Control device, vehicle, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a control device, a vehicle, a non-temporary computer-readable medium, and a control method for performing operations requested by a user on behalf of the user to improve the convenience for the user. The control device (1) is connected to a vehicle (2) and a user terminal (3) in a communicative manner, and the control device (1) includes a control unit, which responds to a service request from the user terminal (3) to at least determine the service content, the time of provision, and the place of provision, and identifies a vehicle (2) that can perform the service content, and causes the vehicle (2) to perform the service content in the vehicle (2) before the time of provision, and causes the vehicle (2) to move to the place of provision before the time of provision.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, a vehicle, a program and a control method. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for dispatching a vehicle having an indoor space that can be used for private use by a user as needed (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior Art Literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-075047 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] Patent Document 1 above assumes that a user gets on a vehicle that has already arrived and uses the space for work. The vehicle cannot perform work on behalf of the user.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control device, a vehicle, a program, and a control method that can perform a task requested by a user on behalf of the user and thus improve the convenience for the user.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] A control device involved in one embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a vehicle and a user terminal in a communicative manner, wherein the control device includes a control unit, which performs the following processing, namely: in response to a service request from the user terminal, at least the service content, the provision time and the provision location are judged, a vehicle that can execute the service content is identified, the vehicle is caused to execute the service content in the vehicle before the provision time, and the vehicle is moved to the provision location before the provision time.

[0011] A program involved in one embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer as a control device to execute the following processing, wherein the computer is connected to a vehicle and a user terminal in a manner capable of communicating, and the processing is: in response to a service request from the user terminal, at least the service content, the provision time and the provision location are judged, a vehicle capable of executing the service content is identified, the vehicle is caused to execute the service content in the vehicle before the provision time, and the vehicle is moved to the provision location before the provision time.

[0012] A control method involved in one embodiment of the present disclosure is a control method implemented by a control device connected to a vehicle and a user terminal in a communicative manner, and includes the following processing, namely: in response to a service request from the user terminal, at least the service content, the provision time and the provision place are judged, a vehicle that can execute the service content is identified, the vehicle is caused to execute the service content in the vehicle before the provision time, and the vehicle is moved to the provision place before the provision time.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to a control device, a vehicle, a program, and a control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to perform a task requested by a user on behalf of the user, thereby improving the convenience for the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an information processing system.

[0016] Figure 2 A block diagram showing the structure of a control device.

[0017] Figure 3 A block diagram showing the structure of a vehicle.

[0018] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a user terminal.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the data structure of the request DB (database).

[0020] Figure 6 A diagram showing the data structure of a vehicle DB.

[0021] Figure 7 A diagram showing the interior of a vehicle.

[0022] Figure 8 It is a flowchart which shows the operation|movement of a control apparatus.

[0023] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing the data structure of the trip DB. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Figure 1 : is a schematic diagram of the information processing system S of this embodiment. The information processing system S includes a control device 1, a vehicle 2, and a user terminal 3 connected together in a manner that allows mutual communication. Figure 1In the figure, for the sake of convenience, each figure shows one control device 1, vehicle 2, and user terminal 3. However, the number of control devices 1, vehicles 2, and user terminals 3 is not limited to this. The control device 1, vehicle 2, and user terminal 3 are connected together via a network NW including a mobile communication network and the Internet, for example.

[0025] The control device 1 may be a server that assists in providing vehicle allocation services implemented by an operator. The control device 1 may be set, for example, in a facility dedicated to a vehicle allocation operator or in a shared facility including a data center. The control device 1 may send instructions to the vehicle 2 to control the vehicle 2. As an alternative, the control device 1 may be mounted on the vehicle 2.

[0026] Vehicle 2 includes, for example, any type of car such as a gasoline car, a diesel car, an HV, a PHV, an EV, or an FCV. "HV" is an abbreviation for Hybrid Vehicle. "PHV" is an abbreviation for Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle. "EV" is an abbreviation for Electric Vehicle. "FCV" is an abbreviation for Fuel Cell Vehicle. Although in the present embodiment, the driving of vehicle 2 is automated at any level, in other embodiments, it can also be driven by a driver. The level of automation is, for example, any one of level 1 to level 5 under the SAE classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for the Society of Automotive Engineers. Vehicle 2 can also be a MaaS dedicated vehicle. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0027] The user terminal 3 is a terminal held by the user. The user terminal 3 may be, for example, a mobile device including a mobile phone, a smart phone or a tablet computer.

