Information processing device and method for operating information processing device

Abstract

The invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an operation method of the information processing apparatus. The operation efficiency of operation management is improved. The information processing apparatus includes: a communication unit; a storage unit that stores information on an operation plan for each of the plurality of vehicles, the operation plan including an operation route in which at least a part of the operation route is included in at least one area; and a control unit that performs communication via the communication unit, the control unit transmitting, to a terminal device, information indicating an operation plan of the plurality of vehicles and a first area in which a predetermined cause has occurred, and when an instruction to suspend operation in the first area is received from the terminal device, the information indicating that operation in the first area has occurred. The control unit transmits an instruction to stop operation to a first vehicle in which more than a part of the operation route is included in the first area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and an operating method of the information processing device. Background Art

[0002] Special bus routes, etc., start operating according to pre-planned departure times. Various technologies have been proposed to assist in managing these operations. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that sends travel permissions from an operations management center to autonomous vehicles, thereby placing them appropriately on their travel routes.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-009431

[0006] In vehicle operation management, various factors may prevent vehicle operation from starting as planned. In such cases, there is room for improving the efficiency of operations for issuing operation instructions by an operation manager. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, an information processing device and the like that can improve the operational efficiency for operation management will be disclosed.

[0008] The information processing device disclosed herein comprises: a communication unit; a storage unit for storing information on an operation plan including an operation route of each of a plurality of vehicles, wherein at least a portion of the operation route is included in one or more areas; and a control unit for communicating via the communication unit, wherein the control unit transmits information indicating the operation plans of the plurality of vehicles and a first area in which a specified event has occurred to a terminal device, and when receiving an instruction to suspend operation in the first area from the terminal device, the control unit transmits the instruction to suspend operation to a first vehicle including at least a portion of its operation route in the first area.

[0009] The operation method of the information processing device disclosed in the present invention includes: the information processing device sends information indicating the operation plans of multiple vehicles and a first area where a specified event has occurred to a terminal device, wherein the information processing device stores information on the operation plans of each of the multiple vehicles including an operation route, and more than a portion of the operation route is included in more than one area. When receiving an instruction to terminate operation in the first area from the terminal device, the information processing device sends an instruction to terminate operation to the first vehicle including more than a portion of the operation route in the first area.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the information processing device and the like disclosed herein, it is possible to improve operational efficiency for operation management. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a configuration example of an operations management system.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing an example of operation plan information.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the operation management system.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation management instruction screen.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation management instruction screen.

[0017] Description of reference numerals:

[0018] 1: Operation 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. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described.

[0020] <Composition of the Operation Management System>

[0021] Figure 1This figure shows an example configuration of an operation management system according to one embodiment. Operation management system 1 includes one or more server devices 10, one or more terminal devices 12, and multiple vehicles 13, connected via a network 11 so as to enable mutual information communication. Server device 10, for example, belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and is a server computer that functions as a server to implement various functions. Server device 10 corresponds to the "information processing device" in this embodiment. Terminal device 12 is an information processing terminal used by an operator of operation management system 1, that is, an operation manager, and exchanges various information with server device 10. Terminal device 12 is, for example, a personal computer or tablet terminal device. Vehicle 13 has communication and information processing functions and is connected to network 11 via a mobile communication network. Vehicle 13 is, for example, a bus that transports passengers and operates according to an operation plan. Vehicle 13 can be driven by a driver, or driving can be automated at any level (for example, any of SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Levels 1 to 5). Vehicle 13 is an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle that uses battery power for at least part of its energy for driving. The network 11 is, for example, the Internet, and includes an ad hoc network, a LAN (Local Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), or other networks or any combination thereof.

[0022] In this embodiment, the operation management system 1 assists the operation management of multiple vehicles 13 performed by the operation manager. Operation management includes instructions for executing and suspending the operation plan of each vehicle 13. An operation plan including an operation route, operation start and end time, etc. is assigned to each vehicle 13. The operation route is set in any block or area. In addition, the block or area is divided into one or more arbitrary areas. The area can be divided geographically or according to function, attribute, or administrative division. In addition, the areas can overlap with each other for more than a part. More than a part of the operation route of each vehicle is included in more than one area.

