Information processing method

Abstract

The invention relates to an information processing method. The present disclosure improves an operation management system for managing an operation plan of a vehicle. An information processing device (30) for providing an operation management system for managing the operation of a plurality of vehicles acquires information of a temporary train number on the basis of a GTFS file in which information of the temporary train number to be additionally registered in the operation management system is recorded or information of an operation train number registered in the operation management system. Then, the information processing device (30) creates an operation schedule of the temporary train number on the basis of the information of the temporary train number.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an operation management system for managing an operation plan of a vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an operation management system that supports a plurality of transportation operators.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-155095

[0006] There is room for improvement in the technology of operation management systems that manage vehicle operation plans. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of this situation and aims to improve the technology of an operation management system that manages an operation plan of a vehicle.

[0008] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a method implemented by an information processing device for providing an operation management system for managing the operation of a plurality of vehicles, wherein the method comprises: obtaining information of a temporary train number based on a GTFS file containing information of a temporary train number to be added to the operation management system or information of an operating train number already registered in the operation management system; and preparing an operation schedule of the temporary train number based on the information of the temporary train number.

[0009] Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the technology of an operation management system that manages an operation plan of a vehicle is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a terminal device.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device.

[0016] Description of reference numerals:

[0017] 1: System; 10: Terminal device; 11: Communication unit; 12: Output unit; 13: Input unit; 14: Storage unit; 15: Control unit; 20: Vehicle; 21: Communication unit; 22: Sensor unit; 23: Storage unit; 24: Control unit; 30: Information processing device; 31: Communication unit; 32: Output unit; 33: Input unit; 34: Storage unit; 35: Control unit; 40: Network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0019] (Overview of Embodiments)

[0020] Reference Figure 1 The following describes an overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 10, a plurality of vehicles 20, and an information processing device 30. Each terminal device 10, each vehicle 20, and the information processing device 30 is communicatively connected to a network 40, such as the Internet or a mobile communication network.

[0021] The terminal device 10 is a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), smartphone, or tablet. In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 is used by a user who manages the operation of a vehicle 20. It is connected to an information processing device 30 via a network 40 to input and output information necessary for managing the operation of the vehicle 20. In one example, the user uses the terminal device 10 to log in to the operation management system of a shuttle bus service and assigns a vehicle 20 to the operating train information registered in the operation management system, thereby creating a timetable for the operating train.

[0022] Vehicle 20 may be, for example, a gasoline vehicle, a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), but is not limited thereto and may be any vehicle capable of carrying passengers. In this embodiment, vehicle 20 can communicate with information processing device 30 via network 40. In one example, vehicle 20 is used as a shuttle bus.

[0023] The information processing device 30 is, for example, a single computer such as a server device, or multiple computers capable of communicating with each other. The information processing device 30 can communicate with each terminal device 10 and each vehicle 20 via a network 40. In one example, the information processing device 30 is used to provide an operation management system for managing the operation of multiple vehicles 20 in a dedicated bus service.

[0024] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, with details provided below. An information processing device 30, which provides an operation management system for managing the operation of multiple vehicles 20, obtains information about temporary train numbers to be added to the operation management system based on a GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification) file containing information about temporary train numbers to be added to the operation management system, or information about operating train numbers already registered in the operation management system. The information processing device 30 then creates an operation schedule for the temporary train number based on the temporary train number information.

[0025] In an operation management system using GTFS files, information about regular trains recorded in the GTFS files can be obtained by registering the GTFS files in the operation management system. However, in addition to trains that run on fixed schedules and routes (hereinafter referred to as scheduled and routed trains), emergency temporary trains sometimes run. In such cases, registering temporary trains through the GTFS files used in scheduled and routed trains may become a complicated task for users. In contrast, according to this embodiment, information about temporary trains can be obtained based on a GTFS file that only records information about temporary trains to be registered in the operation management system or information about operating trains that have already been registered in the operation management system. As a result, the user's work is simplified compared to the past, and the probability of errors in the work is reduced. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the technology of the operation management system that manages the vehicle operation plan is improved in that the user's work when creating the operation schedule of the temporary train is simplified compared to the past, and the probability of errors in the work is reduced.

