Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and non-transitory storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a non-transitory storage medium. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology capable of improving convenience for a user when the user deposits goods in a storage apparatus mounted on a vehicle. In the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure, a control section derives a re-converging place and a re-converging timing at which a vehicle and a user can re-converge, based on a travel scheduled route of the vehicle on which a storage apparatus storing goods of the user is mounted, and position information of the user. Further, the control section suggests the re-converging place and the re-converging timing to the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a technology for a user to utilize a storage device mounted on a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a management system for managing autonomous vehicles equipped with lockers. In the management system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a server manages the utilization status of autonomous lockers (lockers installed on autonomous vehicles) and fixed lockers. Furthermore, when there is a locker utilization request from a user, the server will, based on the utilization status, reserve either an autonomous locker or a fixed locker.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-096201 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a technology that can improve the convenience for users when storing goods in a storage device mounted on a vehicle.

[0008] Methods for solving problems

[0009] The information processing apparatus disclosed herein includes a control unit that performs the following processing:

[0010] Based on the predetermined route of the vehicle equipped with a storage device for storing the user's goods and the user's location information, the rendezvous point and rendezvous time where the vehicle and the user can reunite are derived.

[0011] The system suggests the rendezvous point and rendezvous time to the user.

[0012] The information processing methods disclosed herein include the following:

[0013] Based on the predetermined route of the vehicle equipped with a storage device for storing the user's goods and the user's location information, the rendezvous point and rendezvous time where the vehicle and the user can reunite are derived.

[0014] The system suggests the rendezvous point and rendezvous time to the user.

[0015] The non-transitory storage medium involved in this disclosure is a non-transitory storage medium storing a program for controlling a user terminal held by a user, wherein...

[0016] The user is the one who stores the goods in the storage device mounted on the vehicle.

[0017] The program causes the user terminal to perform the following processing:

[0018] The user's location information is sent to the information processing device that manages the movement of the vehicle;

[0019] The information processing device receives, based on the vehicle's predetermined driving route and the user's location information, a rendezvous point and a rendezvous time at which the vehicle and the user can reunite.

[0020] Invention Effects

[0021] According to this disclosure, a technology can be provided that improves the convenience for users when storing goods in a storage device mounted on a vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the general structure of the vehicle management system according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 This diagram is used to illustrate vehicles managed by a vehicle management system.

[0024] Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating an example of the functional structure of the management server and user terminals.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a table structure for user information according to the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a sequence diagram illustrating the information processing flow in the vehicle management system according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a table structure for user information involved in the second embodiment.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a sequence diagram illustrating the information processing flow in the vehicle management system according to the second embodiment.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a table structure for user information as described in the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The storage device disclosed herein is a device for users to deposit goods. The storage device is mounted on a vehicle. Therefore, a scenario is envisioned where, after a user deposits goods into the storage device at a certain location, the vehicle carrying the storage device moves from that location. In this case, if the user wants to receive the goods deposited in the storage device, or if the user wants to deposit additional goods into the storage device, it will be necessary for the user and the vehicle carrying the storage device to rejoin each other.

[0031] Therefore, in the information processing apparatus disclosed herein, the control unit outputs a rendezvous point and rendezvous time where the vehicle equipped with the storage device containing the user's goods and the user can reunite. At this time, the control unit outputs the rendezvous point and rendezvous time based on the vehicle's predetermined driving route and the user's location information.

[0032] For example, when a user is near the vehicle's predetermined route, the user can easily move onto the predetermined route. Furthermore, if the user is present at a location on the predetermined route when the vehicle arrives, the vehicle and user can rejoin at that location. Additionally, when a user is near the predetermined route, the vehicle can easily move from the predetermined route to the user's location. Therefore, the control unit can also specify locations on the predetermined route, or locations within a predetermined range from the predetermined route, as rejoining points where the vehicle and user can rejoin. Furthermore, the control unit can also specify the timing of the vehicle arriving at the specified rejoining point as the rejoining time for the vehicle and user to rejoin.

