Roadside device and MaaS providing method

Abstract

The invention relates to a roadside device and a MaaS providing method. The roadside device includes a notification unit and a control unit. The control unit determines the operating state of the roadside device, and performs notification processing on the person to be notified on the basis of the determined operating state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a roadside device and a MaaS providing method. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-050629 discloses a reporting system that reports on vehicles other than the autonomous driving vehicle and pedestrians whether they can pass and reminds them to be careful based on the behavior of the autonomous driving vehicle scheduled to pass through a specified traffic area.

[0003] Improvements in technology related to roadside devices that can be used for monitoring vehicles having communication functions are desired. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to improve a technology related to a roadside device that can be used for monitoring a vehicle having a communication function.

[0005] A roadside device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a notification unit and a control unit. The control unit determines an operation state of the roadside device and executes a notification process on a notification target person according to the determined operation state.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a technology related to a roadside device that can be used for monitoring a vehicle having a communication function is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Hereinafter, features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 A block diagram of an example of the configuration of a vehicle.

[0010] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 1 A block diagram of an example of the configuration of a roadside device.

[0011] Figure 4 Yes means Figure 1 A block diagram of an example of the configuration of an information processing device.

[0012] Figure 5 is used for Figure 1A timing chart illustrating an example of an information processing method executed by an information processing system.

[0013] Figure 6A represents Figure 1 An external view schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a roadside device.

[0014] Figure 6B represents Figure 1 An external view schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a roadside device. Detailed implementation mode

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 A block diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing system 1 includes a vehicle 10, a roadside device 20, and an information processing device 30. The vehicle 10, the roadside device 20, and the information processing device 30 are connected to a network 40 including a mobile communication network and the Internet, etc. in a communicable manner.

[0017] The vehicle 10 includes a gasoline vehicle, a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The vehicle 10 is not limited thereto. The vehicle 10 may also include any other vehicle that can carry people.

[0018] The vehicle 10 may also include, for example, an autonomous driving vehicle capable of performing autonomous driving at levels 1 to 5 defined by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers). For example, the vehicle 10 can perform level 3 or level 4 autonomous driving, and a driving assistant can ride in the vehicle 10 to override the driving operation, or the driving operation can be overridden remotely. The information processing system 1 may also include any number of one or more vehicles 10.

[0019] The roadside device 20 is provided, for example, near an intersection or a crosswalk. The roadside device 20 can detect a pedestrian who intends to cross a roadway based on an image captured by a camera mounted on the roadside device 20 itself. For the roadside device 20, a sensing area is set in advance, for example, around the device itself. When the roadside device 20 detects a pedestrian who intends to cross a roadway, the roadside device 20 notifies the pedestrian of the presence or absence of the vehicle 10 (for example, the vehicle 10 approaching the device itself) that has entered the sensing area of the device. When the roadside device 20 detects a pedestrian who intends to cross a roadway, the roadside device 20 notifies the driver or driver assistant of the vehicle 10 that has entered the sensing area of the device of the presence of the pedestrian. The information processing system 1 may also include any number of one or more roadside devices 20.

[0020] The information processing device 30 includes any general-purpose electronic device such as a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet PC, a smartphone, and a smartwatch used by the notification target person described later. Not limited to this, the information processing device 30 may also include one server device or a plurality of server devices capable of communicating with each other, and may also include other electronic devices dedicated to the information processing system 1. The information processing system 1 may also include any number of one or more information processing devices 30.

[0021] Figure 2 It represents Figure 1 A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a communication unit 11, a sensor unit 12, a storage unit 13, an output unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0022] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation), or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard. The communication interface is not limited to this. The communication interface may also correspond to any other communication standard.

[0023] The sensor unit 12 includes one or more sensors for controlling the vehicle 10. The sensor includes, for example, a position sensor corresponding to GPS (Global Positioning System), a geomagnetic sensor, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gyro sensor. The sensor is not limited to this. The sensor may also include any other sensor.

[0024] The storage unit 13 includes one or more memories. In the present disclosure, the "memory" is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, etc., but is not limited thereto. Each memory included in the storage unit 13 can also function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 13 stores any information for the operation of the vehicle 10. For example, the storage unit 13 can also store system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc. It can also be that the information stored in the storage unit 13 can be updated, for example, by information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 11.

[0025] The output unit 14 includes one or more output devices that output information to passengers including the driver or a driving assistant in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The output device includes a display that visually outputs information through an image, a speaker that auditorily outputs information through sound, a vibrator that tactually outputs information through vibration, etc. In the present disclosure, the "display" includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an organic EL (ElectroLuminescent) display, etc. The output device can also form part of a vehicle navigation device.

