to the 1 st traffic light 72A and a stop line 74B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B. The reference numeral 74 is used in describing a normal stop line, and the reference numerals 74A and 74B are used in describing each stop line. Also shown in fig. 2 are a provision start location 76A corresponding to the 1 st traffic light 72A and a provision start location 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B. The reference numeral 76 is used to describe a general supply start point, and the reference numerals 76A and 76B are used to describe each supply start point. The supply start point 76 is a point where supply of parking recommendation information described later is to be started. The providing start point 76A is a providing start point when the 1 st traffic light 72A indicates parking, and the providing start point 76B is a providing start point when the 2 nd traffic light 72B indicates parking.

The external world recognizing unit 58 can recognize the external world situation of the moving body 10. The environment recognizing unit 58 may recognize the environment of the mobile body 10 based on, for example, the environment information supplied from the environment sensor 14 or the like, more specifically, the environment information supplied from the camera 32. The outside world recognizing unit 58 can recognize the positions of the intersections 70A, 70B, the positions of the traffic lights 72A, 72B, the directions of the traffic lights 72A, 72B, the positions of the stop lines 74A, 74B corresponding to the traffic lights 72A, 72B, respectively, and the like, based on the outside world information. The external world identification unit 58 may perform the above-described identification based on information supplied from the navigation device 30, the communication unit 20, and the like.

The traveling state determination unit 60 may determine the traveling state of the mobile unit 10. More specifically, the traveling state determination unit 60 may determine the traveling state of the mobile unit 10 based on information supplied from the speed sensor 16 or the like.

The information provision control portion 62 may provide the parking recommendation information according to the indication of the traffic light 72 recognized by the outside world recognition portion 58. The information provision control portion 62 may perform control so that the parking recommendation information is displayed in the display portion 40. For example, the parking recommendation information may be displayed by displaying a traffic light that is red in color on the display unit 40, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the information provision control portion 62 may provide the parking recommendation information using the speaker 46. For example, although the parking recommendation information may be provided by outputting a voice or the like for urging the occupant to brake from the speaker 46, the present invention is not limited thereto.

When the proximity between the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B satisfies the following predetermined condition, the information provision control unit 62 can suppress provision of the parking recommendation information in response to the instruction from the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs.

For example, when the distance L1 between the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B is smaller than the distance threshold TH1, the determination unit 64 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. Distance L1 is, for example, a distance between center 86A of intersection 1 a and center 86B of intersection 2 70B, but is not limited thereto. The reference numeral 86 is used to describe the center of the normal intersection 70, and the reference numerals 86A and 86B are used to describe the center of each intersection 70. When the determination unit 64 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the information provision control unit 62 may suppress provision of the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs. In this case, the reason why the provision of the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs is suppressed is as follows. That is, when the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B are close to each other, the following may occur. That is, it is possible to generate a state in which it is difficult for the occupant to recognize whether the parking recommendation information is the parking recommendation information based on the instruction of the 1 st traffic light 72A to which the 1 st intersection 70A belongs or the parking recommendation information based on the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs. Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing confusion of passengers, it is preferable to suppress the parking recommendation information according to the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B belonging to the 2 nd intersection 70B. For this reason, when the predetermined condition as described above is satisfied, the parking recommendation information providing the instruction from the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs can be suppressed.

The line-of-sight determination unit 66 may determine the line of sight of the occupant based on information supplied from the camera 44 or the like. When the line-of-sight determination unit 66 determines that the line of sight of the occupant is not directed toward the display unit 40, the information provision control unit 62 does not inhibit the display unit 40 from providing the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction from the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs. That is, in the above case, the information provision control unit 62 causes the display unit 40 to display the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs. The reason why the display unit 40 does not suppress the provision of the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B belonging to the 2 nd intersection 70B when the line of sight of the occupant is not directed to the display unit 40 is as follows. That is, in the above case, even if the parking recommendation information according to the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B belonging to the 2 nd intersection 70B is displayed on the display unit 40, the occupant does not see the parking recommendation information. Therefore, in the above case, even if the parking recommendation information according to the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs is displayed on the display unit 40, the passengers are not confused. For this reason, when the line-of-sight determination unit 66 determines that the line of sight of the occupant is not directed toward the display unit 40, the display unit 40 is not inhibited from providing the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs.

