Information processing apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a technology capable of comprehensively acquiring a combination pattern of product-selectable options corresponding to a combination pattern of specified specifications. In an information processing device, an input unit receives input of specification information related to a combination pattern of product-selectable specifications. A storage unit stores variable point information on each of a plurality of functional components included in a product, the variable point information including product-selectable options for each variable point of the functional component and conditions under which each option is selected. A processing unit derives, based on the specification information received by the input unit and the variable point information stored in the storage unit, a combination pattern of product-selectable options for variable points of the plurality of functional components in the product corresponding to the combination pattern in the specification information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing device. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a combination determination support system that summarizes combinations of multiple options by user unit to determine the optimal combination, reflecting the user's desire to include a specified limit on the combination.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-36000 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In current vehicle development, development becomes a coordinated effort at the system unit, ECU unit, and other individual component levels, considering the behavior of every variant of each component. Coordination is achieved through communication between component managers or by aggregating variant information scattered across numerous design documents; therefore, this cost is incurred per vehicle type. Communication errors can lead to unforeseen combinations of variants with differing premises, or to inefficient development that results in combinations not present in the final product.

[0005] In vehicle development, it is difficult to grasp the development scale based on the vehicle specifications and parameters information in the planning stage, and it is also difficult to grasp the number of evaluation models for the vehicle unit as the final product.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a technique for comprehensively acquiring a combination of product options corresponding to a combination of specified specifications.

[0007] To address the aforementioned issues, an information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an input unit that receives input of specification information relating to a pattern of combinations of desirable specifications of a product; a storage unit that stores variable point information for each of a plurality of functional components included in the product, the variable point information including options for each variable point of the functional component and conditions under which each option is selected; and a processing unit that, based on the specification information received by the input unit and the variable point information stored in the storage unit, derives a pattern of combinations of options for the variable points of the plurality of functional components in the product corresponding to the pattern of combinations in the specification information.

[0008] Invention Effects

[0009] According to the present invention, a pattern is available that can comprehensively obtain a combination of product-desirable options corresponding to a pattern of combinations of specified specifications. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the information processing device in the implementation method.

[0011] Figure 2 This indicates input to Figure 1 A diagram illustrating an example of the data structure for the input section's specification information.

[0012] Figure 3 It means stored in Figure 1 A diagram illustrating an example of a data structure for variable point information in the storage section.

[0013] Figure 4 It means by Figure 1 The diagram shows an example of a data structure that represents a combination of vehicle options exported by the processing department.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a diagram of an example of a data structure that represents a pattern of combinations of options derived from all combinations of options that fully cover a variable point where no single option can be selected.

[0015] Figure 6 (a) indicates that by Figure 1 An example of a data structure that extracts patterns of combinations associated with a single functional component from the processing unit. Figure 6 (b) indicates that... Figure 6 A diagram of an example of the data structure resulting from the integration of the same combinations in (a).

[0016] Figure 7 It means Figure 1 The flowchart of the processing in the information processing device. Detailed Implementation

[0017] In this implementation, to allow for variations in the final product's behavior due to end-user-defined parameters such as equipment differences or payment information after specifying vehicle specifications and parameter information, a calculation is performed to determine a combination of desirable vehicle options based on the specified vehicle specifications and parameters, and the calculation results are output. The output combination pattern can be used for product cost estimation or comprehensive evaluation. The following explanation uses a vehicle as an example, but the product can also be anything other than a vehicle, such as software.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the information processing device 10 in the embodiment. For example... Figure 1As shown, the information processing apparatus 10 includes an input unit 20, a storage unit 22, a processing unit 24, and an output unit 26. The structure of the information processing apparatus 10 can be implemented in hardware using any computer's CPU, memory, and other LSIs, and in software using programs loaded into memory, but functional blocks implemented through the cooperation of these are depicted here. Therefore, these functional blocks can be implemented in various ways, either solely in hardware, solely in software, or through a combination thereof, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The information processing apparatus 10 can be configured, for example, as a personal computer or a server.

