Patent Description:
In the past, Patent Literature <NUM> disclosed a parking assistance device that provides guidance to an appropriate getting-off position for safely opening and closing a trunk. The parking assistance device disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> detects an obstacle present in the vicinity of a parking target position, before the host-vehicle is parked. Suppose that the detected obstacle will become an obstruction for the vehicle parked at the parking target position when opening and closing the trunk. In the above case, the parking assistance device calculates a prior getting-off position where the obstacle will not become an obstruction when opening and closing the trunk. Other examples of parking assistance devices are disclosed in patent documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

However, in the conventional parking assistance device described above, it is assumed that an obstacle is present in the parking space, and it is not assumed that business vehicles such as taxis stop and line up in a stop area. Therefore, in the past, when a plurality of vehicles are parked side by side in a stop area, there has been a problem that, after the host-vehicle is parked, another vehicle is parked adjacent to the host-vehicle, and therefore a stop interval required for loading/unloading luggage from the host-vehicle is not able to be sufficiently ensured.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a stop position control system, a stop position control method, and a stop position control device capable of ensuring a stop interval in accordance with a user's luggage between a user vehicle and an adjacent vehicle.

A stop position control system and a stop position control method according to the invention are defined by the appended independent claims. Specific embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform control such that an adjacent vehicle which is to stop adjacent to a stop vehicle stops by ensuring a sufficient stop interval to the stop vehicle depending on luggage information of the stop vehicle.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the descriptions of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stop position control system according to the present embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, a stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a server <NUM> that controls the stop position of a stop vehicle that is to stop in a stop area. The server <NUM> is connected, via a wireless or wired network, to a user terminal <NUM>, a stop vehicle <NUM> which is used by a user, and an adjacent vehicle <NUM> which is to stop adjacent to the stop vehicle <NUM> in a stop area. The network may be, for example, the Internet and may use a mobile communication function such as <NUM>/LTE and <NUM>. The adjacent vehicle means a vehicle which is to stop adjacent to the stop vehicle, for example, a vehicle that is to stop adjacent to the rear or the sides of the stop vehicle. In the present embodiment, a description will be given by taking an example where the adjacent vehicle <NUM> is a vehicle that is to stop adjacent to the rear of the stop vehicle.

When a vehicle such as a taxi arrives at and stops in a stop area as shown in <FIG>, the stop position control system <NUM> manages the stop position of each vehicle by setting a stop interval between the arrived vehicle and the following vehicle depending on the amount of luggage of a user who is in the arrived vehicle. In <FIG>, the stop vehicle <NUM> used by a user arrives at and stops in a stop area, and then the adjacent vehicle <NUM> arrives and stops at the stop area. Suppose that the stop interval between the stop vehicle <NUM> and the adjacent vehicle <NUM> is too short. In the above case, if the user has large amount of luggage or large luggage such as a wheelchair, loading/unloading of luggage is not possible. Therefore, the stop position control system <NUM> sets an appropriate stop interval depending on the amount of luggage of the user so that loading/unloading of luggage can be performed smoothly.

Next, the server <NUM> will be described. The server <NUM> controls the stop position of a vehicle that is to stop in a stop area. Specifically, the server <NUM> sets a stop interval between the stop vehicle <NUM> and the adjacent vehicle <NUM> depending on the amount of luggage of a user who is in the stop vehicle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the server <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM>, a database <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>.

The communication unit <NUM> has a function of transmitting and receiving information via the network. The communication unit <NUM> acquires predetermined information via the network and records the acquired information in the database <NUM>, the predetermined information being user's luggage information transmitted from the user terminal <NUM>, vehicle information transmitted from the stop vehicle <NUM>, or the like. Further, the communication unit <NUM> transmits information such as a necessary stop interval calculated by the controller <NUM> to the user terminal <NUM>, the stop vehicle <NUM>, and the adjacent vehicle <NUM> via the network.