[0033] Furthermore, the control unit suggests the derived rendezvous point and rendezvous time to the user. Thus, the user can know the rendezvous point and rendezvous time with the vehicle equipped with the storage device containing the user's goods. Therefore, according to this disclosure, even if the user does not manually set the rendezvous point and rendezvous time for the vehicle equipped with the storage device and themselves, they can still rendezvous with the vehicle at the rendezvous point and rendezvous time suggested by the information processing device. Therefore, the convenience for users when storing goods in the storage device mounted on the vehicle can be improved.

[0034] The following description of specific embodiments of this disclosure will be based on the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the structural components described in this disclosure are not intended to limit the technical scope of this disclosure to these specific cases.

[0035] <First Implementation>

[0036] (System Overview)

[0037] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the general structure of the vehicle management system according to this embodiment. Vehicle management system 1 is a system for managing vehicles equipped with storage lockers. Figure 2 This is a diagram used to illustrate the vehicles managed by the vehicle management system 1.

[0038] The vehicle management system 1 is configured to include a management server 100, a user terminal 200, and a vehicle 400. In the vehicle management system 1, the management server 100, the user terminal 200, and the vehicle 400 are interconnected via a network N1. The network N1 can be, for example, a global public communication network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone.

[0039] The vehicle 400 is equipped with a locker 300 for storing user goods (hereinafter referred to as "user goods"). The locker 300 has multiple compartments 30 for storing user goods. Each compartment 30 of the locker 300 is configured to be lockable and unlockable. In addition, in this embodiment, the locker 300 is equivalent to the "storage device" involved in this disclosure.

[0040] Furthermore, the vehicle 400 equipped with the storage locker 300 is a vehicle capable of autonomous driving. However, the vehicle 400 does not necessarily need to be a driverless vehicle. For example, security personnel may also be riding in the vehicle 400. Additionally, the vehicle 400 does not necessarily have to be a fully autonomous vehicle. For example, the vehicle 400 may also be a vehicle that requires human driving or driver assistance depending on the situation.

[0041] The vehicle 400 travels autonomously along a designated route. However, when a user utilizes the storage locker 300 mounted on the vehicle 400, the vehicle 400 can travel autonomously until it reaches the location where the user wishes to store or retrieve their goods.

[0042] Management server 100 is a server device that manages the operation of multiple vehicles 400. Management server 100 manages the operation of multiple vehicles 400 that are traveling on different routes. However, in Figure 1 For convenience, only one vehicle, 400, is shown in the illustration.

[0043] The management server 100 is configured as a computer including a processor 101, a main storage unit 102, a secondary storage unit 103, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 104. Here, the processor 101 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The main storage unit 102 is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The secondary storage unit 103 is, for example, ROM (Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or flash memory. Furthermore, the secondary storage unit 103 may also include a removable medium (removable recording medium). Here, the removable medium is, for example, a disc recording medium such as a USB memory, SD card, CD-ROM, DVD disk, or Blu-ray disc. The communication I / F 104 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.

[0044] The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores the operating system (OS), various programs, and various information tables. Furthermore, the processor 101 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes them, thereby achieving control, as described later, for reuniting the user who has stored their goods in the locker 300 with the vehicle 400 equipped with the locker 300. However, some or all of the functions of the management server 100 can also be implemented using hardware circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). Additionally, the management server 100 does not necessarily need to be implemented using a single physical structure; it can also be composed of multiple cooperating computers. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the management server 100 is equivalent to the "information processing device" disclosed herein.

[0045] User terminal 200 is a terminal used by a user who stores their goods in locker 300. User terminal 200 is configured as a computer including a processor 201, main storage unit 202, secondary storage unit 203, and communication interface (communication I / F) 204. Here, as specific examples of processor 201, main storage unit 202, and secondary storage unit 203, devices identical to those described above in the computer constituting management server 100 can be used. Furthermore, communication I / F 204 is, for example, an interface for communicating with other devices, including management server 100, via network N1 using mobile communication services such as 3G (3rd Generation) or LTE (Long Term Evolution). Examples of user terminal 200 include smartphones, tablets, portable computers, or wearable computers.

