FACILITY INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM, FACILITY INFORMATION DISPLAY DEVICE, AND FACILITY INFORMATION DISPLAY PROGRAM

A facility information display system includes: a server device including a first processor having hardware, the first processor being configured to acquire, from a vehicle, information regarding a current location of the vehicle, and output, to a display terminal provided in the vehicle, facility information regarding one or more facilities located around the vehicle; and the display terminal including a display and a second processor, the second processor having hardware, the second processor being configured to display a map including the location of the vehicle on the display, and to display, out of the facility information acquired from the server device, facility information on a facility located ahead of the vehicle on the display such that the facility information is superimposed on the map.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-224012 filed on Dec. 11, 2019 including the specification, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a facility information display system, a facility information display device, and a facility information display program.

2. Description of Related Art

Disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-25223 is a navigation device. When a vehicle enters into a prescribed tourist area, the navigation device eliminates, on a map screen, landmarks indicating facilities located around the vehicle, displays icons of tourist facilities including current date and time as a display period, and displays a trend information button on some of the icons.

SUMMARY

It has been demanded to indicate information in accordance with the situation of a vehicle, an occupant's preference and the like, in addition to indicating the trend information, on the map screen.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above demand, and it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a facility information display system, a facility information display device, and a facility information display program, capable of displaying information in accordance with the situation of a vehicle, an occupant's preference, and the like.

A facility information display system according to the present disclosure includes: a server device including a first processor; and a display terminal including a display and a second processor. The first processor has hardware. The first processor is configured to acquire, from a vehicle, information regarding a current location of the vehicle, and output, to the display terminal provided in the vehicle, facility information regarding one or more facilities located around the vehicle. The second processor has hardware. The second processor is configured to display a map including the location of the vehicle on the display, and to display, out of the facility information acquired from the server device, facility information on a facility located ahead of the vehicle on the display such that the facility information is superimposed on the map.

A facility information display device according to the present disclosure includes a display and a processor having hardware. The processor is configured to display a map including a location of a vehicle on the display, and to display, out of facility information regarding one or more facilities located around the vehicle acquired from a server device, facility information on a facility located ahead of the vehicle on the display such that the facility information is superimposed on the map.

A facility information display program according to the present disclosure causes a processor having hardware to execute: displaying a map including a location of a vehicle on a display, and displaying, out of facility information regarding one or more facilities located around the vehicle acquired from a server device, facility information on a facility located ahead of the vehicle on the display such that the facility information is superimposed on the map.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to display information in accordance with the situation of a vehicle, an occupant's preference, and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A facility information display system, a facility information display device, and a facility information display program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Component members in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced or be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or those substantially identical.

Facility Information Display System and Facility Information Display Device

The configuration of a facility information display system and a facility information display device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. The facility information display system, the facility information display device, and a facility information display program according to the present embodiment are configured to provide, together with information on a map around a vehicle, information (hereinafter called “facility information”) regarding one or more facilities located on the map to a user through a display terminal provided in the vehicle. The term “user” refers to occupants including a driver of the vehicle.

As shown inFIG. 1, a facility information display system1has a server device10and vehicles20each including a navigation device (display terminal)23. Specifically, the facility information display device according to the present embodiment is implemented by the navigation device23. The server device10and the vehicle20are configured so as to be communicable with each other through a network NW. The network NW is constituted of, for example, an Internet line network, a mobile phone line network, and the like.

Server Device

As shown inFIG. 2, the server device10includes a control unit11, a communication unit12, and a storage unit13. Specifically, the control unit11includes a processor formed with a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The control unit11also includes a memory (primary storage) formed with a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), or the like.

The control unit11implements functions conformable to prescribed purposes, by loading a program stored in the storage unit13to a work area of the primary storage, and executing the program such that respective component units are controlled through the execution of the program.

The control unit11acquires information (hereinafter called “vehicle location information”) regarding a current location of the vehicle20from a navigation device23that is provided in the vehicle20. The control unit11also outputs, based on the vehicle location information, facility information regarding one or more facilities located around the vehicle20to the navigation device23through the communication unit12.

The communication unit12is constituted of, for example, a local area network (LAN) interface board, a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication, or the like. The communication unit12is connected to a network NW, such as the Internet which is a public communication network. The communication unit12communicates with the vehicles20by connecting to the network NW.

The storage unit13is constituted of an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a removable medium, or the like. Examples of the removable medium include a universal serial bus (USB) memory and a disc recording medium, such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), and a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc (BD). The storage unit13can store an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, various databases, and the like.

The storage unit13includes a facility information DB13aand a charge information DB13b. These databases (DB) are constructed when a program of a database management system (DBMS) that is executed by the control unit11manages the data stored in the storage unit13.