The database <NUM> stores information acquired by the communication unit <NUM>. Specifically, the database <NUM> stores vehicle information acquired from the stop vehicle <NUM> and luggage information on luggage possessed by a user. When the amount of luggage possessed by a user is determined based on a user image obtained by capturing an image of a user, the database <NUM> also stores images from a camera of the stop vehicle <NUM> and a monitoring camera installed in a stop area. Further, when the schedule of a vehicle which is to stop in a stop area is determined in advance, the database <NUM> also stores a scheduled stop time and the like of the vehicle.

The controller <NUM> performs a process for controlling a stop position for a vehicle that is to stop in a stop area. Specifically, the controller <NUM> acquires vehicle information on the stop vehicle <NUM> and luggage information on luggage possessed by a user who is using the stop vehicle <NUM>. Then the controller <NUM> sets, based on the acquired vehicle information and luggage information, a necessary stop interval required for loading/unloading the luggage of the user from the stop vehicle <NUM> in the stop area. The controller <NUM> transmits the set necessary stop interval to the adjacent vehicle <NUM> that is to stop adjacent to the rear of the stop vehicle <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes an information acquisition unit <NUM> and a stop interval setting unit <NUM>.

The information acquisition unit <NUM> acquires vehicle information on the stop vehicle <NUM> from the stop vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle information includes, as identification information of the stop vehicle <NUM>, for example, a license plate registration number, the color of the vehicle, the type of the vehicle, a number displayed on a door or the like of the vehicle, and the like. Further, the vehicle information also includes the size of the seat and the size of the trunk of the stop vehicle <NUM>, the size of the rear part of the vehicle which is required when opening and closing the trunk, and the like.

Further, the information acquisition unit <NUM> acquires luggage information on luggage possessed by the user who is using the stop vehicle <NUM>. The luggage information includes at least the type or size of the user's luggage and may include the number of pieces of luggage. Also, the information acquisition unit <NUM> may acquire luggage information from the user terminal <NUM> of the user. The information acquisition unit <NUM> may acquire a user image from a camera of the stop vehicle <NUM>, and analyze the user image to acquire luggage information. Further, the information acquisition unit <NUM> may acquire a user image by means of a monitoring camera installed in the stop area.

The stop interval setting unit <NUM> sets, based on the vehicle information and the luggage information, a necessary stop interval required for loading/unloading luggage of the user from the stop vehicle <NUM> in the stop area. At this time, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> determines the storage location of the luggage of the user in the stop vehicle <NUM> based on the type and size of the luggage. The stop interval setting unit <NUM> sets a necessary stop interval depending on the storage location and the size of the luggage.

How to set a necessary stop interval will be described with reference to <FIG>. First, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> determines the storage location of the user's luggage in the stop vehicle <NUM> based on the type or size of luggage. As shown in <FIG>, the size of luggage is classified into three sizes of small size, medium size, and large size. The storage location of the luggage is determined depending on the size. The small size is, for example, a size which is smaller than a first predetermined range in which the lengths of three sides are less than <NUM> × <NUM> × <NUM>. The storage location of the small-sized luggage is in the passenger space in a vehicle such as a seat. Types of luggage include a backpack, a bag, a shopping bag, and the like.

The medium size is a size which is equal to or larger than the first predetermined range and is smaller than a second predetermined range, in which the length of each of three sides is less than <NUM>. The storage location of the medium-sized luggage is in the trunk of a vehicle. Types of luggage include a suitcase, a cardboard box, a musical instrument, golf equipment, and the like. The large size is a size which is equal to or larger than the second predetermined range, in which the length of each of the three sides is <NUM> or more. The storage location of the large-sized luggage is in the trunk of a vehicle. Types of luggage include a wheelchair, a bicycle, a stroller, and the like.

