Measurement request device, information processing device, measurement request method, measurement request program, information processing method and information processing program

Abstract

To provide a measurement request device, etc., capable of enriching road information by increasing an opportunity of measurement using a mobile such as a vehicle including a measurement apparatus.SOLUTION: The kind of a measurement apparatus capable of performing measurement corresponding to road information which should be acquired is determined, a mobile including this kind of the measurement apparatus is identified, and request information indicating that the measurement is requested is transmitted to the identified mobile.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a technical field of collecting road information about roads using a mobile object. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, road information has been collected by driving a vehicle equipped with a measuring device such as a camera to measure the road and its surroundings, and then uploading the measurement data to a server device. However, measurements can only be carried out by vehicles dedicated to measurement, making it difficult to collect sufficient road information. On the other hand, the number of vehicles equipped with cameras that can be used for measurement is increasing, and it is thought that road information can be enriched by using such vehicles to increase measurement opportunities.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a road information collection system in which a vehicle dispatching center dispatches vehicles equipped with cameras for collecting road information to areas where the value of road information is high, even though the collection of road information is not the main purpose, and efficiently collects road information such as road route positions, number of lanes, signs, etc. from images captured by on-board cameras. It also discloses that this road information collection system pays the vehicle dispatching center a reward according to the value of the road information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4950818 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, rewards are provided according to the value of the road information, so if the value of the road information is not high, the reward will be low, and when you consider the effort of traveling to the area where the road information is to be collected and the costs of gasoline and other expenses, it is not worth it.This reduces people's willingness to cooperate in measuring road information, and it is not possible to increase opportunities for measurements using vehicles equipped with measuring equipment.

[0006] Furthermore, the number of vehicles equipped with measuring devices other than cameras, such as LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) and radar, is increasing, and road information can be further enriched if measurements can be made using measuring devices other than cameras. However, Patent Document 1 does not take this into consideration, and it is not possible to increase the opportunities for measurements using vehicles equipped with measuring devices.

[0007] Furthermore, the development of self-driving vehicles is progressing, and road information can be further enriched by using self-driving vehicles equipped with measuring equipment for measurements. However, Patent Document 1 does not take this into consideration, and it is not possible to increase the opportunities for measurements using vehicles equipped with measuring equipment.

[0008] In view of these circumstances, one example of the objective of the present invention is to provide a measurement request device or the like that can increase opportunities for measurements by moving objects such as vehicles equipped with measuring equipment and enrich road information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by comprising a determination means for determining the type of measuring equipment capable of performing measurements corresponding to the road information to be obtained, an identification means for identifying a mobile body having the measuring equipment of the determined type, and a transmission means for transmitting request information indicating that the measurement is being requested to the identified mobile body.

[0010] The invention described in claim 9 is characterized in that it receives the request information from a measurement request device that includes a determination means for determining the type of measuring equipment capable of making measurements corresponding to the road information to be obtained, an identification means for identifying a mobile body that has the measuring equipment of the determined type, and a transmission means for transmitting request information indicating that the measurement is being requested to the identified mobile body, and is also characterized in that it includes a road information transmission means that is an information processing device possessed by the mobile body and transmits the road information obtained by measuring using the measuring equipment possessed by the mobile body to the measurement request device based on the request indicated in the request information.

[0011] The invention described in claim 12 is a measurement request method using a measurement request device, characterized in that it includes a determination step of determining the type of measuring equipment capable of performing measurements corresponding to the road information to be obtained, an identification step of identifying a mobile body having the measuring equipment of the determined type, and a transmission step of transmitting request information indicating that the measurement is being requested to the identified mobile body.

[0012] The invention described in claim 13 is characterized in that the computer included in the measurement request device functions as a determination means for determining the type of measuring equipment capable of performing measurements corresponding to the road information to be obtained, an identification means for identifying a mobile body having the measuring equipment of the determined type, and a transmission means for transmitting request information indicating that the measurement is being requested to the identified mobile body.

[0013] The invention described in claim 14 is an information processing method by an information processing device possessed by a mobile body, which receives request information from a measurement request device comprising: a determination means for determining the type of measuring equipment capable of making measurements corresponding to the road information to be obtained; an identification means for identifying a mobile body having the measuring equipment of the determined type; and a transmission means for transmitting request information indicating that the measurement is being requested to the identified mobile body, and which is characterized in that it includes a road information transmission step for transmitting the road information obtained by measurement using the measuring equipment possessed by the mobile body to the measurement request device based on the request indicated in the request information.

[0014] The invention described in claim 15 is characterized in that it receives request information from a measurement request device that includes a determination means for determining the type of measuring equipment capable of making measurements corresponding to the road information to be obtained, an identification means for identifying a mobile body that has the measuring equipment of the determined type, and a transmission means for transmitting request information indicating that the measurement is being requested to the identified mobile body, and causes a computer included in an information processing device possessed by the mobile body to function as a road information transmission means that transmits the road information obtained by measuring using the measuring equipment possessed by the mobile body to the measurement request device based on the request indicated in the request information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a measurement requesting device 1 in an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a road information collection system S according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a server device 100 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process of searching for a vehicle that exists within a predetermined range from a measurement target road section 303 in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an in-vehicle device 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a measurement request screen 410 in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a measurement request process performed by the server device 100 in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a reward determination process performed by the server device 100 in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a request receiving process performed by the in-vehicle device 200 in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a measurement request screen 420 in a fifth modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 11]10 is a flowchart showing a request receiving process performed by the in-vehicle device 200 in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart showing a measurement execution process performed by the server device 100 in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement requesting device 1 includes a determining means 1A, a specifying means 1B, and a transmitting means 1C.

[0018] The determining means 1A determines the type of measuring equipment capable of making measurements corresponding to the road information to be acquired.

[0019] The identification unit 1B identifies a moving object having the measuring device of the determined type. The moving object may be, for example, a vehicle (car, motorbike, bicycle, etc.), a flying object (airplane, airship, etc.), or a human being.

[0020] The transmitting means 1C transmits request information indicating that the measurement is being requested to the specified moving object.

[0021] The measurement requesting device 1 determines the type of measuring equipment capable of taking measurements corresponding to the road information to be acquired, identifies a mobile body having the determined type of measuring equipment, and transmits request information indicating that a measurement is being requested to the identified mobile body. Therefore, by making requests to mobile bodies having various types of measuring equipment, opportunities for measurements by mobile bodies having measuring equipment increase, and road information can be enriched. [Example]

[0022] 1. Example 1 Next, a specific example 1 corresponding to the above-described embodiment will be described. The example 1 described below is an example in which the present invention is applied to a server device and an in-vehicle device in a road information collection system.

[0023] [1.1. Configuration of road information collection system] As shown in Fig. 2, the road information collection system S of the first embodiment is configured to include an on-vehicle device 200 to which a measuring device 300 that measures the external conditions around the vehicle is connected, and a server device 100 that is connected to the on-vehicle device 200 via a network NW. In the first embodiment, the on-vehicle device 200 and the measuring device 300 are mounted on a vehicle. Although Fig. 2 shows one on-vehicle device 200, the road information collection system S is configured to include a plurality of on-vehicle devices 200. The server device 100 may also be configured by combining a plurality of devices.