[0026] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. In the present disclosure, the "processor" is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor dedicated to specific processing. The processor is not limited thereto. The "programmable circuit" is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. The "dedicated circuit" is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited thereto. The control unit 15 is connected to each component constituting the vehicle 10 in a communicable manner to control the overall operation of the vehicle 10.

[0027] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing Figure 1 an example of the configuration of the roadside device 20. The roadside device 20 has a communication unit 21, a photographing unit 22, a notification unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0028] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. This communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited thereto, and may also correspond to any other communication standard.

[0029] The imaging unit 22 includes one or more cameras capable of imaging the scenery around the roadside device 20. The roadside device 20 may be installed, for example, near the boundary between the sidewalk and the roadway so that the imaging unit 22 can image pedestrians moving from the sidewalk to the roadway.

[0030] The notification unit 23 includes one or more notification devices that output information and notify it to surrounding pedestrians, etc. This notification device includes: an electronic bulletin board, a lamp, and a display that visually output information through images; a speaker that auditorily outputs information through sound; and a vibrator that tactually outputs information through vibration, etc. The notification unit 23 is not limited thereto, and may also include any other notification device.

[0031] The storage unit 24 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 24 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 24 stores any information for the operation of the roadside device 20. For example, the storage unit 24 may store system programs, application programs, and embedded software, etc. It may also be that the information stored in the storage unit 24 can be updated, for example, by information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 21.

[0032] The control unit 25 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 25 is connected to each component constituting the roadside device 20 in a communicable manner, and controls the overall operation of the roadside device 20.

[0033] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing Figure 1 an example of the configuration of the information processing device 30. The information processing device 30 has a communication unit 31, an output unit 32, an input unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35.

[0034] The communication unit 31 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. This communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited thereto, and this communication interface may also correspond to any other communication standard.

[0035] The output unit 32 includes one or more output devices that output information and provide it to the user of the information processing device 30. The output devices include a display that visually outputs information through images, a speaker that auditorily outputs information through sounds, a vibrator that tactually outputs information through vibrations, and the like. The output unit 32 is not limited thereto, and may also include any other output devices.

[0036] The input unit 33 includes one or more input devices that detect user input and acquire input information based on the user's operations. The input devices include physical buttons, capacitive buttons, pointing devices such as a mouse, a touch screen integrally provided with the display of the output unit 32, a shooting module such as a camera, and a microphone that accepts voice input, and the like. The input unit 33 is not limited thereto, and may also include any other input devices.

[0037] The storage unit 34 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 34 can also function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 34 stores any information for the operation of the information processing device 30. For example, the storage unit 34 can also store system programs, application programs, and embedded software, and the like. It is also possible that the information stored in the storage unit 34 can be updated, for example, by information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 31.

[0038] The control unit 35 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 35 is communicably connected to each component constituting the information processing device 30, and controls the overall operation of the information processing device 30.

[0039] Figure 5 is a timing diagram for explaining an example of an information processing method executed by the Figure 1 information processing system 1. Referring to Figure 5 and centering on the operation of the roadside device 20 in one embodiment, the overall operation of the information processing system 1 is outlined.

[0040] In S100, the control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 determines the operation state of the roadside device 20. In the present disclosure, the "operation state" includes at least any one of a stop state, a restart state, a start state, a battery state, a communication state, a state of components, and a configuration state. The "state of components" includes at least either a first state in which a component has failed and a second state in which there is a high possibility of falling into the first state. The "components" include, for example, a battery, a camera included in the shooting unit 22, and a display, a speaker, and a vibrator included in the notification unit 23. The control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 can also determine the first state or the second state based on any existing technology.

[0041] The control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 performs a notification process on the notification target person according to the operation state determined in S100. In the present disclosure, the "notification target person" includes at least any one of pedestrians around the roadside device 20, the driver and the driving assistant of the vehicle 10 traveling in the sensing area of the roadside device 20, and the operator of the control center. In the present disclosure, the notification target person may also be a user of the information processing device 30. The "notification process" includes a process for notifying the operation state to the notification target person or a process for prompting the notification target person to take necessary measures for the roadside device 20 according to the operation state. The "process" includes at least any one of a first output process, a second output process, a first communication process, and a second communication process. In the first output process, visual information is output from the notification unit 23 itself. In the second output process, auditory information is output from the notification unit 23 itself. In the first communication process, at least one of visual information and auditory information is output from the information processing device 30 of the notification target person using the communication unit 21. In the second communication process, at least one of visual information and auditory information is output from the vehicle 10 using the communication unit 21.

