Control device, vehicle, and control method

Abstract

Disclosed are a control device, a vehicle, and a control method. Time for inputting a desired alighting location is saved. The control device (20) includes a control section that acquires, as profile data, data read from a medium held by each user when a vehicle (30) on which a plurality of users have boarded is operated to a destination having a plurality of facilities, determines, from the acquired profile data, a facility at which each user alights, from among the plurality of facilities, and performs control to operate the vehicle (30) along a route including the determined facility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to control devices, vehicles, and control methods. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a system for managing the operation of on-demand buses.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2014 / 002267 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In previous systems, users had to input their desired drop-off location when booking an on-demand bus.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to save the time of inputting the desired alighting location.

[0008] This disclosure provides a control device comprising a control unit that acquires data read from a medium held by each user as profile data when each user rides in a vehicle traveling to a destination with multiple facilities, and determines, based on the acquired profile data, the facility where each user disembarks from the multiple facilities, and controls the vehicle to run along a route including the determined facility.

[0009] This disclosure provides a control method, including:

[0010] The control unit acquires data as profile data from the media held by each user when the user rides in a vehicle that carries multiple users to a destination with multiple facilities.

[0011] The control unit determines the alighting facility for each user from among the multiple facilities based on the acquired profile data; and

[0012] The control unit controls the vehicle to run along a route that includes defined facilities.

[0013] According to this disclosure, it is possible to save the time of inputting the desired drop-off location. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 3This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 The flowchart shows the specific process of step S103.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a variation of the operation of the control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating other variations of the operation of the control device according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating further variations of the operation of the control device according to the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 8 This illustrates a scenario where vehicles destined for the factory are replaced with vehicles destined for the airport. Figure 3 The flowchart shows the specific process of step S103.

[0022] (Symbol Explanation)

[0023] 10: System; 11A, 11B: User; 20: Control device; 21: Control unit; 22: Storage unit; 23: Communication unit; 30: Vehicle; 40: Terminal device; 50: Card reader; 51: Employee ID card; 60: Network. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0025] In each figure, the same or equivalent parts are marked with the same symbol. In the description of this embodiment, descriptions of the same or equivalent parts are appropriately omitted or simplified.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 This describes the structure of the system 10 involved in this embodiment.

[0027] The system 10 described in this embodiment includes a control device 20, a vehicle 30, a terminal device 40, and a card reader 50. The control device 20 can communicate with the vehicle 30, the terminal device 40, and the card reader 50 via a network 60. The card reader 50 can communicate with an employee ID card 51.

[0028] The control device 20 is installed in facilities such as data centers and is used by operators such as bus managers who manage vehicles 30. The control device 20 is a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system.

[0029] Vehicle 30 carries multiple users to their destination. Vehicle 30 operates as a bus, such as an on-demand bus. The destination in this embodiment is a factory, but it could also be other locations. There are multiple facilities at the destination. In this embodiment, the multiple facilities are multiple buildings within a factory, but they could also be multiple facilities located at other locations.

[0030] Vehicle 30 can be any type of vehicle, such as a gasoline car, diesel car, hydrogen car, HEV, PHEV, BEV, or FCEV. "HEV" is short for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is short for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is short for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is short for fuel cell electric vehicle. In this embodiment, vehicle 30 is an AV, but it can also be driven by a driver or automated at any level. "AV" is short for autonomous vehicle. The level of automation can be, for example, any one of SAE levels 1 to 5. "SAE" is short for Society of Automotive Engineers. Vehicle 30 can also be a MaaS (Mobility as a Service) vehicle. "MaaS" is short for Mobility as a Service.

[0031] Terminal device 40 is maintained and used by multiple users, including user 11A. Terminal device 40 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet.

[0032] Card reader 50 is mounted on vehicle 30 and is used to read data from employee ID card 51. Card reader 50 is, for example, an IC card reader. "IC" is short for integrated circuit. Employee ID card 51 is held by multiple users, including user 11B.