The supply start point determination unit 68 may determine the supply start points 76A and 76B, which are points where the supply of the parking recommendation information should be started. The reference numeral 76 is used to describe a general supply start point, and the reference numerals 76A and 76B are used to describe each supply start point. The providing start point determination unit 68 may determine the providing start point 76 based on the position of the stop line 74 corresponding to the traffic signal 72. More specifically, the providing start point determination unit 68 may determine the providing start point 76 based on the position of the stop line 74 corresponding to the traffic signal 72 and the speed of the mobile body 10. The supply start point determination unit 68 may determine the supply start point 76 based on information supplied from the navigation device 30, the communication unit 20, and the like.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In step S1, the external world identification unit 58 determines whether or not the 1 st traffic signal 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A is a stop instruction. If the 1 st traffic light 72A indicates a stop (yes at step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. If the 1 st traffic signal 72A is not a stop instruction (no in step S1), the processing shown in fig. 3 is completed.

In step S2, the information provision control unit 62 determines whether the mobile object 10 has reached the provision start point 76A corresponding to the 1 st traffic light 72A. In a case where the mobile body 10 has not reached the providing start point 76A corresponding to the 1 st traffic signal light 72A (no in step S2), the processing after step S1 is repeated. When the mobile body 10 reaches the providing start point 76A corresponding to the 1 st traffic light 72A (yes in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the information provision control portion 62 provides the parking recommendation information according to the instruction of the 1 st traffic light 72A. After that, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the surrounding recognition unit 58 determines whether or not the 2 nd traffic light 72B is a stop instruction. If the 2 nd traffic light 72B is the stop instruction (yes at step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. If the 2 nd traffic light 72B is not a stop instruction (no in step S4), the processing shown in fig. 3 is completed.

In step S5, the information provision control unit 62 determines whether the mobile object 10 has reached the provision start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B. In a case where the mobile body 10 has not reached the providing start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B (no in step S5), the processing after step S4 is repeated. When the mobile body 10 reaches the providing start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B (yes in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the determination unit 64 determines whether the distance L1 between the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B is less than the distance threshold TH 1. If the distance L1 between the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B is smaller than the distance threshold TH1 (yes in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7. When the distance L1 between the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B is equal to or greater than the distance threshold TH1 (no in step S6), the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S7, the line-of-sight determination unit 66 determines whether or not the line of sight of the occupant is directed to the display unit 40. If the line-of-sight determination unit 66 determines that the line of sight of the occupant is directed to the display unit 40 (yes at step S7), the process proceeds to step S8. If the line-of-sight determination unit 66 determines that the line of sight of the occupant is not directed to the display unit 40 (no in step S7), the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S8, the information provision control portion 62 suppresses the provision of the parking recommendation information according to the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B. That is, the information provision control unit 62 does not cause the display unit 40 to display the parking recommendation information provided with the instruction by the 2 nd traffic light 72B.

In step S9, the information provision control portion 62 provides the parking recommendation information according to the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B. That is, the information provision control unit 62 causes the display unit 40 to display the parking recommendation information providing the instruction by the 2 nd traffic light 72B. Thus, the process shown in fig. 3 is completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the proximity between the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B satisfies the predetermined condition, the parking recommendation information providing the instruction by the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs is suppressed. More specifically, when the determination unit 64 determines that the distance L1 between the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B is less than the distance threshold TH1, the parking recommendation information providing an instruction according to the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs is suppressed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even when the intersection 1 a and the intersection 2 70B are relatively close to each other, it is possible to prevent the parking recommendation information from being provided so as to confuse the occupants. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the information providing apparatus 12 capable of accurately providing the parking recommendation information.

(modification example)

An information providing apparatus, a moving object, and an information providing method according to a modification of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a driving lane.

In the present modification, the determination unit 64 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the distance L2 between the 1 st traffic light 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd traffic light 72B belonging to the 2 nd intersection 70B is smaller than the distance threshold TH 2. When the determination unit 64 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the present modification suppresses the provision of the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing apparatus according to the present modification.

Steps S1 to S5 are the same as steps S1 to S5 described above with reference to fig. 3, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted. In a case where the mobile body 10 has not reached the providing start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B (no in step S5), the processing after step S4 is repeated. When the mobile body 10 reaches the providing start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B (yes in step S5), the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the determination unit 64 determines whether or not the distance L2 between the 1 st traffic light 72A to which the 1 st intersection 70A belongs and the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs is less than the distance threshold TH 2. If the distance L2 between the 1 st traffic light 72A and the 2 nd traffic light 72B is smaller than the distance threshold TH2 (yes in step S11), the process proceeds to step S7. If the distance L2 between the 1 st traffic light 72A and the 2 nd traffic light 72B is equal to or greater than the distance threshold TH2 (no in step S11), the process proceeds to step S9.

