Information management device, service delivery system, program, and information management procedure

Abstract

Information management device (110, 210), comprising: an information storage unit (112, 212) configured to store setting information specifying the setting and payable points, and history information specifying a history of each user, wherein the setting specifies whether a user entering a host vehicle must give way to or yield to a target vehicle, or be given way to or yield to the target vehicle when a host vehicle's travel path intersects with a target vehicle's travel path, wherein the payable points are an upper limit of payable points to be paid to the user entering the target vehicle if the target vehicle changes its travel path to yield to the host vehicle; and a comparison unit (113, 213) configured to determine whether a first vehicle (102A) or a second vehicle (102B) is to change its route, and to determine the points payable by reference to the setting information when a first driving device (130A, 230A) attached to the first vehicle and controlling the journey of the first vehicle (102A) detects the second vehicle (102B), and to compare the setting and points payable of a first user boarding the first vehicle (102A) with the setting and points payable of a second user boarding the second vehicle (102B), wherein the second vehicle (102B) is the destination vehicle of the first vehicle (102A), wherein if the settings of the first user and the second user are different, the comparison unit (113, 213) changes the route of the vehicle being boarded by a user who is supposed to give way to the destination vehicle, and predetermined points are determined as the payment points; and If the setting of the first user and the setting of the second user both indicate yielding to the target vehicle, the comparison unit (113, 213) modifies the route of the vehicle with fewer payable points and determines a number of points equal to or greater than the fewer payable points than the payable points, whereas if the payable points of the first user and the payable points of the second user are equal, the comparison unit (113, 213) refers to the history information, calculates an intensity, modifies the route of the user with the lower intensity, and determines predetermined points as the payable points, with the intensity increasing with the number of times the user has been given right of way.

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The disclosure relates to an information management device, a service delivery system, a program, and an information management procedure. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] PTL1 discloses a system that includes a vehicle control device which enables vehicles to pass through an intersection safely and smoothly with minimal required deceleration.

[0003] In particular, if a vehicle is detected near an intersection that might cross the intersection before the host vehicle, the vehicle control device, which executes the braking control for the host vehicle, sets priorities for the host vehicle and the crossing vehicle with regard to passing through the intersection. If the host vehicle has a lower priority than the crossing vehicle, the vehicle control device brakes the host vehicle so that it passes through the intersection only after the crossing vehicle.

[0004] Priorities are set for vehicles based on the relative positional relationships between potentially intersecting vehicles and / or based on vehicle and / or driver information stored in a database. Vehicle information includes details such as whether a vehicle is an emergency vehicle like an ambulance, police car, or fire engine. Driver information includes details such as payment for priority vehicle status, how often a vehicle has previously relinquished its priority, or evidence that the driver is a responsible driver with no traffic violations.

[0005] Such conventional technology has provided useful services for people in a hurry, services that depend on vehicle and driver information. If a driver is not in a hurry, they can accumulate points with conventional technology by transferring the vehicle's priority status to another driver; if the driver is in a hurry, they can use points to establish preferential priority status.

[0006] With conventional technology, in a situation where neither a first nor a second vehicle has the right of way, the first vehicle can yield to the second vehicle and collect points; these points can then be exchanged for certain services, such as toll reductions or obtaining priority status for a vehicle.

[0007] JP 2012-150 630 A discloses a vehicle traffic control system equipped with a vehicle-side communication device and a control device capable of communicating with the vehicle-side communication device. The control device comprises a passage control unit that, in response to a request from the vehicle-side communication device approaching a predetermined section, grants a vehicle to which the vehicle-side communication device is attached a privilege to pass through the predetermined section, and a notification unit that transmits this information to the vehicle-side communication device.

[0008] DE 10 2019 211 534 A1 discloses a method for carrying out a maneuver request, in particular by a control unit of a first vehicle, wherein a communication requirement is determined by evaluating measurement data, a header with static and dynamic information is generated and sent together with the maneuver request, an acknowledgment of relevance information of the maneuver request sent by a second vehicle is received by the first vehicle, a detailed maneuver request as an offer for a transaction is transmitted from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, and upon receipt of an acknowledgment of the offer, a requested maneuver is executed. REFERENCES ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNOLOGY PATENT REFERENCE

[0009] Patent literature 1: Japanese patent application JP 2007 - 45 350 A SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION; PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0010] With conventional technology, however, priority status can be purchased with money, and points can be acquired from a service provider by transferring the acquired priority status of one vehicle to another. The transfer of priority status must be determined manually, and this manual process becomes a factor that hinders operation by a passenger while the vehicle is driving autonomously.

[0011] Accordingly, one objective of one or more aspects of the revelation is to enable the automatic modification of a travel route and the transfer of the relevant points in accordance with predefined settings. MEANS OF SOLVING THE TASK

[0012] An information management device according to one aspect of the disclosure comprises: an information storage unit configured to store the setting information specifying the setting and the points payable; the setting indicating whether a user entering a host vehicle must give way to or yield to a target vehicle, or be given way to or yield to the target vehicle when the host vehicle's travel path intersects with the target vehicle's travel path; the points payable represent an upper limit of the points payable to the user entering the target vehicle when the target vehicle changes its travel path to give way to the host vehicle;and a comparison unit set up to determine whether a first vehicle or a second vehicle is to change the route, and determines the payment points with reference to the attitude information when a first driving device attached to the first vehicle and controlling the journey of the first vehicle detects the second vehicle and compares the attitude and payable points of a first user boarding the first vehicle with the attitude and payable points of a second user boarding the second vehicle, the second vehicle being the destination vehicle of the first vehicle.

[0013] A service provision system according to one aspect of the disclosure comprises a plurality of driving devices mounted on a plurality of vehicles and controlling the movement of the plurality of vehicles;and an information management device, wherein the information management device comprises: an information storage unit configured to store the setting information specifying the setting and the points payable, the setting indicating whether a user boarding a host vehicle contained in the multitude of vehicles must give way to or yield to a target vehicle, or be given way to or yield to the target vehicle when the host vehicle's route intersects with a target vehicle's route, the points payable representing an upper limit of points payable to the user boarding the target vehicle when the target vehicle changes its route to give way to or yield to the host vehicle;and a comparison unit set up to determine whether a first vehicle included in the plurality of vehicles or a second vehicle included in the plurality of vehicles is to change its route, and determines the payment points with respect to the attitude information when a first driving device attached to the first vehicle and controlling the journey of the first vehicle detects the second vehicle and compares the attitude and payable points of a first user boarding the first vehicle with the attitude and payable points of a second user boarding the second vehicle, the second vehicle being the destination vehicle of the first vehicle.

[0014] A program according to one aspect of the disclosure causes a computer to function as follows: as an information storage unit configured to store the setting information indicating the setting and the points payable, the setting indicating whether a user entering a host vehicle must give way to or yield to a target vehicle, or be given way to or yield to the target vehicle, when the host vehicle's travel path intersects with a target vehicle's travel path, the points payable representing an upper limit of the points payable to the user entering the target vehicle when the target vehicle changes its travel path to avoid the host vehicle;and a comparison unit set up to determine whether a first vehicle or a second vehicle is to change the route, and determines the payment points with reference to the setting information when a first driving device attached to the first vehicle and controlling the journey of the first vehicle detects the second vehicle, and compares the setting and payable points of a first user boarding the first vehicle with the setting and payable points of a second user boarding the second vehicle, the second vehicle being the destination vehicle of the first vehicle.