[0033] Network 60 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is short for Wide Area Network. "MAN" is short for Metropolitan Area Network. Network 60 may also include at least one Wireless Network, at least one Optical Network, or any combination thereof. Wireless networks include, for example, ad hoc networks, cellular networks, wireless LANs, satellite communication networks, or terrestrial microwave networks. "LAN" is short for Local Area Network.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 This section provides an overview of the implementation method.

[0035] The control device 20 acquires data as profile data Pd from the terminal device 40 or the medium maintained by each user, such as the employee ID card 51, when each user boards the vehicle 30. Based on the acquired profile data Pd, the control device 20 determines the facility where each user disembarks from multiple facilities. The control device 20 then controls the vehicle 30 to run along the route Rt that includes the determined facility.

[0036] In this embodiment, the alighting location for each user is automatically determined based on data read when each user boards the vehicle 30. Therefore, the time spent inputting the desired alighting location is saved.

[0037] Without a designated route, the destination of bus passengers is usually unknown. However, in commuting situations, it is assumed that the boarding and alighting points are already determined. In this embodiment, passengers can register their boarding and alighting points by default. The bus manager can determine the alighting building based on the user profile read at the time of boarding and thus determine the bus route. That is, the bus manager can set the route based on who the passenger is. The vehicle 30 can, for example, operate as a shuttle bus transporting passengers from a station or parking lot to various buildings within a factory.

[0038] With a fixed route, a bus might pass by buildings where no one is getting off, potentially causing a time loss. However, in this embodiment, the user profile can be read during boarding to determine the drop-off location. Furthermore, buildings where no one is getting off can be ignored, and the route can be switched to a shortcut. Therefore, it is easy to optimize the bus route while reducing the user's effort.

[0039] When deciding on a route, work schedules can be considered. Alternatively, priorities can be set based on job type or start time. Or, the departure time can be scheduled according to the start time of the factory production line, prioritizing the departure point for personnel required for that line to travel by bus, and delaying the departure points for other passengers. Alternatively, the departure points for those with flexible work hours can be delayed. Users can also pre-register default commuter locations and only enter them on different days.

[0040] Reference Figure 2 The structure of the control device 20 involved in this embodiment will be explained.

[0041] The control device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0042] 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 specifically designed for particular processing. "CPU" is short for Central Processing Unit. "GPU" is short for Graphics Processing Unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is short for Field-Programmable Gate Array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is short for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. The control unit 21 controls the various parts of the control device 20 while performing processing related to the operation of the control device 20.

[0043] Storage unit 22 may be at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. Semiconductor memory may be, for example, RAM, ROM, or flash memory. "RAM" is short for random access memory. "ROM" is short for read-only memory. RAM may be, for example, SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is short for static random access memory. "DRAM" is short for dynamic random access memory. ROM may be, for example, EEPROM. "EEPROM" is short for electrically erasable programmable read-only memory. Flash memory may be, for example, SSD. "SSD" is short for solid-state drive. Magnetic memory may be, for example, HDD. "HDD" is short for hard disk drive. Storage unit 22 may function as a primary storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used in the operation of the control device 20 and data obtained through the operation of the control device 20.

[0044] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. This communication interface may be, for example, an interface corresponding to a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or an interface corresponding to a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE 802.11. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The communication unit 23 communicates with the vehicle 30, the terminal device 40, and the card reader 50. The communication unit 23 receives data used in the operation of the control device 20 and transmits data obtained through the operation of the control device 20.

[0045] The function of the control device 20 is achieved by the processor, which serves as the control unit 21, executing the program described in this embodiment. That is, the function of the control device 20 is implemented through software. The program causes the computer to perform actions of the control device 20, thereby enabling the computer to function as the control device 20. In other words, the computer performs actions of the control device 20 according to the program, thus functioning as the control device 20.

[0046] Programs can be pre-stored on non-transitory computer-readable media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, optical-magnetic recording media, or ROM. Programs can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or renting removable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs containing the program. "SD" stands for Secure Digital. "DVD" stands for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" stands for compact disc read-only memory. Programs can also be pre-stored on server storage devices and distributed by transferring the program from the server to other computers. Programs can also be provided as program products.