[0028] An overview of the processing performed by the control device 1 of the present embodiment is described. In the present embodiment, as an example, a scenario is described in which a user who is on the move realizes that he has forgotten an item such as a document, and thus requests a vehicle 2 to print and deliver the document. Specifically, the control device 1 responds to the service request from the user terminal 3 and determines at least the service content, the time of provision, and the place of provision. The control device 1 identifies the vehicle 2 that can perform the service content and causes the vehicle 2 to perform the service content in the vehicle 2 before the time of provision. Furthermore, the control device 1 moves the vehicle 2 to the place of provision before the time of provision. Through this structure, since the control device 1 can cause the vehicle 2 to perform the service content requested by the user instead of the user, the user's work burden or movement burden can be reduced, thereby improving convenience.

[0029] Reference Figure 2 The internal structure of the control device 1 will be described in detail.

[0030] The control device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The components of the control device 1 are connected to each other via, for example, a dedicated line so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0031] The control unit 11 includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated processors specialized for a specific process. The control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated circuits instead of a processor. The dedicated circuit may be, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0032] The communication unit 12 includes one or more communication modules corresponding to the wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard for connecting to the network NW. The communication unit 12 may include modules corresponding to one or more mobile communication standards including 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 12 may include communication modules corresponding to one or more short-range communication standards or specifications including Bluetooth (registered trademark), AirDrop (registered trademark), IrDA, ZigBee (registered trademark), Felica (registered trademark), or RFID. The communication unit 12 sends and receives arbitrary information via the network NW. Arbitrary information includes, for example, location information obtained using GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0033] The storage unit 13 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, but is not limited thereto. The storage unit 13 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a super-high-speed cache memory. The storage unit 13 can store information of results analyzed or processed by the control unit 11. The storage unit 13 can store various information related to the action or control of the control device 1. The storage unit 13 can store system programs, application programs, and embedded software. The storage unit 13 includes a request DB, a trip DB, and a vehicle DB. As an alternative, the request DB, the trip DB, and the vehicle DB can be stored in a storage device external to the control device 1 and accessed from the control device 1.

[0034] Reference Figure 3 The internal structure of the vehicle 2 will be described in detail.

[0035] The vehicle 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, a display unit 24, and a printer 25. The components of the vehicle 2 are connected to each other via, for example, a dedicated line so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0036] The hardware configuration of the control unit 21, the communication unit 22, and the storage unit 23 in this embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the control unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the storage unit 13 of the control device 1. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

[0037] The display unit 24 is a display interface and includes, for example, a panel display. The display unit 24 can display information read from the storage unit 23 or information generated by the control unit 21 .

[0038] The printer 25 is a device for printing. The printer 25 can print symbols or characters, etc. two-dimensionally on paper. As an alternative example, the printer 25 can be a so-called 3D printer that models a solid object three-dimensionally.

[0039] Reference Figure 4 The internal structure of the user terminal 3 is described in detail.

[0040] The user terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a storage unit 33, a display unit 34, and an input unit 35. The components of the user terminal 3 are connected to each other via, for example, a dedicated line so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0041] The hardware configuration of the control unit 31 , the communication unit 32 , the storage unit 33 , and the display unit 34 is the same as that of the control unit 21 , the communication unit 22 , the storage unit 23 , and the display unit 24 of the vehicle 2 . Therefore, the description here is omitted.

[0042] The input unit 35 detects user input and includes an input interface for transmitting input information to the control unit 31. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, an electrostatic capacitance key, a touch screen integrated with a panel display, a microphone for receiving voice input, or an IC card reader, but is not limited thereto.

[0043] The following describes in detail the processing executed by the information processing system S of the present embodiment. Here, as an example, a case where a user realizes that he has left a document or the like behind while moving to an office will be described.

[0044] In order to obtain printing and delivery of documents, the user operates the user terminal 3 to input service information. The service information includes information on service content, provision time, and provision location. The service content is the content of the service desired by the user. The provision time is the time when the service is provided. The provision location is the place where the service is provided. When the user terminal 3 receives the input of the service information, it sends a service request including the service information to the control device 1.

[0045] When the control device 1 receives a service request, it will Figure 5 The service information is stored in the request DB of the storage unit 13 as shown. Here, the service content is the printing of the document. The provision time is 9:00 on April 1st. The provision location is the office. That is, it is requested to print the document in the vehicle 2 and to deliver the document to the office before 9:00 on April 1st. The control device 1 determines the contents of the service information based on the request DB.

[0046] The control device 1 identifies the vehicle 2 that can execute the determined service content. Figure 6The vehicle DB shown in the figure is used to identify the vehicle that can execute the printing of the file. In the vehicle DB, executable service contents are stored in a corresponding manner for one or more vehicles. Here, the vehicle with vehicle ID V01 is identified as vehicle 2 that can execute the "printing of the file" as the service content input through the user terminal 3.

[0047] The control device 1 causes the vehicle 2 to execute the service content in the vehicle 2 before the provision time. Figure 7 As shown, the vehicle 2 includes a printer 25. The vehicle 2 receives document data from a user using an arbitrary method, and uses the printer 25 to print the document.