[0015] An information management procedure according to one aspect of disclosure includes: with reference to the setting of information indicating the attitude and points payable, when a first driving device attached to a first vehicle and controlling the journey of the first vehicle detects a second vehicle, which is a target vehicle, traveling on a route intersecting with a route of the first vehicle, in order to compare the attitude and points payable of a first user boarding the first vehicle and the attitude and points payable of a second user boarding the second vehicle, wherein the attitude indicates whether a user boarding a host vehicle must give way or yield to a target vehicle traveling on a route intersecting the route of the host vehicle, or whether the user must be given way or yield to the target vehicle.wherein the payable points represent a ceiling of payment points to be paid to a user boarding the target vehicle when the host vehicle is evaded by the target vehicle because the target vehicle has changed its route; and it is determined whether the first or the second vehicle is to change its route, and the payment points are determined. EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] According to one or more aspects of the revelation, a travel route can be automatically changed and corresponding points can be transferred in accordance with predetermined settings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a configuration of a service delivery system according to the first and second embodiments. Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a configuration of an information management device according to the first and second embodiments. Fig. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information management device. Fig. Figure 4 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a configuration of a first driving device according to the first and second embodiments. Fig. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a driving device. Fig. Figure 6 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a configuration of a second driving device according to the first and second embodiments. Fig. Figure 7 is a sequence diagram to illustrate the operation of the service provisioning system according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the process performed by a comparison unit of the information management device. Fig. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram to illustrate a specific example of the decision to change a travel route and the determination of payment points according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 10 is a diagram showing a first mechanism for transferring points. Fig. Figure 11 is a diagram that schematically illustrates a second mechanism for transferring points. Fig. Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating the process of generating a vehicle group in a second embodiment. Fig. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram to illustrate a specific example of the decision to change a travel route and the determination of payment points according to the second embodiment. EXECUTION FORM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE FIRST INVENTION FORM

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a configuration of a service provisioning system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0018] The service provisioning system 100 comprises an information management device 110, a first driving device 130A and a second driving device 130B.

[0019] The information management device 110 and the first driving device 130A or the second driving device 130B can communicate with each other via a network 101, such as the Internet.

[0020] The first drive device 130A is attached to a first vehicle 102A and serves to control the drive of the first vehicle 102A; the second drive device 130B is attached to a second vehicle 102B and serves to control the drive of the second vehicle 102B. Since the first drive device 130A and the second drive device 130B have the same configuration, the first drive device 130A and the second drive device 130B are each referred to as a drive device 130 when there is no need to distinguish between the first drive device 130A and the second drive device 130B.

[0021] In the case that two vehicles are traveling on intersecting routes, the driving device 130 that first detects the other driving device 130 and attempts to communicate with the other driving device 130 is referred to as the first driving device 130A and the other driving device 130 as the second driving device 130B.

[0022] The Information Management Device 110 manages information about the users of the Service Delivery System 100.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a configuration of the information management device 110.

[0024] The information management device 110 comprises a network communication unit 111, an information storage unit 112 and a comparison unit 113.

[0025] The network communication unit 111 carries out communication via network 101. For example, the network communication unit 111 communicates with the first drive unit 130A or the second drive unit 130B via network 101.

[0026] The information storage unit 112 stores programs and information required for processing by the information management device 110. For example, the information storage unit 112 stores setting information, which includes information about the users of the service delivery system 100. Here, the setting information specifies the setting and the points payable; the setting indicates whether a user boarding a host vehicle must give way to a destination vehicle, or whether the destination vehicle must give way to the user, for example, if the host vehicle's path intersects with the destination vehicle's path; the points payable are the upper limit of the points payable to the user boarding the destination vehicle if the destination vehicle changes its path to yield to the host vehicle.

[0027] The setting information reflects the characteristics of the vehicle occupants. This information is linked to users, not vehicles. Therefore, when a user enters a vehicle, an authentication procedure must be performed for the information management device 110 so that the device can recognize the user. A detailed explanation of the authentication procedure is omitted, as any known method can be used, such as one that uses an ID or password, or one that uses biometric information. The setting information is linked to user identification information for user identification and also to vehicle identification information for vehicle identification through an authentication procedure performed with the driving device 130.

[0028] The hiring information includes, in particular, information about the hiring process, the points payable, and the employee's own points.

[0029] If the route of the host vehicle the user is currently using intersects with the route of a target vehicle, the setting indicates whether the user wants to "Continue" or "Avoid." Even if the setting indicates "Continue," whether the user of the target vehicle actually proceeds or avoids the collision depends on their settings and the maximum number of points they have available. Similarly, if the setting indicates "Avoid," whether the user of the target vehicle actually proceeds or avoids the collision depends on their settings.

[0030] The payable points are the maximum number of points a user can pay to continue riding the vehicle they have boarded. It is assumed that the number of payable points is equal to or greater than the minimum point total, which is a predetermined number of points.

[0031] User points are points that belong to a user. If a user's points are managed by another system, such as another service provider, they may not be included in the settings information. In such a case, the comparison unit 113, which will be explained later, should verify the user's points by sending a request to the relevant system via the network communication unit 111.

[0032] The information storage unit 112 stores history information for each user, displaying a recorded history along with the date and time, e.g., whether a user's vehicle evaded a target vehicle or whether the target vehicle evaded them. The history information can include points received or paid.

[0033] When the route of a host vehicle, into which a user has boarded, intersects with the route of a destination vehicle, the comparison unit 113 compares the user's settings information in the host vehicle with those of the destination vehicle user and decides which vehicle should change its route. Both vehicles receive a notification about the route change, including information about the outcome of the decision.

[0034] In particular, the comparison unit 113 refers to the setting information when the first driving device 130A, which controls the journey of the first vehicle 102A, detects the second vehicle 102B, which is a destination of the first vehicle 102A, and the setting and payable points of a first user boarding the first vehicle 102A, and the setting and payable points of a second user boarding the second vehicle 102B, in order to decide whether the first vehicle 102A or the second vehicle 102B changes its route, and to determine the payable points.

[0035] For example, if the setting of the first user differs from the setting of the second user, the comparison unit 113 changes the route of the vehicle that the user who is supposed to give way to the target vehicle has entered and pays a predetermined number of points as payment points.

[0036] If the settings of the first user and the second user indicate that both vehicles should have priority over a destination vehicle, the comparison unit 113 changes the route of the vehicle that the user with fewer payable points boarded and pays out payable points that are greater than or equal to the payable points that are less. In this case, the number of payable points can be determined, for example, by adding "1" to the number of payable points.

[0037] If the first user's and the second user's payable points are equal, the comparison unit 113 refers to the history information, calculates the intensity, which increases with the number of times the user has made right-of-way, changes the route of the user with the lower intensity, and sets predetermined points as payable points. In this case, the comparison unit 113 calculates the intensity by multiplying the number of times by a value that decreases with the increasing number of days that have passed since the last right-of-way was granted.

[0038] The comparator unit 113 sends route change information, indicating an instruction to change the travel route, via the network communication unit 111 to the driving device 130, which is attached to the vehicle whose travel route is to be changed.

[0039] Fig. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the Information Management Device 110.

[0040] The information management device 110 can be implemented, for example, by a so-called computer with a processor 10, a memory 11, an auxiliary storage device 12, e.g. a hard disk drive (HDD), an input interface (I / F) 13, e.g. a keyboard or a mouse, and a communication interface 14, e.g. a network interface card (NIC) for connection to the network 101.

[0041] The network communication unit 111 can be implemented by the processor 10 using the communication interface 14.

[0042] The information storage unit 112 can be implemented by the processor 10 using the memory 11 or the auxiliary storage device 12.

[0043] The comparator 113 can be implemented by the processor 10, which loads programs stored in the auxiliary memory device 12 into memory 11 and executes the programs.

[0044] Such programs can be delivered via network 101 or recorded and made available on a recording medium. That is to say, such programs can be delivered, for example, as a program product.

[0045] Fig. Figure 4 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a configuration of the first driving device 130A.

[0046] The first driving device 130A and the second driving device 130B have the same configuration; when the travel paths of two vehicles cross as described above, the driving device 130 that detects the other vehicle first and attempts communication is defined as the first driving device 130A, and therefore the processing performed by the driving device 130 that detects the other vehicle first is declared to be the processing performed by the first driving device 130A.

[0047] The first driving device 130A comprises a network communication unit 131A, a storage unit 132A, an environmental measurement unit 133A, a control unit 134A, a wireless communication unit 135A, a route determination unit 136A and a control unit 137A.

[0048] Network communication unit 131A conducts communication via network 101. For example, network communication unit 131A communicates with information management device 110 via network 101. Specifically, network communication unit 131A sends a request (to be explained later) to information management device 110 for the collection of path change information and receives path change information in response.

[0049] The memory unit 132A stores information and programs required for processing by the first driving device 130A. For example, the memory unit 132A stores map information displaying a map around at least the first vehicle 102A.

[0050] The environmental measurement unit 133A generates environmental information, displaying a map around the first vehicle 102A and its surroundings, from GPS information from a GPS receiver (Global Positioning System), which will be explained later, map information stored in the memory unit 132A, and sensor data, which will be explained later. The generated environmental information is then forwarded to the control unit 134A. The environment includes information about the presence of an object that could affect the process, such as an obstacle.