[0047] Computers may temporarily store programs stored on removable media or transferred from servers into main storage. The computer then uses its processor to read the program stored in main storage and executes the processing according to the read program. Alternatively, the computer can directly read programs from removable media and execute the processing according to the program. The computer can also execute the processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. It is also possible to perform processing through a so-called ASP-type service, where the function is achieved solely by executing instructions and obtaining results, without transferring programs from the server to the computer. "ASP" is short for Application Service Provider. A program includes information provided for processing performed by the computer and information according to the program. For example, data that, while not direct instructions to the computer, has the nature of specifying the computer's processing corresponds to "information according to the program."

[0048] Some or all of the functions of the control device 20 can also be implemented by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit that serves as the control unit 21. That is, some or all of the functions of the control device 20 can also be implemented by hardware.

[0049] Reference Figure 3 This describes the operation of the control device 20 according to this embodiment. This operation is equivalent to the control method according to this embodiment.

[0050] In step S101, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 determines whether the user has boarded the vehicle 30. Specifically, when the control unit 21 is notified from the vehicle 30 or the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23 that short-range wireless communication has been established between the terminal device 40 and a receiver mounted on the vehicle 30 that is compatible with short-range wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth, the control unit 21 determines that the user 11A has boarded the vehicle 30. When the control unit 21 is notified from the vehicle 30 or the card reader 50 via the communication unit 23 that the employee ID card 51 has been presented to the card reader 50, the control unit 21 determines that the user 11B has boarded the vehicle 30.

[0051] Even without notification from vehicle 30 or terminal device 40, control unit 21 of control device 20 can determine that user 11A has boarded vehicle 30 if the location of terminal device 40 matches the location of vehicle 30. In this variation, control unit 21 receives positioning results from vehicle 30 via communication unit 23 from vehicle 30 using a GNSS receiver mounted on vehicle 30. "GNSS" is short for Global Navigation Satellite System. GNSS includes, for example, GPS, QZSS, BDS, GLONASS, or Galileo. "GPS" is short for Global Positioning System. "QZSS" is short for Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. QZSS satellites are called Quasi-Zenith Satellite Systems. "BDS" is short for BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. "GLONASS" is short for Global Navigation Satellite System. The control unit 21 receives the positioning results from the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23, obtained by the GNSS receiver mounted on the terminal device 40. The control unit 21 compares the position of the terminal device 40, indicated by the positioning results received from the terminal device 40, with the position of the vehicle 30, indicated by the positioning results received from the vehicle 30. If the position of the terminal device 40 matches the position of the vehicle 30, the control unit 21 determines that user 11A has boarded vehicle 30. If the position of the terminal device 40 does not match the position of the vehicle 30, the control unit 21 determines that user 11A has not boarded vehicle 30.

[0052] If it is determined in step S101 that the user has not boarded vehicle 30, i.e., no user boarding vehicle 30 is detected, then step S101 is executed again. If it is determined in step S101 that the user has boarded vehicle 30, i.e., the user boarding vehicle 30 is detected, then step S102 is executed.

[0053] In step S102, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 acquires data read from the medium held by the user when the user rides in the vehicle 30 as profile data Pd. Specifically, the control unit 21 acquires profile data PdA for user 11A by receiving data from the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23 when short-range wireless communication is conducted between the terminal device 40 and the receiver mounted on the vehicle 30. The control unit 21 acquires profile data PdB for user 11B by receiving data read from the employee ID card 51 when it is held up to the card reader 50 via the communication unit 23 from the vehicle 30 or the card reader 50.

[0054] In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 obtains unique identification data for each user as profile data Pd. That is, the control unit 21 obtains the identification data for user 11A as profile data PdA. The control unit 21 obtains the identification data for user 11B as profile data PdB.

[0055] In step S103, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 determines the facility where the user will disembark from among multiple facilities at the destination based on the profile data Pd obtained in step S102. Figure 4 The specific process is shown.

[0056] exist Figure 4 In step S201, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 retrieves building data from the database Db representing the building where the user identified by profile data Pd works. That is, if profile data PdA is obtained in step S102, the control unit 21 retrieves building data from the database Db representing the building where user 11A works. If profile data PdB is obtained in step S102, the control unit 21 retrieves building data from the database Db representing the building where user 11B works.