[0024] 1.2. Configuration of Server Device 100 Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the server device 100. As shown in Fig. 3, the server device 100 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication unit 103, a display unit 104, and an operation unit 105.

[0025] The memory unit 102 is composed of an HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), etc., and stores an OS (operating system), server programs (including programs executed by the server device 100 to perform the operations and processing described below), various data, etc.

[0026] A road information database is also constructed in the storage unit 102. In addition to map data, the road information database stores road information associated with each predetermined road section in the map data. The road information is measurement data obtained by measuring the condition of the road or its surroundings using the measuring device 300, or information acquired from the measurement data. The road information is stored in association with the update date and time so that the last update date and time can be identified.

[0027] There are several types of measuring device 300, including cameras, LIDAR, radar, microphones, and clocks. The measurement data obtained differs depending on the type of measuring device 300, and the road information acquired from them also differs. A camera obtains image data of the area around the vehicle as measurement data. LIDAR and radar irradiate electromagnetic waves, such as light or millimeter waves, around the vehicle and measure reflection intensity data indicating the reflection intensity at each point on the feature based on the waves reflected by the feature. Therefore, LIDAR and radar obtain reflection intensity data and distance data to the feature as measurement data. A microphone obtains audio data recording sounds around the vehicle as measurement data. A clock obtains time data (such as time data indicating the travel time when traveling along the road section being measured) as measurement data.

[0028] The road information may be the measurement data itself, or may be acquired from one or more pieces of measurement data obtained by each measuring device 300. For example, the road information may be image data captured by a camera while traveling on a road. Alternatively, the road information may be location information indicating the location of objects around the road based on reflection intensity data and distance data measured by LIDAR and image data captured by a camera. Furthermore, the road information may be information on the time required for a vehicle to travel a specified road section based on time data obtained by a clock. Therefore, multiple types of road information are stored in the road information database.

[0029] Furthermore, a vehicle management database is constructed in the storage unit 102. The vehicle management database stores vehicle information relating to a vehicle that has a measuring device 300 and performs measurements. For example, the vehicle information stored includes a vehicle ID for identifying the vehicle, an on-board device ID for identifying the on-board device 200 mounted on the vehicle, communication information required for communicating with the on-board device 200, measuring device type information (corresponding to "reference information") indicating the type of measuring device 300 the vehicle has, and current location information indicating the current location of the vehicle.

[0030] The current location information stored in the vehicle management database is updated sequentially based on the current location information received from the on-board device 200 mounted on each vehicle whenever a predetermined condition (such as the passage of a predetermined time or the vehicle moving a predetermined distance) is satisfied. Furthermore, when communication information and measurement device type information need to be generated or updated, they are generated or updated based on information obtained from the on-board device 200, etc. For example, measurement device type information is generated and updated based on information received from the vehicle (on-board device 200) indicating the type of measurement device the vehicle has. Furthermore, the storage unit 102 may store in advance measurement device type information by vehicle type (corresponding to "information indicating the correspondence between the type of moving body and the type of measurement device the moving body of that type has") indicating the correspondence between the vehicle type (manufacturer, model, year, etc.) and the type of measurement device 300 mounted on each vehicle type, and generate and update the measurement device type information based on the vehicle type information (corresponding to "information indicating the type of moving body") indicating the vehicle type received from the vehicle (on-board device 200) and the measurement device type information by vehicle type.

[0031] The communication unit 103 is connected to a plurality of in-vehicle devices 200 via a network NW to communicate with each other and transmit and receive various data and information.

[0032] The display unit 104 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display or the like, and is configured to display information such as characters and images.

[0033] The operation unit 105 is configured with, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is configured to receive operation instructions from an operator and output the contents of the instructions to the control unit 101 as instruction signals.

[0034] The control unit 101 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU functions as various means by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM and the storage unit 102. The control unit 101 or the CPU corresponds to a "computer."

[0035] The control unit 101 refers to the road information database, extracts road sections for which a predetermined time has elapsed since the road information was last updated, or road sections for which road information has not yet been acquired, and determines these as road sections to be measured (referred to as "measurement target road sections"). The control unit 101 also determines what type of road information to acquire for the determined measurement target road section, and determines the type of measuring device 300 that can measure the measurement data necessary to acquire the determined type of road information.

[0036] The control unit 101 identifies vehicles that are within a predetermined range from the road section to be measured and that have the determined type of measuring device 300 (sometimes referred to as "measurable vehicles") as candidates for vehicles to be requested to measure. Specifically, first, the control unit 101 references the current location information in the vehicle management database to search for vehicles that are within a predetermined range from the determined road section to be measured. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, after determining a road section to be measured 303 defined by a measurement start position 301 and a measurement end position 302, the control unit 101 searches for vehicles that are within a circle 304 that indicates a predetermined range based on the measurement start position 301. Note that, if the direction of movement in the road section to be measured is not important, the control unit 101 may swap the measurement start position 301 and the measurement end position 302 and search for vehicles that are within a circle that indicates a predetermined range based on the measurement end position 302. This makes it possible to exclude vehicles that are located far from the road section to be measured 303 and for which measurement is difficult to perform from the candidates for vehicles to be requested to measure.

[0037] The control unit 101 refers to the measurement device type information in the vehicle management database and extracts from the searched vehicles vehicles that have the determined type of measurement device 300. Note that the control unit 101 may store the above-mentioned vehicle-specific measurement device type information in the storage unit 102, and extract measurable vehicles that have the determined type of measurement device 300 based on the vehicle model information indicating the vehicle model received from the vehicle.

[0038] The control unit 101 determines a reward for each of the extracted one or more measurable vehicles. The reward includes an energy consumption cost. The control unit 101 calculates the energy consumption cost for each measurable vehicle based on the average energy consumption (fuel efficiency) per unit travel distance, the unit price of the energy required for the measurable vehicle to travel, and the travel distance required for the measurable vehicle to be measured. Specifically, the control unit 101 first identifies the vehicle model of the measurable vehicle by referring to vehicle model information stored in the vehicle management database. Next, the control unit 101 identifies the energy source and fuel efficiency of the identified vehicle model by referring to vehicle-specific fuel information (information that associates the vehicle model with the energy source used (gasoline, diesel, electricity, etc.) and fuel efficiency) previously stored in the storage unit 102. Next, the control unit 101 searches for a route from the current location of the measurable vehicle via the road section to be measured and returns to the original location, and calculates the travel distance and required time corresponding to the route. Furthermore, the control unit 101 calculates the amount of energy consumed based on the travel distance, required time, and fuel efficiency. Then, the control unit 101 calculates the energy consumption cost based on the amount of energy consumption and the unit price of energy.

[0039] The reward may include a fee for the measurement in addition to the energy consumption cost. For example, the reward may be the sum of the energy cost and the fee for the measurement. The fee may be constant for all road sections to be measured, or the fee may increase as the necessity of the road information increases. For example, the degree of necessity may be set highest for road information that has not been measured or acquired in the past, followed by higher degrees for road information that has already been measured or acquired and that has been updated a long time ago. Furthermore, for example, the degree of necessity may be set higher for road information that is rare (e.g., road information limited to a specific time period, temperature, or weather). In this way, road information that should have a higher degree of necessity can be said to be road information that should be measured or acquired. Using the degree of necessity can further enhance road information. Note that some people may not need payment for measurement as long as they can afford the energy consumption cost, so the fee may not be included in the reward.