[0026] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11 , an output unit 12 , an input unit 13 , a storage unit 14 , and a control unit 15 .

[0028] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. These communication interfaces are compatible with, but not limited to, mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 communicates with the information processing device 30 via the communication unit 11 and the network 40.

[0029] The output unit 12 includes one or more output devices that output information. The output device may be, for example, a display that outputs information via video or a speaker that outputs information via sound, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the output unit 12 may include an interface for connecting to an external output device.

[0030] The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices that detect input operations performed by the user. Examples of such input devices include, but are not limited to, physical buttons, capacitive buttons, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen integrated with the display of the output unit 12, or a microphone. Alternatively, the input unit 13 may include an interface for connecting to an external input device.

[0031] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited thereto. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 can function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores arbitrary information used for the operation of the terminal device 10. The storage unit 14 can also store driving performance information obtained from the vehicle 20. In addition, for example, the storage unit 14 can also store system programs, application programs, and embedded software. For example, the information stored in the storage unit 14 can be updated by, for example, information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 11.

[0032] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specifically for specific processing, but is not limited thereto. The programmable circuit may be, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. The dedicated circuit may be, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited thereto. The control unit 15 controls the operation of the terminal device 10.

[0033] (Vehicle Configuration)

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, the vehicle 20 includes a communication unit 21 , a sensor unit 22 , a storage unit 23 , and a control unit 24 .

[0035] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. These communication interfaces support mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation), but are not limited thereto and may support any communication standard. In this embodiment, the vehicle 20 communicates with the information processing device 30 via the communication unit 21 and the network 40.

[0036] The sensor unit 22 includes one or more sensors used for controlling the vehicle 20. Examples of these sensors include, but are not limited to, a position sensor corresponding to the GPS (Global Positioning System), a geomagnetic sensor, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a gyro sensor.

[0037] The storage unit 23 includes one or more memories. In this embodiment, "memory" is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, but is not limited thereto. Each memory included in the storage unit 23 can function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 23 stores arbitrary information used for the operation of the vehicle 20. For example, the storage unit 23 can store system programs, application programs, and embedded software. The information stored in the storage unit 23 can be updated using information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 21, for example.

[0038] The control unit 24 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. A processor may be, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor dedicated to a specific process. A programmable circuit may be, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). A dedicated circuit may be, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 24 controls the overall operation of the vehicle 20.

[0039] (Configuration of Information Processing Device)

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, the information processing device 30 includes a communication unit 31 , an output unit 32 , an input unit 33 , a storage unit 34 , and a control unit 35 .

[0041] The communication unit 31 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. These communication interfaces conform to, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard or a wireless LAN standard, but are not limited thereto and may conform to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the information processing device 30 communicates with the terminal device 10 and the vehicle 20 via the communication unit 31 and the network 40, respectively.

[0042] The output unit 32 includes one or more output devices that output information. Examples of such output devices include, but are not limited to, a display that outputs information via video or a speaker that outputs information via sound. Alternatively, the output unit 32 may include an interface for connecting to an external output device.

[0043] The input unit 33 includes one or more input devices that detect input operations performed by the user. Examples of such input devices include, but are not limited to, physical buttons, capacitance buttons, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen integrated with the display of the output unit 32, or a microphone. Alternatively, the input unit 33 may include an interface for connecting to an external input device.

[0044] The storage unit 34 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 34 can function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 34 stores arbitrary information used for the operation of the information processing device 30. For example, the storage unit 34 can store system programs, application programs, embedded software, and map information. In this embodiment, the storage unit 34 stores information used to manage the operation of the vehicle 20, such as the operation schedule and information about the vehicle 20.

[0045] A "timetable" refers to information about operating trains that includes information about the vehicles assigned to the trains. This "train information" can include information uniquely identifying the train's route, such as a route ID, information uniquely identifying the train, such as a train ID, information about each stop along the train's route, and information about the time each stop passes. However, it may also include other information necessary for the trains. For example, the train information may include information about the operating day, which identifies the train's operating day.