[0057] The database Db is built into the storage unit 22 of the control device 20. Alternatively, the database Db can also be built into an external storage device that can be connected to the communication unit 23 of the control device 20.

[0058] exist Figure 4In step S202, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 determines the building represented by the building data obtained in step S201 as the facility where the user disembarks, identified by the profile data Pd. That is, if profile data PdA is obtained in step S102, the control unit 21 determines the building where user 11A goes to work as the facility where user 11A disembarks. If profile data PdB is obtained in step S102, the control unit 21 determines the building where user 11B goes to work as the facility where user 11B disembarks.

[0059] The control unit 21 of the control device 20 may also acquire building data representing the buildings where each user goes to work, instead of acquiring identification data as profile data Pd. In such a variation, the control unit 21 identifies the buildings represented by the profile data Pd as the facilities where each user gets off. That is, the control unit 21 identifies the building represented by the profile data PdA as the facility where user 11A gets off. The control unit 21 identifies the building represented by the profile data PdB as the facility where user 11B gets off.

[0060] In step S104, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 sets the route Rt for the vehicle 30 to include the facilities determined in step S103. The control unit 21 controls the vehicle 30 to run along the set route Rt. Specifically, if a route Rt has not yet been created, the control unit 21 creates a new route as route Rt that includes the facilities determined in step S103. If a route Rt has already been created and the facility is not included in the route Rt, the control unit 21 updates the route Rt to include the facility. The control unit 21 sends a running command to the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23 to move along the created or updated route Rt. In this embodiment, the vehicle 30 moves autonomously on the route Rt according to the running command, but it is also possible to move on the route Rt by notifying the driver of the running command and having the driver manually drive according to the running command.

[0061] Reference Figure 5 This section describes a variation of the operation of the control device 20 according to this embodiment. In this variation, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 also acquires occupational type data representing the occupational types of each user.

[0062] Regarding the processing of steps S111 to S113, respectively, with Figure 3 The processes from steps S101 to S103 are the same, so the explanation is omitted.

[0063] In step S114, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 retrieves occupational category data in the database Db representing the occupational category of the user identified by the profile data Pd obtained in step S112. That is, if profile data PdA is obtained in step S112, the control unit 21 retrieves occupational category data in the database Db representing the occupational category of user 11A. If profile data PdB is obtained in step S112, the control unit 21 retrieves occupational category data in the database Db representing the occupational category of user 11B. Alternatively, if occupational category data representing the user's occupational category is also read from the medium held by the user while the user is riding in the vehicle 30, the control unit 21 can also obtain the read occupational category data. Specifically, the control unit 21 can also obtain occupational category data representing the occupational category of user 11A by receiving occupational category data received from the terminal device 40 during short-range wireless communication between the terminal device 40 and the receiver mounted on the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23. The control unit 21 can also receive the occupation type data representing the occupation type of user 11B by receiving the occupation type data read from the employee ID card 51 when the employee ID card 51 is held up to the card reader 50 from the vehicle 30 or the card reader 50 via the communication unit 23.

[0064] In step S115, when the control unit 21 of the control device 20 sets the route Rt in a manner that includes the facilities determined in step S113, it adjusts the order in which the vehicle 30 passes through the facilities included in the route Rt based on the occupational types represented by the occupational type data obtained in step S114. For example, if the scheduled start time of a production line is approaching and the user's occupational type is a necessary occupational type for that production line that day, the route Rt is set so that the vehicle 30 passes through the building where the user disembarks first. Regarding the control of the vehicle 30 running along the set route Rt, and Figure 3 The control of step S104 is the same, so the explanation is omitted.

[0065] Reference Figure 6 This section describes other variations of the operation of the control device 20 according to this embodiment. In this variation, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 also acquires time schedule data indicating the start time of each user.

[0066] Regarding the processing of steps S121 to S123, respectively, with Figure 3 The processes from steps S101 to S103 are the same, so the explanation is omitted.