[0040] The reward may be currency, virtual currency, loyalty program points, or the like.

[0041] Once the control unit 101 determines the remuneration, it repeats sending request information indicating that it is requesting measurement to measurable vehicles in order of the measurable vehicles offering the lowest remuneration until the request indicated by the request information is accepted.

[0042] The request information includes information indicating the location where the measurement will be performed (for example, information indicating the location of the measurement start location 301, the measurement end location 302, and the measurement target road section 303), measurement required time information indicating the time required for the measurement, measurement travel distance information indicating the travel distance required for the measurement, route information indicating the route from the vehicle's current location via the measurement target road section to return to the original location (current location), and reward information indicating the reward.

[0043] When the request information includes information on the time required for measurement and information on the distance traveled for measurement, the control unit 101 calculates the time and distance required for measurement in advance. For example, the control unit 101 calculates the time and distance required for measurement from the current position of the measurable vehicle to the road section to be measured, travel along that road section, and return to the original position (the current position at the time of the request). At this time, it is preferable to calculate the time required for the route from the current position of the measurable vehicle to the road section to be measured and return to the original position, taking into account the traffic congestion conditions on each road.

[0044] When the control unit 101 receives acceptance information from the measurable vehicle that received the request information within a predetermined time, indicating that the measurement request is accepted, the control unit waits for the measurement data of the road section measured by the measurable vehicle to be sent. The control unit 101 calculates the measurement end time in advance, and if no measurement data is received within a predetermined time from the measurement end time, the control unit times out and sends the request information to another measurable vehicle. Furthermore, when the control unit 101 receives refusal information from the measurable vehicle that sent the request information indicating that the measurement request is rejected, or when no response is sent within the predetermined time, the control unit 101 considers the request to have been rejected, removes the measurable vehicle that did not accept the request from the measurable vehicles, and again sends the request information to the measurable vehicle that offers the lowest remuneration among the measurable vehicles. In other words, the control unit 101 prioritizes measurable vehicles with low remuneration, and sends measurement request information sequentially until a measurable vehicle that accepts the request is found.

[0045] When the control unit 101 receives the measurement data, it temporarily stores the data in the storage unit 102. Then, the control unit 101 stores the measurement data itself or road information acquired based on the measurement data in the road information database in association with the road section to be measured. The control unit 101 also executes processing to pay the determined remuneration to the vehicle manager, etc.

[0046] 1.3. Configuration of the in-vehicle device 200 Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the in-vehicle device 200 in Example 1. As shown in Fig. 5 , the in-vehicle device 200 is configured to include a control unit 211, a storage unit 212 including an HDD, an SSD, or the like, an input unit 213 including a keyboard, a remote controller, a touch panel, or the like, a display unit 214, a bus line 215, an input / output interface unit 220, a vehicle speed sensor 221, an angular velocity sensor 222, an acceleration sensor 223, a steering angle sensor 224, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiving unit 225, a data transmitting / receiving unit 226, a wireless communication unit 227, an automatic driving execution unit 228, and a measuring instrument 300.

[0047] The vehicle speed sensor 221 detects the current speed of the vehicle using a speed detection process using, for example, a vehicle speed pulse acquired from the vehicle on which the on-vehicle device 200 is mounted, and outputs speed data. The angular velocity sensor 222 detects, for example, the angular velocity of a change in direction of the vehicle, and outputs angular velocity data and relative direction data per unit time. The acceleration sensor 223 detects, for example, the acceleration of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, and outputs acceleration data per unit time, etc. The steering angle sensor 224 detects the steering angle of the vehicle and outputs steering angle data, etc. The GNSS receiver 225 receives navigation radio waves from GNSS satellites and outputs GNSS positioning data. The data transmitter / receiver 226 performs processing related to sending and receiving data to and from a server device via a network. The wireless communication unit 227 performs processing related to wireless road-to-vehicle communication and wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

[0048] When the autonomous driving mode is selected, the autonomous driving execution unit 228 controls the speed and steering of the vehicle under the control of the control unit 211. For example, the autonomous driving execution unit 228 controls the speed of the host vehicle by adjusting the amount of fuel injected, reduces the speed of the host vehicle by applying the brakes, and adjusts the traveling direction of the host vehicle by adjusting the steering angle of the steering wheel.

[0049] The measuring devices 300 are cameras, LIDAR, radar, microphones, clocks, etc., and at least some types of measuring devices 300 are connected to the in-vehicle device 200. The storage unit 212 stores measuring device type information indicating which types of measuring devices 300 are connected to the in-vehicle device 200. The control unit 211 transmits the measuring device type information stored in the storage unit 212 to the server device 100 every time the measuring device type information stored in the storage unit 212 is changed (or periodically) so that the measuring device type information stored in the storage unit 102 of the server device 100 is kept up to date.

[0050] The storage unit 212 stores map data for displaying a map on the display unit 214, map information used when searching for a route, road link information, etc. The storage unit 212 also stores various programs such as an operating system and application programs. Note that the various programs may be obtained, for example, from a server device or the like via a network, or may be read from a recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or USB memory.

[0051] The storage unit 212 may also store a vehicle use schedule. The use schedule is a schedule related to the time the vehicle will be used, such as a schedule of when the vehicle must arrive at a certain location and a schedule of when the vehicle will be used. For example, the schedule may be a plan to travel from home to Kusatsu Onsen between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM on March 20th. The storage unit 212 may also store a schedule that summarizes the expected locations of the vehicle at predetermined time intervals (for example, every minute) during the time period when the vehicle will be used. Furthermore, the storage unit 212 may store information about a route searched for by the control unit 211 when travel conditions indicating a destination and arrival time are set.

[0052] The input unit 213 accepts an input operation from the user and transmits an operation signal indicating the operation content to the control unit 211.

[0053] The display unit 214 displays various display data under the control of the control unit 211. The display unit 214 is configured to include a graphics controller 214a, a buffer memory 214b consisting of a memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM), and a display 214c consisting of a liquid crystal display or the like. In this configuration, the graphics controller 214a controls the entire display unit 214 based on control data sent from the control unit 211 via a bus line 215. The buffer memory 214b also temporarily stores image information that can be displayed immediately. Images are then displayed on the display 214c based on the image data output from the graphics controller 214a.

[0054] The control unit 211 is made up of a CPU 211a that controls the entire control unit 211, a ROM 211b in which control programs for controlling the control unit 211 and the like are stored in advance, and a RAM 211c that temporarily stores various data. The CPU 211a functions as various means by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM 211b and the storage unit 212. The control unit 211 or the CPU 211a corresponds to a "computer."

[0055] Furthermore, the control unit 211 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 221 , an angular velocity sensor 222 , an acceleration sensor 223 , a steering angle sensor 224 , and a GNSS receiving unit 225 via the bus line 215 and an input / output interface unit 220 .

[0056] The control unit 211 performs satellite positioning based on GNSS positioning data, stand-alone positioning based on speed data, angular velocity data, relative orientation data, acceleration data, steering angle data, etc., or hybrid positioning that combines these, etc., to acquire current position information indicating the current position (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the vehicle. The control unit 211 transmits the current position information to the server device 100 every time a predetermined condition (such as a condition that a predetermined time has passed or a condition that the vehicle has moved a predetermined distance) is satisfied.

