Patent Publication Number: US-2022230100-A1

Title: Control device, system, and proposition method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-008294 filed on Jan. 21, 2021, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a control device, a system, and a proposition method. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-113070 (JP 2013-113070 A) discloses a building containing a vehicle having a container portion for a person to take shelter in the event of a disaster. 
     SUMMARY 
     Depending on the parking place, it may not be possible to ensure the safety or security of people taking shelter in the vehicle. That is, there are parking places that are not suitable for taking shelter in the vehicle. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to propose a parking area that is suitable when staying in a vehicle. 
     A control device according to the present disclosure includes: a communication unit that communicates with a terminal device used by a user; and a control unit that searches a database in which data indicating an environment of each of a plurality of areas is registered by using condition data indicating a condition of a surrounding environment when the user stays in a vehicle as a search key, that selects at least one area among the areas as a parking area based on an acquired search result, and that causes the communication unit to transmit proposition data that proposes the user to park the vehicle in the parking area that is selected. 
     A proposition method according to the present disclosure includes: searching with a control device, a database in which data indicating an environment of each of a plurality of areas is registered by using condition data indicating a condition regarding a surrounding environment when a user stays in a vehicle as a search key; selecting with the control device, at least one area from the areas as a parking area, based on an acquired search result; and transmitting from the control device to a terminal device used by the user, proposition data proposing to the user to park the vehicle in the parking area that is selected. 
     According to the present embodiment, it is possible to propose a parking area that is suitable when staying in the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like signs denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a table showing an example of data registered in a database according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing operation of the terminal device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
     In each drawing, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference signs. In the description of each embodiment, description of the same or corresponding components will be appropriately omitted or simplified. 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. 
     The configuration of a system  10  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     The system  10  according to the present embodiment includes at least one control device  20 , and at least one terminal device  30 . The control device  20  can communicate with the terminal device  30  via a network  40 . 
     The control device  20  is installed in facilities such as a data center. The control device  20  is, for example, a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing systems. 
     The terminal device  30  is used by a user  13 . For example, the terminal device  30  is a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, and is held by the user  13 . Alternatively, the terminal device  30  is an in-vehicle device such as a car navigation device, and is mounted on a vehicle  12 . The user  13  is a member of a family  11  who are staying in the vehicle  12 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the family  11  has one child  14 , two elderly people  15 , and one pet  16 . The user  13  is a parent of the child  14 , a child of the elderly people  15 , and an owner of the pet  16 . 
     The network  40  includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. The term “WAN” is an abbreviation for “wide area network”. The term “MAN” is an abbreviation for “metropolitan area network”. The network  40  may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. The wireless network is, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. The term “LAN” is an abbreviation for “local area network”. 
     The outline of the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The terminal device  30  transmits data such as status data D 1  to the control device  20 . The status data D 1  is data indicating the support status of the user  13  at the time of a disaster. 
     The control device  20  receives data such as the status data D 1  from the terminal device  30 . The control device  20  sets condition data D 2  based on the received data. The condition data D 2  is data indicating conditions regarding the surrounding environment when the user  13  stays in the vehicle  12 . The control device  20  searches a database  27  using the set condition data D 2  as a search key. Data indicating the environment of each of a plurality of areas is registered in the database  27 . The control device  20  selects at least one area from the plurality of areas as the parking area, based on the acquired search results. In the present embodiment, the data registered in the database  27  includes data indicating whether there is an evacuation shelter near each of the areas. When setting the condition data D 2 , the control device  20  determines whether to include the presence of an evacuation shelter in the vicinity in the condition indicated by the condition data D 2  in accordance with the situation indicated by the received status data D 1 . For example, when the status data D 1  indicates that the support for the user  13  is insufficient, the status indicating that there is an evacuation shelter in the vicinity is included in the condition indicated by the condition data D 2 . As a result, an area with an evacuation shelter in the vicinity is selected as the parking area. The control device  20  transmits proposition data D 3  to the terminal device  30 . The proposition data D 3  is data that proposes to the user  13  to park the vehicle  12  in the selected parking area. 