[0046] Here, we envision a scenario where, at a certain location, after a user has deposited their goods into a locker 300, the vehicle 400 carrying the locker 300 moves from that location. Therefore, if the user wants to retrieve their goods from the locker 300, the user and vehicle 400 need to rejoin the locker. Additionally, there might be a situation where a user wishes to deposit additional goods into the locker 300. In this case, the user and vehicle 400 also need to rejoin the locker.

[0047] Therefore, in the vehicle management system 1 of this embodiment, the management server 100 will suggest a rendezvous point and a rendezvous time for the user and vehicle 400 to reunite. Thus, even if the user does not pre-set the rendezvous point and rendezvous time for the vehicle 400 and himself, he can still reunite with the vehicle 400 at the rendezvous point and rendezvous time suggested by the management server 100.

[0048] (Functional Structure)

[0049] Next, the functional structures of the management server 100 and user terminal 200 constituting the vehicle management system 1 will be discussed based on... Figure 3 Let me explain. Figure 3 This is a block diagram that provides a summary representation of an example of the functional structure of the management server 100 and the user terminal 200.

[0050] (Management Server)

[0051] The management server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a vehicle information database (vehicle information DB) 130. The communication unit 110 connects the management server 100 to the network N1. The communication unit 110 can be implemented via a communication I / F 104. The control unit 120 performs arithmetic processing for controlling the management server 100. The control unit 120 can be implemented via a processor 101.

[0052] The control unit 120 performs the process of receiving user information from the user terminal 200 using the communication unit 110. Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a table structure for user information sent from user terminal 200 to management server 100 according to this embodiment.

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, the user information includes a user ID field, a location information field, and a vehicle ID field. The user ID field contains the user ID, which serves as identification information for specifically designating the user. The location information field contains location information indicating the current location of the user terminal 200, i.e., the user's current location.

[0054] The Vehicle ID field contains a vehicle ID, which is used to specifically identify the vehicle 400 that carries the locker 300 where the user has stored their goods. Additionally, the user terminal 200 can receive the vehicle ID of the vehicle 400 carrying the locker 300 from either the locker 300 or the vehicle 400 when the user stores their goods in the locker 300. Furthermore, the user terminal 200 can input the vehicle ID received from the locker 300 or the vehicle 400 into the Vehicle ID field of the user information. Moreover, after the user stores their goods in the locker 300, the user information is repeatedly sent from the user terminal 200 to the management server 100 at predetermined intervals. Therefore, the management server 100 can determine the user's current location based on the location information contained in the user information.

[0055] The vehicle information DB130 stores the planned routes (i.e., the prescribed tour routes) for each vehicle 400 equipped with storage lockers 300. Additionally, the vehicle information DB130 is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 120 includes, as a functional unit, an export unit 1201, a suggestion unit 1202, and a generation unit 1203. The export unit 1201 has the function of exporting the vehicle 400 equipped with the locker 300 containing the user's goods, the rendezvous point where the user can rejoin, and the rendezvous time. Specifically, the export unit 1201 obtains the user's location information contained in the user information received from the user terminal 200. Furthermore, the export unit 1201 specifically designates the vehicle 400 equipped with the locker 300 containing the user's goods based on the vehicle ID contained in the user information received from the user terminal 200. Further, the export unit 1201 extracts the predetermined driving route of the specially designated vehicle 400 from the vehicle information DB130. And, the export unit 1201 performs the process of exporting the rendezvous point where the vehicle 400 and the user can rejoin, and the rendezvous time, based on the user's location information and the predetermined driving route of the vehicle 400.

[0057] The suggestion unit 1202 has the function of suggesting to the user the vehicle 400 and a rendezvous point and rendezvous time where the user can rejoin. Specifically, the suggestion unit 1202 performs the process of sending the rendezvous point and rendezvous time exported by the export unit 1201 to the user terminal 200 using the communication unit 110.

[0058] The generation unit 1203 has the function of generating a travel plan for vehicle 400 to rendezvous with the user at a rendezvous point and time specified by the user. Specifically, it generates a travel plan such that vehicle 400 arrives at the user's desired rendezvous point at or before the user's desired rendezvous time. Furthermore, the control unit 120 performs processing to send the travel plan generated by the generation unit 1203 to vehicle 400 using the communication unit 110. When vehicle 400 receives the travel plan from the management server 100, it autonomously travels according to the received travel plan.

