Information processing apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an information processing apparatus. The reliability of task execution by a plurality of vehicles is improved. An information processing device includes a communication unit and a control unit that communicates with a plurality of vehicles each having a plan for executing a task via the communication unit, and that performs a task execution process if information indicating that a first task in a first time period cannot be executed as planned is received from a first vehicle. And if so, issuing instruction information for causing a second vehicle, which has a plan for executing a second task having a lower priority than the first task in the first time period, to execute the first task instead of the second task in place of the first vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles for various purposes are becoming popular, and a technology for supporting the control of the operation of a vehicle has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, an in-vehicle device that manages the execution of multiple tasks is disclosed.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-197886 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] When multiple vehicles execute tasks respectively, there is room for improving the reliability of task execution.

[0008] The present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus and the like that can improve the reliability of task execution by multiple vehicles.

[0009] Technical Solution for Solving the Problems

[0010] The information processing apparatus in the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a control unit. The control unit communicates with multiple vehicles that have plans to execute tasks through the communication unit. If information indicating that the first task cannot be executed as planned within the first time period is received from the first vehicle, the control unit issues instruction information for causing a second vehicle that has a plan to execute a second task with a lower execution priority than the first task within the first time period to execute the first task instead of the first vehicle and replace the second task.

[0011] Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the information processing apparatus and the like in the present disclosure, the reliability of task execution by multiple vehicles can be improved. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a structural example of a vehicle management system.

[0014] Figure 2 is a timing diagram showing an operation example of the vehicle management system.

[0015] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the server device.

[0016] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of task comparison.

[0017] (Description of reference numerals)

[0018] 1: Vehicle management system; 10: Server device; 11: Network; 12: Terminal device; 13: Vehicle; 101, 121, 131: Communication unit; 102, 122, 132: Storage unit; 103, 123, 133: Control unit; 125, 135: Input unit; 126, 136: Output unit; 134: Positioning unit; 137: Detection unit. Detailed implementation manners

[0019] Next, the implementation manners will be described.

[0020] <Structure of the vehicle management system>

[0021] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram showing a structural example of a vehicle management system in an implementation manner. The vehicle management system 1 has one or more server devices 10, one or more terminal devices 12, and a plurality of vehicles 13 that are connected via the network 11 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The server device 10 is, for example, a server computer belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functioning as a server equipped with various functions. The server device 10 corresponds to the "information processing device" in the present implementation manner. The terminal device 12 is an information processing terminal used by an operator of the vehicle management system 1 and exchanges various information with the server device 10. The terminal device 12 is, for example, a personal computer. The vehicle 13 has a communication function and an information processing function and is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The vehicle 13 is, for example, a multi-purpose bus and has an indoor space or seats for transporting passengers, store facilities for selling goods and providing services, etc. The vehicle 13 can be driven by a driver or can be autonomously driven at any level (for example, one of levels 1 to 5 in SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)). In addition, the vehicle 13 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that uses at least part of the electric power of a battery as energy for driving. Next, when distinguishing the plurality of vehicles 13 from each other, the vehicle 13-n (n = 1, 2,...) and a sub-number are added. The network 11 is, for example, the Internet, but includes an ad-hoc network, a LAN (Local Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), or other networks or a combination of these.

[0022] In this embodiment, the vehicle management system 1 manages and controls the execution of each task performed by a plurality of vehicles 13. Tasks include, for example, passenger transportation as a bus, mobile store sales tours, services, etc. The vehicles 13 perform tasks by transporting passengers along an arbitrary route during a certain time period or by carrying goods, etc. and conducting mobile store sales in an arbitrary area during other time periods. The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101 and a control unit 103 that communicates via the communication unit. The control unit 103 communicates with a plurality of vehicles 13 that each have a plan to perform a task via the communication unit 101. If information indicating that the first task cannot be performed as planned during a certain time period (hereinafter referred to as delay information) is received from vehicle 13-1, the control unit 103 issues instruction information for causing vehicle 13-2, which has a plan to perform a second task with a lower execution priority than the first task during this time period, to perform the first task instead of vehicle 13-1 and replace the second task. In this way, even when the execution of the first task in a certain vehicle 13-1 seems to be delayed, the alternative vehicle 13-2 can perform the first task and replace the second task with a lower priority. Therefore, among the plurality of vehicles 13 as a whole, tasks with higher priorities are executed more reliably, thereby improving the reliability of the execution of multiple tasks by the plurality of vehicles.