Accordingly, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> determines the size or type of luggage from information input to the user terminal <NUM> or a user image. Then, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> determines whether the size of the luggage of the user is smaller than the first predetermined range. When the luggage size is smaller than the first predetermined range, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> determines that the storage location of the luggage of the user is in the passenger space of the stop vehicle <NUM>. Meanwhile, when the size of the user's luggage is equal to or larger than the first predetermined range, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> determines that the storage location of the luggage of the user is in the trunk of the stop vehicle <NUM>. However, even if the luggage is small size, when the number of pieces of luggage is large and the amount of all pieces of luggage added together is equal to or larger than the first predetermined range, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> determines that the storage location of the luggage is in the trunk of the stop vehicle <NUM>.

The first predetermined range and the second predetermined range are set according to the size of the seat and the size of the trunk included in the vehicle information. For example, in a vehicle having a wide seat area, the first predetermined range is set to be large. In a vehicle having a wide trunk area, a one-box car, or the like, the second predetermined range is set to be large.

The storage location of the luggage is determined in this way. Suppose that the storage location of the user's luggage is determined to be in the passenger space of the stop vehicle <NUM>, that is, suppose that the luggage is small in size or the type of luggage is a backpack, a bag, or the like. In the above case, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> sets the necessary stop interval to a minimum stop interval. The minimum stop interval is the stop interval minimally required when two vehicles of a front vehicle and a rear vehicle stop in line with each other in the front-rear direction of the vehicles, and is <NUM>, for example.

When the storage location of the user's luggage is determined to be in the trunk, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> determines whether the size of the user's luggage is smaller than the second predetermined range. When the luggage size is smaller than the second predetermined range, that is, when the luggage has a medium size, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> sets the necessary stop interval to a first stop interval. The first stop interval is a distance that is long enough to open and close the trunk of the vehicle, is longer than the minimum stop interval, and is <NUM>, for example. The first stop interval is set according to the size of the rear of the vehicle that is required when the trunk is opened and closed, the size being included in the vehicle information.

Meanwhile, suppose that the size of the user's luggage is equal to or larger than the second predetermined range, that is, suppose that the luggage is large in size. In the above case, the necessary stop interval is set to a second stop interval. The second stop interval is a distance that is long enough to load/unload large-sized luggage, is longer than the first stop interval, and is <NUM>, for example. The second stop interval may be set according to the size of the luggage. For example, a larger space is required for loading/unloading a bicycle than a stroller. Therefore, the second stop interval may be made larger in the case of a bicycle than in the case of a stroller.

In this way, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> sets the necessary stop interval according to the size or type of the user's luggage. After detecting that loading/unloading of the user's luggage to/from the stop vehicle <NUM> has been completed, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> sets the necessary stop interval to the minimum stop interval.

After the necessary stop interval is set in this way, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> detects the adjacent vehicle <NUM> after the stop vehicle <NUM> stops in the stop area, and transmits the set necessary stop interval to the detected adjacent vehicle <NUM>. For example, the stop interval setting unit <NUM> detects, as the adjacent vehicle <NUM>, a vehicle that travels toward the stop area within a predetermined range of the stop area after the stop vehicle <NUM> arrives at and stops in the stop area, and transmits the necessary stop interval to the detected adjacent vehicle <NUM>. However, there is a case where an expected arrival time at which the stop vehicle <NUM> is to arrive at the stop area is known in advance from a vehicle dispatch schedule or the like, and another vehicle which is to arrive at the stop area after the expected arrival time is also known. In such a case, the adjacent vehicle <NUM> may be detected before the stop vehicle <NUM> stops in the stop area and the necessary stop interval may be transmitted to the detected adjacent vehicle <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is composed of a general-purpose electronic circuit including a microcomputer, a microprocessor, and a CPU, and a peripheral device such as a memory. The controller <NUM> has a function of controlling the stop position of a vehicle that is to stop in the stop area. Each function of the controller can be implemented by one or more processing circuits. The processing circuits include a programmed processing device such as a processing device including, for example, an electronic circuit. The processing circuits also include devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that are arranged to perform functions described in the embodiments and conventional circuit components.