[0059] (User terminal)

[0060] User terminal 200 includes a communication unit 210, a control unit 220, and an input / output unit 230. The communication unit 210 connects the user terminal 200 to the network N1. The communication unit 210 can be implemented via a communication I / F 204. The control unit 220 performs arithmetic processing for controlling the user terminal 200. The control unit 220 can be implemented via a processor 201.

[0061] The input / output unit 230 has the function of accepting input operations performed by the user and providing prompts to the user. For example, the input / output unit 230 may also be configured to include a touch panel display. In this case, the control unit 220 enables the user to perform input operations on the touch panel display of the input / output unit 230 by activating a specified application.

[0062] (Information processing flow)

[0063] Next, the information processing flow in the vehicle management system 1 involved in this embodiment will be based on... Figure 5 Let me explain. Figure 5 Here, a sequence diagram is shown illustrating the information processing flow in the vehicle management system 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 5 The process of information processing when the user and vehicle 40 are reunited is shown in the vehicle management system 1.

[0064] In the vehicle management system 1 according to this embodiment, user information is repeatedly sent from the user terminal 200 to the management server 100 at predetermined intervals (S101). When the management server 100 receives user information from the user terminal 200, it extracts the planned driving route of the vehicle 400 corresponding to the vehicle ID contained in the user information from the vehicle information DB130 (S102). Next, based on the user's location information contained in the user information and the planned driving route of the vehicle 400, the management server 100 determines whether the user is within a predetermined range from the planned driving route of the vehicle 400 (S103).

[0065] Here, if the user is located close to the predetermined route of vehicle 400, the user can easily move onto the predetermined route of vehicle 400. Furthermore, if the user is present at a location when vehicle 400 arrives at that location on the predetermined route of vehicle 400, then vehicle 400 and the user can rejoin at that location. Additionally, if the user is located close to the predetermined route of vehicle 400, vehicle 400 can also easily move from the predetermined route of vehicle 400 to the location where the user is present. Therefore, a defined range is established as the range within which the user can easily move to the predetermined route of vehicle 400, or the range within which vehicle 400 can easily move from the predetermined route of vehicle 400.

[0066] Then, if it is determined that the user is not within a specified distance from the vehicle 400's planned route (S103: No), the management server 100 goes into standby mode until the next user information is received. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is within a specified distance from the vehicle 400's planned route (S103: Yes), the management server 100 will output the rendezvous point Pre and the rendezvous time Tre where the vehicle 400 and the user can reunite (S104).

[0067] At this time, the management server 100 outputs a location on the predetermined route of the vehicle 400, or a location within a specified distance from the predetermined route of the vehicle 400, as a rendezvous point Pre where the vehicle 400 and the user can reunite. For example, the management server 100 may also output the location on the predetermined route of the vehicle 400 closest to the user's current location as the rendezvous point Pre. Furthermore, the management server 100 may also output the user's current location as the rendezvous point Pre. Additionally, the management server 100 may also output a location existing between the predetermined route of the vehicle 400 and the user's current location (e.g., an intermediate location between the two) as the rendezvous point Pre. Further, the management server 100 may also output the predicted timing of the vehicle 400 arriving at the output rendezvous point as the rendezvous timing Tre where the vehicle 400 and the user can reunite. Moreover, the processing of S102 to S104 can be executed by the output unit 1201 in the control unit 120 of the management server 100.

[0068] Then, the management server 100 sends the exported rendezvous point Pre and rendezvous time Tre to the user terminal 200 (S105). As a result, the user terminal 200 prompts the user with the rendezvous point Pre and rendezvous time Tre via the input / output unit 230. Furthermore, the processing in S105 is executed by the suggestion unit 1202 in the control unit 120 of the management server 100.

[0069] If a user wishes to rejoin vehicle 400 at the rejoining location Pre and rejoining time Tre as prompted on user terminal 200, a request information will be sent from user terminal 200 to management server 100 (S106). The request information at this time is used to request the rejoining of vehicle 400 at the rejoining location Pre and rejoining time Tre.