[0019] The input unit 20 receives specification information related to a pattern of one or more combinations of specifications selected from all patterns of combinations of desirable specifications for the vehicle as the final product. The input unit 20 supplies the received specification information to the processing unit 24. In this invention, vehicle specifications and vehicle parameters are collectively referred to as the vehicle's "specifications".

[0020] For example, when the person in charge of vehicle planning is carrying out vehicle planning, they input the planning information of vehicle specifications and parameters as specification information into the input unit 20 for the target vehicle model or type.

[0021] Figure 2 Indicates input to Figure 1 An example of the data structure for the specification information of the input section 20. Figure 2 This indicates specification information related to a portion of the specifications; in reality, the specification information includes more specifications. The specification information is a list of permitted combinations of vehicle specifications and parameters for the planned vehicle.

[0022] In the illustrated example, the specification information includes a pattern of combinations of three specifications.

[0023] In combination 1, "Target Market" is "Domestic," "Drive" is "2WD," "S01" is "Standard Edition," and "T02" is "TSS3." "S01" indicates the specifications for audio and display. "T02" indicates the specifications for advanced safety features. "TSS3," etc., indicate the name of the advanced safety system.

[0024] In combination 2, the "target market" is "domestic", the "drive" is "4WD", "S01" is "advanced version", and "T02" is "TSS4".

[0025] In combination 3, the "target market" is "North America", the "drive" is "4WD", "S01" is "premium version", and "T02" is "TSS4".

[0026] The vehicle has multiple functional components. These components include multiple Electronic Control Units (ECUs).

[0027] Storage unit 22 stores variable point information for each of the multiple functional components included in the vehicle. This variable point information includes the available options for each variable point of the functional component and the conditions under which each option is selected. Variable points of a functional component represent items in the component's specifications that can be changed. Variable points are also called variant points. Variable point information corresponds to the vehicle model or vehicle type for which the input specification information is applied. Variable point information can also be referred to as variability information.

[0028] For example, the person in charge of component design designs variations of functional components and pre-registers variable point information in the information processing device 10. The storage unit 22 can also be called a variable point repository.

[0029] Figure 3 Indicates storage in Figure 1 An example of a data structure for variable point information in storage unit 22. Figure 3 This represents a portion of the variable point information; in reality, variable point information includes much more data.

[0030] The variable point information also includes the available options for each variable point of the vehicle's specifications, which are also included in the entered specification information, and the conditions under which each option is selected. The variable points of the vehicle's specifications represent the specification items and the items whose content can be changed.

[0031] exist Figure 3 In the example, the "target market," a variable point in the vehicle specifications, includes the preferred options "domestic," "North America," and "Europe," along with logical expressions indicating the conditions under which each option is selected. In the logical expression, "VIC.target market" represents the content of the specification item name "target market" input to the input unit 20. Therefore, the logical expression corresponding to the option "domestic" indicates that the option "domestic" is selected if the input specification item name "target market" contains the condition "domestic." Similarly, the logical expression "VIC.drive" represents the content of the specification item name "drive" input to the input unit 20.

[0032] Thus, the variable point information defines the vehicle's specifications and the variable point information items for each functional component in the same format. The variable point information uses logical expressions to define the conditions for selecting options and to represent the constraints or relationships between these options.

[0033] and, Figure 3In the example, an ECU classified as "C-DC" and called a cockpit domain controller is shown, and an ECU classified as "A-DC" and called an advanced driver assistance system domain controller is shown.

[0034] The functional component "C-DC" includes "MM level", "XX function equipped", and "XX function enabled / disabled" as variable points. "XX" represents the function name.

[0035] Regarding the variable point "MM level", it includes "T1 / L1" and "T2 / L2" as preferred options and logical expressions representing the conditions under which each option is selected.