[0042] In S101, the control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 performs a first output process on the notification target person through the notification unit 23, for example, according to the operation state determined in S100.

[0043] In S102, the control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 performs a second output process on the notification target person through the notification unit 23, for example, according to the operation state determined in S100.

[0044] In S103, the control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 performs a first communication process through the communication unit 21, for example, according to the operation state determined in S100, so as to output at least one of visual information and auditory information from the information processing device 30 to the notification target person.

[0045] In S104, based on the information received from the roadside device 20 via the communication unit 31 in S103, the control unit 35 of the information processing device 30 outputs at least one of visual information and auditory information from the output unit 32 to the user of the information processing device 30 as the notification target person.

[0046] In S105, the control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 performs a second communication process through the communication unit 21, for example, according to the operation state determined in S100. As a result, the control unit 25 outputs at least one of visual information and auditory information from the vehicle 10 to the driver or the driving assistant of the vehicle 10 included in the notification target person.

[0047] In S106, based on the information received via the communication unit 11 from the roadside device 20 in S105, the control unit 15 of the vehicle 10 outputs at least one of visual information and auditory information from the output unit 14 to the driver or the driving assistant who is the notification target.

[0048] Figure 6A and Figure 6B represents Figure 1 an external schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the roadside device 20. Figure 6A An example configuration with a lamp 231 is shown as the notification unit 23. Figure 6B Another example configuration with an electronic bulletin board 232 is shown as the notification unit 23. Refer to Figure 6A and Figure 6B , and specific examples of the actions performed by the Figure 1 roadside device 20 will be mainly described.

[0049] For example, when considering the operation state as the stop state, restart state, or start state. The control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 can also perform the first output process by lighting or flashing the lamp 231 included in the notification unit 23 in a manner visible to pedestrians around the roadside device 20. For example, the control unit 25 can flash the lamp 231 when the roadside device 20 is in the start state. Similarly, the control unit 25 can also perform the first output process by displaying text on the electronic bulletin board 232 or images on the display included in the notification unit 23. For example, the control unit 25 can perform display processing such as "System restart" when the roadside device 20 is in the restart state.

[0050] In addition, the control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 can also perform the second output process by outputting voice from the speaker 233 included in the notification unit 23 in a manner audible to pedestrians around the roadside device 20. For example, the control unit 25 can perform voice output processing such as "System restart" when the roadside device 20 is in the restart state.

[0051] The control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 can also perform the first communication process using the communication unit 21, which is used to make the information processing device 30 used by the notification target perform the same processes as the first output process and the second output process using the notification unit 23 of the roadside device 20. For example, the control unit 25 can perform the first communication process to notify the notification target of the operation state of the roadside device 20 through the output unit 32 of the information processing device 30.

[0052] The control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 may also execute a second communication process using the communication unit 21, and this second communication process is used to cause the vehicle 10 in which the driver or the driving assistant rides to execute the same processes as the first output process and the second output process using the notification unit 23 of the roadside device 20. For example, the control unit 25 may also execute the second communication process to notify the driver or the driving assistant of the operation state of the roadside device 20 through the output unit 14 of the vehicle 10.

[0053] The same applies when the operation state is the battery state. The control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 may also notify the notification target of the remaining battery being less than the threshold value, the remaining battery at this time, etc. through the first output process, the second output process, the first communication process, and the second communication process. In addition, the control unit 25 may also notify the notification target with "Please replace the battery" to prompt the notification target to take necessary measures for the roadside device 20 according to the operation state of the roadside device 20.

[0054] The same applies when the operation state is the communication state. The control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 may also notify the notification target of a communication failure, etc. through the first output process, the second output process, the first communication process, and the second communication process. In addition, the control unit 25 may also notify the notification target with "Please repair the communication failure" to prompt the notification target to take necessary measures for the roadside device 20 according to the operation state of the roadside device 20.

[0055] The same applies when the operation state is the state of the component. The control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 may also notify the notification target of a component failure and a high possibility of getting into a situation where the component fails and cannot operate normally through the first output process, the second output process, the first communication process, and the second communication process. For example, regarding the camera of the imaging unit 22, when it is completely different from the feature points of the reference image or the image becomes pitch black, the control unit 25 determines that the camera has failed. In addition, the control unit 25 may also notify the notification target with "Please replace the component" to prompt the notification target to take necessary measures for the roadside device 20 according to the operation state of the roadside device 20.

