Control device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device, a system, a vehicle, and a driving control method, which improve the safety or ease of implementation when performing health diagnosis in a vehicle. The control device (20) includes a control unit for controlling the driving of a vehicle (30) capable of performing health diagnosis in the vehicle. The control unit obtains implementation data related to the implementation of the health diagnosis, estimates the implementation period of at least one diagnostic item included in the health diagnosis based on the obtained implementation data, and controls the driving of the vehicle (30) in accordance with the estimated implementation period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a system, a vehicle, and a driving control method. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle capable of performing health diagnosis inside the vehicle.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-022332 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] When performing health checks in a vehicle, depending on the diagnostic item, there may be dangers due to vehicle vibrations, etc. There may also be difficulties in performing the check due to vehicle noises, etc.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to improve the safety and ease of implementation when performing health diagnosis in a vehicle.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] The control device involved in the present disclosure includes a control unit that controls the driving of a vehicle capable of performing a health diagnosis in the vehicle. The control unit obtains implementation data related to the implementation of the health diagnosis, estimates the implementation period of at least one diagnostic item included in the health diagnosis based on the obtained implementation data, and controls the driving of the vehicle in accordance with the estimated implementation period.

[0011] The driving control method disclosed herein controls the driving of a vehicle capable of performing health diagnosis in the vehicle, and includes the following steps:

[0012] obtaining, by the control unit, implementation data related to implementation of the health diagnosis;

[0013] using the control unit to estimate an implementation period of at least one diagnostic item included in the health checkup based on the acquired implementation data; and

[0014] The control unit controls driving of the vehicle in accordance with the estimated execution time.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, safety and ease of implementation when performing health diagnosis in a vehicle are improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another modified example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating still another modified example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be appropriately omitted or simplified.

[0025] Reference Figure 1 The configuration of the system 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0026] The system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 20 and a vehicle 30 capable of performing health diagnosis in the vehicle. The control device 20 can communicate with the vehicle 30 via a network 40 .

[0027] The control device 20 is installed in a facility such as a data center. The control device 20 is a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud operating system or other computer system.

[0028] The vehicle 30 is equipped with equipment for health diagnosis so that health diagnosis can be performed in the vehicle 30. For health diagnosis, as one or more diagnostic items, it includes height measurement, weight measurement, abdominal circumference measurement, vision test, hearing test, blood pressure test, urine test, blood test, chest X-ray, stomach X-ray, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, CT, MRI, mammogram, osteoporosis test, medical interview or any combination thereof. "CT" is the abbreviation of computed tomography. "MRI" is the abbreviation of magnetic resonance imaging. As equipment for health diagnosis, equipment corresponding to each diagnostic item is equipped. That is, a height meter, a weight scale, a vision test device, a hearing test device, a blood pressure meter, a urine test device, a blood test device, an X-ray image diagnostic device, an ultrasound test device, an electrocardiogram, a CT test device, an MRI test device or any combination thereof is equipped. A bed for the user 11 receiving the health diagnosis to lie down or a chair for the user 11 to sit can also be further equipped as an auxiliary device. The vehicle 30 is any type of vehicle, such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is the abbreviation for a hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is the abbreviation for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is the abbreviation for a battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is the abbreviation for a fuel cell electric vehicle. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 30 is an AV, but it can also be driven by a driver, or the driving can be automated at any level. "AV" is the abbreviation for an autonomous vehicle. The level of automation is, for example, any one of level 1 to level 5 in the SAE classification. "SAE" is the abbreviation for the Society of Automotive Engineers. The vehicle 30 can also be a MaaS-specific vehicle. "MaaS" is the abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0029] Network 40 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is the abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is the abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 40 may also include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. Examples of wireless networks include ad hoc networks, cellular networks, wireless LANs, satellite communication networks, or terrestrial microwave networks. "LAN" is the abbreviation for local area network.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 The outline of this embodiment will be described.