     The terminal device  30  receives the proposition data D 3  from the control device  20 . The terminal device  30  prompts the user  13  to park the vehicle  12  in the selected parking area by proposing the received proposition data D 3 . 
     According to this embodiment, it is possible to propose a parking area suitable for staying in the vehicle  12 . For example, if the support for the user  13  is insufficient, an area with an evacuation shelter in the vicinity can be proposed as a parking area. The user  13  can easily receive support by parking the vehicle  12  in an area where there is an evacuation shelter in the vicinity. As a result, the safety and security of the user  13  is ensured. 
     The configuration of the control device  20  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     The control device  20  includes a control unit  21 , a storage unit  22 , a communication unit  23 , an input unit  24 , and an output unit  25 . 
     The control unit  21  includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The term “CPU” is an abbreviation for “central processing unit”. The term “GPU” is an abbreviation for “graphics processing unit”. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. The term “FPGA” is an abbreviation for “field-programmable gate array”. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. The term “ASIC” is an abbreviation for “application specific integrated circuit”. The control unit  21  performs processes related to the operation of the control device  20  while controlling each unit of the control device  20 . 
     The storage unit  22  includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The term “RAM” is an abbreviation for “random access memory”. The term “ROM” is an abbreviation for “read only memory”. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The term “SRAM” is an abbreviation for “static random access memory”. The term “DRAM” is an abbreviation for “dynamic random access memory”. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The term “EEPROM” is an abbreviation for “electrically erasable programmable read only memory”. The storage unit  22  functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit  22  stores data used for the operation of the control device  20  and data acquired through the operation of the control device  20 . Although the database  27  is built in the storage unit  22  in this embodiment, it may be built in an external storage and connected to the control device  20 . 
     The communication unit  23  includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit  23  receives the data used for the operation of the control device  20 , and transmits the data acquired through the operation of the control device  20 . 
     The input unit  24  includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, a camera, or a microphone. The input unit  24  accepts an operation of inputting data used for the operation of the control device  20 . The input unit  24  may be connected to the control device  20  as an external input device instead of being provided in the control device  20 . As the connection interface, for example, an interface corresponding to a standard such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used. The term “USB” is an abbreviation for “universal serial bus”. The term “HDMI (registered trademark)” is an abbreviation for “high-definition multimedia interface”. 
     The output unit  25  includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The term “LCD” is an abbreviation for “liquid crystal display”. The term “EL” is an abbreviation for “electroluminescence”. The output unit  25  outputs the data acquired through the operation of the control device  20 . The output unit  25  may be connected to the control device  20  as an external output device instead of being provided in the control device  20 . As the connection interface, for example, an interface corresponding to a standard such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used. 
     The function of the control device  20  is realized by executing the control program according to the present embodiment with the processor serving as the control unit  21 . That is, the function of the control device  20  is realized by software. The control program causes the computer to perform the operation of the control device  20  so that the computer functions as the control device  20 . That is, the computer functions as the control device  20  by performing the operation of the control device  20  according to the control program. 
     The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium is, for example, a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, an opto-magnetic recording medium, or a ROM. The distribution of the program is carried out, for example, by selling, transferring, or renting a portable medium such as am SD card, a DVD, or a CD-ROM in which the program is stored. “SD” is an abbreviation for “secure digital”. The term “DVD” is an abbreviation for “digital versatile disc”. The term “CD-ROM” is an abbreviation for “compact disc read only memory”. The program may be stored in the storage of the server and transferred from the server to other computers to distribute the program. The program may be provided as a program product. 
     The computer temporarily stores the program stored in the portable medium or the program transferred from the server in the main storage device, for example. Then, the computer causes the processor to read the program stored in the main storage device, and causes the processor to perform processes according to the read program. The computer may read the program directly from the portable medium and perform processes according to the program. The computer may perform the processes according to the received program each time the program is transferred from the server to the computer. The processes may be executed by a so-called ASP service that realizes the function only by execution instruction and result acquisition without transferring the program from the server to the computer. The term “ASP” is an abbreviation for “application service provider”. The program includes information that is used for processing by electronic computers and equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct command to a computer but has the property of defining the processing of the computer corresponds to the “data equivalent to a program”. 
