Information management device, service provision system, program, and information management method

Abstract

An information management device (110) is provided with: an information storage unit (112) that stores setting information indicating a stand indicating whether a user of a boarding vehicle makes a way to a target vehicle or makes a way to the target vehicle when there is the target vehicle, and a payable point; the target vehicle is another vehicle having a travel path intersecting the travel path of the vehicle, and the payable point is an upper limit of a payment point, which is a point paid to a user taking the target vehicle when the target vehicle makes a way by changing the travel path of the target vehicle; and a comparison unit (113) that, when a first travel device of a first vehicle detects a second vehicle, which is the target vehicle of the first vehicle, compares the standing point and payable point of a first user, which is a passenger of the first vehicle, with the standing point and payable point of a second user, which is a passenger of a second vehicle, by referring to setting information, and compares the standing point and payable point of the first user with the standing point and payable point of the second user. And determining a vehicle for changing the driving path and payment points.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information management device, a service providing system, a program, and an information management method. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that provides a vehicle control device that enables a vehicle to smoothly pass through an intersection safely and at a minimum necessary deceleration.

[0003] Specifically, when a vehicle control device that performs brake control in a vehicle detects another vehicle that has a possibility of passing the vehicle, i.e., an oncoming vehicle, at an intersection ahead of the vehicle, the vehicle control device sets a priority between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle with respect to passing the intersection. Furthermore, when the priority of the vehicle is lower than that of the oncoming vehicle, the vehicle control device performs brake control of the vehicle so that the vehicle passes through the intersection after the oncoming vehicle passes through the intersection.

[0004] Instead of or based on the relative positional relationship between vehicles with the possibility of passing each other, the priority set for each vehicle is set based on vehicle information and / or driver information stored in the form of a database. Vehicle information is, for example, information indicating emergency vehicles such as ambulances, police cars, or fire trucks. In addition, driver information is information on fees paid for becoming a priority vehicle, information indicating the number of times a priority vehicle has been given way in the past, or information on good drivers who do not violate traffic rules.

[0005] Based on vehicle information and driver information, such prior art becomes a useful service for people in a hurry. Furthermore, in the prior art, when one is not in a hurry, one can accumulate points by transferring the priority vehicle status to others, and when one is in a hurry, one can use the points to become the priority vehicle first.

[0006] Furthermore, in the prior art, in a situation where either the vehicle or another vehicle must give way to another vehicle, points can be earned by giving way to the other vehicle, and the points can be used as a reward, for example, to obtain certain services such as a discount on fares or priority vehicle rights.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-045350 Summary of the invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] However, in the prior art, priority can be purchased by paying money, and points can be obtained from operation by transferring the status of the priority vehicle to other vehicles while retaining the priority. However, manual judgment on the transfer is always required, which becomes a factor that hinders passengers' operations during automatic driving.

[0012] Therefore, an object of one or more aspects of the present disclosure is to enable automatic change of a travel route and transfer of points associated therewith according to a predetermined setting.

[0013] Means for solving problems

[0014] An information management device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that the information management device includes: an information storage unit that stores setting information indicating a stance and payable points, wherein the stance indicates whether a user riding a vehicle yields to a target vehicle or is given way by the target vehicle when there is a target vehicle, the target vehicle being another vehicle having a travel path that intersects with the travel path of the vehicle, and the payable points being points paid to the user riding the target vehicle when the target vehicle yields way by changing the travel path of the target vehicle, i.e., an upper limit of payable points; and a comparison unit that compares the stance and payable points of a first user who is a passenger of the first vehicle with the stance and payable points of a second user who is a passenger of the second vehicle by referring to the setting information when a first travel device that is mounted on a first vehicle and controls travel of the first vehicle detects a second vehicle as the target vehicle of the first vehicle, and determines whether to change the travel path of either the first vehicle or the second vehicle and determines whether to pay the points.

[0015] A service providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an information management device and a plurality of driving devices, wherein the plurality of driving devices are respectively mounted on a plurality of vehicles and control the driving of each of the plurality of vehicles, and is characterized in that the information management device comprises: an information storage unit, which stores setting information indicating a position and payable points, wherein the position indicates whether a user of a vehicle included in the plurality of vehicles should give way to the target vehicle or obtain the same when there is a target vehicle, the target vehicle being another vehicle having a driving path intersecting with the driving path of the vehicle, and the payable points being the points obtained by obtaining the same by changing the driving path of the target vehicle. a comparison unit which, when a first driving device that is mounted on a first vehicle included in the plurality of vehicles and controls the driving of the first vehicle detects a second vehicle included in the plurality of vehicles as the target vehicle of the first vehicle, compares the position and payable points of a passenger of the first vehicle, i.e., a first user, with the position and payable points of a passenger of the second vehicle, i.e., a second user, by referring to the setting information, and makes a decision on changing the driving path of either the first vehicle or the second vehicle and on the payment of points.

[0016] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that the program causes a computer to function as: an information storage unit that stores setting information indicating a stance and payable points, wherein the stance indicates whether a user riding a vehicle yields to a target vehicle or is given way by the target vehicle when there is a target vehicle, the target vehicle being another vehicle having a travel path that intersects with a travel path of the vehicle, and the payable points being points paid to a user riding the target vehicle when the target vehicle yields way by changing the travel path of the target vehicle, i.e., an upper limit of payable points; and a comparison unit that compares the stance and payable points of a first user who is a passenger of the first vehicle with the stance and payable points of a second user who is a passenger of the second vehicle by referring to the setting information, when a first travel device that is mounted on a first vehicle and controls travel of the first vehicle detects a second vehicle that is the target vehicle of the first vehicle, and determines whether to change the travel path of either the first vehicle or the second vehicle and determines the payable points.

[0017] An information management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, when a first travel device mounted on a first vehicle and controlling travel of the first vehicle detects a second vehicle as a target vehicle having a travel path intersecting with a travel path of the first vehicle, a position and payable points of a first user who is a passenger of the first vehicle are compared with a position and payable points of a second user who is a passenger of the second vehicle by referring to setting information indicating a position and payable points, wherein the position indicates whether the user riding the vehicle yields to the target vehicle or is given way by the target vehicle when there is a target vehicle, the target vehicle being another vehicle having a travel path intersecting with the travel path of the vehicle, and the payable points being points to be paid to the user riding the target vehicle when the target vehicle yields by changing the travel path of the target vehicle, i.e., an upper limit of payable points, to determine whether to change the travel path of either the first vehicle or the second vehicle and to determine the payable points.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to automatically change the travel route and transfer the points associated therewith according to a predetermined setting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the service providing system according to the first and second embodiments.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the information management device in Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information management device.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the first traveling device in the first and second embodiments.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a traveling device.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the second traveling device in the first and second embodiments.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the service providing system according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the comparison unit of the information management device.

[0028] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of determining a travel route change and paying points in the first embodiment.

[0029] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the first mechanism of the handover integration.

[0030] Fig.11 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the second mechanism of the handover integration.

[0031] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing the operation of generating a vehicle group in the second embodiment.