[0023] The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103 that communicates via the communication unit 101. The storage unit 102 stores operation plan information 107 for each of the multiple vehicles 13, including operation routes, where at least a portion of each route falls within one or more areas. The control unit 103 transmits information indicating the operation plans of the multiple vehicles 13 and areas (hereinafter referred to as inoperable areas) where a specified reason (hereinafter referred to as an inoperable reason) has occurred to the terminal device 12. Upon receiving an instruction to suspend operation in an inoperable area from the terminal device 12, the control unit 103 transmits an operation suspension instruction to the vehicles 13 whose operation routes at least partially fall within the inoperable area. The operation manager can instruct the suspension of operation of each vehicle 13 scheduled to operate in the inoperable area on a per-area basis. Therefore, when multiple vehicles 13 are scheduled to operate in the inoperable area, the operation manager does not need to instruct each vehicle 13 to suspend operation. This improves operational efficiency for operation management.

[0024] <Configuration of Server Device 10>

[0025] The server device 10 has a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103. The server device 10 is, for example, a computer. Alternatively, the server device 10 may be composed of two or more computers that are connected in a manner capable of information communication and perform cooperative operations. In this case, Figure 1 The configuration shown is appropriately configured on two or more computers.

[0026] The communication unit 101 includes one or more communication interfaces. For example, the communication interface is a LAN interface. The communication unit 101 receives information used for 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 information with the terminal device 12 and the vehicle 13 via the network 11.

[0027] 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 these, each functioning as a main storage device, auxiliary storage device, or cache memory. Examples of semiconductor memories include RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). Examples of RAM include SRAM (Static RAM) and DRAM (Dynamic RAM). Examples of ROM include EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 102 stores information used for the operation of the server device 10 and information obtained through the operation of the server device 10.

[0028] The information stored in the storage unit 102 includes operation plan information 107. Figure 2As shown, the operation plan information 107 includes, for example, vehicle information 21, train number information 22, and route information 23. The vehicle information 21 includes a vehicle ID for identifying each vehicle 13 and information indicating whether the vehicle 13 is operational. The vehicle ID may include the vehicle name. The operational status information, for example, indicates operational status if the vehicle 13 is not experiencing any issues, or inoperable status if the vehicle 13 is experiencing any issues. The train number information 22 includes a train number ID for identifying each train number assigned to each vehicle 13, the vehicle ID indicating the vehicle 13 to which the train number is assigned, a route ID for identifying the route to which the train number is assigned, and operation times indicating the start and end times of operation. The train number ID may include the train name. The operation times may include arrival times and departure times for one or more stops along the route. The route information 23 includes a route ID for identifying each route, area information indicating an area containing at least a portion of the route, and condition prediction information related to condition predictions in that area. The operation route ID may include the operation route name. The area information includes information for identifying the area, information indicating the attributes of the area, etc. The condition prediction information is information indicating the prediction of the condition related to whether the operation of the operation train in the area can be carried out. The condition prediction information includes, for example, scheduled operations such as road construction and accident handling in the area, scheduled events accompanied by traffic bans, and forecasts of stormy weather that affects road traffic. The prediction of obstruction to operation in the forecast corresponds to the reason for non-operation. The vehicle information 21 and the operation train number information 22, and the operation train number information 22 and the operation route information 23 are associated through the vehicle ID and the operation train number ID, respectively. One vehicle 13 corresponds to one operation train, but it may also be that multiple routes correspond to one area or multiple areas correspond to one route. Moreover, it may be that multiple vehicles 13 correspond to one route.

[0029] return Figure 1The control unit 103 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. Examples of processors include general-purpose processors such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) or specialized processors such as GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) dedicated to specific processing. Examples of dedicated circuits include FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) and ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits). The control unit 103 controls various components of the server device 10 and performs information processing related to the operation of the server device 10.