[0023] <Structure of Server Device 10>

[0024] The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103. The server device 10 is, for example, a single computer. Alternatively, the server device 10 may be composed of two or more computers connected and operating in cooperation in a manner capable of information communication. In this case, the Figure 2 structure shown is appropriately configured in two or more computers.

[0025] The communication unit 101 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 101 receives information used in the operation of the server device 10 and transmits information obtained through the operation of the server device 10. The server device 10 is connected to the network 11 via the communication unit 101 and communicates with the vehicle 13 via the network 11.

[0026] The storage unit 102 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of them that function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (Static RAM) or a DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 102 stores information used in the operation of the server device 10 and information obtained through the operation of the server device 10.

[0027] The control unit 103 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of them. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) dedicated to specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 103 controls each part of the server device 10 while performing information processing related to the operation of the server device 10.

[0028] The functions of the server device 10 are implemented by a processor included in the control unit 103 executing a control program. The control program is a program for causing a computer to implement a function corresponding to the processing of a step by causing the computer to execute the processing of the steps included in the operation of the server device 10. That is, the control program is a program for causing a computer to function as the server device 10. In addition, part or all of the functions of the server device 10 can also be implemented by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 103. In addition, the control program can also be stored in a non-transitory recording and storage medium readable by the server device 10 and read by the server device 10 from the medium.

[0029] <Structure of the terminal device 12>

[0030] The terminal device 12 has a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a control unit 123, an input unit 125, and an output unit 126.

[0031] The communication unit 121 includes a communication module corresponding to the wired or wireless LAN standard, a module corresponding to mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation), etc. The terminal device 12 is connected to the network 11 via the communication unit 121 through a nearby router device or a mobile communication base station, and communicates information with other devices through the network 11.

[0032] The storage unit 122 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or at least two combinations thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit 122 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 122 stores the information used in the operation of the control unit 123 and the information obtained through the operation of the control unit 123.

[0033] The control unit 123 includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors such as a CPU or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or one or more dedicated processors for specific processing. Alternatively, the control unit 123 may include one or more dedicated circuits such as an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 123 operates by following a control and processing program or an operation process installed as a circuit, thereby comprehensively controlling the operation of the terminal device 12. Then, the control unit 123 transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 10 etc. via the communication unit 121, and executes the operations related to this embodiment.

[0034] The input unit 125 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface includes, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrally provided with a display, a camera for acquiring a captured image or an image code, or an IC card reader. The input interface may also include a microphone for receiving voice input. The input unit 125 receives the input of the information used in the operation of the control unit 123, and transmits the input information to the control unit 123.

[0035] The output unit 126 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 126 outputs the information obtained through the operation of the control unit 123.

[0036] The functions of the control unit 123 are implemented by a processor included in the control unit 123 executing a control program. The control program is a program for causing the processor to function as the control unit 123. In addition, part or all of the functions of the control unit 123 can also be implemented by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 123.

[0037] <Example of the Structure of Vehicle 13>

[0038] The vehicle 13 includes a communication unit 131, a storage unit 132, a control unit 133, a positioning unit 134, an input unit 135, an output unit 136, and a detection unit 137. One or more of them may be configured as one control device, or may be composed of a personal computer including a tablet terminal, a smartphone terminal, or a navigation device. Alternatively, each unit may be connected via an in-vehicle network compliant with a standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network) so as to enable information communication.

[0039] The storage unit 132, the control unit 133, the input unit 135, and the output unit 136 have the same structures as the storage unit 122, the control unit 123, the input unit 125, and the output unit 126 of the terminal device 12, respectively.

[0040] The communication unit 131 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. The communication unit 131 receives information used in the operation of the control unit 133 and transmits information obtained through the operation of the control unit 133. The control unit 133 is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication base station through the communication unit 131 and communicates with other devices through the network 11.