[0032] Fig.13 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of determining a travel route change and paying points in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Implementation Method 1

[0034] Figure 1 This is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the service providing system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0035] The service providing system 100 includes an information management device 110 , a first traveling device 130A, and a second traveling device 130B.

[0036] The information management device 110 and the first traveling device 130A or the second traveling device 130B can communicate via a network 101 such as the Internet.

[0037] The first travel device 130A is a device mounted on the first vehicle 102A and performs drive control of the first vehicle 102A, and the second travel device 130B is a device mounted on the second vehicle 102B and performs drive control of the second vehicle 102B. The first travel device 130A and the second travel device 130B are configured similarly, and therefore, when there is no need to specifically distinguish between the first travel device 130A and the second travel device 130B, the first travel device 130A and the second travel device 130B are respectively referred to as travel devices 130.

[0038] Here, when the travel paths of two vehicles intersect, the travel device 130 that first detects the other vehicle and attempts communication is referred to as the first travel device 130A, and the travel device 130 on the other side is referred to as the second travel device 130B.

[0039] The information management device 110 manages information of users who use the service providing system 100 .

[0040] Figure 2It is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the information management device 110.

[0041] The information management device 110 includes a network communication unit 111 , an information storage unit 112 , and a comparison unit 113 .

[0042] The network communication unit 111 communicates via the network 101. For example, the network communication unit 111 communicates with the first traveling device 130A or the second traveling device 130B via the network 101.

[0043] The information storage unit 112 stores programs and information required for processing in the information management device 110. For example, the information storage unit 112 stores information of users who use the service providing system 100, that is, setting information. Here, the setting information, for example, indicates a stance indicating whether a user riding a vehicle should give way to a target vehicle or receive the same when there is a target vehicle, the target vehicle being another vehicle having a travel path that intersects the travel path of the vehicle, and payable points, which are points to be paid to a user riding the target vehicle when the target vehicle gives way by changing the travel path of the target vehicle, that is, an upper limit of the payable points.

[0044] The setting information is information that reflects the characteristics of the vehicle passengers. This information is not associated with the vehicle, but with the user. Therefore, when the user rides the vehicle, it is necessary to perform an authentication procedure on the information management device 110 so that the user can be identified. The authentication procedure can be a well-known procedure such as a procedure using an ID and a password or a procedure using biometric information, so detailed description is omitted. The setting information is associated with the user identification information for identifying the user, and by taking an authentication procedure in the driving device 130, it is also associated with the vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle.

[0045] Specifically, the setting information is information indicating the position, payable points, and owned points.

[0046] The stance indicates whether the user wishes to "go ahead" or "give way" when the route of the vehicle the user is riding crosses the route of the target vehicle. In addition, even if the stance indicates "go ahead", whether to actually go ahead or give way is determined by the stance of the other party and the maximum payable points of the other party. In addition, even if the stance indicates "give way", whether to actually go ahead or give way is determined by the stance of the other party.

[0047] The payable points are the upper limit of points that can be paid in order to advance the vehicle that the user is riding in. In addition, the payable points are set to be a predetermined point, that is, a minimum set point or more.

[0048] The owned points are points owned by the user. In addition, when the owned points of the user are managed by other systems such as other service operating companies, the owned points may not be included in the setting information. In this case, the comparison unit 113 described later may inquire other systems via the network communication unit 111 to confirm the owned points of the user.

[0049] In addition, the information storage unit 112 stores history information for each user, which indicates the history of whether the user gave way to the target vehicle or received the way from the target vehicle, recorded together with the date and time. In addition, the history information may also include payment points collected or paid.

[0050] When the travel route of the vehicle in which the user is riding intersects the travel route of the target vehicle, the comparison unit 113 compares the setting information of the user of the vehicle with the setting information of the user of the target vehicle to determine which vehicle's travel route is to be changed. The result of this determination is notified to both vehicles as route change information.

[0051] Specifically, when the first driving device 130A that controls the driving of the first vehicle 102A detects the second vehicle 102B as the target vehicle of the first vehicle 102A, the comparison unit 113 compares the position and payable points of the passenger of the first vehicle 102A, i.e., the first user, with the position and payable points of the passenger of the second vehicle 102B, i.e., the second user, by referring to the setting information, and makes a decision to change the driving path of either the first vehicle 102A or the second vehicle 102B and a decision to pay points.

[0052] For example, when the first user's position is different from the second user's position, the comparison unit 113 changes the travel route of the vehicle in which the user is riding in the vehicle that is set to give way to the target vehicle, and pays predetermined points as the points.

[0053] Furthermore, when both the first user and the second user indicate that the target vehicle gave way, the comparison unit 113 changes the driving route of the party with lower payable points and uses points equal to or greater than the payable points as the payable points. Here, for example, the payable points may be obtained by adding "1" to the payable points.

[0054] Furthermore, when the payable points of the first user and the payable points of the second user are equal, the comparison unit 113 refers to the history information, calculates the intensity of the higher the number of times the yield is obtained, changes the driving route of the party with the lower intensity, and uses the predetermined points as the payment points. Here, the comparison unit 113 calculates the intensity by multiplying the number of times by a value that decreases as the number of days that have passed since the last yield was obtained.

[0055] Then, the comparison unit 113 transmits route change information indicating an instruction to change the travel route to the travel device 130 mounted on the vehicle whose travel route is to be changed, via the network communication unit 111 .

[0056] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information management device 110 .

[0057] The information management device 110 can be implemented, for example, by a so-called computer having a processor 10, a memory 11, an auxiliary storage device 12 such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an input interface (I / F) 13 such as a keyboard or a mouse, and a communication I / F 14 such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) for connecting to a network 101.

[0058] The network communication unit 111 can be implemented by the processor 10 using the communication I / F 14 .

[0059] The information storage unit 112 can be implemented by the processor 10 using the memory 11 or the auxiliary storage device 12 .

[0060] The comparison unit 113 can be realized by the processor 10 loading a program stored in the auxiliary storage device 12 into the memory 11 and executing the program.

[0061] The above-mentioned program can be provided via the network 101, or can be provided by being recorded in a recording medium. That is, such a program can also be provided as a program product, for example.

[0062] Figure 4 It is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the first traveling device 130A.

[0063] The first driving device 130A and the second driving device 130B are configured similarly, but as described above, when the driving paths of the two vehicles intersect, the driving device 130 that first detects the other party and attempts to communicate is the first driving device 130A. Therefore, the processing performed by the driving device 130 when the other party is detected first will be explained as the processing of the first driving device 130A.

[0064] The first driving device 130A includes a network communication unit 131A, a storage unit 132A, a surrounding environment measurement unit 133A, a control unit 134A, a wireless communication unit 135A, a driving route determination unit 136A, and a drive unit 137A.

[0065] The network communication unit 131A communicates via the network 101. For example, the network communication unit 131A communicates with the information management device 110 via the network 101. Specifically, the network communication unit 131A transmits a route change information acquisition request described later to the information management device 110, and receives the route change information as a response.

[0066] The storage unit 132A stores information and programs necessary for processing in the first traveling device 130A. For example, the storage unit 132A stores at least map information indicating a map around the first vehicle 102A.