     A part or all of the functions of the control device  20  may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit  21 . That is, a part or all of the functions of the control device  20  may be realized by hardware. 
     The configuration of the terminal device  30  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The terminal device  30  includes a control unit  31 , a storage unit  32 , a communication unit  33 , an input unit  34 , an output unit  35 , and a positioning unit  36 . 
     The control unit  31  includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. The control unit  31  performs the processes related to the operation of the terminal device  30  while controlling each unit of the terminal device  30 . 
     The storage unit  32  includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, a SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit  32  functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit  32  stores data used for the operation of the terminal device  30  and data acquired through the operation of the terminal device  30 . 
     The communication unit  33  includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE, 4G standard, or 5G standard, an interface compatible with short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a LAN interface. The term “LTE” is an abbreviation for “long term evolution”. The term “4G” is an abbreviation for “fourth generation”. The term “5G” is an abbreviation for “fifth generation”. The communication unit  33  receives the data used for the operation of the terminal device  30 , and transmits the data acquired through the operation of the terminal device  30 . 
     The input unit  34  includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, a camera, or a microphone. The input unit  34  accepts an operation of inputting data used for the operation of the terminal device  30 . The input unit  34  may be connected to the terminal device  30  as an external input device instead of being provided in the terminal device  30 . As the connection interface, for example, an interface corresponding to a standard such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used. 
     The output unit  35  includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit  35  outputs the data acquired through the operation of the terminal device  30 . The output unit  35  may be connected to the terminal device  30  as an external output device instead of being provided in the terminal device  30 . As the connection interface, for example, an interface corresponding to a standard such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used. 
     The positioning unit  36  includes at least one GNSS receiver. The term “GNSS” is an abbreviation for “global navigation satellite system”. The GNSS is, for example, GPS, QZSS, BDS, GLONASS, or Galileo. The term “GPS” is an abbreviation for “global positioning system”. The term “QZSS” is an abbreviation for “quasi-zenith satellite system”. The satellites of the QZSS are referred to as quasi-zenith satellites. The term “BDS” is an abbreviation for “BeiDou navigation satellite system”. The term “GLONASS” is an abbreviation for “global navigation satellite system”. The positioning unit  36  measures the position of the terminal device  30 . 
     The function of the terminal device  30  is realized by executing the terminal program according to the present embodiment with the processor corresponding to the control unit  31 . That is, the function of the terminal device  30  is realized by software. The terminal program causes the computer to perform the operation of the terminal device  30  so that the computer functions as the terminal device  30 . That is, the computer functions as the terminal device  30  by performing the operation of the terminal device  30  according to the terminal program. 
     A part or all of the functions of the terminal device  30  may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit  31 . That is, a part or all of the functions of the terminal device  30  may be realized by hardware. 
     The configuration of a system  10  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . The operation corresponds to the proposition method according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 5  shows the operation of the control device  20 .  FIG. 6  shows the operation of the terminal device  30 . 
     In step S 111  of  FIG. 6 , the control unit  31  of the terminal device  30  receives from the user  13 , an operation of inputting the support status of the user  13  at the time of a disaster via the input unit  34 . The control unit  31  causes the communication unit  33  to transmit data such as the status data D 1 . The status data D 1  is data indicating the support status input by the user  13 . The communication unit  33  transmits data such as the status data D 1  to the control device  20 . 
     In step S 101  of  FIG. 5 , the communication unit  23  of the control device  20  receives the data transmitted in step S 111  in  FIG. 6  from the terminal device  30 . The control unit  21  of the control device  20  acquires the data received by the communication unit  23 . 