[0036] Regarding the variable point "XX function equipped", it includes "yes" and "no" as preferred options, and logical expressions indicating the conditions under which each option is selected.

[0037] The variable "XX function enabled / disabled" includes the options "yes" and "no" as choices, and a logical expression indicating the conditions under which each option is selected. This logical expression includes the parameter "XX function pays". The parameter "XX function pays" has the options "TRUE" and "FALSE". If the vehicle owner or user has "XX function" installed in the vehicle at the time of purchase or after purchase, they can enable "XX function" by paying for it. "TRUE" for the parameter "XX function pays" indicates that payment has been made for "XX function", and "FALSE" indicates that payment has not been made for "XX function".

[0038] In other words, the parameter includes multiple options selected by the vehicle owner or user. Therefore, during vehicle planning, the parameter options are not necessarily limited to one; they need to be treated as allowing the selection of all options.

[0039] Furthermore, the functional component "A-DC" includes "Advanced Security", "YY Function Integration", and "YY Function Enabled / Disabled" as variable points. "YY" represents the function name.

[0040] Regarding the variable point "Advanced Security", it includes "TSS3" and "TSS4" as preferred options and logical expressions indicating the conditions under which each option is selected.

[0041] Regarding the variable point "YY function equipped", it includes "yes" and "no" as optional options, and logical expressions indicating the conditions under which each option is selected.

[0042] The variable point "YY function enabled / disabled" includes the options "yes" and "no" as choices, and a logical expression indicating the conditions under which each option is selected. This logical expression includes the parameter "YY user setting." The parameter "YY user setting" has "ON" and "OFF" options. If the vehicle has a "YY function" installed, the user can enable the "YY function" by performing a setting operation to enable it. The user can disable the "YY function" by performing a setting operation to disable it. "YY user setting" being "ON" indicates that a setting operation to enable the "YY function" has been performed, and "OFF" indicates that a setting operation to disable the "YY function" has been performed.

[0043] Multiple variable points of multiple functional components have multiple variable points of type 1 and more than one variable point of type 2.

[0044] In the first type of variable point of the functional component, at Figure 3 Examples include "MM level", "XX function equipped", "advanced security", and "YY function equipped".

[0045] In each of the plurality of variable points of type 1, an option is selected based on at least one of the specifications pre-associated with that variable point and the options selected in other variable points of type 1 pre-associated with that variable point. In the variable points of type 1, an option is determined for a combination of the input specifications.

[0046] In the second type of variable point of the functional component, in Figure 3 In the examples, "XX function is effective / ineffective" and "YY function is effective / ineffective".

[0047] In each of the more than one second type of variable point, if the first option is selected in the first type of variable point that is pre-associated with the second type of variable point, one option is selected. If the second option is selected in the first type of variable point, one option cannot be selected solely based on the specification, but rather based on the parameter that is pre-associated with the second type of variable point.

[0048] That is, in the second type of variable points, for each combination of input specifications, sometimes an option is determined based on the option selected in other first type variable points, and sometimes the option cannot be determined. For example, in the second type of variable point "XX function enabled / disabled", if the option selected in other first type of variable point "XX function equipped" is option 1 "no", then the option "no" is determined. In the first type of variable points, only the specifications determine one option, so in this case, it can be said that in the second type of variable point "XX function enabled / disabled", only the specifications determine one option. On the other hand, if the option selected in the variable point "XX function equipped" is option 2 "yes", then the parameter "XX function paid" cannot be determined, so the option cannot be determined, leaving multiple options "yes" and "no". That is, in this case, it is not possible to select one option based solely on the specifications.

[0049] The processing unit 24, based on the specification information received from the input unit 20 and the variable point information stored in the storage unit 22, derives a pattern of combinations of options for the variable points of multiple functional components in the vehicle that correspond to the combination pattern in the specification information. The processing unit 24 may also be described as a pattern that combines the variable point information in the storage unit 22 and the specification information received from the input unit 20 to calculate the combination of options for the preferred options.

