Control device and control method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control method, the control device according to the present invention includes a control unit configured to acquire information relating to a degree of congestion of at least two places holding an activity, and determine a transport path for a moving vehicle moving between the at least two places to transport passengers on the basis of the acquired information relating to the degree of congestion.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-089161 discloses that among a plurality of sightseeing routes, a sightseeing route is selected that passes through a plurality of sightseeing spots in a direction consistent with the direction in which the vehicle moves, overlaps with at least a portion of the planned movement route, and has the longest length of the overlapping route.

[0003] In an area where an event is held, such as an event venue, the degree of congestion changes moment by moment. Therefore, the optimal route for a bus moving within or between areas changes constantly. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure aims to adjust the path for transporting passengers within or between areas according to the congestion condition of the area where an event is held.

[0005] The control device according to the present disclosure includes a control unit, and the control unit is configured as follows:

[0006] obtaining information on the congestion levels of at least two places where the event is held,

[0007] Based on the acquired information on the congestion level, a transportation route for transporting passengers by a moving vehicle moving between the at least two locations is determined.

[0008] The control method involved in the present disclosure includes:

[0009] The control unit obtains information related to the degree of congestion of at least two places where the event is held; and

[0010] The control unit determines a transportation route for transporting passengers by a moving vehicle moving between the at least two locations based on the acquired information on the congestion level.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to adjust the route for transporting passengers within or between areas according to the congestion condition of the area where an event is held.

[0012] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mobile control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] In each of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be appropriately omitted or simplified.

[0018] Reference Figure 1 , the structure of the mobile control system 10 involved in this embodiment is described.

[0019] The mobile control system 10 includes a control device 20 and a mobile vehicle 30 . The control device 20 can communicate with the mobile vehicle 30 via a network 40 .

[0020] The control device 20 is a computer installed in a facility such as a data center. The control device 20 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system. The control device 20 is operated by a company that operates an activity, for example.

[0021] The mobile vehicle 30 is, for example, any type of car such as a gasoline car, a diesel car, a hydrogen car, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or a FCEV. "HEV" is the abbreviation of a hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is the abbreviation of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is the abbreviation of a battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is the abbreviation of a fuel cell electric vehicle. The mobile vehicle 30 is an AV in this embodiment, but it can be driven by a driver, or the driving can be automated at any level. "AV" is the abbreviation of 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 of the Society of Automotive Engineers. The mobile vehicle 30 can also be a MaaS dedicated vehicle. "MaaS" is the abbreviation of Mobility as a Service.

[0022] The network 40 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. The network 40 may also include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. The wireless network is, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is short for local area network.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an overview of this embodiment is described.

[0024] The control device 20 obtains the second information 60 related to the congestion of at least two places where an event is held through the control unit 21. The event includes, for example, an exhibition, a trade fair, a food event, or a specialty product exhibition. In the present embodiment, the second information 60 is information related to the congestion of each booth in the area 11 where the event is held. That is, each place of "at least two places" is equivalent to a booth. The area 11 is, for example, an event venue such as a circular theater. The moving vehicle 30 moves between at least two booths in the area 11. The moving vehicle 30 may also travel in a circle on a path including more than three booths in the area 11. Based on the obtained second information 60, the control device 20 determines, through the control unit 21, the transportation path for the moving vehicle 30 to transport passengers.

[0025] According to the present embodiment, the path for transporting passengers in the area 11 can be adjusted according to the congestion condition of the area 11. For example, by preventing users from being excessively crowded at a specific booth, congestion can be alleviated.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the control device 20 acquires the first information 50 related to the event through the control unit 21. The control device 20 predicts the future congestion degree of each booth in the area 11 based on the acquired first information 50, thereby acquiring the second information 60.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the first information 50 includes various information such as the venue 51, the time 52, the number of participants 53 or the content 54 of the event. Preferably, the first information 50 includes not only past and present information but also future information. That is, the control device 20 preferably predicts the future congestion of each booth in the area 11 based on such future information. Past information includes, for example, the congestion when the same event as the event scheduled to be implemented at each booth was implemented in the past on the same day last year. Current information includes, for example, the pre-application status for the event scheduled to be implemented at each booth, or information related to the user's interest level obtained at the time of pre-application, or the resume of each user's occupation type. Future information includes, for example, the content of the event scheduled to be implemented at each booth, or the schedule of each user, such as being at booth A at 11 o'clock, having lunch at 12 o'clock, and being at booth B at 13 o'clock. When an event is held for multiple days, the number of visitors tends to be statistically bowl-shaped, and is larger on the first and last days. Therefore, the control device 20 may predict the congestion level on the first day based on the number of visitors or the number of registered people last year, and correct the predicted number of people based on the number of people on the first day for the congestion level after the second day to predict a more accurate number of people.

[0028] A directory of activities being conducted or scheduled to be conducted at a booth that is crowded and difficult for users to access can also be provided in the mobile vehicle 30. Users can also meet or have lunch in the mobile vehicle 30.

[0029] As a modification of the present embodiment, the control device 20 may acquire the second information 60 by observing the current congestion degree of each booth in the area 11 instead of predicting the future congestion degree of each booth in the area 11 .

[0030] As another variation of the present embodiment, the second information 60 may be information related to the degree of congestion of at least two areas where an event is held. That is, each of the "at least two places" may also correspond to an area. Each area may be, for example, an event venue such as a circular theater. The control device 20 may also obtain the second information 60 by predicting the future degree of congestion of each area. Alternatively, the control device 20 may also obtain the second information 60 by observing the current degree of congestion of each area. In this variation, the mobile vehicle 30 moves between at least two areas. The mobile vehicle 30 may also travel in a circle on a path including more than three areas.

