Control device and control method

Abstract

To enable a route for transporting passengers in an area or between areas to be adjusted in accordance with the congestion state of an area where an event is held.SOLUTION: A control device 20 includes a control unit that acquires information pertaining to the degree of congestion in at least two locations where an event is held, and determines a transport route on the basis of the acquired information pertaining to the degree of congestion along which a mobility 30 transports passengers moving between the at least two locations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that, from among multiple tourist routes, a tourist route is selected that has a direction passing through multiple tourist spots that coincides with the direction in which the vehicle is moving, overlaps with at least a portion of the planned route, and has the longest length of overlapping route. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-089161 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In areas where events are held, such as event venues, the degree of congestion changes from moment to moment. Therefore, the optimal route for buses traveling within or between areas changes from time to time.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to be able to adjust routes for transporting passengers within or between areas depending on the congestion level of the area where the event is being held. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device according to the present disclosure includes: Obtain information about the crowding levels of at least two locations where the event will be held; Based on the acquired information about the congestion level, a transportation route for transporting passengers by the mobility moving between the at least two locations is determined. It has a control unit.

[0007] The control method according to the present disclosure includes: Obtaining information regarding the degree of congestion of at least two locations where the event is held by a control unit; determining, by the control unit, a transportation route for transporting passengers by the mobility moving between the at least two locations based on the acquired information on the congestion degree; Includes. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, routes for transporting passengers within or between areas can be adjusted depending on the congestion level of the area where the event is held. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobility control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] The configuration of a mobility control system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0013] The mobility control system 10 includes a control device 20 and a mobility 30. The control device 20 is capable of communicating with the mobility 30 via a network 40.

[0014] The control device 20 is a computer installed in a facility such as a data center. The control device 20 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system. The control device 20 is operated, for example, by a business operator who manages the event.

[0015] The mobility 30 is any type of automobile, such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. The mobility 30 is an AV in this embodiment, but may be driven by a driver or may be automated at any level. "AV" is an abbreviation for autonomous vehicle. The level of automation is, for example, any one of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE level classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. The mobility 30 may be a MaaS-only vehicle. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0016] Network 40 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 40 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. A wireless network may be, for example, an ad-hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0017] The present embodiment will be outlined with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

[0018] The control device 20 acquires second information 60 regarding the degree of congestion of at least two locations where an event such as an exhibition, a trade fair, a food event, or a product fair is held, through the control unit 21. In this embodiment, the second information 60 is information regarding the degree of congestion of each booth in the area 11 where the event is held. That is, each location of the "at least two locations" corresponds to a booth. The area 11 is, for example, an event venue such as an arena. The mobility 30 moves between the at least two booths in the area 11. The mobility 30 may travel around a route including three or more booths in the area 11. The control device 20 determines, through the control unit 21, a transportation route along which the mobility 30 will transport passengers, based on the acquired second information 60.

[0019] According to this embodiment, it becomes possible to adjust the route for transporting passengers within the area 11 according to the congestion state of the area 11. For example, it becomes possible to alleviate congestion by suppressing users from congesting excessively at a specific booth.

[0020] In this embodiment, the control device 20 acquires first information 50 related to the event through the control unit 21. The control device 20 acquires second information 60 by predicting the future congestion degree of each booth in the area 11 based on the acquired first information 50.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first information 50 includes various information such as the location 51, time 52, number of participants 53, or content 54 of the event. It is desirable that the first information 50 includes not only past and present information but also future information. That is, it is desirable that the control device 20 predicts the future congestion degree of each booth in the area 11 based on such future information. The past information includes, for example, the congestion degree when an event similar to the one to be held at each booth was held in the past, such as the same day last year. The current information includes, for example, the advance application status for the event to be held at each booth, or information on the user's interest level obtained at the time of advance application, or profiles such as the occupation type of each user. The future information includes, for example, the content of the event to be held at each booth, or the schedule of each user, such as booth A at 11:00, lunch at 12:00, and booth B at 13:00. When an event is held for multiple days, the number of visitors statistically follows a bowl curve, and there is a tendency for the number of visitors to be high on the first and last days. Therefore, the control device 20 may predict the degree of congestion on the first day from the number of visitors or the number of registered visitors of the previous year, and may correct the predicted number of people from the number of people on the first day for the degree of congestion on the second day and thereafter to predict a more accurate number of people.

[0022] Content of an event being held or scheduled to be held at a booth that is crowded and difficult for users to visit may be provided within the mobility 30. A user may be allowed to have a meeting or lunch within the mobility 30.

[0023] As a variation of this embodiment, the control device 20 may obtain the second information 60 by observing the current congestion level of each booth in the area 11 instead of predicting the future congestion level of each booth in the area 11.

[0024] As another modification of this embodiment, the second information 60 may be information regarding the degree of congestion of at least two areas where an event is held. That is, each location of the "at least two locations" may correspond to an area. Each area is, for example, an event venue such as an arena. The control device 20 may obtain the second information 60 by predicting the future degree of congestion of each area, or may obtain the second information 60 by observing the current degree of congestion of each area. In this modification, the mobility 30 moves between at least two areas. The mobility 30 may travel around a route that includes three or more areas.