[0067] In step S124, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 retrieves timetable data from the database Db indicating the start time of the user identified using the profile data Pd obtained in step S122. That is, if profile data PdA is obtained in step S122, the control unit 21 retrieves timetable data from the database Db indicating the start time of user 11A. If profile data PdB is obtained in step S122, the control unit 21 retrieves timetable data from the database Db indicating the start time of user 11B. Alternatively, if timetable data indicating the start time of the user is also read from a medium held by the user while the user is riding in the vehicle 30, the control unit 21 can also obtain the read timetable data. Specifically, the control unit 21 can also obtain timetable data indicating the start time of user 11A by receiving timetable data received from the terminal device 40 during short-range wireless communication between the terminal device 40 and a receiver mounted on the vehicle 30 via the communication unit 23. The control unit 21 can also receive the timetable data indicating the start time of user 11B by receiving the timetable data read from employee ID card 51 when it is held up to card reader 50 from vehicle 30 or card reader 50 via communication unit 23.

[0068] In step S125, when the control unit 21 of the control device 20 sets the route Rt in a manner that includes the facilities determined in step S123, it adjusts the order in which the vehicle 30 passes through the facilities included in the route Rt based on the start time represented by the timetable data obtained in step S124. For example, if the scheduled start time of a production line is approaching and a user is performing tasks such as assembling parts on that production line that day, the route Rt is set so that the vehicle 30 passes through the building where the user gets off first. If the user has flexible work hours, the route Rt is set so that the vehicle 30 passes through the building where the user gets off last. That is, the control unit 21 may also push back the facilities where the start time of the user is not shown in the timetable data in the order in which the vehicle 30 passes through the facilities included in the route Rt. Regarding the control of the vehicle 30 running along the set route Rt, and Figure 3 The control of step S104 is the same, so the explanation is omitted.

[0069] Reference Figure 7 This section describes further variations of the operation of the control device 20 according to this embodiment. In this variation, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 also acquires user production line data necessary for the operation of each production line in the factory.

[0070] Regarding the processing of steps S131 to S133, respectively, with Figure 3The processes from steps S101 to S103 are the same, so the explanation is omitted.

[0071] In step S134, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 obtains the user's production line data necessary for the operation of each production line in the factory. Specifically, the control unit 21 obtains the production line data for the day from the database Db.

[0072] In step S135, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 determines, based on the profile data Pd obtained in step S132, whether the user represented by the production line data obtained in step S134 is currently on a vehicle. Specifically, if the user identified by the profile data Pd obtained in step S122 matches the user necessary for the operation of any production line in the factory represented by the production line data obtained in step S134, the control unit 21 determines that the user necessary for the operation of that production line is currently on a vehicle. If the user identified by the profile data Pd obtained in step S122 does not match the user necessary for the operation of any production line in the factory represented by the production line data obtained in step S134, the control unit 21 determines that the user necessary for the operation of any production line is not currently on a vehicle.

[0073] In step S136, when the control unit 21 of the control device 20 sets the route Rt to include the facilities determined in step S133, it adjusts the order in which the vehicle 30 passes the facilities included in the route Rt based on the determination result obtained in step S135. For example, if the scheduled start time of a certain production line is approaching and the user is a necessary person for that production line that day, the route Rt may be set so that the vehicle 30 passes the building where the user gets off first. That is, the control unit 21 may also, if it determines that the remaining time until the scheduled start time of a certain production line is less than a threshold and the user necessary for the work of that production line is currently in a vehicle, push facilities other than those of that production line to the back of the order in which the vehicle 30 passes the facilities included in the route Rt. Regarding the control of the vehicle 30 running along the set route Rt, and Figure 3 The control of step S104 is the same, so the explanation is omitted.

[0074] In this embodiment, the destination is a factory, but it could also be an airport. The multiple facilities at the destination are, in this embodiment, multiple buildings within a factory, but could also be multiple terminals within an airport. That is, vehicles going to the factory could also be replaced with vehicles going to the airport. Figure 8 This situation is shown Figure 3 The specific process of step S103.

[0075] exist Figure 8In step S211, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 retrieves terminal data from the database Db, indicating the terminal used by the user identified by the profile data Pd. That is, after obtaining the profile data PdA in step S102, the control unit 21 retrieves terminal data from the database Db, indicating the terminal used by user 11A.