[0070] When the management server 100 receives the request information from the user terminal 200, it generates a travel plan (S107) for the vehicle 400 to rendezvous with the user at the rendezvous point Pre and the rendezvous time Tre. This travel plan is designed to ensure that the vehicle 400 arrives at the rendezvous point Pre at or before the rendezvous time Tre. Furthermore, the processing in S107 is executed by the generation unit 1203 in the control unit 120 of the management server 100.

[0071] Then, the management server 100 sends the generated driving plan to the vehicle 400 (S108). Upon receiving the driving plan from the management server 100, the vehicle 400 will autonomously drive based on that plan. Therefore, if the user is present at the rendezvous point Pre at the rendezvous time Tre, the user and vehicle 400 can rendezvous. Thus, according to the vehicle management system 1 of this embodiment, even if the user has not pre-set the rendezvous point and rendezvous time for themselves and vehicle 400, they can rendezvous with vehicle 400 at the rendezvous point Pre and rendezvous time Tre. Therefore, the convenience for users when storing goods in the lockers 300 mounted on vehicle 400 can be improved.

[0072] (Modified example)

[0073] Additionally, there are cases where users may not wish to rendezvous with vehicle 400 at the rendezvous point Pre and rendezvous time Tre suggested by management server 100. In such cases, after the rendezvous point Pre and rendezvous time Tre are prompted to the user through input / output unit 230 of user terminal 200, the user will input their desired rendezvous point and rendezvous time into user terminal 200.

[0074] If so, the authorization information for rendezvous with vehicle 400 at the user-specified rendezvous location and time will be sent from user terminal 200 to management server 100. Then, upon receiving the authorization information from user terminal 200, management server 100 will generate a driving plan for vehicle 400 to rendezvous with the user at the user-specified rendezvous location and time. Furthermore, management server 100 will send the generated driving plan to vehicle 400. Thus, the user can rendezvous with vehicle 400 at the user-specified rendezvous location and time.

[0075] <Second Implementation>

[0076] Even in this embodiment, the vehicle management system 1 is configured to include a management server 100, a user terminal 200, and a vehicle 400. Furthermore, even in this embodiment, user information is repeatedly sent from the user terminal 200 to the management server 100 at predetermined intervals. However, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that the user information sent from the user terminal 200 includes the user's biometric information.

[0077] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates an example of a table structure representing user information sent from user terminal 200 to management server 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 6 As shown, in addition to the user ID, location information, and vehicle ID fields, the user information also includes a biometrics field. This biometrics field contains information about the user's physical condition. Examples of biometrics include body temperature, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, and perspiration.

[0078] Furthermore, if the user terminal 200 is a wearable computer, the user terminal 200 itself can also have the function of obtaining biometric information from the user's body. Additionally, if the user terminal 200 is a terminal other than a wearable computer, the user terminal 200 can also have the function of receiving biometric information from a wearable computer worn by the user.

[0079] As a user in this embodiment, one can imagine a runner jogging on a road. In this case, before starting the run, the user stores their change of clothes and other personal belongings in locker 300. The user then deposits their personal belongings in locker 300, which is mounted on a predetermined vehicle 400 traveling near their running route. After finishing the run, the user rejoins the vehicle 400 and retrieves their personal belongings from locker 300.

[0080] In this case, the user sets their own physical condition as a benchmark, representing a similar end time of the run, as a prescribed condition. This prescribed condition can also be set as the value of biological information such as body temperature, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, or perspiration reaching a predetermined threshold. The user then pre-registers the prescribed conditions in the management server 100 via the user terminal 200. However, the prescribed conditions do not necessarily need to be set by the user themselves. The physical condition of an average runner, serving as a benchmark for a similar end time of the run, can also be set as a prescribed condition.

[0081] The management server 100 can grasp the user's physical state during running based on the biometric information contained in the user information received from the user terminal 200. Therefore, when the user's physical state meets the prescribed conditions during running, the management server 100 derives the rendezvous point Pre and the rendezvous time Tre, and sends them to the user terminal 200.

[0082] Figure 7 Hereinafter, a sequence diagram is shown illustrating the information processing flow in the vehicle management system 1 according to this embodiment. The following will describe... Figure 7 The sequence diagram shown is with Figure 5 The differences in the sequence diagram shown will be explained. In this embodiment, Figure 7 The information processing shown is performed during the user's run.