[0046] The control unit 35 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof, and controls the overall operation of the information processing device 30 .

[0047] (Operation Flow of Information Processing Device 30)

[0048] Reference Figure 5 The operation of the information processing device 30 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0049] S100: The control unit 35 of the information processing device 30 acquires the temporary train number information based on the GTFS file describing the temporary train number information to be additionally registered in the operation management system or the operation train number information already registered in the operation management system.

[0050] Specifically, for example, a user can use a form displayed on a screen of the terminal device 10 or the information processing device 30 to input a GTFS file containing temporary train information. The control unit 35 can then acquire the information recorded in the input GTFS file as the temporary train information. Hereinafter, acquiring temporary train information using a GTFS file will also be referred to as "temporary train acquisition." Alternatively, for example, the user can select a train number or timetable from among multiple train numbers or timetables registered in the operation management system, displayed on a screen of the terminal device 10 or the information processing device 30. The control unit 35 then removes a portion of the information from the selected train number or timetable (e.g., information uniquely identifying the train number, such as the train ID, and information about the assigned vehicle 20) and acquires the selected train number or timetable information as the temporary train information. Hereinafter, acquiring temporary train information based on the selected train number or timetable will be referred to as "operation copying." Here, the control unit 35 may also automatically assign a train ID for a temporary train so that the user can distinguish it from the train ID for a scheduled, fixed-route train. For example, the number of digits or the range of values in the train ID may be different for scheduled, fixed-route trains and temporary trains, thereby enabling the user to distinguish between the two.

[0051] When obtaining temporary train information, creating a GTFS file is laborious for the user. However, if there are multiple temporary trains requiring registration, such as ten, the control unit 35 can simultaneously obtain information for multiple temporary trains. When duplicating a train, the control unit 35 can retrieve temporary train information through a simple user selection operation, such as a single click on the train to be copied. Providing the user with two methods for obtaining temporary train information makes creating temporary train schedules more efficient.

[0052] The "operation day information" can be expressed by a specific month and day, a date, or a day of the week. Furthermore, the operation day information can include information such as a discriminant flag that can be used to distinguish whether the train is operated repeatedly (a scheduled, fixed-route train) or only once (a temporary train). In the case of a duplication operation, the discriminant flag, etc., obtained by the control unit 35 as temporary train information, can be used as information to distinguish the train from a temporary train.

[0053] When running a copy, the control unit 35 may or may not obtain the operating day information as part of the temporary train information. The control unit 35 may or may not obtain the transit time information for each stopover point as the temporary train information. Furthermore, the control unit 35 may provide an interface for the user to select whether to set the operating day information and the transit time information for each stopover point as temporary train information. This interface may be provided in any form, such as by selecting a checkbox on a screen showing the operating train number or timetable to be used as temporary train information, or in any form on another screen.

[0054] S101: The control unit 35 creates an operation timetable for the temporary train based on the information of the temporary train.

[0055] Specifically, the control unit 35 displays the temporary train information acquired in S100 on the screen of the terminal device 10 or information processing device 30 used by the user. The user then assigns a vehicle 20 to the temporary train information displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10 or information processing device 30. The control unit 35 then adds the information of the vehicle 20 assigned by the user to the temporary train information to create a timetable for the temporary train, and displays the timetable information for the temporary train on the screen of the terminal device 10 or information processing device 30.

[0056] The allocation of a vehicle 20 by the user can be performed in any form, such as a text box or a check box, on the screen displaying the information of the temporary train, or in any form on another screen. The control unit 35 can control the selection of a vehicle 20 to be allocated to the temporary train from among a plurality of vehicles 20 other than the vehicles 20 already allocated to any of the operating trains registered in the operation management system. Specifically, the control unit 35 can determine a vehicle 20 that is not allocated to another operating schedule, the time period of which partially overlaps with the time period from the earliest to the latest time of each of the passing points on the route of the temporary train, and when the user allocates a vehicle 20 to the temporary train, only the determined vehicle 20 is displayed as an allocable vehicle 20 on the screen for allocating the vehicle 20.