[0031] The control device 20 obtains implementation data Di related to the implementation of a health check performed in the vehicle 30. Based on the obtained implementation data Di, the control device 20 estimates an implementation time Ti for at least one diagnostic item Xa included in the health check. The control device 20 controls the driving of the vehicle 30 in accordance with the estimated implementation time Ti.

[0032] According to this embodiment, when a health diagnosis is performed in the vehicle 30, when a blood test using an injection needle is performed, high-speed movement, starting, or driving on a bad road of the vehicle 30 is prohibited, and when a hearing test is performed, the driving mode of the vehicle 30 is limited to the EV mode, etc., so that the driving method can be changed in accordance with the diagnostic items to be performed. As a result, the safety or ease of implementation when a health diagnosis is performed in the vehicle 30 is improved. "EV" is the abbreviation of electric vehicle. The so-called EV mode refers to a mode in which only the electric motor is used as a power source instead of the engine, when an engine and an electric motor are installed in the vehicle 30 as a power source, for example, when the vehicle 30 is an HEV or PHEV.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 The configuration of the control device 20 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0034] The control device 20 includes a control unit 21 , a storage unit 22 , and a communication unit 23 .

[0035] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor dedicated to specific processing. "CPU" is the abbreviation of central processing unit. "GPU" is the abbreviation of graphics processing unit. A programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is the abbreviation of field-programmable gate array. A dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is the abbreviation of application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 controls each part of the control device 20 while performing processing related to the operation of the control device 20.

[0036] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. "RAM" is the abbreviation of random access memory. "ROM" is the abbreviation of read only memory. RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is the abbreviation of static random access memory. "DRAM" is the abbreviation of dynamic random access memory. ROM is, for example, EEPROM. "EEPROM" is the abbreviation of electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a flash memory. In the storage unit 22, data used in the operation of the control device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the control device 20 are stored.

[0037] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 23 communicates with the vehicle 30. The communication unit 23 receives data used in the operation of the control device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the control device 20.

[0038] The functions of the control device 20 are realized by executing the program according to this embodiment using a processor serving as the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the control device 20 are realized by software. The program causes the computer to function as the control device 20 by causing it to execute the operations of the control device 20. That is, the computer functions as the control device 20 by executing the operations of the control device 20 according to the program.

[0039] The program can be pre-stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, and ROMs. The program is circulated, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending removable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs that store the program. "SD" is the abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is the abbreviation for Digital Versatile Disc. "CD-ROM" is the abbreviation for Compact Disc Read Only Memory. The program can also be circulated by pre-saving it in a storage device on a server and transferring it from the server to other computers. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0040] The computer, for example, temporarily stores a program stored in a removable medium or a program transferred from a server in a main storage device. The computer then uses a processor to read the program stored in the main storage device and uses the processor to execute the processing according to the read program. The computer can directly read the program from the removable medium and execute the processing according to the program. The computer can sequentially execute the processing according to the received program each time the program is transferred from the server to the computer. It is also possible to perform processing by a so-called ASP-type service that realizes functions only by executing instructions and obtaining results without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. The program contains information used for processing by an electronic computer and is in accordance with the contents of the program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has the nature of specifying the processing of the computer falls under "in accordance with the contents of the program."

[0041] A part or all of the functions of the control device 20 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. That is, a part or all of the functions of the control device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0042] Reference Figure 3 The operation of the control device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. This operation corresponds to the driving control method according to the present embodiment.

[0043] In step S101, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 acquires implementation data Di related to implementation of the health check performed in the vehicle 30. Specifically, the implementation data Di is acquired by any of the following five steps.

[0044] In the first step, the vehicle 30 transmits an interior image Di1 captured by a camera mounted on the vehicle 30 to the control device 20 via the communication unit of the vehicle 30 that supports a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G standard, or 5G standard. "LTE" is the abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. "4G" is the abbreviation for 4th generation. "5G" is the abbreviation for 5th generation. The interior image Di1 includes, for example, an image of an area within the vehicle 30 where health diagnostic equipment such as blood test equipment or accessories such as beds or chairs are located. The control unit 21 of the control device 20 receives the interior image Di1 from the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23 and obtains the interior image Di1 as the implementation data Di.