[0057] When the control unit 211 receives the request information from the server device 100, the control unit 211 determines whether a vehicle usage schedule has been set. If a usage schedule exists, the control unit 211 determines whether the implementation of the measurement will affect the usage schedule (i.e., whether the measurement can be implemented with sufficient time to allow for the usage schedule) based on the usage schedule and the time required for measurement indicated by the measurement required time information included in the request information. The control unit 211 may also determine that the measurement is impossible if at least a portion of the usage time in the usage schedule overlaps with at least a portion of the measurement schedule in which the vehicle is used for the measurement. That is, the control unit 211 determines that the measurement is impossible if the usage time is 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and the measurement schedule is 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, determines that the measurement is impossible if the usage time is 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the measurement schedule is 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and determines that the measurement is impossible if the usage time is 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the measurement schedule is 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

[0058] If the control unit 211 determines that the planned use will be affected, it transmits refusal information indicating that the measurement request is to be rejected to the server device 100. At this time, the control unit 211 may confirm with the user in the vehicle whether it is OK to send the refusal information because the user has a planned use before transmitting the information; however, by transmitting the refusal information without confirming with the user, the user does not have to feel bothered by being confirmed whether it is OK to reject the request.

[0059] On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that there is no planned use, or that there is a planned use but the planned use will not be affected, the control unit 211 presents the request details (measurement location, required time and distance required for measurement, remuneration, etc.) based on the request information on a measurement request screen 410 displayed on the display 214c as shown in FIG. 6 or vocalizes the request from a speaker (not shown). This allows the user in the vehicle to understand the request details and decide whether to accept the request. When the measurement request screen 410 is displayed, the user can accept the request by selecting an accept button 411, or can reject the request by selecting a reject button 412. If the accept button 411 is selected, the control unit 211 transmits acceptance information indicating that the request is accepted to the server device 100. On the other hand, if the reject button 412 is selected, the control unit 211 transmits rejection information indicating that the request is rejected to the server device 100.

[0060] When the vehicle travels through the road section to be measured and measurement of the state of the road or the area around the road is completed, the control unit 211 transmits the measurement data to the server device 100.

[0061] [1.4. Measurement request processing by server device 100] Next, the measurement request process by the server device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0062] First, the control unit 101 of the server device 100 determines the road section to be measured and the type of the measuring device 300 (step S101).

[0063] Next, the control unit 101 searches for vehicles present within a predetermined range (for example, circle 304 in FIG. 4) from the measurement target road section determined in the processing of step S101 (step S102).

[0064] Next, the control unit 101 extracts measurable vehicles that have the type of measuring device 300 determined in the process of step S101 (step S103).

[0065] Next, the control unit 101 performs a reward determination process to calculate a reward for each measurable vehicle extracted in the process of step S103 (step S104). The reward determination process will be described later.

[0066] Next, the control unit 101 selects the measurable vehicle with the lowest remuneration calculated in the process of step S104 (step S105).

[0067] Next, the control unit 101 transmits request information to the measurement-enabled vehicle (on-board terminal 200) selected in the process of step S105 (step S106).

[0068] Next, the control unit 101 determines whether acceptance information or rejection information has been received from the measurable vehicle (on-board terminal 200) that transmitted the request information within a predetermined time since the request information was transmitted in the processing of step S106 (step S107). If the control unit 101 determines that neither acceptance information nor rejection information has been received within the predetermined time (step S107: NO), it excludes the measurable vehicle selected in the processing of step S105 from the measurable vehicles (step S111) and proceeds to the processing of step S105. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that acceptance information or rejection information has been received within the predetermined time (step S107: YES), it then determines whether acceptance information has been received (step S108).

[0069] If the control unit 101 determines that it has not received acceptance information (rejection information has been received) (step S108: NO), it excludes the measurable vehicle selected in the processing of step S105 from the measurable vehicles (step S111) and proceeds to the processing of step S105. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that it has received acceptance information (step S108: YES), it then determines whether it has received measurement data from the measurable vehicle (on-board terminal 200) that sent the acceptance information (step S109).

[0070] If the control unit 101 determines that the measurement data has been received (step S109: YES), it stores the measurement data in the storage unit 102 (step S112) and ends the measurement request process. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the measurement data has not been received (step S109: NO), it then determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the previously calculated measurement end time (step S110).

[0071] If the control unit 101 determines that a predetermined time has passed since the measurement end time (step S110: YES), it excludes the measurable vehicle selected in the processing of step S105 from the measurable vehicles (step S111) and proceeds to the processing of step S105. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that a predetermined time has not passed since the measurement end time (step S110: NO), it proceeds to the processing of step S109. That is, when the control unit 101 receives acceptance information, it receives measurement data or waits to receive measurement data until a predetermined time has passed since the measurement end time.

[0072] [1.5. Reward Determination Process by Server Device 100] Next, the remuneration determination process performed by the server device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0073] First, the control unit 101 of the server device 100 selects one vehicle from the measurable vehicles extracted in the process of step S103 in FIG. 7 (step S201).

[0074] Next, the control unit 101 acquires the vehicle type information of the vehicle selected in the process of step S201 from the vehicle management database (step S202).

[0075] Next, the control unit 101 refers to the vehicle-specific fuel information, and acquires the energy source and fuel efficiency based on the vehicle type indicated by the vehicle type information acquired in the process of step S202 (step S203).

[0076] Next, the control unit 101 searches for a route (a route from the current position via the measurement target road section and returning to the original position) for performing measurements on the measurement target road section (step S204).

[0077] Next, the control unit 101 calculates the travel distance and travel time for the route found in the process of step S204, and calculates the amount of energy consumption based on the fuel efficiency acquired in the process of step S203 (step S205).

[0078] Next, the control unit 101 acquires the unit price of the energy source acquired in the process of step S203 (step S206). For example, the control unit 101 acquires the unit price by referring to unit price information indicating the unit price of the energy source that has been stored in advance in the storage unit 102. Alternatively, the control unit 101 may acquire the unit price information from an external server device that records the latest unit price for each energy source.

[0079] Next, the control unit 101 calculates the energy consumption cost based on the amount of energy consumption calculated in the process of step S205 and the unit price of the energy source acquired in the process of step S206 (step S207).

[0080] Next, the control unit 101 determines the price (step S208). For example, the control unit 101 determines the price depending on the degree of necessity of the road information of the measurement target.

[0081] Next, the control unit 101 adds up the energy consumption cost calculated in the process of step S207 and the compensation determined in the process of step S208 to determine the remuneration (step S209).

[0082] Next, the control unit 101 associates the vehicle selected in the process of step S201 with the remuneration calculated in the process of step S209 and stores them in the storage unit 102 (step S210).

[0083] Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not all measurable vehicles extracted in the process of step S103 in Fig. 7 have been selected (step S211). If the control unit 101 determines that all measurable vehicles have not been selected (step S211: NO), it proceeds to the process of step S201. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that all measurable vehicles have been selected (step S211: YES), it ends the reward determination process.

[0084] 1.6. Request Reception Process by the In-Vehicle Device 200 Next, the request receiving process by the in-vehicle device 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0085] First, the control unit 211 of the in-vehicle device 200 determines whether or not request information has been received from the server device 100 (step S301). If the control unit 211 determines that request information has not been received (step S301: NO), the control unit 211 returns to step S301. That is, the control unit 211 waits until request information is received. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that request information has been received (step S301: YES), the control unit 211 determines whether or not a usage schedule has been set (step S302).