[0067] The surrounding environment measuring unit 133A generates surrounding environment information indicating a map around the first vehicle 102A and the conditions around the first vehicle 102A based on GPS information from a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver described later, map information stored in the storage unit 132A, and sensor information from a sensor described later. The generated surrounding environment information is provided to the control unit 134A. The surrounding conditions include information indicating the presence of objects that affect driving, such as obstacles.

[0068] In addition, the surrounding environment measuring unit 133A detects a target vehicle that is a vehicle that is present within a predetermined range relative to the first vehicle 102A and is traveling in the direction of the travel path of the first vehicle 102A based on sensing information from a sensor described later. Then, the surrounding environment measuring unit 133A estimates the travel path of the target vehicle based on a direction vector indicating the speed of the target vehicle, and determines whether the travel path of the first vehicle 102A and the travel path of the target vehicle intersect.

[0069] Then, when the target vehicle is detected and the travel path of the target vehicle intersects the travel path of the first vehicle 102A, the surrounding environment measuring unit 133A provides the control unit 134A with target vehicle detection information indicating that the target vehicle has been detected.

[0070] Specifically, in the case of a road such as a sidewalk, the surrounding environment measuring unit 133A estimates the travel path of the target vehicle based on the direction vector indicating the speed of the target vehicle, and determines whether the travel path intersects with the travel path of the first vehicle 102A. In addition, when the first vehicle 102A passes through an entrance of a store or the like, the surrounding environment measuring unit 133A determines that their travel paths intersect when the target vehicle passes through the entrance based on the direction vector indicating the speed of the target vehicle.

[0071] The control unit 134A controls the processing in the first traveling device 130A.

[0072] For example, the control unit 134A processes the route change information received by the network communication unit 131A, the surrounding environment information or target vehicle detection information from the surrounding environment measurement unit 133A, or the target vehicle information from the wireless communication unit 135A, and sends appropriate information corresponding to the next processing to each unit.

[0073] Specifically, the control unit 134A instructs the surrounding environment measuring unit 133A to update the surrounding environment information at a certain sampling time.

[0074] Furthermore, when the control unit 134A receives the target vehicle detection information from the surrounding environment measurement unit 133A, it sends a target vehicle information acquisition request to the wireless communication unit 135A, thereby issuing a communication instruction with the target vehicle. When the communication is successful, the control unit 134A receives the target vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the target vehicle from the wireless communication unit 135A. Next, the control unit 134A sends a route change information acquisition request including the vehicle identification information of the first vehicle 102A and the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B as the target vehicle to the information management device 110 via the network communication unit 131A.

[0075] Then, upon receiving the route change information from the network communication unit 131A, the control unit 134A receives the latest surrounding environment information from the surrounding environment measurement unit 133A, and transmits a route determination instruction including the information to the driving route determination unit 136A.

[0076] The wireless communication unit 135A communicates wirelessly. For example, the wireless communication unit 135A communicates with the second traveling device 130B wirelessly. Here, the communication method is not particularly limited as long as the communication range is 10 m or more.

[0077] Specifically, the wireless communication unit 135A transmits a target vehicle information acquisition request to the second driving device 130B according to the communication instruction from the control unit 134A. The target vehicle information acquisition request is a request for requesting necessary information from the target vehicle in order for the target vehicle to identify the first vehicle 102A as a communication partner, indicating that the target vehicle is using the same service and that the driving routes intersect.

[0078] Then, when the communication with the second traveling device 130B is successful, the wireless communication unit 135A receives the target vehicle information from the second traveling device 130B. The received target vehicle information is provided to the control unit 134A.

[0079] The driving route determination unit 136A determines the driving route according to the route determination instruction received from the control unit 134A. For example, the driving route determination unit 136A determines the driving route from the departure point to the destination. In addition, when receiving the route determination instruction from the control unit 134A after departure, the driving route determination unit 136A determines the driving route based on the route change information and the surrounding environment information included in the route determination instruction.

[0080] Specifically, if the path change information is not information indicating a path change, and there are no obstacles on the driving path of the first driving device 130A according to the surrounding conditions indicated by the surrounding environment information, the driving path determination unit 136A provides the path information indicating the original driving path without a path change to the drive unit 137A.

[0081] On the other hand, in at least any one of the cases where the path change information is information indicating a path change, and where there is an obstacle on the driving path of the first vehicle 102A based on the surrounding conditions indicated by the surrounding environment information, the driving path determination unit 136A refers to the surrounding map information included in the surrounding environment information, changes the driving path of the first vehicle 102A in a manner that avoids at least one of the target vehicle and the obstacle, and provides the path information indicating the changed driving path to the drive unit 137A.

[0082] The driving unit 137A generates a control signal such as a voltage value or a wheel angle for controlling the first vehicle 102A according to the route information provided from the driving route determination unit 136A, and sends the control signal to a vehicle control circuit described later. Specifically, the driving unit 137A calculates a time-series motion such as acceleration and deceleration or a turning angle according to the route information, and converts it into a control signal for driving the first vehicle 102A.

[0083] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the driving device 130 .

[0084] The driving device 130 can be realized by, for example, a so-called computer having a processor 20, a memory 21, an auxiliary storage device 22 such as an HDD, a wireless network communication I / F 23 such as a NIC for connecting to the network 101 using wireless, a wireless communication I / F 24 for wireless communication, a GPS receiver 25, a sensor 26 and a vehicle control circuit 27.

[0085] The network communication unit 131A can be implemented by the processor 20 using the wireless network communication I / F 23 .

[0086] The storage unit 132A can be implemented by the processor 20 using the memory 21 or the auxiliary storage device 22 .

[0087] The surrounding environment measuring unit 133A, the control unit 134A, the driving route determination unit 136A, and the driving unit 137A can be realized by the processor 20 loading a program stored in the auxiliary storage device 22 into the memory 21 and executing the program.

[0088] Furthermore, the surrounding environment measurement unit 133A receives information from the GPS receiver 25 and the sensor 26 as measurement execution units, and generates surrounding environment information.

[0089] Furthermore, the driving unit 137A supplies a control signal to the vehicle control circuit 27 .

[0090] The above-mentioned program can be provided via the network 101, or can be provided by being recorded in a recording medium. That is, such a program can also be provided as a program product, for example.

[0091] Figure 6 It is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the second traveling device 130B.

[0092] The first driving device 130A and the second driving device 130B are configured similarly, but as described above, when the driving paths of the two vehicles intersect, the driving device 130 that first detects the other party and attempts to communicate is the first driving device 130A, and the driving device 130 on the detected side is the second driving device 130B. Therefore, the processing performed by the driving device 130 when being detected by the other side will be explained as the processing of the second driving device 130B.

[0093] The second driving device 130B includes a network communication unit 131B, a storage unit 132B, a surrounding environment measurement unit 133B, a control unit 134B, a wireless communication unit 135B, a driving route determination unit 136B, and a drive unit 137B.