[0045] In the second step, vehicle 30 transmits data Di2 representing sensing results obtained by sensors mounted on vehicle 30 to control device 20 via the vehicle's communication unit. Data Di2 includes, for example, data representing sensing results obtained by a load sensor mounted on a bed or a seating sensor mounted on a chair. Control unit 21 of control device 20 receives data Di2 from vehicle 30 via communication unit 23 and acquires data Di2 as implementation data Di.

[0046] In the third step, vehicle 30 transmits data Di3 representing the examination results obtained by the health diagnostic equipment mounted on vehicle 30 to control device 20 via the communication unit of vehicle 30. Data Di3 includes, for example, data representing the weight value measured by a scale as the examination result. Control unit 21 of control device 20 receives data Di3 from vehicle 30 via communication unit 23 and obtains data Di3 as implementation data Di.

[0047] In the fourth step, vehicle 30 transmits data Di4 input by the employee performing the health checkup to control device 20 via the communication unit of vehicle 30. Data Di4 includes, for example, data indicating the diagnostic items to be performed next by the nurse, input using an input device connected to or mounted on vehicle 30. Control unit 21 of control device 20 receives data Di4 from vehicle 30 via communication unit 23 and acquires data Di4 as implementation data Di.

[0048] In the fifth step, vehicle 30 transmits data Di5 indicating the planned implementation time of at least one diagnostic item Xa included in the health checkup to control device 20 via the communication unit of vehicle 30. Data Di5 may include, for example, data indicating the planned implementation time of an examination performed after user 11 stands up, such as a blood test using an injection needle or the next examination after user 11 has been seated in a chair. Control unit 21 of control device 20 receives data Di5 from vehicle 30 via communication unit 23 and obtains data Di5 as implementation data Di. Alternatively, data Di5 may be pre-stored in storage unit 22 of control device 20. Control unit 21 may also obtain data Di5 as implementation data Di by reading data Di5 from storage unit 22.

[0049] In step S102, control unit 21 of control device 20 estimates an implementation time Ti for at least one diagnostic item Xa based on the implementation data Di acquired in step S101. For example, control unit 21 estimates implementation time Ti for at least one diagnostic item Xa, such as a blood test using an injection needle, or a test that is performed after user 11 stands up, such as the next test after a test user 11 has already taken while sitting in a chair. The implementation time Ti is specifically estimated through the following process.

[0050] When the control unit 21 of the control device 20 obtains the in-car image Di1 as the implementation data Di in step S101, the obtained in-car image Di1 is analyzed to estimate the implementation period Ti. For example, the control unit 21 analyzes the in-car image Di1 to determine whether a blood test is about to be performed. Determining that a blood test is about to be performed is equivalent to estimating that the implementation period Ti is immediately. Determining that a blood test is not about to be performed is equivalent to estimating that the implementation period Ti is not immediately. As a method of image analysis, a known method can be used. Machine learning such as deep learning can also be used. When it is determined that a blood test is about to be performed, the processing of step S103 is executed. When it is determined that a blood test is not about to be performed, Figure 3 The action shown is completed.

[0051] When the control unit 21 of the control device 20 obtains data Di2 as the implementation data Di in step S101, it estimates the implementation time Ti by referring to the sensing result indicated by the obtained data Di2. For example, the control unit 21 refers to the sensing result obtained by the seating sensor and determines whether the blood test is about to be performed based on whether the user 11 is sitting on the chair for blood tests. If it is determined that the blood test is about to be performed, the process of step S103 is executed. If it is determined that the blood test is not about to be performed, Figure 3 The action shown is completed.