For example, the facility information DB13ais constituted of a relational database in which a plurality of facility information pieces are retrievably stored. The facility information is information regarding a facility that is located on a map. The facility information includes, for example, the name of the facility, the location of the facility, parking lot availability, takeout service availability, coupon availability, availability of kids menu (in case of eating place), accessibility by wheelchair, available settlement means, the presence of no smoking policy inside facility, regular prices of food and beverages (in case of eating place), fixed holidays, business hours, and the number of customers waiting to enter, and the like. As for dynamic information (for example, the number of customers waiting to enter, etc.) in the facility information, the server device10periodically acquires latest information from a separate server that manages the facility information, and updates the facility information DB13aeach time.

The charge information DB13bis constituted of, for example, a relational database that retrievably stores a plurality of charge information pieces. The charge information is information regarding whether each facility pays an operator of the facility information display system1a charge for displaying the facility information, for example.

Vehicle

The vehicle20includes a control unit21, a communication unit22, and the navigation device23. The control unit21has a physical configuration similar to the control unit11. The control unit21is an electronic control unit (ECU) that collectively controls operation of various component members mounted in the vehicle20. The communication unit22is constituted of, for example, a data communication module (DCM) or the like to communicate with the server device10by wireless communication through the network NW.

The navigation device23receives and outputs data, such as map information and travel route information, a navigation program and the like, from and to the control unit21. Thus, the control unit21controls the vehicle20to travel by supplying various command signals to the component members constituting the vehicle20. The navigation device23includes a control unit231, a storage unit232, a display unit233, a positioning unit234, and a voice input-output unit235.

The control unit231and the storage unit232have physical configuration similar to the control unit11and the storage unit13. The control unit231controls a display content on the display unit233. Specifically, the control unit231displays a map including the location of the vehicle20on the display unit233, and displays the facility information acquired from the server device10on the display unit233such that the facility information is superimposed on the map.

The storage unit232includes a map information DB232aand a preference information DB232b. These databases (DB) are constructed when a program of a database management system that is executed by the control unit231manages the data stored in the storage unit232. The storage unit232also stores the vehicle location information detected by the positioning unit234as necessary.

For example, the map information DB232ais constituted of a relational database in which map information is retrievably stored. The preference information DB232bis constituted of, for example, a relational database that retrievably stores user's preference information. For example, the preference information refers to the facility information displayed to the user in the past or the facility information on a facility visited by the user in the past.

The display unit233is constituted of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display (OLED) or the like. Under the control of the control unit231, the display unit233displays a map including the location of the vehicle20, a road on which the vehicle20currently travels, a guide route to a destination, facility information on facilities on the map and the like. The display unit233may be a touch panel display which receives an input by the user.

The positioning unit234receives electric waves from global positioning system (GPS) satellites, and detects vehicle location information. In response, the control unit21periodically outputs vehicle location information to the server device10through the network NW. A method of detecting the vehicle location information is not limited to the method using the GPS satellites. For example, such a method as combining a light detection and ranging or laser imaging detection and ranging (LiDAR) and a three-dimensional digital map may be used.

The voice input-output unit235is constituted of, for example, a speaker microphone or the like. The voice input-output unit235notifies the current location of the vehicle20acquired by the positioning unit234, the name of the road on which the vehicle20currently travels, a guide route to the destination, the information on facilities on the map and the like, to the user by voice. The voice input-output unit235also inputs prescribed information to the control unit231by acquiring the voice uttered by the user.

Facility Information Display Method

A facility information display method executed by the facility information display system1and the facility information display device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4.

First, the control unit231of the navigation device23periodically outputs the current location of the vehicle20acquired by the positioning unit234to the server device10(step S1). Next, the control unit231outputs a facility information request for requesting the information on facilities located around the vehicle20to the server device10(step S2).

Here, the control unit231displays on the display unit233information as shown inFIG. 4, for example. In the drawing, reference numeral31denotes display areas31that display buttons used to select facility information displayed on the display unit233, reference numeral32denotes an icon32used for inputting voice, reference numeral41denotes a map41, reference numeral42denotes an icon42indicating the location of the own vehicle, reference numeral43denotes a display area43in which a distance to home, current time and the like are displayed, reference numeral44denotes a display area44in which the names of roads are displayed, and reference numeral45denotes a display area45in which the names of intersections are displayed.

In step S2, for example, as shown in a section A ofFIG. 4, the user slides the button of facilities that the user wants to display (slides rightward inFIG. 4) in the display area31. In response to this action, the control unit231outputs a request (hereinafter, referred to as “facility information request”) that is to request facility information on the facilities to the server device10.