[0030] The functions of server device 10 are implemented by the processor included in control unit 103 executing a control program. A control program is a program that causes a computer to perform the steps included in the operation of server device 10, thereby enabling the computer to implement the functions corresponding to those steps. In other words, a control program is a program that causes a computer to function as server device 10. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of server device 10 may be implemented by dedicated circuitry included in control unit 103. Alternatively, the control program may be stored on a non-transitory recording / storage medium readable by server device 10 and read from the medium by server device 10.

[0031] <Configuration of Terminal Device 12>

[0032] The terminal device 12 includes a communication unit 121 , a storage unit 122 , a control unit 123 , an input unit 125 , and an output unit 126 .

[0033] The communication unit 121 includes a communication module compatible with wired or wireless LAN standards, a module compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The terminal device 12 connects to the network 11 via a nearby router or mobile communication base station through the communication unit 121, and communicates information with other devices via the network 11.

[0034] Storage unit 122 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. Semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM or ROM. RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. ROM is, for example, EEPROM. Storage unit 122 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. Storage unit 122 stores information used for the operations of control unit 123 and information obtained through the operations of control unit 123.

[0035] The control unit 123 includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors such as a CPU or 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 FPGAs or ASICs. The control unit 123 comprehensively controls the operation of the terminal device 12 by operating according to a control / processing program or according to an operational procedure implemented as a circuit. Furthermore, the control unit 123 transmits and receives various information with the server device 10 and the like via the communication unit 121 to execute the operations of this embodiment.

[0036] The input unit 125 includes one or more input interfaces. Examples of input interfaces include physical buttons, capacitive buttons, pointing devices, touch screens integrated with the display, cameras for capturing images or image codes, or IC card readers. The input interface may also include a microphone for receiving voice input. The input unit 125 receives input of information used to control the operation of the control unit 123 and transmits the input information to the control unit 123.

[0037] Output unit 126 includes one or more output interfaces. Examples of output interfaces include a display or a speaker. Examples of displays include an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. Output unit 126 outputs information obtained through the operation of control unit 123.

[0038] The functions of the control unit 123 are realized by executing a control program by a processor included in the control unit 123. The control program is a program for causing the processor to function as the control unit 123. Alternatively, a portion or all of the functions of the control unit 123 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 123.

[0039] <Configuration Example of Vehicle 13>

[0040] The vehicle 13 includes a communication unit 131, a storage unit 132, a control unit 133, a positioning unit 134, an input unit 135, and an output unit 136. One or more of these units may constitute a single control device, or may be comprised of a personal computer, such as a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a navigation device. Alternatively, each unit may be connected to enable information communication via an in-vehicle network compliant with standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0041] The storage unit 132 , the control unit 133 , the input unit 135 , and the output unit 136 have the same configurations as the storage unit 122 , the control unit 123 , the input unit 125 , and the output unit 126 of the terminal device 12 , respectively.

[0042] Communication unit 131 includes one or more communication interfaces. These interfaces are, for example, interfaces compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. Communication unit 131 receives information used by control unit 133 and transmits information obtained through the operation of control unit 133. Control unit 133 connects to network 11 via a mobile communication base station through communication unit 131 and communicates information with other devices via network 11.

[0043] Positioning unit 134 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. GNSS systems include, for example, at least one of GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou (Beidou Navigation Satellite System), GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo (Galileo Navigation Satellite System). Positioning unit 134 obtains position information of vehicle 13 based on the information acquired.

[0044] The control unit 133 exchanges various information with the communication unit 131, storage unit 132, positioning unit 134, input unit 135, and output unit 136, thereby controlling each of these units and the operation of the vehicle 13. While the vehicle 13 is operating, the control unit 133 controls the operation of the vehicle 13 by presenting various information necessary for driving to the driver via the output unit 136 or by controlling the automatic driving of the vehicle 13.