[0052] When the control unit 21 of the control device 20 obtains the data Di3 as the implementation data Di in step S101, the control unit 21 determines the diagnostic item Xb corresponding to the test result represented by the obtained data Di3. For example, when the test result represented by the data Di3 is a measured value of weight, the control unit 21 determines the diagnostic item Xb as weight measurement. If it is assumed that the implementation order of two or more diagnostic items included in the health diagnosis is pre-specified, the control unit 21 estimates the implementation period Ti based on the relative position of at least one diagnostic item Xa in the implementation order relative to the determined diagnostic item Xb. For example, if it is assumed that the blood test is the next after the weight measurement in the pre-specified implementation order, the control unit 21 determines whether the blood test is about to be performed based on whether the diagnostic item Xb is determined to be weight measurement. If it is determined that the blood test is about to be performed, the process of step S103 is executed. If it is determined that the blood test is not about to be performed, Figure 3 The action shown is completed.

[0053] When the control unit 21 of the control device 20 obtains data Di4 as the implementation data Di in step S101, the implementation time Ti is estimated based on the obtained data Di4. For example, the control unit 21 determines whether a blood test is about to be performed based on whether the diagnostic item to be performed next by the nurse indicated by the data Di4 is a blood test. If it is determined that a blood test is about to be performed, the process of step S103 is executed. If it is determined that a blood test is not about to be performed, Figure 3 The action shown is completed.

[0054] When the control unit 21 of the control device 20 obtains data Di5 as the implementation data Di in step S101, it presumes that the planned implementation time indicated by the obtained data Di5 is the implementation period Ti. For example, when the planned implementation time indicated by the data Di5 is the planned implementation time of the blood test, and the planned implementation time of the blood test is immediately after one minute, the control unit 21 determines that the implementation period Ti is immediately after the blood test, that is, the blood test is about to be performed. If it is determined that the blood test is about to be performed, the process of step S103 is executed. If it is determined that the blood test is not about to be performed, Figure 3 The action shown is completed.

[0055] In step S103, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 controls the driving of the vehicle 30 in accordance with the implementation period Ti estimated in step S102. Specifically, the control unit 21 performs driving control to limit the speed of the vehicle 30 to below the first threshold value Th1 during a certain period including the implementation period Ti. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 transmits instructions to the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23, and the vehicle 30 automatically drives according to the instructions, thereby performing driving control. As a variation of this embodiment, the control unit 21 may transmit instructions to the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23, and the vehicle 30 notifies the driver of the instructions, and the driver manually drives according to the instructions, thereby performing driving control.

[0056] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated operation, for example, the first threshold Th1 is set to a value between 50 km / h and 80 km / h. This allows the vehicle 30 to be decelerated if the vehicle 30 is moving at high speed when a specific diagnostic item, such as a blood test, is about to be performed. This improves safety when performing health diagnostics within the vehicle 30. Alternatively, the first threshold Th1 can be set to 0 km / h. In this example, the vehicle 30 can be stopped if the vehicle 30 is moving when a specific diagnostic item, such as a blood test, is about to be performed. This improves safety when performing health diagnostics within the vehicle 30.

[0057] Figure 3 The actions shown are repeated periodically or performed appropriately according to the progress of the health diagnosis.

[0058] Reference Figure 4 To illustrate Figure 3 A modification of the action shown in FIG. Figure 3 The processing of step S101 and step S102 is the same, so the description is omitted.

[0059] In step S203, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 controls the driving of the vehicle 30 according to the implementation period Ti estimated in step S202. Specifically, the control unit 21 performs driving control to limit the acceleration of the vehicle 30 to a second threshold value Th2 or less during a certain period including the implementation period Ti.

[0060] exist Figure 4In the illustrated operation, for example, the second threshold Th2 is set to a value greater than 8 km / h / s and less than 10 km / h / s. This prevents vehicle 30 from starting if the vehicle 30 is stopped when a specific diagnostic item, such as a blood test, is about to be performed. This improves safety when performing health diagnostics in vehicle 30. Alternatively, the second threshold Th2 can be set to a value greater than 10 km / h / s. In this example, rapid acceleration of vehicle 30 can be prevented when a specific diagnostic item, such as a blood test, is about to be performed. This improves safety when performing health diagnostics in vehicle 30.