Next, the server device10outputs facility information included in the facility information request to the navigation device23(step S3). The control unit231then displays the acquired facility information on the display unit233such that the facility information is superimposed on the map (step S4).

Display Example of Facility Information Display

How to display the facility information in step S4of the facility information display method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 8.

As shown inFIG. 5, the control unit231of the navigation device23displays icons46of the facilities in the facility information acquired from the server device10on the display unit233such that the icons46is superimposed on the map41.FIG. 5shows an example in the case where, for example, a user slides a “trend facility” button, a “convenience store” button, and a “restaurant” button shown in sections A to C ofFIG. 4, and thereby facility information on corresponding facilities (convenience stores and sushi restaurants) is output to the navigation device23from the server device10.

Here, the term “trend facility” refers to the facilities under the situation different from normal situation, such as newly opened facilities, reopened facilities after redecoration, facilities during events, facilities during a sale (bargain sale), and facilities popular in social networking service (SNS). For example, the icon46representing a newly opened facility, out of the trend facilities, has a character string “NEW” added thereto as shown by a section D ofFIG. 5. The icon46representing a facility during an event, out of the trend facilities, has a character string, such as “EVENT”, added thereto, the icon46representing a facility during a sale has a character string, such as “SALE”, added thereto, and the icon46representing a facility that is popular in SNS has a character string, such as “SNS”, added thereto.

InFIG. 5, reference numeral33denotes an icon33used to search for facilities or the like. Reference numeral34denotes an icon34indicating an azimuth. Reference numeral35denotes an icon35used for expanding a contraction scale of the map41. Reference numeral36denotes an icon36used for contracting the contraction scale of the map41. Reference numeral37denotes an icon37for switching a plurality of types of maps (for example, a standard map and an air map)41. Reference numeral38demotes an icon38used for returning the display of the map41to the display based on the location of the own vehicle. Reference numeral39denotes a display area39in which the facility selected on the map41is displayed. The reference numeral46denotes the icon46indicating a facility.

InFIG. 5, when the user selects the icon46of a certain facility, detailed information on the selected facility is displayed. For example, when the user selects the icon46representing a sushi restaurant shown in a section E ofFIG. 5, the control unit231displays on the display unit233detailed facility information47as shown inFIG. 6. The detailed facility information47includes, for example, the name of the facility, the location of the facility, parking lot availability, takeout service availability, coupon availability, availability of kids menu (in case of eating place), accessibility by wheelchair, available settlement means, the presence of no smoking policy inside facility, regular prices of food and beverages (in case of eating place), fixed holidays, business hours, and the number of customers waiting to enter, and the like. The content included in the detailed facility information47varies depending on the kinds of the facilities. SeeFIG. 5again for further description.

The control unit231displays on the display unit233the map41including the location of the vehicle20. The control unit231displays, out of the facility information acquired from the server device10, facility information on facilities located ahead of the vehicle20on the display unit233such that the facility information is superimposed on the map41.

Here, the phrase “ahead of the vehicle20” refers to a region positioned ahead with respect to a direction orthogonal to an advance direction of the vehicle20. For example, as shown by a section F inFIG. 5, the phrase “ahead of the vehicle20” can be expressed as a semicircular (or fan-shaped) region having a prescribed radius around the vehicle20. The region is a semicircular (or fan-shaped) region cut out along the direction (advance direction) of the vehicle20with the vehicle20as a peak. Therefore, the phrase “facility information on the facility located ahead of the vehicle20” indicates the facility information included in a semicircular (or fan-shaped) region having a prescribed radius with the vehicle20as a peak as shown in the section F in the drawing.

The display range of the facility information is not limited to the semicircular shape (or the fan-shape) shown inFIG. 5. For example, the display range may be a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, and the like. Thus, in the facility information display system1, only the facility information on the facilities located ahead of the vehicle20is displayed on the display unit233such that the facility information is superimposed on the map41. This makes it possible to display only the facility information on the facilities that the vehicle20(the user who is riding in the vehicle20) may visit from now on, that is, only the facility information useful for the user.

The control unit231may display, out of the facility information acquired from the server device10, facility information on facilities along a guide route from the current location of the vehicle20to a destination set by the user on the display unit233, such that the facility information is superimposed on the map41. For example, when the user sets the sushi restaurant shown in a section E ofFIG. 7as a destination, the control unit231displays a guide route48to the destination on the display unit233such that the guide route is superimposed on the map41. Then, the control unit231displays only the icons46representing the facilities in the vicinity of the guide route48on the map41, and does not display the icons46representing the facilities not in the vicinity of the guide route48. Thus, in the facility information display system1, only the facility information along the guide route48is displayed on the map41. This makes it possible to display only the facility information on the facilities that the vehicle20(the user who is riding the vehicle20) may visit until reaching the destination, that is, only the facility information useful for the user.