[0051] Based on the information acquired from a sensor, which will be explained later, the environmental measurement unit 133A detects a target vehicle located within a predetermined area of ​​the first vehicle 102A and traveling in the direction of the first vehicle 102A's path. The environmental measurement unit 133A then estimates the target vehicle's path from a direction vector indicating the target vehicle's speed and determines whether the path of the first vehicle 102A intersects with the path of the target vehicle.

[0052] When the target vehicle is detected and the route of the target vehicle intersects with the route of the first vehicle 102A, the ambient measurement unit 133A transmits information about the detection of the target vehicle to the control unit 134A, indicating that the target vehicle has been detected.

[0053] In the specific case of a path, such as a sidewalk, the environmental measurement unit 133A estimates the path of the destination vehicle based on a direction vector indicating the destination vehicle's speed and determines whether the estimated path intersects with the path of the first vehicle 102A. If the first vehicle 102A is expected to pass a store entrance or exit, or the like, and the destination vehicle is estimated to pass the entrance or exit based on a direction vector indicating the destination vehicle's speed, the environmental measurement unit 133A determines that the paths of the first vehicle 102A and the destination vehicle intersect.

[0054] The control unit 134A controls the processing carried out by the first drive device 130A.

[0055] For example, the control unit 134A processes the path change information received from the network communication unit 131A, the environment information or the target vehicle detection information from the environment measurement unit 133A or the target vehicle information from the wireless communication unit 135A and sends the corresponding information to the respective units for further processing.

[0056] Specifically, the control unit 134A instructs the environmental measurement unit 133A to update the environmental information at a constant sampling time.

[0057] The control unit 134A receives the target vehicle detection information from the environmental measurement unit 133A and then sends a target vehicle information acquisition request to the wireless communication unit 135A to initiate communication with the target vehicle. If communication is successful, the control unit 134A receives information about the target vehicle from the wireless communication unit 135A, including the target vehicle identification data. Next, the control unit 134A sends a route change information acquisition order, including the vehicle identification information of the first vehicle 102A and the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B, which is the target vehicle, via the network communication unit 131A to the information management device 110.

[0058] The control unit 134A then receives path change information from the network communication unit 131A, receives the latest environmental information from the environmental measurement unit 133A, and then sends a path determination instruction with this information to the path determination unit 136A.

[0059] The wireless communication unit 135A communicates using radio waves. For example, the wireless communication unit 135A communicates with the second drive unit 130B via radio waves. As long as the communication range is 10 m or more, the communication method is not specified in more detail here.

[0060] In particular, the wireless communication unit 135A sends the request to acquire target vehicle information to the second driving device 130B in accordance with the communication instruction of the control unit 134A. The request to obtain target vehicle information is a request for necessary information from the target vehicle and also indicates that the first vehicle 102A uses the same service as the target vehicle and that their routes overlap, so that the target vehicle identifies the first vehicle 102A as its communication partner.

[0061] If the wireless communication unit 135A successfully communicates with the second driving device 130B, the wireless communication unit 135A receives target vehicle information from the second driving device 130B. The received target vehicle information is forwarded to the control unit 134A.

[0062] The route determination unit 136A determines a route in accordance with the route determination instruction received from the control unit 134A. For example, at a starting point, the route determination unit 136A determines a route to a destination. After departure, when the route determination instruction is received from the control unit 134A, the route determination unit 136A determines a route based on the route change information and the environmental information contained in the route determination instruction.

[0063] In particular, if the path change information does not indicate a path change and if the environment specified in the environment information indicates that there is no obstacle on the travel path of the first driving device 130A, the path determination unit 136A provides path information to the control unit 137A showing the original travel path without change.

[0064] If, on the other hand, the route change information indicates a change of route and / or if the environment specified in the environment information indicates that there is an obstacle on the travel path of the first vehicle 102A, the route determination unit 136A refers to the environment map information contained in the environment information, changes the travel path of the first vehicle 102A so that at least one of the target vehicle and the obstacle is avoided, and forwards the route information indicating the resulting travel path to the control unit 137A.

[0065] The control unit 137A generates a time-series voltage value for controlling the first vehicle 102A, or a control signal for the wheel angle, etc., depending on the path information from the route determination unit 136A, and sends the generated control signal to a vehicle control circuit, which will be described later. Based on the path information, the control unit 137A calculates, in particular, temporal motion sequences such as acceleration and deceleration or curve angles and converts these into a control signal for driving the first vehicle 102A.

[0066] Fig. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a driving device 130.

[0067] A driving device 130 can be implemented by a so-called computer, which includes, for example, a processor 20, a memory 21, an auxiliary storage device 22, such as a hard disk, a wireless network communication interface (I / F) 23, such as a network interface card (NIC) for connecting to the network 101 via radio waves, a wireless communication interface 24 for carrying out wireless communication (I / F), a GPS receiver 25, a sensor 26 and a vehicle control circuit 27.

[0068] The network communication unit 131A can be implemented by the processor 20 using the wireless network communication interface 23.

[0069] The memory unit 132A can be implemented by the processor 20 using the memory 21 or the auxiliary memory device 22.

[0070] The environmental measurement unit 133A, the control unit 134A, the path determination unit 136A and the control unit 137A can be implemented by the processor 20, which loads the programs stored in the auxiliary memory device 22 into the memory 21 and executes the processors.

[0071] The environmental measurement unit 133A receives information from the GPS receiver 25 and the sensor 26, which serve as measurement execution units, and generates environmental information.

[0072] The control unit 137A sends the control signal to the vehicle control circuit 27.

[0073] Such programs can be delivered via network 101 or recorded and made available on a recording medium. That is to say, such programs can be delivered, for example, as a program product.

[0074] Fig. Figure 6 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a configuration of the second driving device 130B.

[0075] The first driving device 130A and the second driving device 130B have the same configuration; when the travel paths of two vehicles cross as described above, the driving device 130 that first detects the other vehicle and attempts to establish communication is defined as the first driving device 130A, the detected driving device 130 is defined as the second driving device 130B, and thus the processing performed by the driving device 130 that was detected by the other driving device 130 is declared as the processing performed by the second driving device 130B.

[0076] The second driving device 130B comprises a network communication unit 131B, a storage unit 132B, an environmental measurement unit 133B, a control unit 134B, a wireless communication unit 135B, a route determination unit 136B and a control unit 137B.

[0077] Network communication unit 131B conducts communication over network 101. For example, network communication unit 131B communicates with information management device 110 over network 101. Specifically, network communication unit 131B receives path change information from information management device 110.

[0078] The memory unit 132B stores information and programs required for processing by the second driving device 130B. For example, the memory unit 132B stores map information that displays a map around at least the second vehicle 102B.

[0079] The environmental measurement unit 133B generates environmental information, displaying a map around the second vehicle 102B and the surroundings of the second vehicle 102B, from GPS information from the GPS receiver 25, map information stored in the memory unit 132B, and detection information from the sensor 26. The generated environmental information is forwarded to the control unit 134B.

[0080] The control unit 134B controls the processing carried out by the second drive unit 130B.

[0081] For example, the control unit 134B processes the path change information received from the network communication unit 131B, the environmental information from the environmental measurement unit 133B, or a request to acquire target vehicle information from the wireless communication unit 135B, and sends the relevant information to the respective units for further processing.

[0082] Specifically, the control unit 134B instructs the environmental measurement unit 133B to update the environmental information at a constant sampling time.

[0083] When the control unit 134B receives the request to acquire target vehicle information from the wireless communication unit 135B, the control unit 134B generates target vehicle information, which includes vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B, and sends the generated target vehicle information via the wireless communication unit 135B to the first driving device 130A.

[0084] In addition, the control unit 134B then receives path change information from the network communication unit 131B, receives the latest environmental information from the environmental measurement unit 133B, and then sends a path determination instruction with this information to the travel path determination unit 136B.

[0085] The wireless communication unit 135B uses radio waves for communication. For example, the wireless communication unit 135B communicates with the first driving device 130A via radio waves.

[0086] Specifically, the wireless communication unit 135B receives a request to capture target vehicle information from the first driving device 130A.

[0087] The wireless communication unit 135B transmits the information about the target vehicle from the control unit 134B to the first driving device 130A.