[0041] The positioning unit 134 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. In GNSS, for example, it includes at least one of GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo. Based on the information obtained by the positioning unit 134, the position information of the vehicle 13 is obtained.

[0042] The detection unit 137 has an interface for docking with one or more sensors that detect the states of the various parts of the detection vehicle 13, or one or more sensors. Among the sensors, for example, there are sensors for detecting the battery level of the detection vehicle 13, sensors for detecting the motion state (speed, acceleration in the front-rear direction, acceleration in the left-right direction, deceleration, etc.) of the detection vehicle 13, and the like. The detection unit 127 transmits the information indicating the various states detected by the sensors to the control unit 123.

[0043] While exchanging various information with the communication unit 131, the storage unit 132, the positioning unit 134, the input unit 135, the output unit 136, and the detection unit 137, the control unit 133 controls these various parts and controls the operation of the vehicle 13. During the operation of the vehicle 13, the control unit 133 controls the operation of the vehicle 13 by presenting various information required for driving to the driver via the output unit 136 or controlling the autonomous driving of the vehicle 13.

[0044] <Actions of the vehicle management system 1>

[0045] Figure 2 It is a timing chart showing an example of a process sequence of the associated actions of the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13. Figure 2 The steps related to the various information processing of the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13 in are executed by their respective control units 103, 123, and 133. In addition, the steps related to the transmission and reception of various information of the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13 are executed by their respective control units 103, 123, and 133 to transmit and receive information to and from each other via the communication units 101, 121, and 131 respectively. In the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13, the control units 103, 123, and 133 respectively store the processed and transmitted / received information appropriately in the storage units 102, 122, and 132.

[0046] Figure 2 The process in is an example of a process sequence when an operator manages and controls the execution of tasks of the vehicle 13 via the server device 10 using the terminal device 12.

[0047] In step S20, the server device 10 acquires the plan information of each of the multiple vehicles 13. The plan information includes information such as the category of the task, the planned start and end times of the task, and the execution location of the task. The plan information can either be stored in each vehicle 13 and transmitted from the vehicle 13 to the server device 10, or the plan information of each vehicle 13 can be stored in the server device 10 and read out by the control unit 103. Alternatively, the operator can appropriately input the plan information of any vehicle 13 to the terminal device 12, and then transmit this plan information to the server device 10. Step S20 is executed, for example, once a day.

[0048] In step S21, the server device 10 receives the position information and battery information from each vehicle 13. Step S31 is executed at an arbitrary cycle, for example, at a cycle of several seconds to several tens of seconds.

[0049] In step S22, the server device 10 receives the progress information from each vehicle 13. The progress information is information indicating the progress of the tasks in each vehicle 13. The progress information includes end information or delay information. The end information indicates the end of each task. For example, if the crew of the vehicle 13 confirms the end of a task, an input indicating the end of the task is made to the input unit 135, and in response to this input, the control unit 133 generates the end information. Alternatively, the control unit 133 may also generate the end information according to an arbitrary algorithm when a preset condition is satisfied. On the other hand, the delay information indicates that the end of a task is delayed, so that the subsequent tasks cannot be executed as planned. For example, if the crew of the vehicle 13 realizes that it is difficult to end the task at the planned end time, an input indicating the difficulty of ending is made to the input unit 135, and in response to this input, the control unit 133 generates the delay information. Alternatively, the control unit 133 may also issue the delay information according to an arbitrary algorithm when a preset condition is satisfied. For example, the control unit 133 may determine that it is difficult to end when the vehicle 13 is not in a reference state at an arbitrary reference time before the planned end time of a task, for example, several minutes to more than ten minutes before the planned end time. For example, the reference state means that the vehicle 13 is located at the transportation destination or at a location at an arbitrary distance from there, or at the end point of the tour or at a location at an arbitrary distance from there. In addition, when the reference state is related to the position of the vehicle 13, the reference time may be advanced or postponed according to the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the position determined in the reference state. In a modified example, it is also possible to determine by the server device 10 whether the task ends as planned or whether the task is difficult to end as planned based on the planned information and the current position of the vehicle 13.