[0094] The network communication unit 131B communicates via the network 101. For example, the network communication unit 131B communicates with the information management device 110 via the network 101. Specifically, the network communication unit 131B receives the path change information from the information management device 110.

[0095] The storage unit 132B stores information and programs necessary for processing in the second traveling device 130B. For example, the storage unit 132B stores at least map information indicating a map around the second vehicle 102B.

[0096] The surrounding environment measuring unit 133B generates surrounding environment information indicating a map around the second vehicle 102B and the conditions around the second vehicle 102B based on GPS information from the GPS receiver 25, map information stored in the storage unit 132B, and sensor information from the sensor 26. The generated surrounding environment information is provided to the control unit 134B.

[0097] The control unit 134B controls the processing in the second traveling device 130B.

[0098] For example, the control unit 134B processes the route change information received by the network communication unit 131B, the surrounding environment information from the surrounding environment measurement unit 133B, or the target vehicle information acquisition request from the wireless communication unit 135B, and sends appropriate information corresponding to the next process to each unit.

[0099] Specifically, the control unit 134B instructs the surrounding environment measuring unit 133B to update the surrounding environment information at a certain sampling time.

[0100] Furthermore, upon receiving the target vehicle information acquisition request from the wireless communication unit 135B, the control unit 134B generates target vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B, and transmits the target vehicle information to the first travel device 130A via the wireless communication unit 135B.

[0101] Furthermore, when receiving the route change information from the network communication unit 131B, the control unit 134B receives the latest surrounding environment information from the surrounding environment measurement unit 133B, and transmits a route determination instruction including the information to the driving route determination unit 136B.

[0102] The wireless communication unit 135B performs wireless communication. For example, the wireless communication unit 135B performs wireless communication with the first traveling device 130A.

[0103] Specifically, the wireless communication unit 135B receives the target vehicle information acquisition request from the first traveling device 130A.

[0104] Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 135B transmits the target vehicle information from the control unit 134B to the first traveling device 130A.

[0105] The driving route determination unit 136B determines the driving route according to the route determination instruction received from the control unit 134B. For example, the driving route determination unit 136B determines the driving route from the departure point to the destination. In addition, when receiving the route determination instruction from the control unit 134B after departure, the driving route determination unit 136B determines the driving route based on the route change information and surrounding environment information included in the route determination instruction. Then, the driving route determination unit 136B provides the route information indicating the determined driving route to the driving unit 137B.

[0106] The driving unit 137B generates a control signal such as a voltage value or a wheel angle for controlling the second vehicle 102B in a time-sequential manner according to the route information provided from the travel route determination unit 136B, and transmits the control signal to the vehicle control circuit 27 .

[0107] The second travel device 130B also has Figure 5 The hardware structure shown.

[0108] For example, the network communication unit 131B can be implemented by the processor 20 using the wireless network communication I / F 23 .

[0109] The storage unit 132B can be implemented by the processor 20 using the memory 21 or the auxiliary storage device 22 .

[0110] The surrounding environment measuring unit 133B, the control unit 134B, the driving route determination unit 136B, and the driving unit 137B can be realized by the processor 20 loading a program stored in the auxiliary storage device 22 into the memory 21 and executing the program.

[0111] In addition, the surrounding environment measuring unit 133B receives information from the GPS receiver 25 and the sensor 26 and generates surrounding environment information.

[0112] Furthermore, the driving unit 137B supplies a control signal to the vehicle control circuit 27 .

[0113] The above-mentioned program can be provided via the network 101, or can be provided by being recorded in a recording medium. That is, such a program can also be provided as a program product, for example.

[0114] Figure 7 This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the service providing system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0115] First, when the surrounding environment measuring unit 133A of the first driving device 130A detects a target vehicle whose travel path intersects the travel path of the first vehicle 102A ( S10 ), the surrounding environment measuring unit 133A provides the control unit 134A with target vehicle detection information indicating that the target vehicle has been detected.

[0116] Upon receiving the target vehicle detection information, the control unit 134A transmits a target vehicle information acquisition request to the wireless communication unit 135A, and the wireless communication unit 135A transmits the target vehicle information acquisition request to the second travel device 130B ( S11 ).

[0117] When receiving the target vehicle information acquisition request, the wireless communication unit 135B of the second traveling device 130B provides the target vehicle information acquisition request to the control unit 134B, and the control unit 134B generates target vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B, and transmits the target vehicle information to the wireless communication unit 135B. The wireless communication unit 135B transmits the target vehicle information to the first traveling device 130A (S12).

[0118] When receiving the target vehicle information from the second driving device 130B, the wireless communication unit 135A of the first driving device 130A provides the target vehicle information to the control unit 134A. The control unit 134A generates a route change information acquisition request including the vehicle identification information of the first vehicle 102A and the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B, and provides the route change information acquisition request to the network communication unit 131A. The network communication unit 131A transmits the route change information acquisition request to the information management device 110 (S13).

[0119] When receiving a request to obtain route change information, the network communication unit 111 of the information management device 110 provides the request to obtain route change information to the comparison unit 113. The comparison unit 113 reads out the user's setting information (hereinafter referred to as the first setting information) and history information (hereinafter referred to as the first history information) corresponding to the vehicle identification information of the first vehicle 102A, and the user's setting information (hereinafter referred to as the second setting information) and history information (hereinafter referred to as the second history information) corresponding to the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B from the information storage unit 112, and compares the first setting information, the first history information, the second setting information, and the second history information to thereby determine which of the first vehicle 102A and the second vehicle 102B's driving route is to be changed (S14). The details of the processing here are described using Figure 8 Provide explanation.

[0120] Next, the comparison unit 113 updates the setting information and history information stored in the information storage unit 112 according to the decision in step S14 (S15). For example, the comparison unit 113 subtracts the payment points from the points owned by the user who obtained the way in the setting information, adds the payment points to the points owned by the user who gave way, and stores the history of giving way and the history of obtaining the way together with the user, year, month, day, and time in the history information.

[0121] Next, the comparison unit 113 generates route change information indicating that the driving route should be changed for the driving device 130 of the vehicle on which the user who gave way was boarded, and generates route change information indicating that the driving route should not be changed for the driving device 130 of the vehicle on which the user who gave way was boarded, and provides the route change information to the network communication unit 111. The network communication unit 111 sends the route change information to the first driving device 130A and the second driving device 130B, respectively (S16, S17). Here, it is assumed that the user of the first vehicle 102A gave way and the user of the second vehicle 102B was given way for explanation.

[0122] When the network communication unit 131A of the first driving device 130A receives the route change information, it provides the route change information to the control unit 134A. The control unit 134A instructs the surrounding environment measurement unit 133A to obtain the latest surrounding environment information (S18). Then, the control unit 134A sends a route determination instruction including the route change information and the surrounding environment information to the driving route determination unit 136A.

[0123] The driving route determination unit 136A determines the driving route according to the route determination instruction received from the control unit 134A (S19). Here, the first vehicle 102A gives way to the second vehicle 102B, so the driving route determination unit 136A changes the driving route of the first vehicle 102A in a manner that allows the second vehicle 102B to pass first, and provides the route information indicating the changed driving route to the drive unit 137A.