[0088] In accordance with a route determination instruction, the route determination unit 136B determines a route from the control unit 134B. For example, at a starting point, the route determination unit 136B determines a route to a destination. When the route determination instruction is received from the control unit 134B after departure, the route determination unit 136B determines a route based on the route change information and the environment information contained in the route determination instruction. The route determination unit 136B forwards the route information specifying the determined route to the control unit 137B.

[0089] The control unit 137B generates a time series voltage value for controlling the second vehicle 102B or a control signal for the wheel angle or similar in accordance with the path information from the route determination unit 136B and sends the generated control signal to the vehicle control circuit 27.

[0090] The second driving device 130B also has the one in Fig. 5 hardware configurations shown.

[0091] For example, the network communication unit 131B can be implemented by the processor 20 using the wireless network communication interface 23.

[0092] The memory unit 132B can be implemented by the processor 20 using the memory 21 or the auxiliary memory device 22.

[0093] The environmental measurement unit 133B, the control unit 134B, the path determination unit 136B and the control unit 137B can be implemented by the processor 20, which loads the programs stored in the auxiliary memory device 22 into the memory 21 and executes the processors.

[0094] The environmental measurement unit 133B receives information from the GPS receiver 25 and the sensor 26 and generates environmental information.

[0095] The control unit 137B sends a control signal to the vehicle control circuit 27.

[0096] Such programs can be delivered via network 101 or recorded and made available on a recording medium. That is to say, such programs can be delivered, for example, as a program product.

[0097] Fig. Figure 7 is a sequence diagram to illustrate the operation of the service provisioning system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0098] When the environmental measurement unit 133A of the first driving device 130A detects a target vehicle whose travel path crosses the travel path of the first vehicle 102A (step S10), the environmental measurement unit 133A then transmits target vehicle detection information, indicating the detection of the target vehicle, to the control unit 134A.

[0099] When the control unit 134A receives the target vehicle acquisition information, the control unit 134A sends a target vehicle information acquisition request to the wireless communication unit 135A, and the wireless communication unit 135A sends the received target vehicle information acquisition request to the second driving device 130B (step S11).

[0100] When the wireless communication unit 135B of the second driving device 130B receives the target vehicle information acquisition request, the wireless communication unit 135B forwards the target vehicle information acquisition request to the control unit 134B, and the control unit 134B generates target vehicle information, including vehicle identification information, of the second vehicle 102B and sends the generated target vehicle information to the wireless communication unit 135B. The wireless communication unit 135B transmits the target vehicle information to the first driving device 130A (step S12).

[0101] When the wireless communication unit 135A of the first driving device 130A receives destination vehicle information from the second driving device 130B, the wireless communication unit 135A forwards the received destination vehicle information to the control unit 134A. The control unit 134A generates a route change information acquisition request, which includes the vehicle identification information of the first vehicle 102A and the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B, and forwards the generated route change information acquisition request to the network communication unit 131A. The network communication unit 131A sends the route change information acquisition request to the information management device 110 (step S13).

[0102] When the network communication unit 111 of the information management device 110 receives the request to capture path change information, the network communication unit 111 forwards the received request to capture path change information to the comparison unit 113.The comparison unit 113 reads setting information (hereinafter referred to as initial setting information) from the information storage unit 112 and history information (hereinafter referred to as initial history information) of users associated with the vehicle identification information of the first vehicle 102A, and setting information (hereinafter referred to as second setting information) and history information (hereinafter referred to as second setting information) of users associated with the vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B, and compares the initial setting information, the initial history information, the second setting information, and the second history information to decide whether the route of the first vehicle 102A or the second vehicle 102B should be changed (step S14). Details of the processing are described in [reference to be inserted here]. Fig. 8 described.

[0103] Next, the comparator unit 113 updates the setting and history information stored in the information storage unit 112 according to the decision in step S14 (step S15). For example, the comparator unit 113 subtracts payment points from the points belonging to the user who received the right-of-way and adds the payment points to the points belonging to the user who granted the right-of-way in the setting information, and stores the history information about granting the right-of-way and the history information about receiving the right-of-way along with the users and the year, month, day, and time.

[0104] Next, the comparator unit 113 generates a route change information indicating that the route for the vehicle 130 into which the non-right-of-way user has boarded should be changed, generates a route change information indicating that the route for the vehicle 130 into which the non-right-of-way user has boarded should not be changed, and forwards the generated route change information to the network communication unit 111. The network communication unit 111 transmits the route change information to the first vehicle 130A and the second vehicle 130B (steps S16 and S17). In this case, the declaration is based on the assumption that the user of the first vehicle 102A must yield the right-of-way and the user of the second vehicle 102B is granted the right-of-way.

[0105] When the network communication unit 131A of the first drive device 130A receives the path change information, it forwards the received path change information to the control unit 134A. The control unit 134A instructs the environmental measurement unit 133A to acquire the latest environmental information (step S18). The control unit 134A then sends a path determination instruction containing the path change information and the environmental information to the travel path determination unit 136A.

[0106] In accordance with the route determination instruction received from the control unit 134A (step S19), the route determination unit 136A determines a route. Since the first vehicle 102A has yielded the right-of-way to the second vehicle 102B, the route determination unit 136A changes the route of the first vehicle 102A so that the second vehicle 102B can pass preferentially and transmits route information about the changed route to the control unit 137A.

[0107] The control unit 137A generates a control signal for controlling a vehicle (not shown) according to the route information provided by the route determination unit 136A and sends the control signal to the vehicle control circuit 27 (step S20).

[0108] When the network communication unit 131B of the second drive device 130B receives path change information, it forwards this information to the control unit 134B. The control unit 134B then instructs the environmental measurement unit 133B to acquire the latest environmental information (step S21), assuming there are no obstacles along the travel path. The control unit 134B then sends a path determination instruction containing the path change information and the environmental information to the travel path determination unit 136B.

[0109] In accordance with the route determination instruction received by the control unit 134B (step S22), the route determination unit 136B determines a route. Since, in this case, the right-of-way of the second vehicle 102B is taken by the first vehicle 102A, the route determination unit 136B forwards route information indicating the route taken so far to the control unit 137B.

[0110] The control unit 137B generates a control signal for controlling a vehicle (not shown) in accordance with the route information supplied by the route determination unit 136B and sends the control signal to the vehicle control circuit 27 (step S23).

[0111] Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the comparison unit 113 of the information management device 110.

[0112] Based on the settings information and the history information of the users connected to the vehicles, the comparison unit 113 determines whether the route of the first vehicle 102A or the second vehicle 102B should be changed.

[0113] First, the comparison unit 113 uses the vehicle identification information contained in the request to capture route change information to capture the setting information and history information of the users associated with the first vehicle 102A and the second vehicle 102B from the information storage unit 112 (step S30).

[0114] Next, the comparison unit 113 determines whether the settings of the users entering the first vehicle 102A and the second vehicle 102B are the same or not (step S31). If the settings are different (No in step S31), the process continues with step S32; if the settings are the same (Yes in step S31), it continues with step S33.

[0115] In step S32, the comparison unit 113 decides not to change the route of the vehicle the user entered with the "Continue driving" setting and to change the route of the vehicle the user entered with the "Avoid" setting.

[0116] In this case, step S15 will be used. Fig. 7. A predetermined number of minimum target values ​​as payment points are sent from the user whose attitude is "Continue" to the user whose attitude is "Avoid".

[0117] In step S33, the comparator 113 determines whether both users are set to "Continue" or not. If both users are set to "Continue" (Yes in step S33), the process continues with step S34; if both are set to "Avoid" (No in step S33), the process continues with step S36.

[0118] The comparison unit 113 determines in step S34 whether the payable points of both users are the same or not. If the users' payable points are different (No in step S34), the process continues with step S35; if the users' payable points are the same (Yes in step S34), the process continues with step S36.

[0119] In step S35, the comparison unit 113 compares the users' payable points to determine the vehicle whose route should be changed. Comparison unit 113 determines that the route for the vehicle boarded by the user with the most payable points should not be changed, and that the route for the vehicle boarded by the user with fewer payable points should be changed.

[0120] In this case, in step S15 in Fig. 7 the payable points, which are determined by adding “1” to the payable points of the user with fewer payable points, sent from the user with more payable points to the user with fewer payable points.