[0045] <Operation of Operation Management System 1>

[0046] Figure 31 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process of coordinated operations among the server device 10 , the terminal device 12 , and the vehicle 13 . Figure 3 The steps involved in processing various information in the server device 10, terminal device 12, and vehicle 13 are executed by their respective control units 103, 123, and 133. Furthermore, the steps involved in sending and receiving various information in the server device 10, terminal device 12, and vehicle 13 are executed by the control units 103, 123, and 133 exchanging information with each other via the communication units 101, 121, and 131, respectively. In the server device 10, terminal device 12, and vehicle 13, the information processed and sent and received by the control units 103, 123, and 133 is appropriately stored in the storage units 102, 122, and 132, respectively. Furthermore, in the terminal device 12 and vehicle 13, the input units 125 and 135 receive information input through user operations, respectively, and the output units 126 and 136 output various information intended for the user.

[0047] Figure 3 The process is an example of a process executed when the operation manager uses the terminal device 12 to manage the operation of the vehicle 13 via the server device 10. For example, the operation manager performs the operation management operation once before the start of the operation on each weekday.

[0048] In step S30, the server device 10 acquires the forecast information for each area. When the operations manager instructs the server device 10 to acquire the forecast information using the terminal device 12, the server device 10 acquires the forecast information. For example, the server device 10 acquires information such as scheduled road construction, accident handling, and other work, scheduled events involving traffic bans, and stormy weather forecasts from the operator's server, which distributes road traffic information, event information, and weather information. The server device 10 updates the forecast information in the operation route information 23 based on the acquired information.

[0049] In step S31, the server device 10 obtains the operating status information of each vehicle 13. When the server device 10 sends a request for the operating status information to each vehicle 13 using the vehicle ID of each vehicle 13, each vehicle 13 sends the operating status information to the server device 10 in response to the request. In each vehicle 13, for example, a maintenance or inspection operator of the vehicle 13 inputs information on the operating status including the presence or absence of a malfunction of the vehicle 13 into the vehicle 13, and the input information is sent to the server device 10. The server device 10 updates the operating status information of the vehicle information 21 based on the information sent from each vehicle 13. In the operation plan information 107, for example, when the operation train number information 22 is assigned to an inoperable vehicle 13, the server device 10 can change the inoperable vehicle 13 to an operable vehicle 13 based on the operating status information.

[0050] In step S32, the server device 10 transmits the operation plan information to the terminal device 12. The operation plan information transmitted from the server device 10 includes at least a portion of the operation plan information 107. For example, the operation plan information includes updated information on the operating status of each vehicle 13 and situation prediction information for each area.

[0051] In step S33, the terminal device 12 displays the operation instruction screen and accepts the operation management operation from the operation manager. The terminal device 12 displays the operation instruction screen based on the operation plan information received from the server device 10, for example. Figure 4 The operating schedule 40 shown and Figure 5 The displayed regional status forecast 41 serves as an operation instruction screen. The operation schedule 40 includes information such as the route name, train number, departure time at the originating station, arrival time at the destination station, vehicle name, and the name of the area containing a portion of the route. Furthermore, the regional status forecast 41 includes information indicating the area name and the status forecast. By viewing this operation instruction screen, the operation manager can, for example, identify a non-operational reason such as a restricted section in "Area 1" or a non-operational reason such as a flooded section due to heavy rain in "Area 3," and can thus determine that "Area 1" and "Area 3" are non-operational areas. On the other hand, the operation manager can identify that "Area 2" is operable because no non-operational reason is predicted. For example, in the "Operation Execution / Cancel Instruction" field of the regional status forecast 41, the operation manager can input an instruction to "execute" or "cancel" the operation corresponding to each area. For example, the operation manager can input an instruction to execute or cancel the operation by selecting either of the displayed "execute" or "cancel" options or by directly inputting the instruction. Here, the "area 1" and "area 3" which are inoperable areas are instructed to "suspend" the operation, and the "area 2" is instructed to "execute" the operation.