[0057] Furthermore, the control unit 35 selects one of the specified vehicles 20 as a vehicle to be assigned to the temporary train number, and initially displays the information of the vehicle 20 on the screen displaying the information of the temporary train number.

[0058] As described above, the information processing device 30 for providing an operation management system for managing the operation of multiple vehicles obtains information about a temporary train number based on a GTFS file containing information about a temporary train number to be added to the operation management system or information about an operating train number already registered in the operation management system. Information processing device 30 then creates an operation schedule for the temporary train number based on the temporary train number information.

[0059] In an operation management system using GTFS files, information about regular trains recorded in the GTFS files can be obtained by registering the GTFS files in the operation management system. However, in addition to trains that run on fixed schedules and routes (hereinafter referred to as scheduled and routed trains), emergency temporary trains sometimes run. In such cases, registering temporary trains through the GTFS files used in scheduled and routed trains may become a complicated task for users. In contrast, according to the present embodiment, information about temporary trains can be obtained based on a GTFS file that only records information about temporary trains to be registered in the operation management system or information about operating trains that have already been registered in the operation management system. As a result, the user's work is simplified compared to the past, and the probability of errors in the work is reduced. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the technology of the operation management system that manages the vehicle operation plan is improved in that the user's work when creating the operation schedule of the temporary train is simplified compared to the past, and the probability of errors in the work is reduced.

[0060] While the present disclosure has been described based on the accompanying drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step may be reconfigured in a manner that does not logically conflict, and multiple components or steps may be combined into one or separated.

[0061] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is also possible to implement an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the terminal device 10 and / or the information processing device 30 are dispersed across a plurality of computers that can communicate with each other. In addition, for example, it is also possible to implement an embodiment in which a part or all of the components of the information processing device 30 are provided in the terminal device 10. Furthermore, conversely, it is also possible to implement an embodiment in which a part or all of the components of the terminal device 10 are provided in the information processing device 30. For example, the terminal device 10 may also include a part or all of the components of the information processing device 30, and the information processing device 30 may also include a part or all of the components of the terminal device 10. In addition, for example, the information processing device 30 of the above-mentioned embodiment may be used to provide MaaS (Mobility as a Service) as a service that effectively utilizes mobility.

[0062] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 35 may provide an interface that allows the via points and the passing times of the via points included in the created timetable to be changed.

[0063] Specifically, for example, the control unit 35 provides a button for changing the information of the operation timetable on the screen displaying the information of the operation timetable created in S101. When the user presses the button, the control unit 35 displays a table for changing the information contained in the operation timetable on the screen of the terminal device 10 or the information processing device 30. When the user changes the information contained in the operation timetable such as the via points, the passing time of the via points, and the vehicle on the screen, the control unit 35 reflects the changed content to the information of the operation timetable and redisplays the operation timetable on the screen displaying the information of the operation timetable. It should be noted that the operation timetable that can be changed through this interface is not limited to the operation timetable created, and may also include the operation timetables of other temporary trains and scheduled and routed trains.

[0064] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 35 may output the information of the created operation schedule to a GTFS file.

[0065] Specifically, for example, the control unit 35 provides a button for outputting the timetable information created in S101 to a GTFS file on the screen displaying the timetable information. When the user presses this button, the control unit 35 outputs the timetable information to the GTFS file. It should be noted that the control unit 35 may also provide a table for specifying the output location of the storage unit 14 or storage unit 34, such as an output folder, or may output to a location determined by the storage unit 14 or storage unit 34. By outputting the created timetable information to a GTFS file, the user's work can be made more efficient when operating a new temporary train.

[0066] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 35 may output the information on the operation timetables of all the operating trains to one GTFS file.

[0067] Specifically, for example, the control unit 35 provides a button on the screen of the terminal device 10 or information processing device 30 displaying information about multiple schedules, including the schedule created in S101, for outputting the information about the multiple schedules to a single GTFS file. When the user presses this button, the control unit 35 outputs the information about the multiple schedules to a single GTFS file. It should be noted that the control unit 35 may provide a table for specifying the output location of the storage unit 14 or storage unit 34, such as an output folder designation, or may output to a location determined by the storage unit 14 or storage unit 34.