[0121] In step S36, the comparison unit 113 compares the past usage of the two users to determine the vehicle whose route should be changed. Comparison unit 113 determines this based on two parameters: the past use of the service and the history of awarding points to other users. Specifically, comparison unit 113 highlights the recent intensity of "passing on" and calculates the usage intensity by multiplying "a parameter that decreases with the number of days that have passed since one user last received priority from another user" by "the number of times that user has awarded points to another user."Then the comparison unit 113 determines that the route for the vehicle into which the user with high usage intensity has boarded should not be changed, and that the route for the vehicle into which the user with low usage intensity has boarded should be changed.

[0122] In this case, step S15 will be used. Fig. 7. A predetermined number of minimum target values ​​as payment points are sent from the user with high usage intensity to the user with low usage intensity.

[0123] Fig. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram to illustrate a specific example of the decision to change a travel route and the determination of payment points according to the first embodiment.

[0124] In the Fig. In Pattern 1, shown in Pattern 9, the setting in the user information of Vehicle 1 is "Continue Driving" and the setting in the user information of Vehicle 2 is "Avoid". In Pattern 1, the user entering Vehicle 1 pays the user entering Vehicle 2 "2 points", which represents the lower limit for points, and as a result, it is decided that the route of Vehicle 1 should not be changed and the route of Vehicle 2 should be changed.

[0125] In the Fig. In example 9, where the road situation in the user information of vehicle 1 is "Continue Driving" and the road situation in the user information of vehicle 2 is also "Continue Driving," the points payable in the user information of vehicle 1 are "4" and the points payable in the user information of vehicle 2 are "10." Therefore, the user entering vehicle 2 pays the user entering vehicle 1 "5 points," calculated by adding "1" to the four points payable by the user entering vehicle 1. As a result, it is decided that the route of vehicle 2 should not be changed, while the route of vehicle 1 should be changed.

[0126] In the Fig. In example 9, where the user of vehicle 1 has a "Yield" setting, and the user of vehicle 2 also has a "Yield" setting, the system uses the user's history information to decide whether or not to change the route. The user whose route was not changed then awards the user whose route was changed "2 points," which is the minimum point value.

[0127] In the Fig. In example 9, where the road situation in the user information of vehicle 1 is set to "Continue Driving" and the user information of vehicle 2 is also set to "Continue Driving," the points payable are "3" in the user information of vehicle 1 and also "3" in the user information of vehicle 2. In this case, the user's history information is used to decide whether or not to change the route. The user whose route was not changed then pays the user whose route was changed "2 points," which represents the minimum point value.

[0128] If the vehicles are being followed by many other vehicles, e.g., in a traffic jam near a store entrance or exit, the method described in the first embodiment is not used. In such a case, it is desirable for the driving devices 130 to control the traffic by means of communication between the vehicles so that the vehicles enter and exit alternately.

[0129] The points used by the comparison unit 113 are assumed to include those that can only be used for services provided by the service delivery system 100, and those that can be used outside of such services. Examples of points that can be used outside of such services are money and virtual currencies.

[0130] In the case of points that are only used for services of the provider of the Service Provisioning System 100, the points are, for example, converted by a Fig. The mechanism depicted in section 10 circulates points. Essentially, it's a mechanism where points are transferred between users, thus circulating between them. Users receive points from the service provider at specific intervals, and if a user wants more points, they can purchase them in exchange for, for example, money or virtual currency that can be used outside the service. Conversely, in exchange for a certain number of points, a user can purchase, for example, money or vouchers redeemable outside the service from the service provider.

[0131] If points can be used outside of the services provided by the provider of the Service Provisioning System 100, the points can also be used via a Fig. The mechanism shown in section 11 will be put into circulation. Fig. 11. Points circulate between users as a result of point transfers between these users, and thus no points are exchanged with the service provider. However, with this mechanism, the service provider needs to know whether or not payments can be made with the points belonging to the users, so that payments can be processed smoothly while the system is operating. Therefore, users must deposit a certain number of points with the services.

[0132] As described above, in the first embodiment, points can be automatically sent from a user who prefers to proceed to another user who should yield, based on information indicating the intensity of the priority preset by the users, and the autonomous vehicles' routes can be automatically reset. Therefore, a user who wants to proceed can experience less stress when crossing the path of a destination vehicle by paying points and can travel to their destination at high speed. Conversely, a user who wants to earn points can automatically receive them simply by entering an autonomous vehicle and yielding or yielding. SECOND VERSION

[0133] In the case where a group of host vehicles and a group of target vehicles are lined up on a road, e.g., a narrow path, and one of the two smaller vehicles facing each other has to change course, the sums of the points payable by the vehicle groups are compared. This case is described as the second embodiment.

[0134] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a service provision system 200 according to the second embodiment comprises an information management device 210, a first driving device 230A and a second driving device 230B.

[0135] In the second embodiment, in which it is not necessary to specifically distinguish between the first driving device 230A and the second driving device 230B, the first driving device 230A and the second driving device 230B are each referred to as a driving device 230.

[0136] The first driving device 230A is attached to a first vehicle 102A and the second driving device 230B is attached to a second vehicle 102B.

[0137] In the second embodiment, when two vehicles approach each other, the driving device 230 that first detects the other driving device 230 and attempts to communicate with the other driving device 230 is referred to as the first driving device 230A and the other driving device 230 as the second driving device 230B.

[0138] The Information Management Device 210 manages the information about the users of the Service Provisioning System 200.

[0139] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the information management device 210 according to the second embodiment comprises a network communication unit 111, an information storage unit 212 and a comparison unit 213.

[0140] The network communication unit 111 of the information management device 210 according to the second embodiment is the same as the network communication unit 111 of the information management device 110 according to the first embodiment.

[0141] The information storage unit 212 stores programs and information required for the processing performed by the information management device 210. For example, the information storage unit 212 stores configuration information, which is information about users who use the service delivery system 200.

[0142] The setting information in the second embodiment, which is identical to the setting information in the first embodiment, displays the setting, the points payable and the user's own points, and also displays group identification information if a vehicle being boarded by a user belongs to a group of other vehicles.

[0143] According to the second embodiment, the comparator unit 213 performs the following processing in addition to the same processing performed by the comparator unit 113 according to the first embodiment.

[0144] When the comparator unit 213 receives a group registration request from the network communication unit 111, the comparator unit 213 registers the group identification information specifying the group in the user settings information of the users entering the vehicles identified in the vehicle identification information specified in the group registration request.If, for example, the comparator 213 first receives a group registration request from vehicle A specifying the vehicle identification information of vehicles A and B, and then receives a group registration request specifying the vehicle identification information of vehicles B and C, or group identification information specifying the vehicle identification information of vehicles A and C, the comparator 213 assigns group identification information to vehicles A, B and C indicating that vehicles A, B and C are in the same group.In other words, if the comparison unit 213 receives a group registration request that includes vehicles already registered as a group, the comparison unit 213 determines that the vehicles identified by other vehicle identification information included in the group registration request belong to the same group as the vehicles already registered.

[0145] As described in the first embodiment, when the comparator unit 213 determines whether the route for users boarding vehicles belonging to a group should be changed or not, the comparator unit 213 performs the determination of steps S34 and S35 in Fig. 8. This is done by using the sum of the points payable by users who board all vehicles belonging to the group. In this case, the point payable is "0" for users whose setting is "Avoid".

[0146] In particular, if the first vehicle 102A belongs to a first vehicle group consisting of several vehicles that share at least part of the first vehicle 102A's route, and the second vehicle 102B belongs to a second vehicle group consisting of several vehicles that share at least part of the second vehicle 102B's route, the comparison unit 213 calculates the sum of the payable points of the users boarding the vehicles in the first vehicle group and the sum of the payable points of the users boarding the vehicles in the second vehicle group. The comparison unit 213 then modifies the routes of the vehicles belonging to the vehicle group with the smaller sum and causes the vehicle group with the larger sum to share the payment of points greater than or equal to the smaller sum.The method for distributing the payment of points within the vehicle group can be any method, as long as it is predetermined. For example, the total payment points can be determined by adding "1" to the sum of the points of the vehicle group whose sum is smaller.