[0052] return Figure 3 In step S34, the terminal device 12 sends an operation suspension or execution instruction set for each area to the server device 10.

[0053] In step S35, the server device 10 distinguishes between inoperable vehicles 13 and operable vehicles 13. Using the operation plan information 107, the server device 10 identifies vehicles 13 associated with operating train numbers on routes partially included in the area indicated as suspended as inoperable vehicles, and identifies vehicles 13 associated with operating train numbers on routes partially included in the area indicated as operational as operable vehicles.

[0054] In step S36 , the server device 10 transmits the operation schedule based on the operation train number information 22 to each vehicle 13 , transmits an operation suspension instruction to the vehicle 13 determined as an inoperable vehicle, and transmits an operation execution instruction to the vehicle 13 determined as an operable vehicle.

[0055] In step S37, each vehicle 13 stops or executes the operation according to the operation schedule and the operation stop or execution instruction sent from the server device 10. The vehicle 13 that is determined to be an inoperable vehicle stops the operation, and the vehicle 13 that is determined to be operable executes the operation based on the operation schedule. In each vehicle 13, the control unit 133 controls the vehicle 13 that is executing the operation or stops the control based on the information sent from the server device 10. Alternatively, the control unit 133 may output the operation schedule and the operation stop or execution instruction through a display, etc., and the passenger may perform the operation for executing the operation or stop the operation. It should be noted that the same information as the operation train number information 22 of the operation plan information 107 stored in the server device 10 may be pre-stored in each vehicle 13, and each vehicle 13 may execute the operation based on this information.

[0056] According to the above process, the operation manager can instruct the suspension of operation of vehicles 13 scheduled to operate in non-operable areas on a per-area basis. Moreover, even if multiple vehicles 13 are scheduled to operate along each route in a non-operable area, the suspension of operation can be instructed for multiple vehicles 13. Therefore, if multiple vehicles 13 are scheduled to operate on one or more routes in a non-operable area, the operation manager does not need to instruct the suspension of operation for each vehicle 13. Furthermore, even if multiple vehicles 13 with different standards and technical specifications operate in a non-operable area, the server device 10 and each vehicle 13 are configured to communicate, thereby enabling a unified instruction to suspend operation. Therefore, the operational efficiency of operation management can be improved.

[0057] While the above descriptions illustrate the implementation methods based on the accompanying drawings and examples, those skilled in the art should note that various variations and modifications are readily possible based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that such variations and modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each unit, step, etc. may be rearranged in a manner that does not create logical contradictions, and multiple units, steps, etc. may be combined into one or separated.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: Ministry of Communications; The storage unit stores information on the operation plans of the plurality of vehicles including the operation routes. More than a portion of the operation route is included in more than one area; as well as a control unit that communicates via the communication unit, The control unit sends information indicating the operation plans of the plurality of vehicles and the first area where a specified event has occurred to a terminal device. When receiving an instruction to suspend operation in the first area from the terminal device, the control unit sends an instruction to suspend operation to the first vehicle whose operation route is partially or fully included in the first area.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein The control unit transmits an instruction to execute the operation to a second vehicle whose operation route is partially or fully excluded from the first area.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit transmits the operation suspension instruction to the first vehicle and transmits the operation execution instruction to the second vehicle before respective operation start times included in the operation plans of the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit transmits the operation suspension instruction to the plurality of vehicles corresponding to one operation route.

5. An operating method of an information processing device, wherein the information processing device stores information on operation plans including operation routes of a plurality of vehicles, wherein: More than one portion of the route is included in more than one area. The operation method of the information processing device includes: Information indicating the operation plans of the plurality of vehicles and the first area where a specified event has occurred is sent to a terminal device, and when an instruction to suspend operation in the first area is received from the terminal device, an instruction to suspend operation is sent to a first vehicle whose operation route is partially or fully included in the first area.

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