[0048] Then, the control device 1 moves the vehicle 2 to the provision location before the provision time.

[0049] The vehicle 2 arrives at the provision location together with the printed document before the provision time. The vehicle 2 notifies the user of the arrival together with the printed document by voice or by using the screen display on the display unit 24. As an alternative, the control device 1 may notify the user terminal 3 of the arrival of the vehicle 2 together with the printed document. The user receives the document from the vehicle 2. Thus, the user can obtain the document without having to return to retrieve the document as a forgotten item.

[0050] Reference Figure 8 A control method implemented by the control device 1 will be described.

[0051] In step S1, the control device 1 receives a service request from the user terminal 3. As an example, the service request may at least include information on service content, provision time, and provision location.

[0052] In step S2, the control device 1 determines the service content, provision time and provision location according to the service request.

[0053] In step S3 , the control device 1 identifies the vehicle 2 that can execute the service content.

[0054] In step S4 , the control device 1 causes the vehicle 2 to execute the service content in the vehicle 2 before the provision time.

[0055] In step S5, the control device 1 moves the vehicle 2 to the provision location before the provision time. The order of step S4 and step S5 may be reversed.

[0056] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control device 1 identifies the vehicle 2 that can perform the service content, and causes the vehicle 2 to perform the service content in the vehicle 2 before the provision time. Furthermore, the control device 1 causes the vehicle 2 to move to the provision location before the provision time. With this structure, the control device 1 can cause the vehicle 2 to perform the service content requested by the user instead of the user. Therefore, the control device 1 can reduce the user's workload while reducing the burden of movement caused by returning to pick up forgotten items, etc., thereby improving convenience.

[0057] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the service content includes making an item corresponding to the user's destination in the vehicle 2. With this configuration, the control device 1 can estimate the item required by the user and make it, thereby further reducing the user's work burden and travel burden.

[0058] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the service content includes making items corresponding to the user's destination and needs in the vehicle 2. With this structure, since the control device 1 can more accurately infer the items required by the user and make them, the user's work burden and travel burden can be reduced.

[0059] According to the present embodiment, the vehicle 2 includes a 3D printer. The control device 1 causes the vehicle 2 to execute the service content using the 3D printer. With this configuration, the control device 1 can create a three-dimensional object, thereby further reducing the user's workload and movement burden.

[0060] Although the present disclosure is described based on various figures and embodiments, please note that a person skilled in the art can implement various modifications and variations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, please note that these modifications and variations are included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each unit or step can be reconfigured in a logically consistent manner, and multiple units or steps can be combined into one, or divided.

[0061] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the program for executing all or part of the functions or processes of the control device 1 can be pre-recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes a non-temporary computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, an optical magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The circulation of the program is implemented, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) on which the program is recorded. In addition, the circulation of the program can also be implemented by storing the program in the memory of any server in advance and sending the program from any server to other computers. In addition, the program can also be provided as a program product. The present disclosure can also be implemented as a program executable by a processor.

[0062] In the above example, the user terminal 3 sends a service request including information about the service content, the time of provision, and the place of provision to the control device 1. The control device 1 determines the service content, the time of provision, and the place of provision based on the service information. However, as an alternative, the user terminal 3 sends a service request that does not include information about the service content, the time of provision, and the place of provision to the control device 1. When the control device 1 receives the service request, it retrieves the itinerary DB (refer to Fig. 9 ) reads the information of the destination, demand and time period stored in a manner corresponding to the user ID. The destination is the place visited by the user. The demand is the operation that the user needs to perform at the destination. The time period is the time period during which the user stays at the destination. The control device 1 can judge the service content, provision time and provision place based on the information read from the trip DB.

[0063] For example, as a first alternative example, the control device 1 recognizes that the destination of the user U01 is a beach. The control device 1 uses machine learning, etc., and infers that the object corresponding to the destination is sunglasses based on the recognition result. As an alternative example, the control device 1 can refer to a storage device that stores the destination and the object in a corresponding relationship to determine the object.

[0064] When the control device 1 infers that the item corresponding to the destination is sunglasses, it is determined that the service content is the production of sunglasses. The printer 25 can be a 3D printer. The vehicle 2 uses a 3D printer to produce sunglasses. Any manufacturing device can be used instead of the 3D printer. When the control device 1 recognizes that the time period is 10:00-15:00 on May 1, it is determined that the provision time is 10:00 on May 1. When the control device 1 recognizes that the destination is a beach, it is determined that the provision location is a beach. Since the subsequent processing is the same as the above example, the description here is omitted.