[0086] If the control unit 211 determines that a usage schedule has not been set (step S302: NO), it causes the display 214c to display the measurement request screen 410 (step S304), and proceeds to the processing of step S305. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that a usage schedule has been set (step S302: YES), it determines whether the measurement will affect the usage schedule (step S303).

[0087] If the control unit 211 determines that the measurement will not affect the usage schedule (step S303: NO), it causes the display 214c to display the measurement request screen 410 (step S304) and proceeds to the processing of step S305. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that the measurement will affect the usage schedule (step S303: YES), it transmits rejection information to the server device 100 (step S306) and ends the request receiving processing.

[0088] Next, the control unit 211 determines whether the user has accepted the request (step S305). For example, the control unit 211 determines that the user has accepted the request if the accept button 411 on the measurement request screen 410 is selected, and determines that the user has not accepted the request if the reject button 412 on the measurement request screen 410 is selected. Alternatively, the control unit 211 may determine that the user has not accepted the request if the accept button 411 is not selected within a predetermined time. If the control unit 211 determines that the user has not accepted the request (step S305: NO), it transmits rejection information to the server device 100 (step S306) and ends the request receiving process. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that the user has accepted the request (step S305: YES), it transmits acceptance information to the server device 100 (step S307).

[0089] Next, the control unit 211 displays on the display 214c the route for traveling on the measurement target road section (the route from the current position of the vehicle via the measurement target road section and returning to the original position (current position)) (step S308). As a result, the vehicle travels on the measurement target road section and measurements are taken by the measuring device 300.

[0090] Next, the control unit 211 determines whether travel on the measurement target road section has been completed (step S309). If the control unit 211 determines that travel on the measurement target road section has not been completed (step S309: NO), the control unit 211 proceeds to step S309 again. That is, the control unit 211 waits until travel on the measurement target road section has been completed. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that travel on the measurement target road section has been completed (step S309: YES), the control unit 211 transmits the measurement data to the server device 100 (step S310) and ends the request receiving process.

[0091] As described above, the control unit 101 of the server device 100 (corresponding to the "measurement request device") in Example 1 determines a remuneration including the cost of energy consumption required for measurement to obtain road information related to the road, and transmits request information indicating that a measurement has been requested and including remuneration information indicating the remuneration to a vehicle equipped with a measuring device 300 capable of performing the measurement.

[0092] Therefore, according to the server device 100 in the first embodiment, a remuneration including the cost of energy consumption required for measurement to acquire road information is determined, and request information indicating that a measurement is being requested and including remuneration information indicating the remuneration is transmitted to a vehicle having a measuring device 300 capable of measurement. Therefore, since the remuneration includes the cost of energy consumption, the motivation of the vehicle side (vehicle manager) to collect road information is improved, opportunities for measurement by vehicles having measuring devices 300 are increased, and road information can be enriched.

[0093] The request information also includes information indicating the location where the measurement will be performed, measurement required time information indicating the time required for the measurement, measurement travel distance information indicating the travel distance required for the measurement, and remuneration information indicating a remuneration, and the control unit 211 of the in-vehicle device 200 in the first embodiment presents to the user, via the measurement request screen 410, based on the request information, that a measurement request has been made and a remuneration including the cost of energy consumption required for the measurement by the vehicle, and when the user selects the accept button 411, transmits acceptance information indicating that the user has accepted the request to the server device 100. In this way, since the measurement request screen 410 is displayed on the display 214c, the user can check the required time for the measurement, the travel distance, and the remuneration and then decide whether or not to accept the request.

[0094] Furthermore, the control unit 101 repeats the process of sending the request information to the measurement-enabled vehicle in order of the lowest remuneration until the request indicated by the request information is accepted. Therefore, the measurement request can be given priority to the vehicle with the lowest remuneration, which reduces the cost of collecting road information.

[0095] Furthermore, the control unit 101 (corresponding to the "determining means," "identifying means," and "transmitting means") determines the type of measuring equipment 300 capable of making measurements corresponding to the road information to be acquired, identifies a vehicle having the determined type of measuring equipment 300, and transmits request information to the vehicle.

[0096] Therefore, according to the server device 100 in the first embodiment, requests are made to vehicles equipped with various types of measuring devices 300, which increases the opportunities for measurements by vehicles equipped with measuring devices 300, thereby enriching road information.

[0097] On the other hand, the on-vehicle device 200 (corresponding to the "information processing device") in the first embodiment is an on-vehicle device 200 that is mounted on a vehicle and receives request information from the server device 100, and the control unit 211 (corresponding to the "road information transmitting means") transmits measurement data (corresponding to the "road information") measured by the measuring device 300 carried by the vehicle to the server device 100 based on the request indicated by the request information. Note that the control unit 211 may also acquire road information from the measurement data and transmit the road information to the server device 100. Therefore, the on-vehicle device 200 transmits the measurement data measured by the measuring device 100 to the server device 100 based on the request from the server device 100, and the server device 100 can collect the measurement data by transmitting the request information to the on-vehicle device 200.

[0098] Furthermore, the control unit 211 (corresponding to the "presentation means" and "acceptance information transmission means") presents to the user (passenger of the vehicle) of the in-vehicle device 200, based on the request information, that a request for measurement has been made and a reward including the cost of energy consumption required for measurement by the vehicle, and when it detects an acceptance operation performed by the user when accepting the request (for example, an operation of selecting the acceptance button 411), it transmits acceptance information to the server device 100 indicating that the user has accepted the request.

[0099] Furthermore, the control unit 211 determines whether or not the vehicle is capable of performing measurement based on the vehicle's planned use, and displays a measurement request screen 410 if it is determined that measurement is possible.

[0100] Furthermore, the control unit 211 (corresponding to the "type identification information transmission means") transmits the measurement device type information (corresponding to the "type identification information") to the server device 100 every time the measurement device type information stored in the storage unit 212 is changed (or periodically). This allows the measurement device type information stored in the storage unit 102 of the server device 100 to be updated to the latest state.

[0101] [1.7. Variations] Next, a description will be given of a modified example of the embodiment 1. The modified examples described below can be combined as appropriate.

[0102] [1.7.1. Variation 1] In the first embodiment, the control unit 101 of the server device 100 calculates the energy consumption cost based on the travel time and distance required for the vehicle to return from its current location to its original location via the road section to be measured. On the other hand, for a vehicle whose destination has already been set, it is more time-efficient for the vehicle to travel to the destination via the road section to be measured and then take the shortest route rather than returning to the current location when the request information was received. This is also more efficient for the server device 100, as it allows the vehicle to keep the energy consumption cost low.

[0103] Therefore, in Modification 1, the control unit 101 may acquire destination information indicating the vehicle's destination or the route to the destination (for example, received from the in-vehicle device 200, etc.), and for a vehicle for which the destination information has been acquired, search for a new route to the destination via the road section to be measured, calculate the difference in the required time and the difference in the travel distance between the original route and the new route, and calculate the energy consumption cost based on these differences (increments). In other words, the control unit 101 calculates the energy consumption cost corresponding to the amount of energy consumption that increases due to the measurement out of the energy consumed until the vehicle reaches the destination.