Steps S7 to S9 are the same as steps S7 to S9 described above with reference to fig. 3, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted. Thus, the process shown in fig. 5 is completed.

In this way, it is possible to suppress the provision of the parking recommendation information according to the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B in the case where it is determined by the determination part 64 that the distance L2 between the 1 st traffic light 72A and the 2 nd traffic light 72B is less than the distance threshold TH 2. In the present modification, even when the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B are relatively close to each other, the stop recommendation information given by the 2 nd traffic signal 72B is suppressed from being provided. Therefore, in the present modification, it is also possible to prevent the provision of such parking recommendation information that may confuse the occupant. As described above, in the present modification, it is also possible to provide an information providing device capable of accurately providing parking recommendation information.

[ 2 nd embodiment ]

The information providing apparatus, the moving object, and the information providing method according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a mobile object including the information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The information providing apparatus 12 of the present embodiment further includes an intersection area determination unit (intersection area setting unit) 69. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a travel lane. The intersection area determination unit 69 may set the 1 st intersection area 78A for the 1 st intersection 70A. More specifically, the intersection area determination unit 69 may set an area including the 1 st intersection 70A and an area of a predetermined length located in front of the 1 st intersection 70A as the 1 st intersection area 78A. The intersection area determination unit 69 may set the 2 nd intersection area 78B for the 2 nd intersection 70B. More specifically, the intersection area determination unit 69 may set an area including the 2 nd intersection 70B and an area of a predetermined length located in front of the 2 nd intersection 70B as the 2 nd intersection area 78B. In this way, the intersection region determination unit 69 can set the intersection region 78 for each intersection 70. The reference numeral 78 is used to describe a normal intersection area, and the reference numerals 78A and 78B are used to describe each intersection area. Here, the case where the intersection area determination unit 69 sets the intersection area 78 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The intersection area determination unit 69 may determine the intersection area 78 based on information supplied from the navigation device 30, the communication unit 20, and the like.

The intersection region determination unit 69 may determine the 1 st intersection region 78A based on, for example, an intersection boundary 82A that is a boundary between the 1 st intersection 70A and the lane 80A. The intersection region determination unit 69 may determine the 2 nd intersection region 78B based on an intersection boundary 82B that is a boundary between the 2 nd intersection 70B and the lane 80B. The reference numeral 80 is used to describe a normal lane, and the reference numerals 80A and 80B are used to describe each lane. The reference numeral 82 is used to describe a normal intersection boundary, and the reference numerals 82A and 82B are used to describe each intersection boundary. The intersection boundary 82 may coincide with the stop line 74, for example. The intersection boundary 82 may coincide with a start point 84a of a curve that forms the outline of the corner portion 84 of the intersection 70. The starting point 84a of the curve constituting the contour of the corner portion 84 is a portion along the boundary between the straight line of the lane 80 and the curve of the contour of the corner portion 84. The intersection region determination unit 69 may determine the intersection region 78 with reference to the center 86 of the intersection 70.

The determination unit 64 may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the 1 st intersection region 78A determined by the intersection region determination unit 69 for the 1 st intersection 70A overlaps with the 2 nd intersection region 78B determined by the intersection region determination unit 69 for the 2 nd intersection 70B. When the determination unit 64 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the information provision control unit 62 may suppress provision of the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Steps S1 to S5 are the same as steps S1 to S5 described above with reference to fig. 3, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted. In a case where the mobile body 10 has not reached the providing start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B (no in step S5), the processing after step S4 is repeated. When the mobile body 10 reaches the providing start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B (yes in step S5), the process proceeds to step S21.

In step S21, the determination unit 64 determines whether or not the 1 st intersection region 78A and the 2 nd intersection region 78B overlap. If the 1 st intersection region 78A and the 2 nd intersection region 78B overlap (yes at step S21), the process proceeds to step S7. If the 1 st intersection region 78A and the 2 nd intersection region 78B do not overlap (no in step S21), the process proceeds to step S9.

Steps S7 to S9 are the same as steps S7 to S9 described above with reference to fig. 3, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted. Thus, the process shown in fig. 8 is completed.