[0124] The driving unit 137A generates a control signal for controlling a vehicle (not shown) according to the route information supplied from the travel route determination unit 136A, and transmits the control signal to the vehicle control circuit 27 ( S20 ).

[0125] In addition, when the network communication unit 131B of the second driving device 130B receives the route change information, it provides the route change information to the control unit 134B. The control unit 134B instructs the surrounding environment measurement unit 133B to obtain the latest surrounding environment information (S21). Here, it is assumed that there are no obstacles on the driving path. Then, the control unit 134B sends a route determination instruction including the route change information and the surrounding environment information to the driving path determination unit 136B.

[0126] The driving route determination unit 136B determines the driving route according to the route determination instruction received from the control unit 134B (S22). Here, the second vehicle 102B is given way by the first vehicle 102A, so the driving route determination unit 136B provides the driving unit 137B with route information indicating the previous driving route.

[0127] The driving unit 137B generates a control signal for controlling a vehicle (not shown) according to the route information supplied from the travel route determination unit 136B, and transmits the control signal to the vehicle control circuit 27 ( S23 ).

[0128] Figure 8 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the comparison unit 113 of the information management device 110 .

[0129] The comparison unit 113 determines which of the first vehicle 102A and the second vehicle 102B is to change the travel route based on the setting information and history information of the user associated with each vehicle.

[0130] First, the comparison unit 113 obtains the user's setting information and history information respectively associated with the first vehicle 102A and the second vehicle 102B from the information storage unit 112 using the vehicle identification information included in the route change information acquisition request ( S30 ).

[0131] Next, it is determined whether the positions of the users boarding the first vehicle 102A and the second vehicle 102B are the same (S31). If they are different (S31: No), the process proceeds to step S32, and if they are the same (S31: Yes), the process proceeds to step S33.

[0132] In step S32 , the comparison unit 113 determines that the travel route of the vehicle ridden by the user whose attitude is “advance” has not changed, and the travel route of the vehicle ridden by the user whose attitude is “yield” has changed.

[0133] In addition, in this case, Figure 7 In step S15, a predetermined minimum set point is sent as payment points from the user whose position is "advance" to the user whose position is "courteous".

[0134] On the other hand, in step S33, the comparison unit 113 determines whether the stance of the two users is "advance". When the stance of the two users is "advance" (S33: Yes), the processing proceeds to step S34. When the stance of the two users is "courtesy" (S33: No), the processing proceeds to step S36.

[0135] In step S34, the comparison unit 113 determines whether the payable points of the two users are the same. If the payable points of the two users are different (S34: No), the process proceeds to step S35, and if the payable points of the two users are the same (S34: Yes), the process proceeds to step S36.

[0136] In step S35, the comparison unit 113 compares the payable points of the two users to determine the vehicle whose travel route is changed. Here, the comparison unit 113 determines that the travel route of the vehicle of the user with the higher payable points has not changed, and the travel route of the vehicle of the user with the lower payable points has changed.

[0137] In addition, in this case, Figure 7 In step S15, points obtained by adding "1" to the payable points of the user with the low payable points are sent from the user with the high payable points to the user with the low payable points as payment points.

[0138] In step S36, the comparison unit 113 compares the history of the two users, thereby determining the vehicle that changes its travel route. Here, the comparison unit 113 uses two parameters, namely, the history of service usage to date and the history of points awarded to other users, to make the determination. Specifically, in order to emphasize the intensity of the recent "advance", the comparison unit 113 calculates the value obtained by multiplying "a parameter whose value decreases according to the number of days since the last time the user gave way to the user" by "the number of times points were awarded to other users", i.e., the usage intensity. Then, the comparison unit 113 determines that the travel route of the vehicle ridden by the user with a high usage intensity has not changed, while the travel route of the vehicle ridden by the user with a low usage intensity has changed.

[0139] In addition, in this case, Figure 7 In step S15, a predetermined minimum set point is sent from a user with high usage intensity to a user with low usage intensity as payment points.

[0140] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of determining a travel route change and paying points in the first embodiment.

[0141] exist Fig. 9 In the illustrated mode 1, the position is "advance" in the setting information of the user of vehicle 1, and the position is "courteous" in the setting information of the user of vehicle 2. In this mode, the user on vehicle 1 pays the lower limit set points, i.e., "2 points", to the user on vehicle 2, and it is determined that the driving route of vehicle 1 has not changed, but the driving route of vehicle 2 has changed.

[0142] exist Fig. 9In the illustrated pattern 2, the position is "advance" in the setting information of the user of vehicle 1, and the position is also "advance" in the setting information of the user of vehicle 2. In this case, the payable points in the setting information of the user of vehicle 1 are "4", and the payable points in the setting information of the user of vehicle 2 are "10". Therefore, the user riding in vehicle 2 pays the user riding in vehicle 1 "5" which is the payable points "4" of the user riding in vehicle 1 plus "1", and it is determined that the travel route of vehicle 2 has not changed, but the travel route of vehicle 1 has changed.

[0143] exist Fig. 9 In the illustrated mode 3, the user setting information of vehicle 1 sets the position to "courtesy", and the user setting information of vehicle 2 also sets the position to "courtesy". In this case, whether or not the travel route is changed is determined based on the user's history. Then, the user whose travel route is not changed is paid the minimum set points, i.e., "2 points", to the user whose travel route is changed.

[0144] exist Fig. 9 In the illustrated mode 4, the position is "advance" in the setting information of the user of vehicle 1, and the position is also "advance" in the setting information of the user of vehicle 2. In addition, the payable points are "3" in the setting information of the user of vehicle 1, and the payable points are also "3" in the setting information of the user of vehicle 2. In this case, whether or not the travel route has been changed is determined based on the user's history. Then, the minimum set points, "2 points", are paid from the user whose travel route has not been changed to the user whose travel route has been changed.

[0145] In addition, when there are multiple vehicles following each vehicle, such as when there is congestion near the entrance of a store, the method described in Embodiment 1 cannot be applied. In this case, it is preferred that the driving device 130 performs traffic control so that the vehicles enter and exit alternately through inter-vehicle communication.

[0146] The points used by the comparison unit 113 include points that can be used only for the service provided by the provider of the service providing system 100 and points that can be used for other services. Examples of points that can be used for other services include money or virtual currency.

[0147] In the case where the points can only be used in the services provided by the provider of the service providing system 100, for example, the points are used by Fig.10The mechanism shown in the figure is as follows. Basically, the points are transferred between users, and the points flow between users. Here, the service operator gives points to users at regular intervals, and if users want more points, they can obtain points that can be used outside the service (such as money or virtual currency, etc.) as a reward. In addition, users can obtain points that can be used outside the service (such as money or coupons, etc.) from the service operator in exchange for the service operator and certain points.

[0148] In addition, if the points can be used for services other than those provided by the provider of the service providing system 100, Fig.11 In such a mechanism, the flow of integrals also holds. Fig.11 In this mechanism, points are transferred between users, and points flow between users, without any special exchange of points as rewards with the service operator. However, in order to smoothly settle accounts when the system is in operation, the service operator needs to know whether the user can pay with the points they have. Therefore, the user needs to deposit a certain amount of points in advance to the service.