[0056] The same applies when the operation state is the configuration state of the roadside device 20. The control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 can also notify the notified party of, for example, a deviation of the configuration of the roadside device 20 from the reference configuration within a threshold value through the first output process, the second output process, the first communication process, the second communication process, and the like. For example, the control unit 25 can also determine a deviation in the configuration of the roadside device 20 itself based on image information from the camera of the imaging unit 22. For example, it can also be that the control unit 25 further determines a deviation in the configuration of the roadside device 20 itself based on GPS information from the sensor built in the roadside device 20.

[0057] In addition, the control unit 25 can also notify the notified party to "please restore to the reference configuration", prompting the notified party to take necessary measures for the roadside device 20 according to the operation state of the roadside device 20. In addition, the control unit 25 can also notify the notified party that "the configuration of the roadside device 20 has deviated beyond the threshold value and a correction operation to the reference configuration by the administrator of the roadside device 20 is required". Thereby, the control unit 25 prompts the notified party to take necessary measures for the roadside device 20 according to the operation state of the roadside device 20.

[0058] The control unit 25 of the roadside device 20 can also determine the presence or absence of pedestrians and vehicles 10 around the roadside device 20 based on the image from the camera of the imaging unit 22. It can also be that when the control unit 25 determines that neither pedestrians nor vehicles 10 exist around the roadside device 20, the control unit 25 does not execute the notification process. The control unit 25 can also execute the notification process only when pedestrians, vehicles 10, etc. are detected through image recognition based on the image from the camera of the imaging unit 22.

[0059] According to the roadside device 20 of one embodiment described above, the technology related to the roadside device 20 that can be used for monitoring the vehicle 10 having a communication function is improved. The roadside device 20 can also determine its own operation state by itself, and execute appropriate notification processing according to the operation state. The roadside device 20 can also appropriately determine the specific method of the notification process and the notified party according to the operation state of the roadside device 20. The notified party that receives the notification based on the notification process related to the operation state of the roadside device 20 can also accurately determine the operation state of the roadside device 20, or can take necessary measures for the roadside device 20 according to the operation state.

[0060] The present disclosure has been described based on the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that such modifications and changes are included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or each step, etc., can be reconfigured in a logically non - contradictory manner, and multiple components or steps, etc., can be combined into one or divided.

[0061] For example, a configuration can also be adopted in which a general - purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or a computer functions as the roadside device 20 in one of the above - described embodiments. Specifically, a program recording the processing contents of each function for realizing the roadside device 20, etc. in one embodiment is stored in the memory of the electronic device, and the program is read out and executed by the processor of the electronic device. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be implemented as a program executable by a processor.

[0062] Alternatively, the present disclosure can also be implemented as a non - transitory computer - readable medium storing a program executable by one or more processors to cause the roadside device 20, etc. in one embodiment to execute each function. It should be understood that the above - mentioned program and non - transitory computer - readable medium are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0063] For example, at least a part of the processing operations executed in the roadside device 20 in one of the above - described embodiments can also be executed in at least one of the vehicle 10 and the information processing device 30. At least a part of the processing operations executed in each of the vehicle 10 and the information processing device 30 can also be executed in the roadside device 20.

[0064] In the above - described embodiment, the roadside device 20 can also be used for providing MaaS (Mobility as a Service), a service that effectively utilizes mobility. Figure 5 The above - described processing procedure recorded in the shown timing chart can also be executed when providing a service (MaaS) using the roadside device 20. In this case, the information processing method based on the above - described processing procedure is an example of a method for providing a service (MaaS) using the roadside device 20.

Claims

1. A roadside device comprising a notification unit and a control unit, The control unit determines the operating state of the roadside device. The control unit executes a notification process for a notification target person according to the determined operation state.

2. The roadside device according to claim 1, wherein: The operation state includes at least any one of a stop state, a restart state, a start state, a battery state, a communication state, a component state, and a configuration state.

3. The roadside device according to claim 2, wherein: The state of the component includes at least one of a first state in which the component fails and a second state in which there is a high possibility that the component falls into the first state.

4. The roadside device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The notification process includes a process for notifying the notification target person of the operation state, or a process for prompting the notification target person to take necessary measures on the roadside device according to the operation state.

5. The roadside device according to claim 4, wherein: The processing includes at least one of the following processing: a first output process of outputting visual information from the notification unit itself; a second output process of outputting the auditory information from the notification unit itself; as well as The communication process is for outputting at least one of the visual information and the auditory information from the information processing device of the notification recipient.

6. A method for providing Mobility as a Service (MaaS), using the roadside device as claimed in claim 1.

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