[0050] In step S23, the server device 10 transmits the progress information including the end information or the delay information to the terminal device 12. If the end information is transmitted, the operations after step S24 are omitted. If the delay information is transmitted, step S24 is executed.

[0051] In step S24, the server device 10 receives an alternative vehicle retrieval instruction from the terminal device 12. The alternative vehicle retrieval instruction is an instruction for the server device 10 to retrieve an alternative vehicle 13-2 to perform the tasks of a vehicle 13-1. In the vehicle 13-1, if the end of a certain task is delayed, there is a high probability that the subsequent task cannot start as scheduled (hereinafter, the task that cannot start as scheduled is referred to as a delayed task). The alternative vehicle 13-2 is a vehicle used to perform the delayed task of the vehicle 13-1 instead of the vehicle 13-1. In addition, the delayed task may be the task immediately following the task whose end is delayed, or a more subsequent task. In the terminal device 12, if delay information is output, the operator who confirms the delay information performs an operation for instructing alternative vehicle retrieval. In response to this operation, the terminal device 12 transmits the alternative vehicle retrieval instruction to the server device 10.

[0052] In step S25, the server device 10 performs alternative vehicle retrieval in response to the alternative vehicle retrieval instruction. The details of step S25 are as Figure 3 shown.

[0053] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation process of the server device 10 performing alternative vehicle retrieval. Figure 3 Each step of []] is executed by the control unit 103.

[0054] In step S30, the control unit 103 retrieves candidate vehicles as candidates for alternative vehicles. The candidate vehicles are vehicles 13 for which the control unit 103 has acquired schedule information and position information. When one or more candidate vehicles are retrieved (Yes in step S31), the control unit 103 proceeds to step S32. When no candidate vehicle is retrieved (No in step S31), the control unit 103 proceeds to step S38.

[0055] In step S32, the control unit 103 selects a suitable alternative vehicle as a candidate vehicle according to the priority of the task. Figure 4 shows an example of task comparison. Figure 4Taking the horizontal axis as the time axis, schematically shows the plan or progress of the task. For example, shows the initial plan P1 of vehicle 13-1, the progress D1 with a delay, and the initial plan (or, in this case, the progress without a delay) P2 of vehicle 13-2. In the plan P1 of vehicle 13-1, task 40 is planned in the time period from time T0 to T1, a predetermined interval is planned at time T1 to T2, and the subsequent task 41 is planned in the time period from time T2 to T3. The progress D1 shows the following state: due to certain reasons, such as traffic congestion, mechanical failure, human error, etc., the end of task 40 is later than the planned end time T1, so that task 41 after the interval from time T1 to T2 cannot start at the planned start time T2. In the plan P2 of vehicle 13-2, task 42 is planned, and in the time period where the delayed task 41 of vehicle 13-1 was originally planned, that is, the time period overlapping with time T2 to T3, task 43 is planned. For example, when the control unit 103 receives the alternative vehicle search instruction at a time before the planned start time of task 43, it compares the priority of the delayed task 41 of vehicle 13-1 with the priority of task 43 of vehicle 13-2 (hereinafter referred to as the comparison task). Then, when the priority of the comparison task 43 is lower than the priority of the delayed task 41, the control unit 103 determines that vehicle 13-2 is suitable as an alternative vehicle, and in other cases, determines that vehicle 13-2 is not suitable as an alternative vehicle.

[0056] The information on the priority of the tasks of vehicle 13 can be included in the plan information of each vehicle 13, or a table obtained by associating tasks with priorities can be stored in the storage unit 102 in advance. Alternatively, the priority information can also be transmitted from the terminal device 12. For example, the more users affected by the task, the higher the priority. The number of users affected by the task is, for example, the estimated number of users to be transported, the estimated number of users to be visited for sales and service utilization, etc. Or, the priority is arbitrarily set according to the attributes of the users affected by the task. For example, when vehicle 13 patrols within the area of an enterprise or factory, if the maximum number of users estimated to be transported, sold, or served is users outside the company, the priority is higher than the case of users inside the company.