The control unit231may display, out of the facility information acquired from the server device10, facility information on the facilities different in kind from the facility set as a destination by the user, on the display unit233such that the facility information is superimposed on the map41. For example, when the user sets a sushi restaurant shown in a section E ofFIG. 8as a destination, the control unit231displays only the icons46representing the facilities different in kind from the destination (other than the sushi restaurant in the drawing) on the map41, and does not display the icons46representing the facilities of the same kind as the destination (the sushi restaurant in the drawing). Thus, in the facility information display system1, only the facility information on the facilities different in kind from the destination is displayed on the map41, and the facility information on the facilities that are identical in kind to the destination and that are less likely to be visited by the vehicle20(the user who is riding the vehicle20) is not displayed. This makes it possible to display only the facility information on the facilities that the vehicle20may visit, that is, only the facility information useful for the user.

The control unit231may display, out of the facility information acquired from the server device10, facility information coinciding with the user's preference on the display unit233such that the facility information is superimposed on the map41. In this case, the control unit231accumulates the facility information displayed to the user in the past, or the facility information on the facilities visited by the user in the past in the preference information DB232bof the storage unit232as preference information regarding the user. When the user slides the button in the display area31ofFIG. 4, the control unit231displays only the icons46representing the facilities coinciding with the user's preference information on the map41, and does not display the icons46representing the facilities which do not coincide with the user's preference information. Thus, in the facility information display system1, only the facility information coinciding with the user's preference is displayed on the map41, and thereby only the facility information interesting to and useful for the user can be displayed.

The control unit231may switch the facility information displayed on the display unit233so as to be superimposed on the map41in accordance with charge information regarding each facility. In this case, when outputting the facility information to the navigation device23, the control unit11of the server device10also outputs the charge information that is information indicating the presence or absence of payment of a charge by each facility, together with the facility information. In response to the output, the control unit231displays only the icons46representing the facilities that pay a charge on the map41, and does not display the icons46representing the facilities that do not pay a charge. Thus, in the facility information display system1, it is possible to selectively display only the facility information on the facilities that pay the operator of the facility information display system1a charge for displaying the facility information or the like on the map41.

The control unit231may switch the facility information displayed on the display unit233so as to be superimposed on the map41depending on a time slot. In this case, depending on types of facilities, the time slot for displaying the facility information on the facilities is set in advance. For example, in the case of cafes, a time slot of morning or noon is set, and in the case of sushi restaurants, a time slot of evening is set. When the user slides the button in the display area31ofFIG. 4, the control unit231displays only the icons46representing the facilities set for the time slot on the map41, and does not display the icons46representing the facilities not set in the time slot. Thus, in the facility information display system1, appropriate facility information is displayed for every time slot, and thereby only the facility information on facilities that the vehicle20may visit, that is, the facility information useful for the user, can be displayed.

The control unit231displays the map41on the display unit233with a contraction scale set in advance by the user. The control unit231displays a preset number or less of the facility information pieces on the display unit233such that the facility information is superimposed on the map41irrespective of the contraction scale of the map41. For example, when the user operates the icons35,36shown inFIG. 5, the control unit231displays the map41on the display unit233with a specified contraction scale. Meanwhile, the control unit231displays a preset number or less of the facility information pieces on the map41both in the case where the contraction scale of the map41is expanded and the case where the contraction scale of the map41is contracted. Specifically, the control unit231performs display control such that the display density of facility information is constant at every contraction scale. Hence, when, for example, the map41is contracted, it is possible to restrain the icons46representing the facilities from being overlapped and becoming hardly visible.

When there is priority information to be displayed to the user in preference to the facility information, the control unit231may display the priority information in place of the facility information on the display unit233such that the priority information is superimposed on the map41. For example, when there is information (priority information) indispensable to driving of the vehicle20, such as frequent occurrence of accidents in an area that the vehicle20heads for, construction works underway in an area that the vehicle20heads for, the control unit231may display the priority information instead of the facility information on the display unit233. Thus, in the facility information display system1, priority information is displayed in place of the facility information on the map41, which makes it possible to restrain that the driving of the vehicle20is compromised.

The facility information display system1, the facility information display device, and the facility information display program according to the present embodiment described in forgoing can display information in accordance with the situation of the vehicle20and the preference of the occupant.

Further effects and modifications can easily be derived by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, broader aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the specific details and typical embodiments as expressed and described above. Therefore, various modifications are possible, without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the disclosure that is defined by following claims and any equivalents thereof