Next, the user terminal <NUM> will be described. The user terminal <NUM> is a device that can access the server <NUM> via the network. The user terminal <NUM> is, for example, a portable terminal (a smartphone, a tablet, or the like) that is used by a user on a daily basis. An application is installed in the user terminal <NUM>, the application being necessary for performing a stop position control service that is provided by the server <NUM>. Therefore, the user terminal <NUM> can transmit necessary information to the server <NUM>, and can receive and display information transmitted from the server <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the user terminal <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and an input unit <NUM>.

The communication unit <NUM> has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from the server <NUM> and the stop vehicle <NUM> via the network. The communication unit <NUM> stores the received information in a memory (not shown) or the like, and transmits predetermined information such as luggage information. For example, the communication unit <NUM> may be a device with a mobile communication function such as <NUM>/LTE.

The controller <NUM> receives luggage information on luggage possessed by a user based on a user operation to the input unit <NUM>. The type of luggage, the size of luggage, the number of pieces of luggage, and the like are input as the luggage information. Examples of the type of luggage include, for example, a backpack, a bag, a suitcase, a wheelchair, a stroller, and the like. Examples of the size of luggage include, for example, a small size in which three sides are less than <NUM> × <NUM> × <NUM>, a medium size in which each of the three sides is less than <NUM>, and a large size in which each of the three sides is <NUM> or longer.

The controller <NUM> is a general-purpose microcomputer that includes a CPU (central processing unit), a memory, and an input/output unit. A computer program for causing the controller <NUM> to function as a part of the user terminal <NUM> is installed in the controller <NUM>. By executing the computer program, the controller <NUM> controls the communication unit <NUM>. Various types of information processes of the controller <NUM> may be realized by software or dedicated hardware.

The input unit <NUM> receives user operations corresponding to various commands from the user. For example, the input unit <NUM> may be an input interface with a plurality of buttons or a touch panel having a touch interface.

Next, the stop vehicle <NUM> will be described. The stop vehicle <NUM> is a vehicle which arrives at and stops in a stop area, and is used by a user who possesses luggage. The stop vehicle <NUM> may be a vehicle that arrives at and stops in a stop area with a user already in the vehicle, or a vehicle that a user gets on after the vehicle arrives at and stops in a stop area. That is, the stop vehicle <NUM> may be a vehicle onto which a user's luggage is to be loaded, or a vehicle from which a user's luggage is to be unloaded. Further, the stop vehicle <NUM> may be a vehicle which carries only luggage without a user getting on the vehicle. Therefore, the stop vehicle <NUM> is not limited to a taxi, and may be a vehicle for delivering luggage. The stop vehicle <NUM> may be an automatic driving vehicle or a vehicle driven by a driver.

As shown in <FIG>, the stop vehicle <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM> and a controller <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from the server <NUM>, the user terminal <NUM>, and the adjacent vehicle <NUM> via the network. The communication unit <NUM> stores the received information in a memory (not shown) or the like, and transmits predetermined information such as vehicle information. For example, the communication unit <NUM> may be a device with a mobile communication function such as <NUM>/LTE.

The controller <NUM> transmits vehicle information on the stop vehicle <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM> in response to a request from the server <NUM>. Further, the controller <NUM> captures an image of a user by using a camera installed in the stop vehicle <NUM>, and transmits the captured user image to the server <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is a general-purpose microcomputer that includes a CPU (central processing unit), a memory, and an input/output unit. A computer program for causing the controller <NUM> to function in response to a request from the server <NUM> is installed in the controller <NUM>. By executing the computer program, the controller <NUM> controls the communication unit <NUM>. Various types of information processes of the controller <NUM> may be realized by software or dedicated hardware.

Next, the adjacent vehicle <NUM> will be described. The adjacent vehicle <NUM> arrives at the stop area and stops adjacent to the rear of the stop vehicle <NUM>. The adjacent vehicle <NUM> may be an automatic driving vehicle or a vehicle that is driven by a driver.