[0147] If the calculated totals are equal, the comparison unit 213 modifies the routes of the group that does not include the user whose payable points are highest among the users boarding the vehicles in the first and second vehicle groups. The comparison unit 213 then causes the group whose route was not modified to pay the sum of the payable points of the group whose route was modified. In this case, each user in the group whose routes were not modified pays a corresponding number of payable points. The method for distributing the payable points within the vehicle group can be any method, provided it is predetermined. For example, the distributed points can increase as the payable points increase, or the points can be distributed evenly.

[0148] If the calculated totals are equal, the comparison unit 213 changes the routes of the vehicle group that does not include the user who has paid the most points among the users boarding the vehicles in the first and second vehicle groups. The comparison unit 213 determines the payment points by multiplying the number of vehicles whose routes were changed by a predetermined number of points and contributing the points to the other vehicles.

[0149] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the first driving device 230A comprises a network communication unit 131A, a storage unit 132A, an environmental measurement unit 233A, a control unit 234A, a wireless communication unit 135A, a route determination unit 236A and a control unit 137A.

[0150] The network communication unit 131A, the storage unit 132A, the wireless communication unit 135A and the control unit 137A of the first driving device 230A according to the second embodiment are each the same as the network communication unit 131A, the storage unit 132A, the wireless communication unit 135A and the control unit 137A of the first driving device 130A according to the first embodiment.

[0151] In the second embodiment, the first driving device 230A and the second driving device 230B also have the same configuration; when two vehicles approach each other as described above, the driving device 230 that first detects the other vehicle and attempts communication is defined as the first driving device 230A, and thus the processing performed by the driving device 230 that first detects the other vehicle is declared to be the processing performed by the first driving device 230A.

[0152] The environmental measurement unit 233A performs the same processes as the environmental measurement unit 133A according to the first embodiment and also performs the following processes.

[0153] Based on the detection information from a sensor 26, the environmental measurement unit 233A detects a parallel vehicle that is within a predetermined area of ​​the first vehicle 102A and is traveling in the same direction as the first vehicle 102A. The environmental measurement unit 233A forwards the information that a parallel vehicle has been detected to the control unit 234A.

[0154] The control unit 234A controls the processing carried out by the first drive unit 230A.

[0155] According to the second embodiment, the control unit 234A performs the same processes as the control unit 134A according to the first embodiment and also performs the following processes.

[0156] The control unit 234A receives the parallel vehicle detection information from the environmental measurement unit 233A and then sends a request to acquire parallel vehicle information to the wireless communication unit 135A to initiate communication with the parallel vehicle. If the communication is successful, the control unit 234A receives information about the parallel vehicle from the wireless communication unit 135A, including vehicle identification information and travel path information.

[0157] When the control unit 234A receives the parallel vehicle information, the control unit 234A sends a route determination instruction to the route determination unit 236A and receives route information in response, indicating the route of the first vehicle 102A.

[0158] The control unit 234A then determines whether the route of the parallel vehicle and the route of the first vehicle 102A coincide at least up to an intermediate point. For example, if the route of the parallel vehicle and the route of the first vehicle 102A are the same over at least a predetermined distance, the control unit 234A determines that the route of the parallel vehicle and the route of the first vehicle 102A coincide at least up to an intermediate point.

[0159] If the route of the parallel vehicle and the route of the first vehicle 102A coincide at least up to an intermediate point, the control unit 234A sends a group registration request containing vehicle identification information of the first vehicle 102A and vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B, which is the parallel vehicle, via the network communication unit 131A to the information management device 210.

[0160] The route determination unit 6A according to the second embodiment performs the same processes as the route determination unit 136A according to the first embodiment and also performs the following processes.

[0161] The route determination unit 236A determines a route in accordance with a route determination instruction from the control unit 234A. The route determination unit 236A then forwards the route information with the determined route to the control unit 234A.

[0162] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the second driving device 230B comprises a network communication unit 131B, a storage unit 132B, an environmental measurement unit 133B, a control unit 234B, a wireless communication unit 135B, a route determination unit 236B and a control unit 137B.

[0163] The network communication unit 131B, the storage unit 132B, the environmental measurement unit 133B, the wireless communication unit 135B and the control unit 137B of the second driving device 230B according to the second embodiment are each the same as the network communication unit 131B, the storage unit 132B, the environmental measurement unit 133B, the wireless communication unit 135B and the control unit 137B of the second driving device 130B according to the first embodiment.

[0164] The control unit 234B according to the second embodiment performs the same processes as the control unit 134B according to the first embodiment and also performs the following processes.

[0165] When the control unit 234B receives a request to acquire parallel vehicle information from the wireless communication unit 135B, the control unit 234B sends a route determination instruction to the route determination unit 236B and, in response, acquires route information indicating a parallel route, which is the route of the second vehicle 102B. The control unit 234B then generates parallel vehicle information, which includes vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B and parallel vehicle route information, i.e., route information of the second vehicle 102B, and transmits the parallel vehicle information via the wireless communication unit 135B to the first driving device 230A.

[0166] The route determination unit 236B according to the second embodiment performs the same processes as the route determination unit 136B according to the first embodiment and also performs the following processes.

[0167] The route determination unit 236B determines a route in accordance with a route determination instruction received from the control unit 234B. The route determination unit 236B also forwards the route information, which specifies the determined route, to the control unit 234B.

[0168] Fig. Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating the process of generating a vehicle group in the second embodiment.

[0169] As described above, this section explains a case in which the first driving device 230A detects the second vehicle 102B as a parallel vehicle. Specifically, it is assumed that the first vehicle 102A approaches the second vehicle 102B from behind and that the first driving device 230A initially detects the presence of the second vehicle 102B.

[0170] First, the control unit 234A of the first driving device 230A receives parallel vehicle detection information from the environmental measurement unit 233A and sends a request to acquire parallel vehicle information to the wireless communication unit 135A; then the wireless communication unit 135A sends the request to acquire parallel vehicle information to the second driving device 230B. The request to acquire parallel vehicle information indicates that the same service is being used so that the second driving device 230B can identify the first driving device 230A as a communication partner and requests the transmission of parallel vehicle information. Based on the reception of the parallel vehicle information by the wireless communication unit 135A, the control unit 234A then determines whether the communication with the second driving device 230B was successful (step S40).If communication with the second drive unit 230B is successful (Yes in step S40), the process continues with step S41. If communication with the second drive unit 230B fails (No in step S40), the process continues with step S43.

[0171] In step S41, the control unit 234A receives the route of the first vehicle 102A from the route determination unit 236A and compares the route of the first vehicle 102A with the route specified in the received parallel vehicle route information to determine whether at least one segment of the route of the first vehicle 102A to a destination and one segment of the route of the second vehicle 102B to the destination are the same. Although a route to a destination typically consists of several roads, the control unit 234A determines that segments of the routes are the same if the vehicles are currently traveling on the same road for a longer period than or equal to a predetermined distance. In particular, if the routes to the next traffic signal are the same, the control unit 234A determines that the segments of the routes are the same.If at least the segments of the paths are the same (Yes in step S41), the process continues with step S42, while if the straight segments of the paths are different (No in step S41), the process continues with step S43.

[0172] In step S42, the control unit 234A generates a group registration request containing vehicle identification information of the second vehicle 102B, which is included in the parallel vehicle information, and vehicle identification information of the first vehicle 102A, and sends the group registration request to the network communication unit 131A; the network communication unit 131A transmits the group registration request to the information management device 210.

[0173] As described above, by registering a vehicle group in the information management device 210, the comparison unit 213 can use group information while reading the setting information of a user entering a vehicle from the information storage unit 212, in order to also read the setting information of users entering other vehicles belonging to the same group. In this way, the comparison unit 213 can calculate the total number of points payable for the vehicle group or use the history information of individual users.

[0174] In order to access the setting information of all users who enter the vehicles of the vehicle group when processing a vehicle group, the comparison unit 213, for example, makes a request to the information storage unit 212 to read the setting information of the users who enter the leading vehicles of the vehicle groups.

[0175] Next, the comparison unit 213 calculates the number of points payable by the other vehicle based on the group information of the leading vehicles of a host vehicle group and a target vehicle group, and executes the processing in the flowchart of Fig. 8. However, if the point totals of the two vehicle groups are equal, adjustments are made according to a predetermined determination procedure so that the group with a high-mileage user can proceed; that is, the group with the user whose payable points are highest, or the group with the user who has the most history information among all users boarding the vehicles in the host vehicle group and the destination vehicle group. In this case, the route of the group to which the high-mileage user does not belong is changed.