     In step S 102  of  FIG. 5 , the control unit  21  of the control device  20  sets the condition data D 2  based on the data acquired in step S 101 . The condition data D 2  is data indicating conditions regarding the surrounding environment when the user  13  stays in the vehicle  12 . In the present embodiment, the control unit  21  determines whether to include that there is an evacuation shelter in the vicinity in the condition indicated by the condition data D 2 , in accordance with the status indicated by the status data D 1  included in the data acquired in step S 101 . Specifically, when the status data D 1  indicates that the support for the user  13  is insufficient, the control unit  21  includes that there is an evacuation shelter in the vicinity in the condition indicated by the condition data D 2 . 
     In step S 103  of  FIG. 5 , the control unit  21  of the control device  20  searches the database  27  using the condition data D 2  set in step S 102  as a search key. Data indicating the environment of each of a plurality of areas is registered in the database  27 . In the present embodiment, the data registered in the database  27  includes data indicating whether there is an evacuation shelter near each of the areas, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In step S 104  in  FIG. 5 , the control unit  21  of the control device  20  selects at least one area from the plurality of areas as the parking area based on the search result acquired in step S 103 . Specifically, the control unit  21  selects as the parking area, an area indicated by the data registered in the database  27  that the condition indicated by the condition data D 2  is satisfied. When the condition includes that there is an evacuation shelter in the vicinity, the control unit  21  selects an area where there is an evacuation shelter in the vicinity as a parking area. If the number of search results is 0, that is, there is no selectable area, the processes after step S 101  are executed again. 
     In step S 105  of  FIG. 5 , the control unit  21  of the control device  20  causes the communication unit  23  to transmit the proposition data D 3 . The proposition data D 3  is data that proposes to the user  13  to park the vehicle  12  in the parking area selected in step S 104 . The proposition data D 3  may include data for notifying the user  13  of a location such as coordinates or an address of a parking area. The communication unit  23  transmits the proposition data D 3  to the terminal device  30 . 
     After step S 111  in  FIG. 6 , the terminal device  30  is on standby until the parking area is selected by the control device  20 . When the parking area is selected by the control device  20 , in step S 112 , the communication unit  33  of the terminal device  30  receives the proposition data D 3  transmitted in step S 105  in  FIG. 5  from the control device  20 . The control unit  31  of the terminal device  30  acquires the proposition data D 3  received by the communication unit  33 . 
     In step S 113  of  FIG. 6 , the control unit  31  of the terminal device  30  prompts the user  13  to park the vehicle  12  in the selected parking area by presenting the proposition data D 3  acquired in step S 112 . Specifically, the control unit  31  displays the content of the proposition data D 3  on the display serving as the output unit  35 . Alternatively, the control unit  31  outputs the content of the proposition data D 3  by voice from the speaker serving as the output unit  35 . 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, the communication unit  23  of the control device  20  communicates with the terminal device  30  used by the user  13 . The control unit  21  of the control device  20  searches the database  27  in which the data indicating the environment of each of the plurality of areas is registered, in which the condition data D 2  indicating the condition regarding the surrounding environment when the user  13  stays in the vehicle  12  serves as the search key. The control unit  21  selects at least one area from the plurality of areas as the parking area based on the acquired search results. The control unit  21  causes the communication unit  23  to transmit the proposition data D 3  that proposes to the user  13  to park the vehicle  12  in the selected parking area. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to propose a parking area suitable for staying in the vehicle  12 . 
     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , data indicating whether there is an evacuation shelter near each of the areas is registered in the database  27  in a table format. However, as a modification of the present embodiment, such data may be registered in the database  27  in the form of a map. For example, map data indicating the location of each of the areas and the location of at least one evacuation shelter may be registered in the database  27 . In that case, in step S 103  and step S 104  of  FIG. 5 , the control unit  21  of the control device  20  searches the map data and extracts as a parking area, an area satisfying the condition indicated by the condition data D 2 . Specifically, the control unit  21  calculates the distance between each of the areas and the evacuation shelter. Assuming that the upper limit of the distance from the evacuation shelter is included in the condition, the control unit  21  extracts as the parking area, the area where the calculated distance is equal to or less than the upper limit. 