As shown in <FIG>, the adjacent vehicle <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM> and is mounted with a stop position control device <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from the server <NUM>, the user terminal <NUM>, and the stop vehicle <NUM> via the network. The communication unit <NUM> stores received information such as vehicle information and the necessary stop interval in a memory (not shown) or the like, and transmits predetermined information. For example, the communication unit <NUM> may be a device with a mobile communication function such as <NUM>/LTE.

The stop position control device <NUM> is mounted on the adjacent vehicle <NUM> and includes a controller <NUM> that controls the stop position of the adjacent vehicle <NUM>. The controller <NUM> acquires, from the server <NUM>, vehicle information on the stop vehicle <NUM> and the necessary stop interval required for loading/unloading luggage of a user from the stop vehicle <NUM> in a stop area. After the adjacent vehicle <NUM> arrives at a stop area, the stop vehicle <NUM> is detected based on the vehicle information. The adjacent vehicle <NUM> is stopped adjacent to the rear of the detected stop vehicle <NUM> such that the stop interval to the stop vehicle <NUM> is the necessary stop interval.

The controller <NUM> is a general-purpose microcomputer that includes a CPU (central processing unit), a memory, and an input/output unit. A computer program for controlling the stop position of the adjacent vehicle <NUM> is installed in the controller <NUM>. By executing the computer program, the controller <NUM> controls the communication unit <NUM> and also controls the stop position of the adjacent vehicle <NUM>. Various types of information processes of the controller <NUM> may be realized by software or dedicated hardware.

Next, a stop position control method performed by the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described. <FIG> is a flowchart showing process procedures of a process for controlling a stop position performed by the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, in step S101, the server <NUM> specifies a vehicle that is traveling toward a stop area as the stop vehicle <NUM> that is to stop in the stop area. For example, suppose that, when a user gets on a taxi by using a vehicle dispatch service, the destination of the user is set to a stop area that is managed by the stop position control system <NUM>. In the above case, the taxi is specified as the stop vehicle <NUM>. When the user has called a taxi to the stop area by using a vehicle dispatch service, the taxi that has been called is specified as the stop vehicle <NUM>.

In step S103, the server <NUM> acquires vehicle information on the stop vehicle <NUM> and luggage information on luggage possessed by the user who is using the stop vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle information includes identification information of the stop vehicle <NUM>, the size of the seat, the size of the trunk, the size to the rear of the vehicle which is required when opening and closing the trunk, and the like. The luggage information includes at least the type or size of the user's luggage, and further includes the number of pieces of luggage. The server <NUM> may acquire luggage information that is input by the user to the user terminal <NUM>. Alternatively, the server <NUM> may acquire a user image obtained by capturing an image of the user from the stop vehicle <NUM> and analyze the user image to acquire luggage information. Also, when the user has called a taxi to the stop area, a user image may be acquired from a monitoring camera installed in the stop area.

In step S105, the server <NUM> determines the storage location of the user's luggage in the stop vehicle <NUM> based on the type or size of the luggage. As shown in <FIG>, the size of luggage is classified into three sizes of small size, medium size, and large size. Therefore, the server <NUM> determines the storage location of the luggage depending on the size. For example, the small-sized type of luggage is a backpack, a bag, or a shopping bag. Therefore, the storage location of the luggage is determined to be in a passenger space in the vehicle, for example, on a seat. The medium-sized type of luggage is a suitcase, a cardboard box, a musical instrument, or golf equipment. Therefore, the storage location of the luggage is determined to be in the trunk of the vehicle. The large-sized type of luggage is a wheelchair, a bicycle, or a stroller. Therefore, the storage location of the luggage is determined to be in the trunk of the vehicle.

In step S107, the server <NUM> transmits the storage location of the luggage determined in step S <NUM> to the user terminal <NUM> of the user.