[0104] Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 200 may transmit to the vehicle request information including the measured required time information, the measured travel distance information, the route information, and the remuneration information based on the new route. Upon receiving the request information, the in-vehicle device 200 may present the new route to the user, and allow the user to confirm the new route and then select whether or not to accept the request.

[0105] Note that, from the viewpoint of privacy protection, when acquiring destination information from the in-vehicle device 200, the control unit 101 of the server device 100 does not acquire all of the destination set in the in-vehicle device 200 or the route to the destination. For example, the in-vehicle device 200 may allow the user to select whether or not to permit disclosure of the destination or route when setting the destination, and the control unit 101 of the server device 100 may acquire only destination information indicating the destination or route that is permitted to be disclosed.

[0106] The source of destination information is not limited to the in-vehicle device 200, and destination information and information indicating the vehicle to be used may be acquired from a mobile terminal owned by the user and input to the mobile terminal. Also, this information may be acquired from an external server device that stores the user's schedule.

[0107] According to the first modification, the vehicle can reach the destination via the shortest route while passing through the road section to be measured, thereby reducing travel time. Also, the server device 100 can further reduce the cost of collecting road information.

[0108] [1.7.2. Variation 2] In the first embodiment, the control unit 101 of the server device 100 selects a vehicle with a low reward and transmits request information to it. If acceptance information is not received from the vehicle that received the request information within a predetermined time, the control unit 101 times out and transmits the request information to another measurable vehicle. However, this predetermined time may be changed depending on the necessity of the road information. Specifically, the higher the necessity, the shorter the time until the timeout. For example, the timeout time may be calculated based on "timeout time = K · (1 / necessity), where K is a constant." In other words, the higher the necessity, the shorter the timeout time, and request information is transmitted to multiple vehicles in succession within a short period of time, allowing the server device 100 to acquire road information with a high degree of necessity more quickly.

[0109] Furthermore, when requesting measurement of highly necessary road information, the control unit 101 may transmit request information to multiple vehicles simultaneously and request the measurement from the vehicle that transmits acceptance information earliest. In this case, once the control unit 101 has determined the vehicle to which the measurement should be requested, it transmits request cancellation information to the other vehicles. In this case as well, the server device 100 can obtain highly necessary road information more quickly.

[0110] [1.7.3. Variation 3] In the first embodiment, the control unit 101 of the server device 100 searches for measurable vehicles within a predetermined range from the measurement start position 301 of the road section to be measured. If no measurable vehicles are found that will accept the request, the predetermined range (search range) may be expanded, and the upper limit of the predetermined range may be changed depending on the necessity of road information. For example, multiple search ranges may be set within a radius of 1 km to 10 km. The search may start initially with the smallest radius of 1 km (if a measurable vehicle that will accept the request is found within this range, the reward can be kept low). If no measurable vehicles that will accept the request are found within this range, the search may be expanded again by one step. If no measurable vehicles that will accept the request are found there, the search range is expanded by another step, and this process is repeated. Here, the upper limit of the search range is set depending on the necessity of road information. For example, the upper limit of the search range radius may be calculated based on the following equation: "Upper limit of search range radius = L * necessity, where L is a constant." That is, the higher the degree of necessity, the wider the search range, making it easier to find a vehicle that will accept the request. Note that the higher the degree of necessity for road information, the higher the frequency of retries for the search process for a measurable vehicle when no measurable vehicle that will accept the request is found. According to the third modification, the server device 100 can more easily obtain road information with a high degree of necessity more quickly.

[0111] [1.7.4. Variation 4] The road information database may record road information corresponding to conditions such as season, weather conditions, day of the week, or time period, or a combination of these. In this case, the server device 100 may perform a measurement request process when the current conditions match the season, weather conditions, day of the week, or time period that requires the collection of road information. In particular, when attempting to collect road information corresponding to conditions that the current conditions match for a short period of time, such as specified weather conditions or time period, the upper limit of the search range may be set to the maximum, regardless of the degree of need for road information, or measurement request information may be sent simultaneously to multiple measurable vehicles, thereby ensuring the reliable acquisition of road information.

[0112] Furthermore, when the control unit 101 of the server device 100 is to collect road information for a specific time period for a road section to be measured, it may calculate the estimated arrival time of a measurable vehicle that is within a predetermined range of the road section to be measured based on the current position of the measurable vehicle, and transmit measurement request information preferentially to a vehicle whose estimated arrival time is closest to the specific time period. According to this fourth modification, the server device 100 can acquire detailed road information that corresponds to conditions such as season, weather conditions, day of the week, time period, or a combination of these.

[0113] [1.7.5. Variation 5] In response to a measurement request, the vehicle user may be unable to perform the measurement immediately, but may be able to do so after some time has passed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10 , the on-board device 200 may display a "Go within 30 minutes" button 423 or a "Go within 1 hour" button 424 on the measurement request screen 420 in addition to an accept button 421 and a reject button 422, thereby presenting the user with the option of going later. In this case, the user may take a detour before heading to the measurement target road section, rather than heading to the measurement target road section immediately. It is preferable to pay the reward presented on the measurement request screen 420 first, even if the user takes a detour before heading to the measurement target road section. In this case, the compensation included in the reward may be changed (e.g., lowered) by the amount of the later start time of the measurement.

[0114] In Variation 5, if the user selects the option to arrive within one hour, the control unit 211 of the in-vehicle device 200 transmits acceptance information indicating this to the server device 100. The control unit 101 of the server device 100, upon receiving this, decides not to transmit request information to other measurable vehicles for one hour, and if the vehicle that transmitted the acceptance information has not arrived at the measurement start point within a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 hours) after one hour, may notify the vehicle that the request is canceled and transmit request information to other measurable vehicles. According to Variation 5, the user of the vehicle can accept the request even if he or she is unable to perform measurement immediately, which increases the opportunities for measurement by vehicles equipped with the measuring device 300 and contributes to enriching road information.

[0115] [1.7.6. Variation 6] In the first embodiment, the request information includes information indicating the location where the measurement is to be performed, measurement required time information indicating the time required for the measurement, measurement travel distance information indicating the travel distance required for the measurement, route information indicating the route from the current location of the vehicle back to the original location (current location) via the road section to be measured, and reward information indicating a reward, but it may also include at least any of these pieces of information. In response to this, the control unit 211 of the on-vehicle device 200 includes information indicating the location where the measurement is to be performed, measurement required time information indicating the time required for the measurement, measurement travel distance information indicating the travel distance required for the measurement, route information indicating the route from the current location of the vehicle back to the original location (current location) via the road section to be measured, and reward information indicating a reward, but it may also present at least any of these pieces of information to the user.

[0116] [1.7.7. Variation 7] 7, in the first embodiment, candidate vehicles to which the request information is to be sent are determined by searching for vehicles present within a predetermined range from the measurement start position 301 of the road section to be measured, and then extracting measurable vehicles equipped with a measuring device of the type that will perform the measurement. However, the processing of step S102 may be skipped, and a reward determination process may be performed for the vehicles extracted in the processing of step S103 (step S104), and the request information may be sent to vehicles in order of reward, starting with the vehicles with the lowest reward. In this case, since the energy consumption cost of vehicles present far away from the measurement start position 301 is high, the priority of sending the request information to these vehicles is lowered, and the possibility of the request being accepted decreases. However, since the number of vehicles to which the request information can be sent increases, the number of opportunities for measurements by vehicles equipped with the measuring device 300 increases, and road information can be enriched. Furthermore, if the number of vehicles registered in the vehicle management database is small, there may be few vehicles within a specified range. In such cases, even if the current location is far from the road section to be measured, it is possible to obtain road information more quickly by requesting a measurement-capable vehicle equipped with the type of measuring equipment 300 that will perform the measurement.