[0057] When the control unit 103 determines that multiple candidate vehicles 13 are suitable as alternative vehicles based on the priority of the tasks as described above ( "Yes" in step S33), it proceeds to step S34. When it determines that one candidate vehicle 13 is suitable as an alternative vehicle ( "No" in step S33), it omits step S34 and proceeds to step S35.

[0058] In step S34, the control unit 103 compares the battery levels of the multiple candidate vehicles 13 determined to be suitable as substitute vehicles, and selects the vehicle 13 with the largest battery level as the most suitable substitute vehicle. In a modified example, the control unit 103 may select the most suitable substitute vehicle using the current position of the vehicle 13 instead of the battery level. For example, the vehicle 13 closest to the planned start location of the delayed task can be selected as the most suitable substitute vehicle.

[0059] In step S36, the control unit 103 generates information on the selection result. The selection result includes information identifying the selected substitute vehicle 13. Then, the control unit 103 ends Figure 3 the process.

[0060] On the other hand, in step S38, the control unit 103 generates information indicating non - compliance. The information indicating non - compliance is information indicating that there are no candidate vehicles. Then, the control unit 103 ends Figure 3 the process.

[0061] If it returns to Figure 2 , then in step S26, the server device 10 transmits the retrieval result of the substitute vehicle to the terminal device 12. The retrieval result includes the selection result determining the substitute vehicle or the information indicating non - compliance.

[0062] In step S28, the server device 10 receives an instruction to issue instruction information from the terminal device 12. The instruction information is information including an instruction for causing the substitute vehicle 13 - 2 to perform the delayed task 41 of the vehicle 13 - 1 instead of the comparison task 43 as the substitute vehicle 13 - 1. In the instruction information, information such as the start time of the task required to execute the delayed task 41, the category of the task, the equipment required for the task, and the start location of the task is included. In the terminal device 12, if the selection result of the substitute vehicle is output as the retrieval result, the operator who confirms the selection result performs an operation for instructing the substitute vehicle to execute the delayed task. In response to this operation, the terminal device 12 generates an instruction to issue the instruction information and transmits it to the server device 10. In addition, if a retrieval result indicating non - compliance is output, the operator confirms the non - compliance, Figure 2 and the process ends.

[0063] In step S29, the server device 10 transmits the instruction information to the substitute vehicle 13 - 2. Then, in response to the instruction information, the vehicle 13 - 2 executes the delayed task.

[0064] According to the above process, even when a delayed task occurs in a certain vehicle 13-1, it is possible to make the alternative vehicle 13-2 execute the delayed task instead of a comparison task with a lower priority. Therefore, in the overall multiple vehicles 13, by more reliably executing tasks with higher priorities, the reliability of task execution can be improved.

[0065] In the modified example, when a delayed task occurs from subsequent tasks due to a delay in the end of the current task in the vehicle 13, it is also possible to set the condition that the priority of the delayed task is higher than the priority of the current task, and instruct the vehicle 13 to abort the current task and execute the delayed task as planned from the server device 10.

[0066] In the above, the embodiments have been described based on the respective drawings and examples, but it should be noted that various deformations and modifications can be easily made based on the present disclosure by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be noted that these deformations and modifications are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions and the like included in each unit, each step, etc. can be reconfigured in a logically non-contradictory manner, and multiple units, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided.

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising: Department of Communications; and The control unit communicates with a plurality of vehicles that have plans to execute tasks respectively through the communication unit. If information indicating that the first task cannot be executed as planned within the first time period is received from the first vehicle, an instruction information is issued to cause a second vehicle that has a plan to execute a second task with a lower priority than the first task within the first time period to replace the first vehicle to execute the first task instead of the second task.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit receives information on mission plans from the plurality of vehicles.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit generates the instruction information using information on the priority of each of the tasks of the plurality of vehicles.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit receives information about the remaining battery levels of the respective vehicles from the plurality of vehicles, and issues the instruction information to a vehicle having a larger remaining battery level than other vehicles among the plurality of second vehicles.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit receives the position information of each of the plurality of vehicles, and issues the instruction information to a vehicle among the plurality of second vehicles whose distance to the point where the execution of the first task starts is shorter than that of other vehicles.

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