     In the present embodiment, the parking area is selected in accordance with the support status of the user  13  at the time of a disaster. However, as a modification of the present embodiment, the parking area may be selected in accordance with a family structure of the user  13  instead of the support status or together with the support status. In such a modified example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , data indicating the flow of people in each of the areas may be registered in the database  27 . For example, the data of the flow of people provided by a mobile communication operator may be registered in the database  27 . In that case, in step S 111  of  FIG. 6 , the control unit  31  of the terminal device  30  receives an operation of inputting the family structure of the user  13  from the user  13  via the input unit  34 . The control unit  31  causes the communication unit  33  to transmit data such as the structure data D 4 . The structure data D 4  is data indicating the family structure input by the user  13 . The communication unit  33  transmits data such as the structure data D 4  to the control device  20 . In step S 102  of  FIG. 5 , the control unit  21  of the control device  20  determines whether the upper limit of the number of people is included in the condition indicated in the condition data D 2  in accordance with the family structure indicated in the structure data D 4  included in the data acquired in step S 101 . Specifically, when the structure data D 4  indicates that a child or a pet is included in the family  11  of the user  13 , the control unit  21  includes the upper limit of the number of people in the condition indicated by the condition data D 2 . When the upper limit of the number of people is included in the condition, in step S 104 , the control unit  21  selects as the parking area, an area where the number of people is equal to or less than the upper limit. 
     According to this modification, if a child or a pet is included in the family  11  of the user  13 , an area with few people can be proposed as a parking area. In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , it becomes easier for the user  13  to secure privacy by parking the vehicle  12  in an area with few people, and it becomes easier to take care of the child  14  and the pet  16 . As a result, the safety and security of the user  13  is ensured. 
     In the present embodiment, the condition data D 2  is set based on the data from the terminal device  30 . However, as a modification of the present embodiment, instead of the data from the terminal device  30 , or with the data from the terminal device  30 , the condition data D 2  may be set based on the data that specifies the condition to be set. That is, the process of step S 111  of  FIG. 6  and step S 101  of  FIG. 5  may be omitted. As such a modified example, a first modified example, a second modified example, and a third modified example will be described. 
     In the first modification, as shown in  FIG. 2 , data indicating a weather forecast or a weather warning in each of the areas may be registered in the database  27 . For example, weather forecast data or weather warning data provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency may be registered in the database  27 . In that case, in step S 102  of  FIG. 5 , the control unit  21  of the control device  20  includes the designated meteorological condition in the condition indicated by the condition data D 2 . When the upper limit of the temperature is included in the meteorological conditions, in step S 104 , the control unit  21  selects an area where the future or current temperature is equal to or lower than the upper limit as the parking area. When the lower limit of the temperature is included in the meteorological conditions, in step S 104 , the control unit  21  selects an area where the future or current temperature is equal to or higher than the lower limit as the parking area. When the upper limit of the snow accumulation amount is included in the meteorological conditions, in step S 104 , the control unit  21  selects an area where the snow accumulation amount in the future or the present is equal to or less than the upper limit as the parking area. 
     According to this modification, a cool area such as an area with a high altitude can be proposed as a parking area. By parking the vehicle  12  in a cool area, the user  13  is less likely to suffer from heat stroke. As a result, the safety and security of the user  13  is ensured. Alternatively, according to this modification, a warm area can be proposed as a parking area. The user  13  is less likely to suffer from hypothermia by parking the vehicle  12  in a warm area. As a result, the safety and security of the user  13  is ensured. Alternatively, according to this modification, an area with a small snow accumulation amount can be proposed as a parking area. If the vehicle  12  is buried in snow, the exhaust gas may enter the vehicle  12  and the user  13  may get carbon monoxide poisoning. By parking the vehicle  12  in an area with a small snow accumulation amount, such a status may can be avoided. As a result, the safety and security of the user  13  is ensured. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , data indicating the geographical features around each of the areas may be further registered in the database  27 . For example, data of geographical features provided by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan may be registered in the database  27 . In that case, in step S 102  of  FIG. 5 , the control unit  21  of the control device  20  further includes the designated geographical feature condition in the condition indicated by the condition data D 2 . When the upper limit of an amount of rainfall is included in the meteorological conditions, in step S 104 , the control unit  21  selects as a parking area, an area in which the future or current amount of rainfall is equal to or lower than the upper limit, or an area in which there is no geographical features in which a sediment-related disaster or flood may occur in the vicinity such as a cliff or a river. 