[0025] According to this modification, the route for transporting passengers between areas can be adjusted according to the congestion status of each area. For example, congestion can be alleviated by preventing users from congesting excessively at a specific event venue.

[0026] The configuration of the control device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0027] The control device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0028] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 executes processes related to the operation of the control device 20 while controlling each part of the control device 20.

[0029] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The flash memory is, for example, an SSD. "SSD" is an abbreviation for solid-state drive. The magnetic memory is, for example, an HDD. "HDD" is an abbreviation for hard disk drive. The storage unit 22 functions, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores information used in the operation of the control device 20 and information obtained by the operation of the control device 20. In this embodiment, the storage unit 22 stores at least first information 50 and second information 60.

[0030] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, a module compatible with a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE802.11. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The communication unit 23 communicates with the mobility 30. The communication unit 23 receives information used in the operation of the control device 20, and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control device 20.

[0031] The functions of the control device 20 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the control device 20 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the control device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the control device 20. That is, the computer functions as the control device 20 by executing the operations of the control device 20 in accordance with the program.

[0032] The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The program may be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as an SD card, DVD, or CD-ROM on which the program is stored. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program may be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transferring the program from the server to another computer. The program may be provided as a program product.

[0033] A computer temporarily stores in a main storage device, for example, a program stored in a portable medium or a program transferred from a server. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor, and executes processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing according to the program. The computer may execute processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer. Processing may be executed by a so-called ASP-type service that realizes functions only by execution instructions and result acquisition without transferring a program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program is information used for processing by a computer, and includes those equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct command to a computer but has the property of defining computer processing falls under "those equivalent to a program."

[0034] A part or all of the functions of the control device 20 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the control device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0035] The operation of the control device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The operation of the control device 20 corresponds to the control method according to this embodiment. That is, the control method according to this embodiment includes steps S1 to S4 shown in Fig. 3.

[0036] In S1, the control unit 21 acquires the first information 50. Specifically, the control unit 21 reads the first information 50 from the storage unit 22. The first information 50 is stored in the storage unit 22 in advance. Alternatively, the first information 50 may be stored in the storage unit 22 after being acquired from an external storage via the communication unit 23.

[0037] In S2, the control unit 21 acquires the second information 60. Specifically, the control unit 21 acquires the second information 60 by predicting the future congestion degree of each booth in the area 11 based on the first information 50 acquired in S1. The control unit 21 stores the acquired second information 60 in the storage unit 22. For example, the control unit 21 predicts the number of visitors to each booth in the event venue according to the event venue 51, event time 52, number of participants 53, or content 54 of the event, which are included in the first information 50. The opening time of each booth in the event venue, the start time of the event at each booth, or the reservation time in the case of a reservation-based booth or event may be taken into consideration.

[0038] Instead of predicting the future congestion level of each booth in the area 11, the control unit 21 may obtain the second information 60 by observing the current congestion level of each booth in the area 11. For example, the control unit 21 may receive captured images of each booth in the event venue via the communication unit 23 and observe the number of customers attending each booth by analyzing the received captured images.

[0039] In S3, the control unit 21 determines a transportation route along which the mobility 30 transports passengers, based on the second information 60 acquired in S2. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines a route along which more passengers are transported to booths with a lower degree of congestion as the transportation route. As a result, the degree of congestion can be equalized.

[0040] In S4, the control unit 21 controls the mobility 30 to move along the transportation route determined in S3. For example, the control unit 21 notifies the mobility 30 of the transportation route via the communication unit 23 and causes the mobility 30 to move along the transportation route.

[0041] Steps S1 to S4 are repeatedly executed. Therefore, the control device 20 can respond to changes in congestion in real time. When the control unit 21 detects a change in the congestion level, it is preferable that the control unit 21 appropriately changes the transportation route even while the mobility 30 is moving.

[0042] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps shown in the flowchart in chronological order as described, they may be executed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capacity of the device executing each step, or as necessary. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10 Mobility Control System 11 Area 20 Control device 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 30 Mobility 40 Network 50 1st information 51 Venue 52 Event Time 53 Number of participants 54 Contents 60 Second information

Claims

1. obtaining information about the crowding levels of at least two locations where the event will be held; Based on the acquired information on the congestion degree, a transportation route for transporting passengers by the mobility moving between the at least two locations is determined. A control device having a control unit.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit obtains information regarding the degree of congestion by observing current degrees of congestion of the at least two locations.

3. The control unit is Obtaining information regarding the event; The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a controller configured to acquire information regarding the degree of congestion by predicting a future degree of congestion of the at least two locations based on the acquired information regarding the event.

4. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines, as the transportation route, a route that transports more passengers to a location that is less crowded among the at least two locations.

5. Obtaining information regarding the degree of congestion of at least two locations where the event is held by a control unit; determining, by the control unit, a transportation route for transporting passengers by the mobility moving between the at least two locations based on the acquired information on the congestion degree; A control method comprising:

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