[0050] For each mode of the combination of specifications in the specification information, the processing unit 24 selects one option based on the specifications in the specification information, according to the logic of the variable point information, in each of the multiple variable points of the specifications and the multiple variable points of the multiple functional components contained in the variable point information.

[0051] For each mode of the combination of specifications in the specification information, if the processing unit 24 selects only one option based on the specification among all the variable points of the first and second types, the combination of the selected options is set as a mode of the combination of options that are available for multiple variable points.

[0052] For each pattern of the combination of specifications in the specification information, the processing unit 24, in the case that there is one variable point of the second type that cannot be selected by relying solely on the specification, derives a pattern of the combination of options of multiple variable points in a manner that covers all options of that variable point.

[0053] For each pattern of the combination of specifications in the specification information, the processing unit 24, in the case that there are multiple variable points of the second type that cannot be selected by relying solely on the specifications, derives a pattern of the combination of options of multiple variable points in a manner that covers all combinations of options of multiple variable points that cannot be selected by one option.

[0054] The processing unit 24, which can also be called the mode for each combination of specifications for specification information, in the case where there are multiple variable points of the second type that cannot be selected by relying solely on specifications, derives the mode for the combination of options of multiple variable points in a manner that covers the selection of all combinations of options of parameters in these multiple variable points.

[0055] Processing unit 24 can also be described as using the constraint conditions or relational information contained in the variable point information to exclude options not selected in the input specification information from the candidates. If there are variable points with multiple remaining options, it calculates the possible combinations of multiple variable points by combining the remaining options. Processing unit 24 can also be described as evaluating the logical expression based on the specification information, thereby narrowing down the options for each variable point. Processing unit 24 can also be described as calculating the number of combination patterns from combinations of multiple options for variable points that cannot be determined solely from the specification information.

[0056] Figure 4 Indicates by Figure 1 The processing unit 24 outputs a data structure of a combination of vehicle options. Figure 4 It can also be called representation Figure 3 The logical evaluation results.

[0057] For each combination of specifications 1, 2, and 3 in the specification information, the processing unit 24 selects one option from the eight variable points included in the variable point information, according to the specification and logical expression. The result is... Figure 4 The options shown are combinations 1, 2, and 3. At this stage, the number of patterns for the derived combinations is the same as the number of patterns for the combinations in the specification information.

[0058] As mentioned above, Figure 3 The parameters for "XX function paid" and "YY user settings" cannot be determined from the entered specification information. Therefore, in the variable points of "XX function effective / ineffective" and "YY function effective / ineffective", sometimes it is impossible to determine a single option.

[0059] For example, in combination 1, since the option selected in the variable point "XX function equipped" is "None", the option "None" is selected in the variable point "XX function enabled / disabled" according to the corresponding logic. Similarly, the option "None" is selected in the variable point "YY function enabled / disabled". Therefore, in combination 1, only one option is selected in all variable points based on the specification information.

[0060] On the other hand, in combination 2, since the selected option in the variable point "XX function equipped" is "Yes", and the option of the parameter "XX function paid" in the corresponding logic expression cannot be determined, the remaining option "Yes" or "No" in the variable point "XX function effective / ineffective" cannot be determined to be 1. Similarly, the remaining option "Yes" or "No" in the variable point "YY function effective / ineffective" cannot be determined to be 1.

[0061] In combination 3, the remaining options "Yes" or "No" in the variable point "XX Function Enabled / Disabled" cannot be determined to be 1. The option "None" should be selected in the variable point "YY Function Enabled / Disabled".

[0062] Figure 5 This is an example of a data structure that represents a pattern of combinations of options derived from all combinations of options that completely cover a variable point where only one option can be selected. Figure 5 In the middle, the arrow indicates that the same option as the one to its left has been selected.