[0117] [1.7.8. Variation 8] 7, when extracting measurable vehicles having a measuring device of the type to be measured, the control unit 101 of the server device 100 refers to the measuring device type information in the vehicle management database to extract the measurable vehicles. However, in the processing of step S103, the control unit 101 may extract the measurable vehicles by having the vehicle (on-vehicle device 200) searched for in the processing of step S102 transmit the measuring device type information. In this case, the control unit 211 of the on-vehicle device 200 transmits the measuring device type information to the server device 100.

[0118] Alternatively, the above-mentioned vehicle-specific measurement device type information may be stored in advance in the storage unit 102, and in the process of step S103, the vehicle (on-vehicle device 200) searched for in the process of step S102 may transmit vehicle type information, and measurable vehicles may be extracted by referring to the vehicle-specific measurement device type information. In this case, the control unit 211 of the on-vehicle device 200 may transmit the vehicle type information to the server device 100.

[0119] According to the eighth modification, it is possible to extract measurable vehicles more accurately by checking immediately before the request which type of measuring device 300 the vehicle found in the process of step S102 has.

[0120] [1.7.9. Variation 9] In the first embodiment, the measurement is performed on a road section, but the measurement may be performed on a point on the road (for example, an intersection or a terminal in front of a station).

[0121] [1.7.10. Variation 10] In the first embodiment, the measurement is requested from a vehicle having the measuring device 300. However, the measurement may also be requested from a person (corresponding to a "mobile body") having the measuring device 300. For example, the measurement may be requested from a person having a mobile terminal equipped with a camera as the measuring device 300. Specifically, in addition to or instead of the vehicle management database, a measurement helper management database is constructed in the storage unit 102, and information on the measurement helpers is managed in the same way as the vehicle management database. In the tenth modification, the mobile terminal can be used in place of the in-vehicle device 200. When a person performs the measurement, for example, the person moves (on foot, by bicycle, by car, etc.) along the road section to be measured while taking pictures with the camera of the mobile terminal, and transmits image data as measurement data to the server device 100. According to the tenth modification, since the measurement can be requested from a person as a mobile body, the number of measurement opportunities increases, and road information can be enriched.

[0122] 2. Example 2 Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the user of the vehicle checks the time required for measurement, the distance traveled, and the reward presented by the in-vehicle device 200, and then decides whether to accept the request. On the other hand, in a vehicle that supports fully automated driving (including unmanned driving) that does not require the user to drive, the vehicle can travel for measurement even if the user is not on board. In this case, the user of the vehicle may not be able to decide whether to accept the request. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the user may set a threshold value for the reward in advance, and the control unit 211 of the in-vehicle device 200 mounted on the vehicle may accept the request when it determines that a reward equal to or greater than the threshold has been presented. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and similar points will not be described again.

[0123] 2.1. Request Reception Process by the In-Vehicle Device 200 First, a request receiving process by the in-vehicle device 200 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Note that the same processes as those in the request receiving process by the in-vehicle device 200 in the first embodiment (see Fig. 9) are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0124] If the control unit 211 of the in-vehicle device 200 determines "NO" in the process of step S302 or step S303, it determines whether the reward indicated by the reward information included in the request information is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value for the reward (step S304-2). If the control unit 211 determines that the reward is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S304-2: NO), it transmits rejection information to the server device 100 (step S306) and ends the request receiving process. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that the reward is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S304-2: YES), it transmits acceptance information to the server device 100 (step S307).

[0125] Next, the control unit 211 performs control to drive the vehicle automatically along the route along the road section to be measured (the route from the vehicle's current position via the road section to be measured and back to the original position (current position)) (step S308-2), and then proceeds to processing in step S309.

[0126] The second embodiment can be implemented whether or not a user is on board the fully automated driving vehicle. For example, the following case is assumed. A fully autonomous vehicle is parked in a home parking lot and is scheduled to be used by the user from 4:00 p.m. The reward threshold is set by the user at 50 points. At 2:00 PM, request information was received from the server device 100 indicating a request requiring a travel time of 1 hour, a travel distance of 10 km, and a reward of 100 points.

[0127] In this case, there is availability in the usage schedule from 2 PM, when the request information is received, to 3 PM, after the one hour required for measurement has elapsed, and the reward of 100 points obtained by performing this measurement is greater than or equal to the threshold of 50 points, so the control unit 211 controls the vehicle to drive autonomously on the road section to be measured. That is, it controls the autonomous driving function of the vehicle to drive autonomously from the current parking position through the road section to be measured and return to the original parking position.

[0128] Next, by adopting the contents of Modification 1 of the first embodiment, a case is assumed in which the control unit 101 of the server device 100 searches for a new route from the current position to the destination via the road section to be measured, calculates the difference in the required time and the difference in the travel distance between the original route and the new route, and transmits the request information including a reward determined based on these differences (increments) and information about the searched new route to the in-vehicle device 200. Specifically, The arrival time at the destination is set to 4:00 PM. The reward threshold is set by the user at 50 points. At 3:00 PM, request information was received from the server device 100 indicating a request requiring 30 minutes, a travel distance of 5 km, and a reward of 80 points. Assume the following case.

[0129] In this case, even if 30 minutes is added for the measurement from 3 PM when the request information is received, it is still possible to arrive at the destination by 4 PM, the arrival time, and the reward of 80 points obtained by performing this measurement is greater than or equal to the threshold of 50 points, so the control unit 211 controls the vehicle to drive autonomously on the road section to be measured. That is, it controls the autonomous driving function of the vehicle to drive autonomously from the current parking position to the destination via the road section to be measured.

[0130] The control unit 211 of the in-vehicle terminal 200 of the second embodiment determines whether or not the vehicle is capable of performing measurements based on the usage schedule of the automatically driven vehicle having the measuring device 300 capable of measurements for acquiring road information, and if it is determined that the vehicle is capable of performing measurements, moves the vehicle by automatic driving and makes the vehicle perform measurements. In addition, the control unit 211 transmits the measured measurement data to the server device 100.

[0131] According to the second embodiment, in a fully autonomous driving vehicle, even when the user is not in the vehicle, it is possible to accept requests that do not affect the usage schedule. Furthermore, by having the user set conditions for accepting requests in advance, it is possible to accept only requests that meet the acceptance conditions even when the user is not in the vehicle. Furthermore, since requests that affect the usage schedule are not accepted, the user can use the vehicle and receive rewards only during periods when the user does not plan to use the vehicle. Furthermore, since the fully autonomous driving vehicle can be used for measurements during periods when the user does not plan to use the vehicle, the server device 100 can increase opportunities for measurements using vehicles equipped with the measuring device 300, thereby enriching road information.

[0132] 2.2. Modifications Next, a description will be given of a modified example of Example 2. Note that the modified example of Example 2 described below can be appropriately combined with Example 1 and the modified example of Example 1.