[0065] As a second alternative, the control device 1 is directed to Fig. 9 The user U02 shown recognizes that the destination is a manufacturing facility and the demand is repair. The control device 1 infers that the item corresponding to the destination is a specific component used in the manufacturing facility based on the recognition result and using machine learning, etc. When the control device 1 infers that the item corresponding to the destination is a specific component, it is determined that the service content is the production of a specific component. The method for determining the time and place of provision in the second alternative example is the same as the first method described above. Therefore, the description here is omitted. Vehicle 2 uses a 3D printer to produce components. Since the subsequent processing is the same as the above example, the description here is omitted.

[0066] Explanation of symbols

[0067] S…Information processing system;

[0068] NW…Network;

[0069] 1…control device;

[0070] 11…Control Department;

[0071] 12…Ministry of Communications;

[0072] 13… storage unit;

[0073] 2…Vehicles;

[0074] 21…Control Department;

[0075] 22…Ministry of Communications;

[0076] 23… storage unit;

[0077] 24…display unit;

[0078] 25…Printer;

[0079] 3…User terminal;

[0080] 31…Control Department;

[0081] 32…Ministry of Communications;

[0082] 33… storage unit;

[0083] 34…display unit;

[0084] 35…Input unit.

Claims

1. A control device connected to a vehicle and a user terminal in a communicable manner, wherein: The control device includes a control unit, and the control unit performs the following processing, namely: In response to a service request from the user terminal, at least the service content, provision time and provision location are determined, Identify vehicles that can perform the service. causing the vehicle to execute the service content in the vehicle before the provision time, and moving the vehicle to the provision location before the provision time, Determining at least the service content, the provision time, and the provision location in response to the service request includes the following processing, namely: In response to the service request, referring to the itinerary stored in a manner associated with a user of the user terminal, reading information of a destination stored in a manner corresponding to the user and a time period of stay at the destination; From the information of the destination, judging the item according to the correspondence between the destination and the item corresponding to the destination; Infer the content of the service based on the items; Calculating the provision time according to the period of time that the user stays at the destination; It is determined that the providing place is the destination of the user.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The service content includes making an item corresponding to the destination of the user in the vehicle.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein: The destination includes a beach and the items include sunglasses.

4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The service content includes making items corresponding to the destination and needs of the user in the vehicle.

5. The control device according to claim 4, wherein: The destination comprises a manufacturing facility, the need comprises a repair, and the item comprises a specific part utilized in the manufacturing facility.

6. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The vehicle includes a 3D printer, The control unit causes the vehicle to execute the service content using the 3D printer.

7. A vehicle, wherein: A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is mounted.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer as a control device to execute the following processing, the computer being communicatively connected to a vehicle and a user terminal, the processing being: In response to a service request from the user terminal, at least the service content, provision time and provision location are determined, Identify vehicles that can perform the service. causing the vehicle to execute the service content in the vehicle before the provision time, and moving the vehicle to the provision location before the provision time, Determining at least the service content, the provision time, and the provision location in response to the service request includes the following processing, namely: In response to the service request, referring to the itinerary stored in a manner associated with a user of the user terminal, reading information of a destination stored in a manner corresponding to the user and a time period of stay at the destination; From the information of the destination, judging the item according to the correspondence between the destination and the item corresponding to the destination; Infer the content of the service based on the items; Calculating the provision time according to the period of time that the user stays at the destination; It is determined that the providing place is the destination of the user.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein: The service content includes making an item corresponding to the destination of the user in the vehicle.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein: The destination includes a beach and the items include sunglasses.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein: The service content includes making items corresponding to the destination and needs of the user in the vehicle.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein: The destination comprises a manufacturing facility, the need comprises a repair, and the item comprises a specific part utilized in the manufacturing facility.

13. A control method, which is implemented by a control device connected to a vehicle and a user terminal in a communicable manner, and includes the following processing, namely: In response to a service request from the user terminal, at least the service content, provision time and provision location are determined, Identify vehicles that can perform the service. causing the vehicle to execute the service content in the vehicle before the provision time, and moving the vehicle to the provision location before the provision time, Determining at least the service content, the provision time, and the provision location in response to the service request includes the following processing, namely: In response to the service request, referring to the itinerary stored in a manner associated with a user of the user terminal, reading information of a destination stored in a manner corresponding to the user and a time period of stay at the destination; From the information of the destination, judging the item according to the correspondence between the destination and the item corresponding to the destination; Infer the content of the service based on the items; Calculating the provision time according to the period of time that the user stays at the destination; It is determined that the providing place is the destination of the user.

14. The control method according to claim 13, wherein: The service content includes making an item corresponding to the destination of the user in the vehicle.

15. The control method according to claim 14, wherein: The destination includes a beach and the items include sunglasses.

16. The control method according to claim 13, wherein: The service content includes making items corresponding to the destination and needs of the user in the vehicle.

17. The control method according to claim 16, wherein: The destination comprises a manufacturing facility, the need comprises a repair, and the item comprises a specific part utilized in the manufacturing facility.

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