[0063] Processing Unit 24 Figure 4 In combination 1, one option can be selected from each of all variable points, therefore the combination of selected options is directly set as Figure 5 Combination 1.

[0064] Processing Unit 24 Figure 4 In combination 2, because there are variable points "XX function enabled / disabled" and "YY function enabled / disabled" where only specification information is available and only one option can be selected, the combination pattern is derived by combining all options that cover these two variable points. Therefore, as follows... Figure 5 As shown, Figure 4 The combination 2 is increased to combinations 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4.

[0065] Processing Unit 24 Figure 4 In combination 3, because there exists a variable point "XX function enabled / disabled" where the specification cannot select only one option due to the requirement that the specification information alone is sufficient, the combination pattern is derived by covering all options of that variable point. Thus, as... Figure 5 As shown, Figure 4 The combination 3 is increased to combinations 3-1 and 3-2.

[0066] Thus, in Figure 4 In each of combinations 2 and 3, the parameters "XX function payment" and "YY user settings" are combined to obtain the possible combinations, and the number of combination modes is as follows: Figure 5 The number of modes has increased to 7, which is 4 more than the number of modes that can be combined with the specification information input to the input unit 20.

[0067] from Figure 5As can be seen from the combination pattern, in order to handle the combination of vehicle specifications and parameters in the vehicle plan, seven combinations and their evaluations are required in the entire vehicle.

[0068] Furthermore, for each functional component, the processing unit 24 extracts a pattern of combinations of options desirable at multiple variable points of that functional component from the pattern of combinations of exported options. For each functional component, the processing unit 24 integrates multiple patterns of the same combination from the extracted pattern of combinations of options into one. The processing unit 24 supplies the information of the integrated combination pattern of each functional component to the output unit 26.

[0069] Figure 6 (a) indicates that by Figure 1 An example of a data structure of a combination of patterns related to a functional component, extracted by the processing unit 24. Figure 6 (b) indicates that Figure 6 An example of a data structure resulting from the integration of identical combinations in combination (a).

[0070] exist Figure 6 In (a), it means from Figure 5 The pattern is a combination of multiple variable point desirable options extracted from the combination pattern related to the functional component "C-DC".

[0071] Processing Department 24 Figure 6 (a) The three identical combinations 2-1, 2-2, and 3-1 in the seven combinations are combined into one, denoted as . Figure 6 (b) The combination pattern “Vari.2”.

[0072] Processing Department 24 Figure 6 (a) The three identical combinations 2-3, 2-4, and 3-2 in the seven combinations are combined into one, denoted as . Figure 6 (b) The combination pattern “Vari.3”.

[0073] Processing Unit 24 Figure 6 (a) Of the 7 possible combinations, since there are no other patterns with the same combination in combination 1, it is directly set to 1. Figure 6 (b) The combination pattern “Vari.1”.

[0074] from Figure 6 As can be seen from the combination pattern in (b), in order to handle the combination of vehicle specifications and parameters in the vehicle plan, three combinations and their evaluations are required for the functional component "C-DC".

[0075] The integrated combination pattern of each functional component can be used for variant management of the software of each functional component.

[0076] Output section 26 will be as follows Figure 5 The output unit 26 outputs a list of possible combinations of options for the variable points of the vehicle's specifications and functional components as an option combination table. Furthermore, the output unit 26 also outputs... Figure 6 (b) shows a combination pattern of multiple optional options for each functional component after integration. Output unit 26 outputs this information to a display device or the like, not shown.

[0077] Next, the operation of the information processing device 10 based on the above structure will be explained. Figure 7 It means Figure 1 The flowchart of the processing in the information processing device 10.

[0078] Input unit 20 receives vehicle specification information (S10). Processing unit 24 retrieves variable point information from storage unit 22 (S12). Based on the specification information and variable point information, processing unit 24 selects options for each variable point (S14) and derives a pattern of combinations of options available for multiple variable points to cover all combinations of options for variable points where only one option can be selected (S16). Output unit 26 outputs the pattern of option combinations (S18), and processing ends.