[0149] As described above, in the first embodiment, points can be automatically sent from the user who wants to go first to the person who gives way based on the information indicating the strength of the priority set in advance by the user, and the driving route of each autonomous vehicle can be automatically reset. Therefore, the person who wants to go ahead can reduce the pressure when crossing the driving route of the target vehicle by paying points, and can move to the destination at a high speed. On the other hand, the person who wants to earn points can automatically earn points by giving way and just riding the autonomous vehicle.

[0150] Implementation Method 2

[0151] For example, when a group of vehicles forms a queue on a road where one of two small vehicles needs to change course, such as a narrow sidewalk, the total payable points are compared with the target group of vehicles. This case will be described as Embodiment 2.

[0152] like Figure 1 As shown, the service providing system 200 according to the second embodiment includes an information management device 210 , a first traveling device 230A, and a second traveling device 230 .

[0153] In the second embodiment, when there is no need to distinguish the first traveling device 230A and the second traveling device 230 , the first traveling device 230A and the second traveling device 230B are also referred to as traveling devices 230 .

[0154] In addition, the first travel device 230A is mounted on the first vehicle 102A, and the second travel device 230B is mounted on the second vehicle 102B.

[0155] In the second embodiment, when two vehicles approach each other, the driving device 230 that first detects the other vehicle and attempts communication is referred to as the first driving device 230A, and the driving device 230 on the other side is referred to as the second driving device 230B.

[0156] The information management device 210 manages information of users who use the service providing system 200 .

[0157] like Figure 2 As shown, the information management device 210 in the second embodiment includes a network communication unit 111 , an information storage unit 212 , and a comparison unit 213 .

[0158] The network communication unit 111 of the information management device 210 in the second embodiment is the same as the network communication unit 111 of the information management device 110 in the first embodiment.

[0159] The information storage unit 212 stores programs and information necessary for processing in the information management device 210. For example, the information storage unit 212 stores setting information which is information of users who use the service providing system 200.

[0160] The setting information in the second embodiment is similar to the setting information in the first embodiment, indicating the position, payable points, and owned points, and, when the vehicle in which the user is riding forms a group with another vehicle, group identification information indicating the group is also shown.

[0161] The comparison unit 213 in the second embodiment performs the same processing as the comparison unit 213 in the first embodiment, and further performs the following processing.

[0162] When receiving a group registration request from the network communication unit 111, the comparison unit 213 registers the group identification information indicating the group in the setting information of the user riding in the vehicle identified by the vehicle identification information indicated by the group registration request. In this case, for example, after a group registration request indicating the vehicle identification information of vehicles A and B is sent from vehicle A, a group registration request indicating the vehicle identification information of vehicles B and C or a group registration request indicating the vehicle identification information of vehicles A and C is sent, the comparison unit 213 assigns group identification information indicating that they are the same group to vehicles A, B, and C. In other words, when a group registration request including a vehicle that has already been registered as a group is sent, the comparison unit 213 determines that the vehicle identified by the other vehicle identification information included in the group registration request is the same group as the already registered vehicle.

[0163] Furthermore, when determining whether or not there is a change in the travel route among users riding in the vehicles forming the group as shown in the first embodiment, the comparison unit 213 uses the total of the payable points of all users riding in all the vehicles included in the group to perform a comparison. Figure 8 The judgment of step S34 and step S35 shown in the figure. In this case, the payable points for the user whose attitude is "courteous" are "0".

[0164] Specifically, when the first vehicle 102A forms a first vehicle group consisting of a plurality of vehicles that share at least a portion of the travel path of the first vehicle 102A, and the second vehicle 102B forms a second vehicle group consisting of a plurality of vehicles that share at least a portion of the travel path of the second vehicle 102B, the comparison unit 213 calculates the total of payable points of users riding in the first vehicle group and the total of payable points of users riding in the second vehicle group. Then, the comparison unit 213 changes the travel paths of the vehicles included in the vehicle group of the party with the lower total so that the party with the higher total shares the points greater than the total of the party with the lower total, thereby paying the points. The method of sharing the payment points in the vehicle group can be predetermined and can be any method. Here, for example, the points obtained by adding "1" to the total points of the party with the lower total can be set as the total of the payment points.

[0165] Furthermore, when the calculated totals are the same, the comparison unit 213 changes the travel route of the party that does not include the user who has set the maximum payable points among the users riding in the first vehicle group and the second vehicle group. Then, the comparison unit 213 causes the party that has not changed the travel route to bear the total payable points of the party that has not changed the travel route. In this case, each user of the party that has not changed the travel route bears each payable point. In addition, the method of allocating the payable points in the vehicle group can be predetermined and can be any method. For example, the higher the payable points, the higher the points allocated, or the points can be equally distributed.

[0166] Furthermore, when the calculated totals are the same, the comparison unit 213 changes the travel route of the one that does not include the user who has paid the most payment points among the users riding in the first vehicle group and the second vehicle group. Then, the comparison unit 213 makes the other party share the value obtained by multiplying the number of vehicles of the one that changed the travel route by a predetermined point, and uses this as the payment points.

[0167] like Figure 4 As shown, the first driving device 230A includes a network communication unit 131A, a storage unit 132A, a surrounding environment measurement unit 233A, a control unit 234A, a wireless communication unit 135A, a driving route determination unit 236A, and a drive unit 137A.

[0168] The network communication unit 131A, storage unit 132A, wireless communication unit 135A, and drive unit 137A of the first traveling device 230A in the second embodiment are the same as the network communication unit 131A, storage unit 132A, wireless communication unit 135A, and drive unit 137A of the first traveling device 130A in the first embodiment.

[0169] Here, in embodiment 2, the first driving device 230A and the second driving device 230B are also configured similarly, but, as described above, when two vehicles approach each other, the driving device 230 that first detects the other party and attempts to communicate is the first driving device 230A. Therefore, the processing performed by the driving device 230 when the other party is detected first will be explained as the processing of the first driving device 230A.

[0170] The surrounding environment measuring unit 233A performs the following processing in addition to the same processing as the surrounding environment measuring unit 133A in the first embodiment.

[0171] The surrounding environment measuring unit 233A detects a parallel vehicle that is a vehicle that is present within a predetermined range relative to the first vehicle 102A and that is traveling in the same direction as the first vehicle 102A, based on the sensing information from the sensor 26. The surrounding environment measuring unit 233A then provides the control unit 234A with parallel vehicle detection information indicating that the parallel vehicle has been detected.

[0172] The control unit 234A controls the processing in the first traveling device 230A.

[0173] The control unit 234A in the second embodiment performs the following processing in addition to the same processing as the control unit 134A in the first embodiment.

[0174] When receiving the parallel vehicle detection information from the surrounding environment measuring unit 233A, the control unit 234A sends a parallel vehicle information acquisition request to the wireless communication unit 135A, thereby issuing a communication instruction with the parallel vehicle. If the communication is successful, the parallel vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the parallel vehicle and the parallel vehicle travel path information indicating the travel path of the parallel vehicle is received from the wireless communication unit 135A.