[0083] In this embodiment, as described above, the user information received by the management server 100 from the user terminal 200 in S101 includes the user's biological information. Then, in S103, if the management server 100 determines that the user is within a specified distance from the predetermined driving route of the vehicle 400, it further determines whether the user's physical condition meets the specified conditions based on the biological information included in the user information (S203).

[0084] At this point, if the user's physical condition does not meet the prescribed conditions (S203: No), it can be predicted that the user will temporarily continue running. Therefore, in this case, the management server 100 goes into standby mode until the next user information is received. On the other hand, if the user's physical condition meets the prescribed conditions (S203: Yes), the management server 100 will export the rendezvous point Pre and the rendezvous time Tre (S104). Then, the management server 100 will send the exported rendezvous point Pre and the rendezvous time Tre to the user terminal 200 (S105).

[0085] Therefore, even if the user does not pre-determine the finish line of the run, as long as the user's physical condition meets the specified conditions, the user can receive suggestions for a rendezvous point Pre and a rendezvous time Tre for rejoining vehicle 400. The user can then run to reach the rendezvous point Pre before the rendezvous time Tre, thereby rejoining vehicle 400.

[0086] Furthermore, even in this embodiment, variations of the first embodiment described above can be applied. In this case, if the user does not wish to end the run at the rendezvous point Pre and rendezvous time Tre suggested by the management server 100, they can specify a different rendezvous point and rendezvous time.

[0087] <Third Implementation Method>

[0088] Even in this embodiment, the vehicle management system 1 is configured to include a management server 100, two user terminals 200, and a vehicle 400. Furthermore, even in this embodiment, user information is repeatedly sent from the user terminal 200 to the management server 100 at predetermined intervals. However, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that the user information sent from the user terminal 200 includes purchase information related to the purchase of items by the user after the user has stored their goods in the locker 300.

[0089] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates an example of a table structure representing user information sent from user terminal 200 to management server 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 8 As shown, in addition to the user ID, location information, and vehicle ID fields, the user information also includes a purchase information field. This purchase information field contains the information the user has purchased. This purchase information can include details such as the category of the item purchased.

[0090] Additionally, the user terminal 200 can also obtain purchase information when the user performs the settlement process for purchasing items using the user terminal 200. Furthermore, in the case of multiple purchases by the user, the user terminal 200 will append the purchase information to the purchase information field of the user information each time the user makes a purchase.

[0091] If a user purchases items after depositing their goods in locker 300, the number of goods held by the user will increase. Therefore, there may be users who wish to add purchased items to locker 300 as additional items. In this case, the user sets conditions based on their wish to add goods to locker 300. These conditions can be set as the quantity or type of items purchased by the user. The user then registers these conditions in advance with management server 100 via user terminal 200.

[0092] The management server 100 can track the items purchased by a user based on the purchase information contained in the user information received from the user terminal 200. Therefore, when a user purchases items that meet certain conditions after storing their goods in the locker 300, the management server 100 will export the rendezvous location Pre and the rendezvous time Tre, and send them to the user terminal 200. Furthermore, the information processing flow in the vehicle management system 1 according to this embodiment is similar to... Figure 7 The information processing flow shown in the sequence diagram is the same.

[0093] Therefore, even if the user does not pre-specify the location to add goods to the locker 300, when the user purchases items that meet the specified conditions, they can still receive suggestions for the rendezvous location Pre and the rendezvous time Tre for rejoining the vehicle 400.

[0094] Furthermore, even in this embodiment, variations of the first embodiment described above can be applied. In this case, if the user does not wish to add goods to the locker 300 at the rendezvous point Pre and rendezvous time Tre suggested by the management server 100, a different rendezvous point and rendezvous time can be specified.

[0095] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0096] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and this disclosure can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the processes or methods described in this disclosure can be implemented in freely combined ways, provided that no technical contradictions arise.

[0097] Furthermore, processes described as being implemented by a single device can be distributed and executed across multiple devices. Alternatively, processes described as being implemented by different devices can be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware architecture (server architecture) used to implement various functions can be flexibly changed.