[0061] Figure 4 The actions shown are repeated periodically or performed appropriately according to the progress of the health diagnosis.

[0062] Reference Figure 5 To illustrate Figure 3 Another variation of the action shown. Regarding the processing of step S301 and step S302, Figure 3 The processing of step S101 and step S102 is the same, so the description is omitted.

[0063] In step S303, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 controls the driving of the vehicle 30 according to the implementation period Ti estimated in step S302. Specifically, the control unit 21 performs driving control to limit the roads that the vehicle 30 can travel on to roads whose road conditions meet the standard during a certain period including the implementation period Ti.

[0064] exist Figure 6In the actions shown, the quality of the road condition is determined based on whether certain benchmarks such as whether the road is paved are met. For example, the vehicle 30 determines the current position of the vehicle 30 with reference to the positioning results obtained by the GNSS receiver mounted on the vehicle 30. GNSS is, for example, GPS, QZSS, BDS, GLONASS, or Galileo. "GPS" is the abbreviation of Global Positioning System. "QZSS" is the abbreviation of Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. The satellites of QZSS are called Quasi-Zenith Satellites. "BDS" is the abbreviation of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. "GLONASS" is the abbreviation of Global Navigation Satellite System. The vehicle 30 determines the road ahead at the determined current position with reference to the map data Dm. The map data Dm can be pre-stored in the storage unit of the vehicle 30, or can be stored in an external system such as GIS on the Internet. "GIS" is the abbreviation of geographic information system. The vehicle 30 refers to the information contained in the map data Dm or the information obtained from the external system to determine the road surface condition of the determined road. Alternatively, the vehicle 30 may analyze the dot matrix data obtained by the LiDAR mounted on the vehicle 30 to determine the road surface condition of the road in front of the current position of the vehicle 30. "LiDAR" is an abbreviation for light detection and ranging. As a method of analyzing dot matrix data, a known method can be used. Machine learning such as deep learning can also be used. When the determined road surface condition does not meet the benchmark, the vehicle 30 searches for another road whose road surface condition meets the benchmark and changes the path of the vehicle 30. Thus, when the vehicle 30 is about to pass through a bad road when a specific diagnostic item such as a blood test is about to be performed, the vehicle 30 can bypass the bad road. As a result, safety is improved when performing health diagnosis in the vehicle 30.

[0065] Figure 5 The actions shown are repeated periodically or performed appropriately according to the progress of the health diagnosis.

[0066] Reference Figure 6 To illustrate Figure 3 In this modification, it is assumed that the vehicle 30 is equipped with an engine and an electric motor as a power source. Figure 3The processing of step S101 and step S102 is the same, so the description is omitted.

[0067] In step S403, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 controls the driving of the vehicle 30 according to the implementation period Ti estimated in step S402. Specifically, the control unit 21 performs driving control to limit the power source used by the vehicle 30 to the electric motor during a certain period including the implementation period Ti.

[0068] For example, if the control unit 21 of the control device 20 determines in step S402 that a hearing test is about to be performed as at least one diagnostic item Xa, it transmits a command to the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23 to limit the driving mode of the vehicle 30 to EV mode. The vehicle 30 receives the command from the control device 20 via the communication unit of the vehicle 30. If the current driving mode of the vehicle 30 is not EV mode, the vehicle 30 automatically changes the driving mode to EV mode in accordance with the received command. This allows the use of only the electric motor, which is quieter than the engine, as a power source when performing specific diagnostic items such as a hearing test. This improves the ease of performing health diagnostics within the vehicle 30.

[0069] Figure 6 The actions shown are repeated periodically or performed appropriately according to the progress of the health diagnosis.