In step S <NUM>, the server <NUM> sets the necessary stop interval required for loading/unloading the user's luggage from the stop vehicle <NUM> in the stop area. As shown in <FIG>, the server <NUM> sets the necessary stop interval to the minimum stop interval, in a case where the storage location of the user's luggage is determined to be on a seat in the stop vehicle <NUM>, that is, in a case where the luggage is small in size.

The server <NUM> determines whether the size of the user's luggage is smaller than the second predetermined range in a case where the storage location of the user's luggage is determined to be in the trunk. When the size is smaller than the second predetermined range, that is, when the luggage has a medium size, the server <NUM> sets the necessary stop interval to a first stop interval. Meanwhile, when the size is equal to or larger than the second predetermined range, that is, when the luggage is large in size, the server <NUM> sets the necessary stop interval to a second stop interval.

In step S111, the server <NUM> determines whether the stop vehicle <NUM> has arrived at and stopped in the stop area, and after detecting that the stop vehicle <NUM> has stopped in the stop area, the process proceeds to step S113. The server <NUM> receives location information of the stop vehicle <NUM> and determines whether the stop vehicle <NUM> has arrived at and stopped in the stop area.

In step S113, the server <NUM> determines whether an adjacent vehicle <NUM> that is to stop adjacent to the rear of the stop vehicle <NUM> can be detected. When an adjacent vehicle <NUM> can be detected, the process proceeds to step S115. The server <NUM> detects, as the adjacent vehicle <NUM>, a vehicle that is traveling toward the stop area among vehicles that are traveling within a predetermined range of the stop area.

In the present embodiment, the adjacent vehicle <NUM> is detected after the stop vehicle <NUM> stops in the stop area. However, alternatively the adjacent vehicle <NUM> may be detected before the stop vehicle <NUM> stops in the stop area. For example, suppose that an expected arrival time at which the stop vehicle <NUM> is to arrive at the stop area is known in advance based on a vehicle dispatch schedule or the like, and a vehicle which is to arrive at the stop area after the expected arrival time is also known. In the above case, the adjacent vehicle <NUM> may be detected before the stop vehicle <NUM> stops in the stop area.

In step S115, the server <NUM> transmits identification information of the stop vehicle <NUM> and the necessary stop interval to the adjacent vehicle <NUM> detected in step S113, and then ends the process for controlling a stop position according to the present embodiment.

Next, a stop position control method performed by the stop position control device <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described. <FIG> is a flowchart showing process procedures of a process for controlling a stop position performed by the stop position control device <NUM> according to the present embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, in step S201, the controller <NUM> of the stop position control device <NUM> receives and acquires identification information of the stop vehicle <NUM> and the necessary stop interval from the server <NUM> of the stop position control system <NUM>.

In step S203, the controller <NUM> determines whether the adjacent vehicle <NUM> has arrived at the stop area. When the adjacent vehicle <NUM> has arrived at the stop area, the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S205, the controller <NUM> detects the stop vehicle <NUM> among vehicles that have stopped in the stop area based on identification information. Then, in step S207, the controller <NUM> causes the adjacent vehicle <NUM> to stop adjacent to the rear of the detected stop vehicle <NUM> such that the stop interval to the stop vehicle <NUM> becomes the necessary stop interval.

At this time, when the adjacent vehicle <NUM> is an automatic driving vehicle, the controller <NUM> detects the stop vehicle <NUM> from identification information such as a license plate registration number. The controller <NUM> instructs the automatic driving vehicle to stop adjacent to the rear of the detected stop vehicle <NUM> such that the stop interval between the vehicles becomes the necessary stop interval. Alternatively, when the adjacent vehicle <NUM> is not an automatic driving vehicle, identification information is displayed on a display for the driver to find the stop vehicle <NUM>. After the driver finds the stop vehicle <NUM>, the controller <NUM> displays an instruction on the display, which instructs the driver to stop the adjacent vehicle <NUM> adjacent to the rear of the stop vehicle <NUM>. At this time, the controller <NUM> instructs the driver by using highlighting on the display such that the stop interval to the stop vehicle <NUM> becomes the necessary stop interval. In this way, after the adjacent vehicle <NUM> stops adjacent to the rear of the stop vehicle <NUM> such that the stop interval to the stop vehicle <NUM> becomes the necessary stop interval, the process for controlling a stop position according to the present embodiment is ended.