[0175] When receiving the parallel vehicle information, the control unit 234A transmits a travel route determination instruction to the travel route determination unit 236A, and acquires route information indicating the travel route of the first vehicle 102A as a response.

[0176] Next, the control unit 234A determines whether the driving path of the parallel vehicle and the driving path of the first vehicle 102A are identical at least halfway. For example, when the driving path of the parallel vehicle and the driving path of the first vehicle 102A are identical for a predetermined distance or more, the control unit 234A determines that the driving path of the parallel vehicle and the driving path of the first vehicle 102A are identical at least halfway.

[0177] Then, when the driving path of the parallel vehicle and the driving path of the first vehicle 102A are consistent at least halfway, the control unit 234A sends a group registration request including the vehicle identification information of the first vehicle 102A and the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B as a parallel vehicle to the information management device 210 via the network communication unit 131A.

[0178] The traveling route determination unit 236A in the second embodiment performs the following processing in addition to the same processing as the traveling route determination unit 136A in the first embodiment.

[0179] The traveling route determination unit 236A determines a traveling route in accordance with the route determination instruction received from the control unit 234A. Then, the traveling route determination unit 236A supplies route information indicating the determined traveling route to the control unit 234A.

[0180] like Figure 6 As shown, the second driving device 230B includes a network communication unit 131B, a storage unit 132B, a surrounding environment measurement unit 133B, a control unit 234B, a wireless communication unit 135B, a driving route determination unit 236B, and a drive unit 137B.

[0181] The network communication unit 131B, storage unit 132B, surrounding environment measuring unit 133B, wireless communication unit 135B and driving unit 137B of the second driving device 230B in the second embodiment are the same as the network communication unit 131B, storage unit 132B, surrounding environment measuring unit 133B, wireless communication unit 135B and driving unit 137B of the second driving device 130B in the first embodiment.

[0182] The control unit 234B in the second embodiment performs the following processing in addition to the same processing as the control unit 134B in the first embodiment.

[0183] When receiving the parallel vehicle information acquisition request from the wireless communication unit 135B, the control unit 234B sends a driving route determination instruction to the driving route determination unit 236B, and acquires path information indicating the driving route of the second vehicle 102B, i.e., the parallel vehicle driving route, as a response. Then, the control unit 234B generates parallel vehicle information including the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B and the path information of the second vehicle 102B, i.e., the parallel vehicle driving route information, and transmits the parallel vehicle information to the first driving device 230A via the wireless communication unit 135B.

[0184] The traveling route determination unit 236B in the second embodiment performs the following processing in addition to the same processing as the traveling route determination unit 136B in the first embodiment.

[0185] The traveling route determination unit 236B determines the traveling route according to the route determination instruction received from the control unit 234B. Then, the traveling route determination unit 236B supplies the control unit 234B with route information indicating the determined traveling route.

[0186] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing the operation of generating a vehicle group in the second embodiment.

[0187] As described above, here, a case where the first traveling device 230A detects the second vehicle 102B as a parallel-running vehicle will be described. Specifically, it is assumed that the first vehicle 102A approaches from behind the second vehicle 102B, and the first traveling device 230A first detects the presence of the second vehicle 102B.

[0188] First, when the control unit 234A of the first driving device 230A receives the parallel vehicle detection information from the surrounding environment measurement unit 233A, it sends a parallel vehicle information acquisition request to the wireless communication unit 135A, and the wireless communication unit 135A sends the parallel vehicle information acquisition request to the second driving device 230B. The parallel vehicle information acquisition request is a request to indicate that the same service is being used and to request the transmission of parallel vehicle information in order to make the second driving device 230B identify the first driving device 230A as a communication partner. Then, the control unit 235A determines whether the communication with the second driving device 230B is successful based on whether the wireless communication unit 135A receives the parallel vehicle information (S40). If the communication with the second driving device 230B is successful (S40: Yes), the process proceeds to step S41, and if the communication with the second driving device 230B fails (S40: No), the process proceeds to step S43.

[0189] In step S41, the control unit 234A obtains the driving path of the first vehicle 102A from the driving path determination unit 236A, compares the driving path of the first vehicle 102A with the driving path indicated by the parallel vehicle driving path information included in the received parallel vehicle information, and thereby determines whether at least the intermediate paths to the destination of the first vehicle 102A and the second vehicle 102B are the same. Usually, the driving path to the destination is constructed by a plurality of roads, but if the road currently being driven is the same for a certain section or more, the control unit 234A determines that the intermediate paths are the same. Specifically, in the case where the paths are the same until the next signal, etc., it is determined that the intermediate paths are the same. In the case where at least the intermediate paths are the same (S41: Yes), the process proceeds to step S42, and in the case where the intermediate paths are also different (S41: No), the process proceeds to step S43.

[0190] In step S42 , the control unit 234A generates a group registration request including the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B and the vehicle identification information of the first vehicle 102A included in the parallel vehicle information, and provides the group registration request to the network communication unit 131A, which sends the group registration request to the information management device 310 .

[0191] As described above, by registering the vehicle group in the information management device 210, the comparison unit 213 can also read the setting information of the users riding in other vehicles forming the vehicle group through the group information when reading the setting information of the users riding in a certain vehicle from the information storage unit 212. Thus, the comparison unit 213 can make use of the calculation of the total value of payable points of the vehicle group or the history information of each user.

[0192] In the case of processing of a vehicle group, for example, in order to refer to the setting information of all users boarding the vehicle group, the comparison unit 213 requests the information storage unit 212 to read the setting information of the user boarding the head vehicle of the vehicle group.

[0193] Next, the comparison unit 213 calculates the payable points of other vehicles based on the group information of each leading vehicle of the own vehicle group and the target vehicle group, and Figure 8 However, if the total points of the two vehicle groups are the same, the group with the most payable points among all the users in the vehicle group and the target vehicle group is adjusted so that the group with the most heavy users moves forward according to a predetermined determination method, such as which group the user with the most payable points is in, which group the user with the most usage history is in, etc. In this case, the driving route of the group without heavy users is changed.

[0194] Fig.13 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of determining a travel route change and paying points in the second embodiment.

[0195] exist Fig.13 In the illustrated pattern 1, the payable points of vehicle group 1 are 20 (=10+5+5), and the payable points of vehicle group 2 are 3, so vehicle group 1 advances first and vehicle group 2 yields. In this case, the user who rides in vehicle group 1 pays 4 points, which is the payable points of vehicle group 2, i.e., "3" plus "1", to the user who rides in the vehicle belonging to vehicle group 2. The points distribution to the user who rides in the vehicle belonging to vehicle group 2 may be determined in advance and may be any method. In addition, when the position is "yielding", it is not necessary to bear the payment of points.