In this way, when the determination unit 64 determines that the 1 st intersection area 78A and the 2 nd intersection area 78B overlap, the provision of the parking recommendation information in response to the instruction from the 2 nd traffic light 72B can be suppressed. In the present embodiment, even when the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B are relatively close to each other, the stop recommendation information given by the 2 nd traffic signal 72B is suppressed from being provided. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is also possible to prevent such parking recommendation information from being provided that causes confusion of the occupant. As described above, in the present embodiment, the information providing device 12 capable of accurately providing the parking recommendation information can be provided.

(modification 1)

The information providing apparatus, the moving object, and the information providing method according to modification 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

After the provision start point 76A starts providing the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 1 st traffic light 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A, the information provision control unit 62 continues providing the parking recommendation information until the mobile unit 10 is located outside the 1 st intersection area 78A. In the present modification, the determination unit 64 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the mobile unit 10 is located within the 2 nd intersection area 78B while the parking recommendation information is continuously provided in accordance with the instruction of the 1 st traffic light 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A. When the determination unit 64 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the information provision control unit 62 may suppress provision of the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing apparatus according to the present modification.

Steps S1 to S5 are the same as steps S1 to S5 described above with reference to fig. 3, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted. In a case where the mobile body 10 has not reached the providing start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B (no in step S5), the processing after step S4 is repeated. When the mobile body 10 reaches the providing start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B (yes in step S5), the process proceeds to step S31.

In step S31, the determination unit 64 determines whether or not the mobile object 10 is located within the intersection 2 area 78B while the parking recommendation information is continuously provided in accordance with the instruction of the 1 st traffic light 72A to which the 1 st intersection 70A belongs. If the mobile object 10 is located within the intersection 2 area 78B while the parking recommendation information is continuously provided in accordance with the instruction of the 1 st traffic light 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A (yes at step S31), the process proceeds to step S7. If the mobile object 10 is not located within the intersection 2 area 78B while the parking recommendation information is continuously provided in accordance with the instruction to provide the start point 76A corresponding to the 1 st traffic light 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A (no at step S31), the process proceeds to step S9.

Steps S7 to S9 are the same as steps S7 to S9 described above with reference to fig. 3, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted. Thus, the process shown in fig. 9 is completed.

In this way, when the provision start point 76A corresponding to the 1 st traffic light 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A is located within the 2 nd intersection area 78B, provision of the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B can be suppressed. In the present modification, even when the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B are relatively close to each other, the stop recommendation information given by the 2 nd traffic signal 72B is suppressed from being provided. Therefore, in the present modification, it is also possible to prevent the provision of such parking recommendation information that may confuse the occupant. As described above, in the present modification, the information providing device 12 capable of accurately providing the parking recommendation information can be provided.

(modification 2)

The information providing apparatus, the moving object, and the information providing method according to modification 2 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the present modification, the determination unit 64 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the stop line 74A corresponding to the 1 st traffic signal 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A is located within the 2 nd intersection area 78B. When the determination unit 64 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the information provision control unit 62 may suppress provision of the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B to which the 2 nd intersection 70B belongs.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing apparatus according to the present modification.

Steps S1 to S5 are the same as steps S1 to S5 described above with reference to fig. 3, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted. In a case where the mobile body 10 has not reached the providing start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B (no in step S5), the processing after step S4 is repeated. When the mobile body 10 reaches the providing start point 76B corresponding to the 2 nd traffic light 72B (yes in step S5), the process proceeds to step S41.

In step S41, the determination unit 64 determines whether or not the stop line 74A corresponding to the 1 st traffic signal 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A is located within the 2 nd intersection area 78B. When the stop line 74A corresponding to the 1 st traffic signal 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A is located within the 2 nd intersection area 78B (yes at step S41), the process proceeds to step S7. If the stop line 74A corresponding to the 1 st traffic signal 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A is not located within the 2 nd intersection area 78B (no at step S41), the process proceeds to step S9.

Steps S7 to S9 are the same as steps S7 to S9 described above with reference to fig. 3, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted. Thus, the process shown in fig. 10 is completed.