[0176] Fig. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram to illustrate a specific example of the decision to change a travel route and the determination of points payable in the second embodiment.

[0177] In Pattern 1 in Fig. Since the points payable by vehicle group 1 are 20 (= 10 + 5 + 5), and the points payable by vehicle group 2 are 3, the vehicles in vehicle group 1 proceed, while the vehicles in vehicle group 2 yield. In this case, the passengers boarding vehicles in vehicle group 1 pay 4 points to the passengers boarding vehicles in vehicle group 2. These points are calculated by adding 1 to the 3 points payable by vehicle group 2. The points payable to passengers boarding vehicles in vehicle group 2 can be distributed according to any predetermined procedure. If the road conditions are "yield," the points payable can be omitted.

[0178] In pattern 2 in Fig.The points payable for vehicle group 1 are 6 (= 2 + 2 + 2), and the points payable for vehicle group 2 are also 6; therefore, vehicle group 2 is continued, for example, depending on the user with the highest points payable or based on user history. In this case, "6" points, i.e., the points payable for vehicle group 2, are paid to the users boarding vehicles in vehicle group 1. Each user boarding a vehicle in vehicle group 2 pays their allocated points. The distribution of points to users boarding vehicles in vehicle group 1 can be done according to any method, provided the method is predetermined. Users boarding vehicles in vehicle group 2 can share the point payment among themselves in any way, provided the method is predetermined. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0179] 100 Service Provisioning System; 110, 210 Information Management Device; 111 Network Communication Unit; 112, 212 Information Storage Unit; 113, 213 Comparator Unit; 130A, 230A First Driving Device; 131A Network Communication Unit; 132A Storage Unit; 133A, 233A Environmental Measurement Unit; 134A, 234A Control Unit; 135A Wireless Communication Unit; 136A, 236A Route Determination Unit; 137A Control Unit; 130B, 230B Second Driving Device; 131B Network Communication Unit; 132B Storage Unit; 133B Environmental Measurement Unit; 134B, 234B Control Unit; 135B Wireless Communication Unit; 136B, 236B Route Determination Unit; 137B Control unit.