[0068] Furthermore, the information on multiple schedules output to a single GTFS file is not limited to the information displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10 or information processing device 30; it can also include any information that meets specified conditions. Furthermore, the control unit 35 can output information on multiple schedules to multiple GTFS files. By outputting schedule information to GTFS files in this way, schedule modifications can be performed using a device separate from the terminal device 10 or information processing device 30, thereby improving user convenience.

[0069] The “predetermined condition” may be any condition related to the operation schedule, such as an operation schedule selected by the user, an operation schedule targeted for management by the user, or a schedule at a time specified by the user.

[0070] Furthermore, for example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the control unit 35 may also provide an interface for changing a scheduled route to a temporary train number, or changing a temporary train number to a scheduled route.

[0071] Specifically, for example, the control unit 35 provides buttons for changing any of the multiple timetables by designating a scheduled route as a temporary train or a temporary train as a scheduled route on a screen displaying information on multiple timetables including the timetable created in S101.

[0072] In addition, for example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the vehicle 20 includes an autonomous driving vehicle, the information of the vehicle 20 may include information of the autonomous driving control device (hereinafter also referred to as "autonomous driving development kit" or "ADK") carried by the vehicle 20.

[0073] In this case, the information on the operating train number may include information on one or more corresponding ADKs.

[0074] The “ADK information” may include, for example, settings of operation divisions such as Level 1 to Level 5 defined by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) or manual driving.

[0075] If ADK information corresponding to the "operating train number information" is included, the control unit 35 may also obtain the ADK information from the operating train number or the operating timetable information selected in S100 as the temporary train number information. In this case, the control unit 35 may also control in S101 such that the vehicle 20 is assigned to the temporary train number only when any ADK information included in the temporary train number information matches the ADK information included in the vehicle 20 information.

[0076] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described modified example, the corresponding one or more ADK information may be included in the information of each stopover point included in the operating train information. In this case, the control unit 35 may control the allocation of vehicle 20 to the temporary train in S101 with respect to all the stopover point information included in the temporary train information so that only when any one of the ADK information included in each stopover point information matches the ADK information included in the vehicle 20 information is the vehicle assigned to the temporary train.

[0077] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 35 may display the information of the fixed-time and fixed-route operation schedule and the information of the temporary train operation schedule on the screen of the terminal device 10 or the information processing device 30 in a distinguishable manner.

[0078] For example, any schemes such as displaying only the temporary train number in a different color, displaying the temporary train number as a temporary train number, etc. can be used as the “distinguishing scheme”.

[0079] Alternatively, for example, a general-purpose computer may function as the terminal device 10 or information processing device 30 of the aforementioned embodiments. Specifically, a program describing the processing details for implementing the various functions of the terminal device 10 or information processing device 30 of the aforementioned embodiments is stored in a memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure may also be implemented as a program executable by a processor or as a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program.

Claims

1. An information processing method, implemented by an information processing device, wherein the information processing device is configured to provide an operation management system for managing the operation of a plurality of vehicles, the information processing method comprising: Acquiring the temporary train number information based on a General Transportation Data Specification (GTFS) file recording the information of the temporary train number to be additionally registered in the operation management system or the information of the operating train number already registered in the operation management system; as well as An operation schedule of the temporary train is prepared based on the information of the temporary train.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: The information processing device selects a vehicle to be assigned to the temporary train from the plurality of vehicles other than the vehicles assigned to any operating train registered in the operation management system, and assigns the selected vehicle to the temporary train, thereby preparing the operating timetable for the temporary train.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: An interface is provided for changing the via points and the passing times of the via points included in the created timetable.

4. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: The information of the produced operation timetable is output to the General Transportation Data Specification GTFS file.

5. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: The information processing device changes the train ID included in the information of the registered running train number to obtain the information of the temporary train number.

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