As described above in detail, in the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, vehicle information on a stop vehicle and luggage information on luggage possessed by a user who is using the stop vehicle are acquired. The necessary stop interval required for loading/unloading the user's luggage from the stop vehicle in a stop area is set based on the vehicle information and the luggage information. The necessary stop interval is transmitted to an adjacent vehicle that is to stop adjacent to the stop vehicle. This can sufficiently ensure the stop interval required for loading/unloading the user's luggage from the vehicle between vehicles that stop and line up in the stop area. Accordingly, it is possible to load/unload luggage smoothly in the stop area.

In the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, luggage information includes at least the type or size of the user's luggage. The storage location of the user's luggage in the stop vehicle is determined based on the type or size of luggage. This can accurately set the stop interval required for loading/unloading luggage depending on the storage location of the luggage.

Further, in the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether the size of the user's luggage is smaller than the first predetermined range. When the luggage size is smaller than the first predetermined range, the storage location of the user's luggage is determined to be in a passenger space of the stop vehicle. Meanwhile, when the luggage size is equal to or larger than the first predetermined range, the storage location of the user's luggage is determined to be in the trunk of the stop vehicle. This can accurately determine whether the storage location of the luggage is in the passenger space or in the trunk based on the first predetermined range set in advance.

Further, in the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the necessary stop interval is set to the minimum stop interval in a case where the storage location of the user's luggage is determined to be in the passenger space of the stop vehicle. This eliminates the necessity of increasing the stop interval for loading/unloading luggage, when the storage location of the luggage is on a seat. Therefore, the necessary stop interval is set to the minimum interval, and the stopping space can be effectively used.

Further, in the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether the size of the user's luggage is smaller than the second predetermined range that is larger than the first predetermined range in a case where the storage location of the luggage is determined to be in the trunk of the stop vehicle. When the size of the user's luggage is smaller than the second predetermined range, the necessary stop interval is set to a first stop interval that is longer than the minimum stop interval. When the size of the user's luggage is equal to or larger than the second predetermined range, the necessary stop interval is set to a second stop interval that is longer than the first stop interval. This increases the necessary stop interval according to the increase in the size of luggage. Accordingly, even if the user's luggage is large in size, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the stop interval required for loading/unloading luggage.

Further, in the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, when the controller detects that loading/unloading of the user's luggage from the stop vehicle has been completed, the necessary stop interval is set to the minimum stop interval. Therefore, after the completion of loading/unloading of luggage, the necessary stop interval is set to the minimum interval to effectively use the stopping space.

Further, in the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, luggage information is acquired from a user terminal of the user. This allows the easy acquisition of the amount of luggage possessed by the user.

Further, in the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, a user image obtained by capturing an image of the user is acquired, and the acquired user image is analyzed to acquire luggage information. This eliminates the necessity for the user to input luggage information. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be enhanced.

Further, in the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, an adjacent vehicle is detected after the stop vehicle stops in the stop area, and the necessary stop interval is transmitted. This detects, as an adjacent vehicle, the vehicle closest to the stop area when the stop vehicle stops in the stop area. Accordingly, an adjacent vehicle can be accurately detected.

Further, in the stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, an adjacent vehicle is detected before the stop vehicle stops in the stop area, and the necessary stop interval is transmitted. This can specify an adjacent vehicle at an early stage. Therefore, the stopping space required in the stop area can be reliably ensured.