[0070] In step S403, if the control unit 21 of the control device 20 determines in step S402 that a weight measurement, blood test, or electrocardiogram is about to be performed as at least one diagnostic item Xa, the control unit 21 may transmit a command to the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23 to limit the driving mode of the vehicle 30 to the energy-saving mode. Specifically, the energy-saving mode refers to a mode in which, when the vehicle 30 is driven by the driver, the driving is smoother in response to the accelerator pedal being depressed than in the normal mode. Upon receiving the command from the control device 20 via the communication unit of the vehicle 30, the vehicle 30 may notify the driver of the received command.

[0071] In step S403, if the control unit 21 of the control device 20 determines in step S402 that a blood pressure measurement or medical consultation is about to be performed as at least one diagnostic item Xa, the control unit 21 may transmit to the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23 permission to set the driving mode of the vehicle 30 to the power mode. The power mode refers to a mode that, when the vehicle 30 is driven by the driver, accelerates the response to the accelerator pedal being depressed compared to the normal mode. Upon receiving the permission from the control device 20 via the communication unit of the vehicle 30, the vehicle 30 may notify the driver of the received permission.

[0072] As a variation of this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 may estimate, based on the implementation data Di, whether the health diagnosis will be completed before the vehicle 30 arrives at the destination. If the control unit 21 estimates that the health diagnosis will not be completed, it may change the route for the vehicle 30 to the destination to a longer route.

[0073] For example, it is assumed that the execution order of all the diagnostic items included in the health check is specified in advance. Figure 3 Similarly to the process of step S102, which diagnostic item is about to be implemented is determined based on the implementation data Di, thereby determining the diagnostic items that have not yet been implemented in the pre-specified implementation order. The control unit 21 estimates whether the health diagnosis will be completed before the vehicle 30 arrives at the destination by comparing the standard time spent on the implementation of the determined diagnostic item with the remaining time until the vehicle 30 arrives at the planned arrival time or the expected arrival time at the destination such as the hospital. When it is estimated that the health diagnosis will not be completed, the control unit 21 sends an instruction to the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23 to change the path of the vehicle 30 to the destination to a longer path. The vehicle 30 receives the instruction from the control device 20 via the communication unit of the vehicle 30. The vehicle 30 changes the path according to the received instruction. In this way, the vehicle 30 can be taken a longer route in order to complete all diagnostic items of the health diagnosis before the vehicle 30 arrives at the destination.

[0074] As another variation of this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 may also optimize the path for the vehicle 30 to move to the destination by referring to road traffic information such as poor roads, road construction, or traffic congestion obtained from the vehicle 30 or an external system.

[0075] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks described in a block diagram may be integrated, or a single block may be split. Instead of executing two or more steps described in a flowchart in chronological order, the steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order, depending on the processing capabilities of the device executing each step or as needed. Other modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0076] For example, the control device 20 may be provided in the vehicle 30 .

[0077] Description of Reference Numerals

[0078] 10 systems

[0079] 11 users

[0080] 20 control devices

[0081] 21 Control Department

[0082] 22 Storage Department

[0083] 23 Ministry of Communications

[0084] 30 vehicles

[0085] 40 network.

Claims

1. A control device, A control unit is provided for controlling the driving of a vehicle capable of performing an in-vehicle health diagnosis. The control unit obtains an in-vehicle image captured by a camera mounted on the vehicle, the image of an area within the vehicle containing equipment corresponding to a specific diagnostic item included in the health diagnosis, as implementation data, and analyzes the obtained implementation data to determine whether the specific diagnostic item should be implemented. When it is determined that the specific diagnostic item will be implemented, driving control is performed to limit the speed, acceleration, road traveled or power source used by the vehicle within a certain period of time, and diagnostic items that have not yet been implemented are determined according to a pre-specified implementation order. The time related to the implementation of the determined diagnostic items is compared with the remaining time until the vehicle arrives at the destination, so as to infer whether the health diagnosis will be completed before the vehicle arrives at the destination. When it is inferred that the health diagnosis will not be completed, the path of the vehicle to the destination is changed to a longer path.

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