[0076] exist Figure 8 In step S212, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 determines the terminal represented by the terminal data obtained in step S211 as the facility where the user disembarks, identified by the profile data Pd. That is, when the profile data PdA is obtained in step S102, the control unit 21 determines the terminal used by user 11A as the facility where user 11A disembarks.

[0077] The control unit 21 of the control device 20 may also acquire terminal data representing the terminal used by each user, instead of acquiring identification data as profile data Pd. In such a variation, the control unit 21 determines the terminal represented by the profile data Pd as the facility where each user disembarks. That is, the control unit 21 determines the terminal represented by the profile data PdA as the facility where user 11A disembarks.

[0078] As a variation of this embodiment, the control device 20 may also be installed in the vehicle 30.

[0079] The following examples illustrate a portion of the embodiments of this disclosure. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to these.

[0080] [Postscript 1]

[0081] A control device comprising a control unit,

[0082] The control unit acquires data as profile data from the media held by each user when the vehicle, carrying multiple users, travels to a destination with multiple facilities. Based on the acquired profile data, it determines the facility where each user disembarks from the multiple facilities and controls the vehicle to run along a route including the determined facility.

[0083] [Postscript 2]

[0084] According to the control device described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0085] The destination is a factory.

[0086] The multiple facilities refer to multiple buildings.

[0087] [Postscript 3]

[0088] According to the control device described in Appendix 2, wherein,

[0089] The control unit obtains unique identification data for each user as the profile data, retrieves building data in the database representing the building where the user identified by the profile data goes to work, and identifies the building represented by the obtained building data as the facility where the user gets off the bus.

[0090] [Postscript 4]

[0091] According to the control device described in Appendix 3, wherein...

[0092] It also has a storage unit containing the database.

[0093] [Postscript 5]

[0094] According to the control device described in Appendix 3, wherein...

[0095] It also has a communication unit that connects to an external storage device on which the database is constructed.

[0096] [Postscript 6]

[0097] According to the control device described in Appendix 2, wherein,

[0098] The control unit obtains building data representing the buildings where each user goes to work as the profile data, and determines the buildings represented by the profile data as the facilities where each user gets off the bus.

[0099] [Postscript 7]

[0100] The control device according to any one of Appendix 2 to Appendix 6, wherein,

[0101] The control unit also acquires occupational type data representing the occupational types of each user, and adjusts the order in which the vehicle passes through facilities included in the route based on the occupational types represented by the acquired occupational type data.

[0102] [Postscript 8]

[0103] The control device according to any one of Appendix 2 to Appendix 6, wherein,

[0104] The control unit also acquires timetable data representing the start time of each user, and adjusts the order in which the vehicles pass through facilities included in the route based on the start time represented by the acquired timetable data.

[0105] [Postscript 9]

[0106] According to the control device described in Appendix 8, wherein...

[0107] The control unit pushes back facilities where users disembark (whose start time is not shown in the timetable data) in the sequence of the vehicle passing through facilities included in the route.

[0108] [Postscript 10]

[0109] The control device according to any one of Appendix 2 to Appendix 6, wherein,

[0110] The control unit also acquires production line data of users necessary for the operation of each production line in the factory, determines whether a user represented by the acquired production line data is currently in a vehicle based on the profile data, and adjusts the order in which the vehicle passes through facilities included in the route based on the determination result.

[0111] [Postscript 11]

[0112] According to the control device described in Appendix 10, wherein,

[0113] When the control unit determines that the remaining time until the scheduled start time of a certain production line is less than a threshold and the user necessary for the operation of that production line is in a vehicle, it will push back facilities other than those for that production line in the order in which the vehicle passes by facilities included in the route.

[0114] [Postscript 12]

[0115] The control device according to any one of Appendix 2 to Appendix 11, wherein,

[0116] The medium is the employee ID card of each user.

[0117] [Postscript 13]

[0118] According to the control device described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0119] The destination is the airport.

[0120] The aforementioned facilities are multiple terminals.

[0121] [Postscript 14]

[0122] According to the control device described in Appendix 13, wherein...