Claims

[1] Information management device (110, 210), comprising: an information storage unit (112, 212) configured to store setting information specifying the setting and payable points, and history information specifying a history of each user, wherein the setting specifies whether a user entering a host vehicle must give way to or yield to a target vehicle, or be given way to or yield to the target vehicle when a host vehicle's travel path intersects with a target vehicle's travel path, wherein the payable points are an upper limit of payable points to be paid to the user entering the target vehicle if the target vehicle changes its travel path to yield to the host vehicle; and a comparison unit (113, 213) configured to determine whether a first vehicle (102A) or a second vehicle (102B) is to change its route, and to determine the points payable by reference to the setting information when a first driving device (130A, 230A) attached to the first vehicle and controlling the journey of the first vehicle (102A) detects the second vehicle (102B), and to compare the setting and points payable of a first user boarding the first vehicle (102A) with the setting and points payable of a second user boarding the second vehicle (102B), wherein the second vehicle (102B) is the destination vehicle of the first vehicle (102A), wherein if the settings of the first user and the second user are different, the comparison unit (113, 213) changes the route of the vehicle being boarded by a user who is supposed to give way to the destination vehicle, and predetermined points are determined as the payment points; and If the setting of the first user and the setting of the second user both indicate yielding to the target vehicle, the comparison unit (113, 213) modifies the route of the vehicle with fewer payable points and determines a number of points equal to or greater than the fewer payable points than the payable points, whereas if the payable points of the first user and the payable points of the second user are equal, the comparison unit (113, 213) refers to the history information, calculates an intensity, modifies the route of the user with the lower intensity, and determines predetermined points as the payable points, with the intensity increasing with the number of times the user has been given right of way. [2] Information management device (110, 210) according to claim 1, further comprising: a network communication unit (111) which is set up to establish communication between a second driving device (130B, 230B) attached to the second vehicle (102B) and the control of the driving of the second vehicle (102B) and the first driving device (130A, 230A) via a network, wherein the comparison unit (113, 213) sends an instruction to change the travel route via the network communication unit (111) to one of the driving devices. [3] Information management device (110, 210) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the comparison unit (113, 213) calculates the intensity by multiplying the number of times by a value that decreases with the number of days that have elapsed since the last time the host vehicle was given priority. [4] Information management device (210), comprising: an information storage unit (212) configured to store setting information specifying the setting and payable points, the setting indicating whether a user entering a host vehicle must give way to or yield to a target vehicle, or be given way to or yield to the target vehicle when a host vehicle's travel path intersects with a target vehicle's travel path, the payable points being an upper limit of payable points to be paid to the user entering the target vehicle if the target vehicle changes its travel path to yield to the host vehicle; and a comparison unit (213) configured to determine whether a first vehicle (102A) or a second vehicle (102B) is to change its route, and to determine the points payable with respect to the attitude information when a first driving device (230A) attached to the first vehicle (102A) and controlling the journey of the first vehicle (102A) detects the second vehicle (102B), and to compare the attitude and points payable of a first user boarding the first vehicle (102A) with the attitude and points payable of a second user boarding the second vehicle (102B), wherein the second vehicle (102B) is the destination vehicle of the first vehicle (102A), wherein, if the first vehicle (102A) belongs to a first vehicle group and the second vehicle (102B) belongs to a second vehicle group, the comparison unit (213) calculates a sum of payable points payable by users boarding the first vehicle group and a sum of payable points payable by users boarding the second vehicle group, modifies the route of the vehicle group with a smaller sum, and determines payment points by causing the vehicle group with a larger sum to share the payment of points equal to or greater than the sum of the vehicle group with a smaller sum, wherein the first vehicle group comprises a plurality of vehicles that share at least part of the route of the first vehicle (102A), and the second vehicle group comprises a plurality of vehicles that share at least part of the route of the second vehicle (102B). [5] Information management device (210) according to claim 4, wherein, when the sum of the first vehicle group and the sum of the second vehicle group are equal, the comparison unit (213) changes the route of the vehicle group that does not contain a user whose payable points are set to a maximum number among the users on board the first vehicle group and the second vehicle group, and distributes the sum to the vehicle group whose route is changed by a predetermined method. [6] Information management device (210) according to claim 4, wherein, the information storage unit (212) further stores history information that specifies a history of each user, and If the sum of the first vehicle group and the sum of the second vehicle group are equal, the comparison unit (213) changes the route of the vehicle group that does not contain a user who has paid the payment points for a maximum number of times among the users boarding the first vehicle group and the second vehicle group, and distributes the sum to the vehicle group whose route is changed by a predetermined procedure. [7] System (100, 200) for the provision of services, comprising: a multitude of driving devices attached to a multitude of vehicles and controlling the driving of the multitude of vehicles; and Information management device (110, 210), the information management device includes: an information storage unit (112, 212) configured to store setting information specifying the setting and payable points, and history information specifying a history of each user, wherein the setting specifies whether a user boarding a host vehicle contained in the plurality of vehicles must yield to or avoid a target vehicle, or be avoided by or yield to the target vehicle when a host vehicle's travel path intersects a target vehicle's travel path, wherein the payable points are an upper limit of payable points to be paid to the user boarding the target vehicle when the target vehicle changes its travel path to yield to the host vehicle; and a comparison unit (113, 213) configured to determine whether a first vehicle (102A) or a second vehicle (102B) should change its route, and to determine the points payable by referring to the setting information when a first driving device (130A, 230A) attached to the first vehicle and controlling the journey of the first vehicle (102A) detects the second vehicle (102B), and to compare the setting and points payable of a first user boarding the first vehicle (102A) with the setting and points payable of a second user boarding the second vehicle (102B), wherein the second vehicle (102B) is the destination vehicle of the first vehicle (102A), wherein if the settings of the first user and the second user are different, the comparison unit (113, 213) changes the route of the vehicle being boarded by a user who is supposed to give way to the destination vehicle, and predetermined points are determined as the payment points; and If the setting of the first user and the setting of the second user both indicate yielding to the target vehicle, the comparison unit (113, 213) modifies the route of the vehicle with fewer payable points and determines a number of points equal to or greater than the fewer payable points than the payable points, whereas if the payable points of the first user and the payable points of the second user are equal, the comparison unit (113, 213) refers to the history information, calculates an intensity, modifies the route of the user with the lower intensity, and determines predetermined points as the payable points, with the intensity increasing with the number of times the user has been given right of way. [8] System (100, 200) for the provision of services, comprising: a multitude of driving devices attached to a multitude of vehicles and controlling the driving of the multitude of vehicles; and an information management device (110, 210), the information management device includes: an information storage unit (212) configured to store setting information specifying the setting and payable points, the setting indicating whether a user entering a host vehicle must give way to or yield to a target vehicle, or be given way to or yield to the target vehicle when a host vehicle's travel path intersects with a target vehicle's travel path, the payable points being an upper limit of payable points to be paid to the user entering the target vehicle if the target vehicle changes its travel path to yield to the host vehicle; and a comparison unit (213) configured to determine whether a first vehicle (102A) or a second vehicle (102B) is to change its route, and to determine the points payable with respect to the attitude information when a first driving device (230A) attached to the first vehicle (102A) and controlling the journey of the first vehicle (102A) detects the second vehicle (102B), and to compare the attitude and points payable of a first user boarding the first vehicle (102A) with the attitude and points payable of a second user boarding the second vehicle (102B), wherein the second vehicle (102B) is the destination vehicle of the first vehicle (102A), wherein, if the first vehicle (102A) belongs to a first vehicle group and the second vehicle (102B) belongs to a second vehicle group, the comparison unit (213) calculates a sum of payable points payable by users boarding the first vehicle group and a sum of payable points payable by users boarding the second vehicle group, modifies the route of the vehicle group with a smaller sum, and determines payment points by causing the vehicle group with a larger sum to share the payment of points equal to or greater than the sum of the vehicle group with a smaller sum, wherein the first vehicle group comprises a plurality of vehicles that share at least part of the route of the first vehicle (102A), and the second vehicle group comprises a plurality of vehicles that share at least part of the route of the second vehicle (102B). [9] Program causing a computer to operate as: an information storage unit (112, 212) configured to store setting information specifying the setting and payable points, and history information specifying a history of each user, wherein the setting specifies whether a user entering a host vehicle must give way to or yield to a target vehicle, or be given way to or yield to the target vehicle when a host vehicle's travel path intersects with a target vehicle's travel path, wherein the payable points are an upper limit of payable points to be paid to the user entering the target vehicle if the target vehicle changes its travel path to yield to the host vehicle; and a comparison unit (113, 213) configured to determine whether a first vehicle (102A) or a second vehicle (102B) is to change its route, and to determine the points payable with respect to the attitude information when a first driving device (130A, 230A) attached to the first vehicle and controlling the journey of the first vehicle (102A) detects the second vehicle (102B), and to compare the attitude and points payable of a first user boarding the first vehicle (102A) with the attitude and points payable of a second user boarding the second vehicle (102B), wherein the second vehicle (102B) is the destination vehicle of the first vehicle (102A), wherein if the settings of the first user and the second user are different, the comparison unit (113, 213) changes the route of the vehicle being boarded by a user who is supposed to give way to the destination vehicle, and predetermined points are determined as the payment points; and If the setting of the first user and the setting of the second user both indicate yielding to the target vehicle, the comparison unit (113, 213) modifies the route of the vehicle with fewer payable points and determines a number of points equal to or greater than the fewer payable points than the payable points, whereas if the payable points of the first user and the payable points of the second user are equal, the comparison unit (113, 213) refers to the history information, calculates an intensity, modifies the route of the user with the lower intensity, and determines predetermined points as the payable points, with the intensity increasing with the number of times the user has been given right of way. [10] Program causing a computer to operate as: an information storage unit (212) configured to store setting information specifying the setting and payable points, the setting indicating whether a user entering a host vehicle must give way to or yield to a target vehicle, or be given way to or yield to the target vehicle when a host vehicle's travel path intersects with a target vehicle's travel path, the payable points being an upper limit of payable points to be paid to the user entering the target vehicle if the target vehicle changes its travel path to yield to the host vehicle; and a comparison unit (213) configured to determine whether a first vehicle (102A) or a second vehicle (102B) is to change its route and to determine the points payable with respect to the attitude information when a first driving device (230A) attached to the first vehicle (102A) and controlling the journey of the first vehicle (102A) detects the second vehicle (102B), and to compare the attitude and points payable of a first user boarding the first vehicle (102A) with the attitude and points payable of a second user boarding the second vehicle (102B), wherein the second vehicle (102B) is the destination vehicle of the first vehicle (102A), wherein, if the first vehicle (102A) belongs to a first vehicle group and the second vehicle (102B) belongs to a second vehicle group, the comparison unit (213) calculates a sum of payable points payable by users boarding the first vehicle group and a sum of payable points payable by users boarding the second vehicle group, modifies the route of the vehicle group with a smaller sum, and determines payment points by causing the vehicle group with a larger sum to share the payment of points equal to or greater than the sum of the vehicle group with a smaller sum, wherein the first vehicle group comprises a plurality of vehicles that share at least part of the route of the first vehicle (102A), and the second vehicle group comprises a plurality of vehicles that share at least part of the route of the second vehicle (102B). [11] Information management procedures, comprehensive: Refer to setting information that specifies the setting and points payable when a first driving device (130A, 230A) attached to a first vehicle (102A) and controlling the driving of the first vehicle (102A) detects a second vehicle (102B) that is a target vehicle traveling on a path that intersects the path of the first vehicle (102A) in order to compare the setting and points payable of a first user boarding the first vehicle (102A) and the setting and points payable of a second user boarding the second vehicle (102B), wherein the setting specifies whether a user boarding a host vehicle should yield to or avoid a target vehicle traveling on a path that intersects the host vehicle's path, or whether the user must be yielded to or given right-of-way by the target vehicle.where the payable points are an upper limit of payable points to be paid to a user boarding the destination vehicle when the host vehicle is given priority over the destination vehicle because the destination vehicle is changing its route; and, Determine whether the first vehicle (102A) or the second vehicle (102B) should change the route, and determine the payment points. where, if the settings of the first user and the second user differ, the route of the vehicle being boarded by a user who is to yield to the destination vehicle is changed, and predetermined points are determined as the payment points; and wherein, if the setting of the first user and the setting of the second user both indicate a yielding maneuver in front of the target vehicle, the route of the vehicle with fewer payable points is modified and a number of points equal to or greater than the fewer payable points are determined as the payable points, whereas, if the payable points of the first user and the payable points of the second user are equal, reference is made to the history information, an intensity is calculated, the route of the user with the lower intensity is modified and predetermined points as the payable points are determined, wherein the history information indicates a history of each user, the intensity increasing with the number of times the user has been given right of way. [12] Information management procedures, comprehensive: Refer to setting information that specifies the setting and points payable when a first driving device (230A) attached to a first vehicle (102A) and controlling the driving of the first vehicle (102A) detects a second vehicle (102B) that is a target vehicle traveling on a path that intersects the path of the first vehicle (102A) in order to compare the setting and points payable of a first user entering the first vehicle (102A) and the setting and points payable of a second user entering the second vehicle (102B), wherein the setting specifies whether a user entering a host vehicle should yield to or avoid a target vehicle traveling on a path that intersects the host vehicle's path, or whether the user must be yielded to or given right-of-way by the target vehicle.where the payable points are an upper limit of payable points to be paid to a user boarding the destination vehicle when the host vehicle is given priority over the destination vehicle because the destination vehicle is changing its route; and, Determine whether the first vehicle (102A) or the second vehicle (102B) should change the route, and determine the payment points. wherein, if the first vehicle (102A) belongs to a first vehicle group and the second vehicle (102B) belongs to a second vehicle group, a sum of payable points payable by users boarding the first vehicle group and a sum of payable points payable by users boarding the second vehicle group are calculated, the route of the vehicle group with the smaller sum is modified, and payment points are determined by causing the vehicle group with the larger sum to share the payment of points equal to or greater than the sum of the vehicle group with the smaller sum, wherein the first vehicle group comprises a plurality of vehicles that share at least part of the route of the first vehicle (102A), and the second vehicle group comprises a plurality of vehicles that share at least part of the route of the second vehicle (102B).

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