In this way, when the mobile unit 10 is located in the intersection 2 area 78B while the parking recommendation information based on the instruction of the 1 st traffic light 72A belonging to the 1 st intersection 70A is continuously provided, the parking recommendation information based on the instruction of the 2 nd traffic light 72B can be suppressed from being provided. In the present modification, even when the 1 st intersection 70A and the 2 nd intersection 70B are relatively close to each other, the stop recommendation information given by the 2 nd traffic signal 72B is suppressed from being provided. Therefore, in the present modification, it is also possible to prevent the provision of such parking recommendation information that may confuse the occupant. As described above, in the present modification, the information providing device 12 capable of accurately providing the parking recommendation information can be provided.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The above-described embodiments are summarized as follows.

An information providing device (12) having an external recognition unit (58), an information providing control unit (62), and a determination unit (64), wherein the external recognition unit (58) recognizes an external situation of a mobile body (10); the information providing control portion (62) provides parking recommendation information according to the indication of the traffic signal lamp (72A, 72B) identified by the external identification portion; the determination unit (64) determines whether or not the degree of proximity of the 1 st intersection to the 2 nd intersection satisfies a predetermined condition when the 1 st intersection (70A) and the 2 nd intersection (70B) are located in the traveling direction of the moving object, and the information provision control unit suppresses the parking recommendation information providing an instruction according to the traffic light (72B) to which the 2 nd intersection belongs when the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. According to such a configuration, when the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection are relatively close to each other, the provision of the parking recommendation information in accordance with the instruction of the 2 nd traffic signal is suppressed, and therefore, the provision of the parking recommendation information causing confusion of the occupant can be prevented. That is, according to such a configuration, it is possible to provide the information providing apparatus capable of accurately providing the parking recommendation information.

The determination unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when a distance (L1) between the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection is smaller than a distance threshold (TH 1).

The determination unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when a distance (L2) between the traffic light to which the 1 st intersection belongs and the traffic light to which the 2 nd intersection belongs is smaller than a distance threshold (TH 2).

An intersection area determination unit (69) that determines a 1 st intersection area (78A) corresponding to the 1 st intersection and a 2 nd intersection area (78B) corresponding to the 2 nd intersection may be further provided, and the determination unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the 1 st intersection area and the 2 nd intersection area overlap.

An intersection area determination unit that determines a 1 st intersection area corresponding to the 1 st intersection and a 2 nd intersection area corresponding to the 2 nd intersection, and a supply start point determination unit (68) may be further included; the provision start point determination unit (68) determines provision start points (76A, 76B) that are points at which provision of the parking recommendation information should be started, the points being provided in accordance with the instruction of the traffic light to which the 1 st intersection belongs, the information provision control unit continues providing the parking recommendation information until the mobile body is located outside the 1 st intersection after provision of the parking recommendation information is started at the provision start point, and the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the mobile body is located inside the 2 nd intersection area during a period in which the parking recommendation information provided in accordance with the instruction of the traffic light to which the 1 st intersection belongs is continuously provided.

An intersection area determination unit that determines a 2 nd intersection area corresponding to the 2 nd intersection may be further provided, and the determination unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when stop lines (74A, 74B) corresponding to the traffic signal to which the 1 st intersection belongs are located within the 2 nd intersection area.

The intersection region determination unit may determine the 2 nd intersection region with reference to an intersection boundary (82B) that is a boundary between the intersections (70A, 70B) and the lane (80B).

The intersection boundary may coincide with a stop line (74A).

The intersection boundary may coincide with a starting point (84a) of a curve constituting an outline of a corner portion (84) of the 2 nd intersection.

The intersection region determination unit may determine the 2 nd intersection region with reference to a center (86) of the 2 nd intersection.

The external world identification unit may identify the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection based on information acquired only by a camera (32).

The information provision control unit may control a display unit (40) provided in the mobile body to display the parking recommendation information, and may further include a line-of-sight determination unit (66) configured to determine a line of sight of an occupant, wherein the information provision control unit does not inhibit the display unit from providing the parking recommendation information in accordance with an instruction from the traffic signal to which the 2 nd intersection belongs, when the line-of-sight determination unit determines that the line of sight of the occupant is not directed toward the display unit.

The mobile body has such an information providing apparatus as described above.

The information providing method comprises a determination step (S6) and a suppression step (S8), wherein, in the determination step (S6), when a 1 st intersection and a 2 nd intersection are located in the traveling direction of a moving object, it is determined whether the degree of proximity of the 1 st intersection and the 2 nd intersection satisfies a predetermined condition; in the suppressing step (S8), when it is determined by the determining step that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the parking recommendation information that provides an instruction according to a traffic light to which the 2 nd intersection belongs is suppressed.