[0098] This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a computer program containing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, which then reads and executes the program using one or more processors. Such a computer program can be provided to the computer either via a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the computer's system bus or via a network. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, flash memory, an optical card, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions.

[0099] Symbol Explanation

[0100] 1…Vehicle management system;

[0101] 30… partitions;

[0102] 31…camera;

[0103] 100…Management Server;

[0104] 110, 210…Ministry of Communications;

[0105] 120, 220… control unit;

[0106] 130… Vehicle Information Database;

[0107] 200… user terminals;

[0108] 300… lockers;

[0109] 400… vehicles.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit, the control unit performing the following processing: Based on the predetermined route of the vehicle equipped with a storage device for storing the user's goods and the user's location information, the rendezvous point and rendezvous time where the vehicle and the user can reunite are derived. Obtain status information related to the user's status after the user has stored the goods in the storage device; When the user's status, as indicated by the status information, meets the specified conditions, the user is advised of the rendezvous location and the rendezvous time. The user's location information is repeatedly sent from the user's terminal to the control unit at predetermined intervals. The control unit receives the user's location information from the user terminal and sends the rendezvous point and rendezvous time to the user terminal. When the user is within a specified distance from the vehicle's predetermined route, the control unit determines the rendezvous point and the rendezvous time.

2. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, The status information refers to biological information representing the state of the user's body.

3. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, The status information is information related to the purchase of items by the user.

4. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, The conditions specified are those pre-set by the user.

5. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, The control unit also performs the following processing: after suggesting the rendezvous point and the rendezvous time to the user, and upon receiving a rendezvous request from the user at the suggested rendezvous point and rendezvous time, it generates a driving plan for the vehicle to rendezvous with the user at the suggested rendezvous point and rendezvous time.

6. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The control unit also performs the following processing: after suggesting the rendezvous point and the rendezvous time to the user, if it receives a rendezvous request from the user at a location or time different from the suggested rendezvous point and rendezvous time, it generates a driving plan for the vehicle to rendezvous with the user at the rendezvous point and rendezvous time specified by the user.

7. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The vehicle in question is a vehicle capable of autonomous driving.

8. An information processing method, the method comprising the following: Based on the predetermined route of the vehicle equipped with a storage device for storing the user's goods and the user's location information, the rendezvous point and rendezvous time where the vehicle and the user can reunite are derived. Obtain status information related to the user's status after the user has stored the goods in the storage device; When the user's status, as indicated by the status information, meets the specified conditions, the user is advised of the rendezvous location and the rendezvous time. The user's location information is repeatedly transmitted from the user terminal held by the user at predetermined intervals; Receive the user's location information from the user terminal, and send the rendezvous location and rendezvous time to the user terminal; When the user is within a specified distance from the vehicle's predetermined route, the rendezvous point and the rendezvous time are derived.

9. The information processing method as described in claim 8, wherein, The status information refers to biological information representing the state of the user's body.

10. The information processing method as described in claim 8, wherein, The status information is information related to the purchase of items by the user.

11. The information processing method as described in claim 8, wherein, The conditions specified are those pre-set by the user.

12. The information processing method as described in claim 8, wherein, It also includes the following: after suggesting the rendezvous point and the rendezvous time to the user, and upon receiving a request from the user to rendezvous at the suggested rendezvous point and the suggested rendezvous time, generating a driving plan for the vehicle to rendezvous with the user at the suggested rendezvous point and the suggested rendezvous time.

13. A non-transitory storage medium storing a program for controlling a user terminal held by a user, wherein, The user is the one who stores the goods in the storage device mounted on the vehicle. The program causes the user terminal to perform the following processing: The user's location information is repeatedly sent to the information processing device that manages the driving of the vehicle at predetermined intervals; Send status information related to the user's status after the user has stored the goods in the storage device to the information processing device; When the user's status as indicated by the status information meets the prescribed conditions, the information processing device receives the rendezvous point and rendezvous time from which the vehicle and the user can rendezvous, derived based on the vehicle's predetermined driving route and the user's location information. When the user is within a specified distance from the vehicle's predetermined route, the rendezvous point and the rendezvous time are derived in the information processing device.

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