     According to this modification, it is possible to propose an area where disasters are unlikely to occur as a parking area. The user  13  can avoid a disaster by parking the vehicle  12  in an area where a disaster is unlikely to occur. As a result, the safety and security of the user  13  is ensured. 
     In the second modification, as shown in  FIG. 2 , an earthquake forecast or an earthquake warning of each of the areas, and the data indicating the geographical features around each of the areas may be registered in the database  27 . For example, earthquake forecast data or earthquake warning data provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency, and data of geographical features provided by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan may be registered in the database  27 . In that case, in step S 102  of  FIG. 5 , the control unit  21  of the control device  20  includes the upper limit of the magnitude of the designated earthquake and the designated geographical feature condition in the conditions shown in the condition data D 2 . In step S 104 , the control unit  21  selects as a parking area, an area where the magnitude of an earthquake that will occur in the future is equal to or less than the upper limit, or an area where there is no geographical features in which a landslide disaster or tsunami can occur in the vicinity such as a cliff or a coast. 
     According to this modification, it is possible to propose an area where disasters are unlikely to occur as a parking area. The user  13  can avoid a disaster by parking the vehicle  12  in an area where a disaster is unlikely to occur. As a result, the safety and security of the user  13  is ensured. 
     In the third modification, as shown in  FIG. 2 , data indicating the public security around each of the areas may be registered in the database  27 . For example, crime statistical data provided by the Japanese National Police Agency may be registered in the database  27 . In addition to past data such as crime statistical data, data acquired from the press may be used, or data acquired by predicting the probability of a crime occurring by machine learning may be used. In that case, in step S 102  of  FIG. 5 , the control unit  21  of the control device  20  includes the upper limit of the designated degree of poor public security in the condition indicated by the condition data D 2 . In step S 104 , the control unit  21  selects an area in which the degree of poor public security is equal to or less than the upper limit as a parking area. 
     According to this modification, a safe area can be proposed as a parking area. By parking the vehicle  12  in a safe area, the user  13  is less likely to be involved in a crime. As a result, the safety and security of the user  13  is ensured. 
     According to the above-described embodiment including various modifications, it is possible to propose a suitable place to stay in the vehicle  12  depending on the status of the person staying in the vehicle  12  or the status of the surrounding environment. For example, it is possible to identify places to avoid, such as places with a large snow accumulation amount, places where oxygen deficiency is likely to occur such as indoors, places where rainfall is high, places where sediment-related disasters are likely to occur, places where a person is likely to get heat stroke, or crime-prone areas, and a place other than the specified place can be proposed. 
     As a modification of this embodiment, the communication unit  23  of the control device  20  may communicate with a terminal device used by each user of a plurality of users including the user  13 . In such a modification, the control unit  21  of the control device  20  may set a parking position in the parking area where the distance to the other user is equal to or more than a threshold value for each user. The control unit  21  may cause the communication unit  23  to transmit data that proposes to each user to park the vehicle at the set parking position as the proposition data D 3 . 
     According to this moderation, when there are circumstances in which it is better not to have a dense population of users, such as when there is a possibility that anyone among the users generates noise, the parking positions may be proposed so that the parking positions of the users are dispersed. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagram may be integrated, or a single block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps shown in the flowcharts in chronological order according to the description, the steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order, depending on the processing capacities of the devices that execute the steps, or as necessary. Other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.