Further, the stop position control device <NUM> according to the present embodiment acquires, from the stop position control system, vehicle information on the stop vehicle and the necessary stop interval required for loading/unloading the user's luggage from the stop vehicle in the stop area. The stop vehicle is detected based on the vehicle information when an adjacent vehicle arrives at the stop area. The adjacent vehicle is stopped adjacent to the detected stop vehicle such that the stop interval to the stop vehicle becomes the necessary stop interval. This can sufficiently ensure the stop interval required for loading/unloading the user's luggage from the vehicle between vehicles that stop and line up in the stop area. Therefore, it is possible to load/unload luggage smoothly in the stop area.

A second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stop position control system according to the present embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, a stop position control system <NUM> according to the present embodiment differs from that in the first embodiment in that a stop position control device <NUM> is mounted on a stop vehicle <NUM>. Therefore, while in the first embodiment, the server <NUM> performs the process for controlling a stop position, in the present embodiment, the controller <NUM> of the stop position control device <NUM> performs a process for controlling a stop position.

The controller <NUM> includes an information acquisition unit <NUM> and a stop interval setting unit <NUM>. However, a detailed description of the units will be omitted because the configurations of the units are the same as those of the information acquisition unit <NUM> and the stop interval setting unit <NUM> of the first embodiment shown in <FIG>. Further, the controller <NUM> may communicate with the user terminal <NUM> and the adjacent vehicle <NUM> directly or via the server <NUM>. Particularly, the controller <NUM> may transmit the set necessary stop interval to the adjacent vehicle <NUM> via the server <NUM>.

Next, a stop position control method performed by the stop position control device <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described. A process for controlling a stop position performed by the stop position control device <NUM> according to the present embodiment is the same as the process for controlling a stop position according to the first embodiment shown in <FIG>. However, while in the first embodiment, the server <NUM> performs the process for controlling a stop position, in the present embodiment, the controller <NUM> performs the process for controlling a stop position. Therefore, in the description of the process for controlling a stop position, it is necessary to replace the server <NUM> with the controller <NUM>.

Next, a stop position control method performed by a stop position control device <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described. The process for controlling a stop position performed by the stop position control device <NUM> according to the present embodiment is the same as the process for controlling a stop position according to the first embodiment shown in <FIG>.

As described above in detail, the stop position control device <NUM> according to the present embodiment acquires vehicle information on a stop vehicle and luggage information on luggage possessed by a user who is using the stop vehicle. The necessary stop interval required for loading/unloading the user's luggage from the stop vehicle in a stop area is set based on the vehicle information and the luggage information. The necessary stop interval is transmitted to an adjacent vehicle that is to stop adjacent to the stop vehicle. This can sufficiently ensure the stop interval required for loading/unloading the user's luggage from the vehicle between vehicles that stop and line up in the stop area. Therefore, it is possible to load/unload luggage smoothly in the stop area.

Further, the stop position control device <NUM> according to the present embodiment transmits the necessary stop interval to the adjacent vehicle via a server in a stop position control system. This can reliably transmit the necessary stop interval to the adjacent vehicle via the server.

Claim 1:
A stop position control system (<NUM>) comprising:
a controller (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to control a stop position of a stop vehicle (<NUM>) that is to stop in a stop area, wherein
the controller (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to:
acquire vehicle information on the stop vehicle (<NUM>),
acquire luggage information on luggage possessed by a user who is using the stop vehicle (<NUM>),
set, based on the vehicle information and the luggage information, a necessary stop interval required for loading/unloading the luggage of the user from the stop vehicle (<NUM>) in the stop area,
transmit the necessary stop interval to an adjacent vehicle (<NUM>), the adjacent vehicle (<NUM>) being a stop vehicle other than the stop vehicle (<NUM>) and stopping adjacent to the stop vehicle (<NUM>), and
set the necessary stop interval to the minimum stop interval when detecting that loading/unloading of the luggage of the user from the stop vehicle (<NUM>) is completed.