[0196] exist Fig.13 In the illustrated mode 2, the payable points of vehicle group 1 are 6 (=2+2+2), and the payable points of vehicle group 2 are also 6. Therefore, depending on which vehicle group the user with the highest payable points belongs to or the user's history, for example, vehicle group 2 moves forward. In this case, the payable points of vehicle group 2, i.e., "6", are paid as payment points to the user riding in the vehicle belonging to vehicle group 1. In this case, the users riding in vehicle group 2 each bear the set payable points. The distribution of points to users riding in the vehicle belonging to vehicle group 1 may be predetermined, and any method may be used. In addition, the sharing of payment points among users riding in the vehicle belonging to vehicle group 2 may be predetermined, and any method may be used.

[0197] Description of symbols

[0198] 100: service providing system; 110, 210: information management device; 111: network communication unit; 112, 212: information storage unit; 113, 213: comparison unit; 130A, 230A: first driving device; 131A: network communication unit; 132A: storage unit; 133A, 233A: surrounding environment measuring unit; 134A, 234A: control unit; 135A: wireless communication unit; 136A, 236A: driving path determination unit; 137A: driving unit; 130B, 230B: second driving device; 131B: network communication unit; 132B: storage unit; 133B: surrounding environment measuring unit; 134B, 234B: control unit; 135B: wireless communication unit; 136B, 236B: driving path determination unit; 137B: driving unit.

Claims

1. An information management device, characterized in that: The information management device comprises: an information storage unit storing setting information indicating a stance and payable points, wherein the stance indicates whether a user riding in a vehicle yields to a target vehicle or receives the yield of the target vehicle when there is a target vehicle, the target vehicle being another vehicle having a travel path intersecting with the travel path of the vehicle, and the payable points being points payable to the user riding in the target vehicle when the target vehicle receives the yield of the target vehicle by changing the travel path of the target vehicle, i.e., an upper limit of payable points; and A comparison unit that, when a first driving device that is mounted on a first vehicle and controls the driving of the first vehicle detects a second vehicle that is the target vehicle of the first vehicle, compares the position and payable points of a passenger of the first vehicle, i.e., a first user, with the position and payable points of a passenger of the second vehicle, i.e., a second user, by referring to the setting information, and makes a decision on changing the driving path of either the first vehicle or the second vehicle and a decision on the payment of points.

2. The information management device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The information management device further includes a network communication unit that communicates with a second driving device and the first driving device via a network, wherein the second driving device is mounted on the second vehicle and controls the driving of the second vehicle. The comparison unit transmits an instruction to change a driving route to the driving device mounted on the one of the driving devices via the network communication unit.

3. The information management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the first user's position and the second user's position are different, the comparison unit changes the travel route of the vehicle in which the user who gave way to the target vehicle is riding, and uses predetermined points as the payment points.

4. The information management device according to claim 3, characterized in that: When both the first user's position and the second user's position indicate that the target vehicle gives way, the comparison unit changes the driving route of the party with lower payable points and uses points greater than the points of the party with lower payable points as the payable points.

5. The information management device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The information storage unit further stores history information indicating the history of each user. When the payable points of the first user and the payable points of the second user are equal, the comparison unit refers to the historical information, calculates the intensity that increases with the number of times the user gives way, changes the driving route of the party with the lower intensity, and uses the predetermined points as the payment points.

6. The information management device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The comparison unit calculates the intensity by multiplying the number of times by a value that decreases as the number of days that have passed since the last time the way was given increases.

7. The information management device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In a case where the first vehicle forms a first vehicle group consisting of a plurality of vehicles that share at least a portion of a travel path of the first vehicle, and the second vehicle forms a second vehicle group consisting of a plurality of vehicles that share at least a portion of a travel path of the second vehicle, the comparison unit calculates the total of payable points of users riding in the first vehicle group and the total of payable points of users riding in the second vehicle group, changes the travel path of the party with the lower total, and the party with the higher total shares the points above the total of the party with the lower total, thereby using them as the payment points.

8. The information management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the totals are the same, the comparison unit changes the travel route of the party that does not include the user with the maximum payable points among the users riding in the first vehicle group and the second vehicle group, and allocates the total to the party that changed the travel route through a predetermined method.

9. The information management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The information storage unit further stores history information indicating the history of each user. When the totals are the same, the comparison unit changes the travel route of the party that does not include the user who has paid the payment points the most times among the users riding in the first vehicle group and the second vehicle group, and allocates the total to the party that changed the travel route through a predetermined method.

10. A service providing system comprising an information management device and a plurality of driving devices, wherein the plurality of driving devices are respectively mounted on a plurality of vehicles and control the driving of each of the plurality of vehicles, characterized in that: The information management device comprises: an information storage unit storing setting information indicating a stance and payable points, wherein the stance indicates whether a user riding in one of the plurality of vehicles should yield to a target vehicle or receive yield from the target vehicle when there is a target vehicle, the target vehicle being another vehicle having a travel path intersecting with the travel path of the vehicle, and the payable points being points payable to the user riding in the target vehicle when the target vehicle yields to the user by changing the travel path of the target vehicle, i.e., an upper limit of payable points; and A comparison unit, which, when a first driving device that is mounted on a first vehicle included in the plurality of vehicles and controls the driving of the first vehicle detects a second vehicle included in the plurality of vehicles as the target vehicle of the first vehicle, compares the position and payable points of a passenger of the first vehicle, i.e., a first user, with the position and payable points of a passenger of the second vehicle, i.e., a second user, by referring to the setting information, and makes a decision on changing the driving route of either the first vehicle or the second vehicle and on the payment of points.

11. A program, characterized in that The program causes the computer to function as: an information storage unit storing setting information indicating a stance and payable points, wherein the stance indicates whether a user riding in a vehicle yields to a target vehicle or receives the yield of the target vehicle when there is a target vehicle, the target vehicle being another vehicle having a travel path intersecting with the travel path of the vehicle, and the payable points being points payable to the user riding in the target vehicle when the target vehicle receives the yield of the target vehicle by changing the travel path of the target vehicle, i.e., an upper limit of payable points; and A comparison unit that, when a first driving device that is mounted on a first vehicle and controls the driving of the first vehicle detects a second vehicle that is the target vehicle of the first vehicle, compares the position and payable points of a passenger of the first vehicle, i.e., a first user, with the position and payable points of a passenger of the second vehicle, i.e., a second user, by referring to the setting information, and makes a decision on changing the driving path of either the first vehicle or the second vehicle and a decision on the payment of points.

12. An information management method, characterized in that: When a first travel device mounted on a first vehicle and controlling travel of the first vehicle detects a second vehicle as a target vehicle having a travel path intersecting with the travel path of the first vehicle, the position and payable points of a first user, a passenger of the first vehicle, are compared with the position and payable points of a second user, a passenger of the second vehicle, by referring to setting information indicating a position and payable points, wherein the position indicates whether the user riding the vehicle yields to the target vehicle or receives the yield of the target vehicle when the target vehicle exists, the target vehicle being another vehicle having a travel path intersecting with the travel path of the vehicle, and the payable points being points to be paid to the user riding the target vehicle when the target vehicle yields to the user by changing the travel path of the target vehicle, i.e., an upper limit of payable points, A decision to change the travel route of one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle and a decision to pay the points are made.

Images