[0031] According to this modification, the route for transporting passengers between areas can be adjusted according to the congestion status of each area. For example, by preventing users from excessively congesting at a specific event venue, congestion can be alleviated.

[0032] Reference Figure 2, the structure of the control device 20 involved in this embodiment is described.

[0033] The control device 20 includes a control unit 21 , a storage unit 22 , and a communication unit 23 .

[0034] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination of these. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor specifically used for 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 various parts of the control device 20 and performs processing related to the action of the control device 20.

[0035] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM, ROM, or flash memory. "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. Flash memory is, for example, SSD. "SSD" is the abbreviation of solid-state drive. Magnetic memory is, for example, HDD. "HDD" is the abbreviation of hard disk drive. The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache. Information used for the operation of the control device 20 and information obtained by the operation of the control device 20 are stored in the storage unit 22. In the present embodiment, at least the first information 50 and the second information 60 are stored in the storage unit 22 .

[0036] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, a module that complies with a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE802.11. "IEEE" is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). o f Electrical and Electr o nics En g Ministry of Communications 23 With moving vehicles 30 The communication unit 23 receives information for controlling the operation of the device 20 and transmits information obtained by controlling the operation of the device 20 .

[0037] The functions of the control device 20 are realized by executing the program according to the present embodiment by the processor as the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the control device 20 are realized by software. The program causes the computer to perform the operation of the control device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the control device 20. That is, the computer functions as the control device 20 by performing the operation of the control device 20 according to the program.

[0038] The program can be pre-stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media are flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, or ROMs. The program is circulated, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending portable 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 discs. "CD-ROM" is the abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program can also be circulated by pre-storing the program in a server's storage device and transmitting the program from the server to other computers. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0039] The computer temporarily stores a program stored in a portable medium or a program transmitted from a server in a main storage device, for example. Furthermore, the computer reads the program stored in the main storage device through a processor, and executes processing according to the read program through the processor. The computer may also directly read the program from the portable medium and execute processing according to the program. Whenever a program is transmitted from a server to the computer, the computer may also sequentially execute processing according to the received program. Processing may also be performed by a so-called ASP-type service that implements functions by only executing instructions and obtaining results without transmitting the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. The program includes information for processing by an electronic computer and information based on 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 is equivalent to "information based on the program."

[0040] 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.

[0041] Reference Figure 3 , the operation of the control device 20 involved in this embodiment is described. The operation of the control device 20 is equivalent to the control method involved in this embodiment. That is, the control method involved in this embodiment includes Figure 3 The steps S1 to S4 are shown.

[0042] In S1, the control unit 21 acquires the first information 50. Specifically, the control unit 21 reads the first information 50 from the storage unit 22. The first information 50 is pre-stored in the storage unit 22. Alternatively, the first information 50 may be acquired from an external storage via the communication unit 23 and then stored in the storage unit 22.

[0043] In S2, the control unit 21 obtains the second information 60. Specifically, the control unit 21 predicts the future congestion of each booth in the area 11 based on the first information 50 obtained in S1, thereby obtaining the second information 60. The control unit 21 stores the obtained second information 60 in the storage unit 22. For example, the control unit 21 predicts the customers attracted to each booth in the event venue based on the venue 51, the time 52, the number of participants 53, or the content 54 of the event included in the first information 50. The opening hours of each booth in the event venue, the time when the event starts at each booth, or the reservation time in the case of a booth or event that is a reservation system may also be considered.

[0044] The control unit 21 may also obtain the second information 60 by observing the current congestion of each booth in the area 11 instead of predicting the future congestion of each booth in the area 11. For example, the control unit 21 may receive the captured images of each booth in the event venue via the communication unit 23 and analyze the received captured images to observe the customers attracted to each booth.

[0045] In S3, the control unit 21 determines the transportation route for the vehicle 30 to transport passengers based on the second information 60 acquired in S2. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines a route that transports more passengers to a booth with a lower congestion level as the transportation route. As a result, the congestion level can be equalized.

[0046] In S4, the control unit 21 controls the movable vehicle 30 so as to move along the transport path determined in S3. For example, the control unit 21 notifies the movable vehicle 30 of the transport path via the communication unit 23 and causes the movable vehicle 30 to move along the transport path.

[0047] The steps S1 to S4 are repeatedly performed. Therefore, the control device 20 can respond to changes in the congestion situation in real time. When the control unit 21 detects a change in the congestion level, it is preferable to appropriately change the transport route even when the moving vehicle 30 is moving.

[0048] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, two or more frames recorded in the block diagram may be merged, or one frame may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps recorded in the flowchart in a time series according to the description, the steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order according to the processing capability of the device executing each step or as needed. In addition, changes may be made within the scope of the main purpose of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A control device, wherein: The control device comprises a control unit, The control unit is composed of: obtaining information on the congestion levels of at least two places where the event is held, Based on the acquired information on the congestion level, a transportation route for transporting passengers by a moving vehicle moving between the at least two locations is determined.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit acquires information on the congestion levels by observing current congestion levels of the at least two places.

3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit is composed of: obtain information related to said activity, The information on the congestion is acquired by predicting the future congestion levels of the at least two places based on the acquired information on the event.

4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit determines, as the transportation route, a route for transporting more passengers to a place with a lower congestion degree among the at least two places.

5. A control method, wherein: The control method comprises: The control unit obtains information related to the degree of congestion of at least two places where the event is held; and The control unit determines a transportation route for transporting passengers by a moving vehicle moving between the at least two locations based on the acquired information on the congestion level.

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