[0079] According to the implementation method, it is possible to fully obtain the combination patterns of product-desirable options corresponding to the combination patterns of the input specifications.

[0080] Furthermore, for variable points where the option cannot be determined to be only one based solely on the input specifications, patterns that cover combinations of all options can also be derived. Therefore, evaluators can more accurately determine the number of patterns that need to be evaluated for combinations of the input specifications.

[0081] Furthermore, it is possible to determine the combination patterns of options for each functional component used to achieve the combination of input specifications. Therefore, the evaluator can determine the number of patterns that need to be evaluated for each functional component.

[0082] Thus, in one implementation, a mechanism is provided that treats the vehicle itself as a product, manages all variations generated within the vehicle product line in a unified manner, pre-defines the relationships between each variation using logical expressions, and thereby, when planning information such as vehicle parameters and specifications is selected, can immediately output the combination relationship or consistency confirmation result of software variations between components without manual intervention.

[0083] In this implementation, variable information is managed in a unified format across the functional components that constitute the vehicle. Furthermore, vehicle specifications and parameters are treated as a single variable information, and the relationships between these variable information items are expressed using logical expressions. In these logical expressions, in addition to the relationships between individual items of the vehicle specifications and parameters, the relationships between variable information items and those of other functional components are also expressed, thereby conveying the constraints and dependencies between the functional components.

[0084] The present invention has been described above according to embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples; various modifications can be made to the combination of the constituent elements or processing flows, and these modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0085] For example, storage unit 22 can store multiple sets of variable information for each vehicle model or type. Information identifying the vehicle model or type can be appended to the specification information received by input unit 20. Processing unit 24 can read the variable information corresponding to the vehicle model or type determined from the appended information in the specification information from storage unit 22.

[0086] Symbol Explanation

[0087] 10 - Information processing device, 20 - Input unit, 22 - Storage unit, 24 - Processing unit, 26 - Output unit.

Claims

1. An information processing device, characterized in that, have: The input section receives specification information related to the combination of desirable product specifications. The storage unit stores variable point information about each of the plurality of functional components included in the product, the variable point information including the options available for each variable point of the functional component and the conditions under which each option is selected; and The processing unit, based on the specification information received by the input unit and the variable point information stored in the storage unit, derives a pattern of combinations of options for the variable points of the plurality of functional components in the product that correspond to the combination pattern in the specification information.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing unit performs the following processing for each combination pattern of specifications: In each of the multiple variable points of the multiple functional components, one option is selected based on the specifications; In cases where there is only one variable point that cannot be selected based solely on the specification, a pattern is derived of combinations of options available for the multiple variable points to cover all options for that variable point. and In cases where there are multiple variable points for which only one option cannot be selected based on specifications, a pattern is derived of combinations of options available for those multiple variable points to cover all combinations of options for which only one option cannot be selected.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The plurality of variable points have a plurality of variable points of type 1 and more than one variable point of type 2. In each of the plurality of variable points of type 1, one option is selected based on at least one of the options selected from the specifications pre-associated with that variable point and other variable points of type 1 pre-associated with that variable point. In each of the more than one second type of variable points, if the first option is selected among the first type of variable points that are pre-associated with the second type of variable point, one option is selected. If the second option is selected among the first type of variable points, one option cannot be selected solely based on the specification, but rather based on the parameters pre-associated with the second type of variable point. The parameters include multiple options selected by the owner or user of the product.

4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The processing unit performs the following processing: From the patterns of combinations of exported options, for each of the functional components, extract the patterns of combinations of multiple variable points of the functional component. and For each of the aforementioned functional components, multiple patterns of the same combination of extracted options are integrated into one.

5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The product in question is a vehicle. The multiple functional components include multiple ECUs.

Images