[0123] The control unit obtains unique identification data for each user as the profile data, retrieves terminal data in the database representing the terminal used by the user identified by the profile data, and determines the terminal represented by the obtained terminal data as the facility where the user disembarks.

[0124] [Postscript 15]

[0125] According to the control device described in Appendix 14, wherein...

[0126] It also has a storage unit containing the database.

[0127] [Postscript 16]

[0128] According to the control device described in Appendix 14, wherein...

[0129] It also has a communication unit that connects to an external storage device on which the database is constructed.

[0130] [Postscript 17]

[0131] According to the control device described in Appendix 13, wherein...

[0132] The control unit acquires terminal data representing the terminal used by each user as the profile data, and determines the terminal represented by the profile data as the facility where each user disembarks.

[0133] [Postscript 18]

[0134] A vehicle having a control device as described in any one of Annex 1 to Annex 17.

[0135] [Postscript 19]

[0136] A control method, comprising:

[0137] The control unit acquires data as profile data from the media held by each user when the user rides in a vehicle that carries multiple users to a destination with multiple facilities.

[0138] The control unit determines the alighting facility for each user from among the multiple facilities based on the acquired profile data; and

[0139] The control unit controls the vehicle to run along a route that includes defined facilities.

[0140] [Postscript 20]

[0141] According to the control method described in Appendix 19, wherein,

[0142] The destination is a factory.

[0143] The multiple facilities refer to multiple buildings.

[0144] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, two or more blocks described in the block diagram may be merged, or one block may be divided. Alternatively, instead of executing two or more steps described in the flowchart in a time sequence as described, the steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capacity of the device executing each step or as needed. Furthermore, modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A control device comprising a control unit, The control unit acquires data as profile data from the media held by each user when the vehicle, carrying multiple users, travels to a destination with multiple facilities. Based on the acquired profile data, it determines the facility where each user disembarks from the multiple facilities and controls the vehicle to travel along a route including the determined facility. The destination is a factory. The aforementioned facilities are multiple buildings. The control unit also acquires production line data of users necessary for the operation of each production line in the factory, determines whether a user represented by the acquired production line data is currently in a vehicle based on the profile data, and adjusts the order in which the vehicle passes through facilities included in the route based on the determination result.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit obtains unique identification data for each user as the profile data, retrieves building data in the database representing the building where the user identified by the profile data goes to work, and identifies the building represented by the obtained building data as the facility where the user gets off the bus.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein, It also has a storage unit containing the database.

4. The control device according to claim 2, wherein, It also has a communication unit that connects to an external storage device on which the database is constructed.

5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit obtains building data representing the buildings where each user goes to work as the profile data, and determines the buildings represented by the profile data as the facilities where each user gets off the bus.

6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit also acquires occupational type data representing the occupational types of each user, and adjusts the order in which the vehicle passes through facilities included in the route based on the occupational types represented by the acquired occupational type data.

7. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit also acquires timetable data representing the start time of each user, and adjusts the order in which the vehicles pass through facilities included in the route based on the start time represented by the acquired timetable data.

8. The control device according to claim 7, wherein, The control unit pushes back facilities where users disembark (whose start time is not shown in the timetable data) in the sequence of the vehicle passing through facilities included in the route.

9. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, When the control unit determines that the remaining time until the scheduled start time of a certain production line is less than a threshold and the user necessary for the operation of that production line is in a vehicle, it will push back facilities other than those for that production line in the order in which the vehicle passes by facilities included in the route.

10. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, The medium is the employee ID card of each user.

11. A vehicle comprising the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A control method, comprising: The control unit acquires data as profile data from the media held by each user when the user rides in a vehicle that carries multiple users to a destination with multiple facilities. The control unit determines the alighting facility for each user from among the multiple facilities based on the acquired profile data; and The control unit controls the vehicle to run along a route that includes defined facilities. The destination is a factory. The aforementioned facilities are multiple buildings. The control unit also acquires production line data of users necessary for the operation of each production line in the factory. Based on the profile data, it determines whether the user represented by the acquired production line data is currently in a vehicle. Based on the determination result, it adjusts the order in which the vehicle passes through facilities included in the route.

Images