[0133] [2.2.1. Variation 1] In the second embodiment, the in-vehicle device 200 sets a threshold for the remuneration in advance, and transmits acceptance information to the server device 100 when it is determined in the processing of step S304-2 that a remuneration equal to or greater than the threshold has been offered. However, as a first modification, a threshold for the consideration included in the remuneration may be set in advance, and when it is determined in the processing of step S304-2 that a consideration equal to or greater than the threshold has been offered, the in-vehicle device 200 may transmit acceptance information to the server device 100. Note that both the threshold for the remuneration and the threshold for the consideration may be set in advance, and when it is determined in the processing of step S304-2 that the remuneration is equal to or greater than the threshold for the remuneration and / or the consideration is equal to or greater than the threshold for the consideration, the in-vehicle device 200 may transmit acceptance information to the server device 100. In this case, the control unit 101 of the server device 100 transmits the request information including consideration information indicating the consideration.

[0134] [2.2.2. Variation 2] In addition to or instead of setting a threshold value related to the remuneration or compensation as a condition for transmitting the acceptance information, an upper limit (threshold value) of the time required for measurement or the distance traveled may be set as a condition for accepting the request in the in-vehicle device 200. In this case, if it is determined in the processing of step S304-2 that the set condition related to the time required for measurement or the distance traveled is met (the required time or the distance traveled is equal to or less than the threshold value), the acceptance information is transmitted to the server device 100. This makes it possible to accept the request only when the set condition related to the time required for measurement or the distance traveled is met.

[0135] [2.2.3. Variation 3] Passenger detection means (such as a weight sensor on the seat or a camera capturing images of the interior of the vehicle) for detecting whether a passenger is present in the vehicle may be further connected to the in-vehicle device 200, and when the presence of a passenger is detected, the control unit 211 may determine in step S304-2 that the remuneration is equal to or greater than a threshold, and then present the request content to the passenger and determine whether the passenger has accepted the request. For example, after determining "YES" in the processing of step S304-2, the control unit 211 performs processing similar to the processing of steps S304 and S305 in Fig. 9, and if the processing of step S305 determines "YES," the control unit 211 proceeds to processing of step S307 in Fig. 11, and if the processing of step S305 determines "NO," the control unit 211 proceeds to processing of step S306 in Fig. 11.

[0136] [2.2.4. Variation 4] In the third modification, when it is detected that a passenger is present in the vehicle, the request content is presented to the passenger and it is confirmed whether the passenger accepts the request. However, even when there is no passenger in the vehicle, it is also possible to inquire of the vehicle manager or the like whether to accept the request. For example, the control unit 211 sends an inquiry email to a terminal device carried by the vehicle manager or the like, and when there is a reply indicating acceptance, the process proceeds to step S307 in Fig. 11. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where the vehicle goes out for measurement and becomes unavailable when the manager or the like has an appointment that is not registered in the usage schedule.

[0137] 3. Example 3 Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, for a vehicle capable of fully automated driving (including unmanned driving), the server device 100 acquires a usage schedule and determines whether or not measurement can be performed. If it is determined that measurement can be performed, the server device 100 controls the vehicle for automated driving to perform the measurement. Note that the third embodiment will be described mainly in terms of differences from the first or second embodiment, and a description of similar points will be omitted.

[0138] 3.1. Measurement Execution Process by Server Device 100 The measurement execution process by the server device 100 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0139] First, the control unit 101 of the server device 100 performs the same processes (steps S401 to S405) as the processes of steps S101 to S105 of the measurement request process (FIG. 7) by the server device 100 of the first embodiment.

[0140] Next, the control unit 101 determines whether a usage schedule has been set for the vehicle selected in the processing of step S405 (step S406). Specifically, the control unit 101 acquires the usage schedule for the vehicle and determines whether it has been acquired. The usage schedule may be stored in advance in the storage unit 102, or may be acquired from the storage unit 212 of the in-vehicle terminal 200 in which the usage schedule is stored, or from an external server device, etc. From the viewpoint of privacy, it is preferable that the user be able to set whether or not to allow the server device 100 to acquire the usage schedule.

[0141] If the control unit 101 determines that a usage schedule has not been set (step S406: NO), the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S408. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that a usage schedule has been set (step S406: YES), the control unit 101 determines whether the measurement will affect the usage schedule (step S407).

[0142] If the control unit 101 determines that the measurement will not affect the use schedule (step S407: NO), the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S408. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that the measurement will affect the use schedule (step S407: YES), the control unit 211 excludes the measurable vehicles selected in the process of step S405 from the measurable vehicles (step S413), and proceeds to the process of step S405.

[0143] If the control unit 101 determines that no usage schedule has been set (step S406: NO), or if it determines that the measurement will not affect the usage schedule (step S407: NO), it decides to have the measurable vehicle selected in the most recent processing of step S405 perform the measurement, and controls the measurable vehicle to drive autonomously along the route that travels the measurement target road section (a route that returns from the current position of the vehicle to the original position (current position) via the measurement target road section) (step S408). Note that the method by which the server device 100 controls the measurable vehicle to drive autonomously may be via the in-vehicle terminal 200, or other known methods may be adopted.

[0144] Next, the control unit 101 determines whether travel on the measurement target road section has been completed (step S409). For example, if the automatic driving control of the measurement vehicle is performed via the on-board terminal 200, the control unit 101 may determine whether travel on the measurement target road section has been completed by receiving information from the on-board terminal 200 indicating whether travel on the measurement target road section has been completed. If the control unit 101 determines that travel on the measurement target road section has not been completed (step S409: NO), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S409 again. That is, the control unit 101 waits until travel on the measurement target road section has been completed. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that travel on the measurement target road section has been completed (step S409: YES), the control unit 101 causes the server device 100 to transmit the measurement data (step S410). For example, if the automatic driving control of the measurement vehicle is performed via the on-board terminal 200, the control unit 101 instructs the on-board terminal 200 to transmit the measurement data.

[0145] Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not measurement data has been received from a measurable vehicle (on-board terminal 200) (step S411). If the control unit 101 determines that measurement data has not been received (step S411: NO), it proceeds to step S411 and waits until measurement data is received. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that measurement data has been received (step S411: YES), it stores the measurement data in the storage unit 102 (step S412) and ends the measurement execution process.

[0146] The control unit 101 of the server device 100 in Example 3 determines whether or not an automatically driven vehicle having a measuring device 300 capable of taking measurements to acquire road information is capable of taking measurements based on the planned use of the vehicle, and if it is determined that the vehicle is capable of taking measurements, moves the vehicle by automatic driving and makes the vehicle take measurements.

[0147] Therefore, according to the server device 100 in the third embodiment, opportunities to use an automatically driven vehicle having the measuring device 300 for measurement can be increased, and road information can be enriched.

[0148] [3.2. Modifications] Next, a description will be given of a modified example of Example 3. Note that the modified example of Example 3 described below can be appropriately combined with Example 1 and the modified example of Example 1, and Example 2 and the modified example of Example 2.

[0149] [3.2.1. Variation 1] An occupant detection means (such as a weight sensor on the seat or a camera that takes pictures inside the vehicle) that detects whether there is an occupant (corresponding to a "user") in the vehicle may be further connected to the in-vehicle device 200, and when the control unit 101 (corresponding to an "inquiry means") of the server device 100 is notified by the in-vehicle device 200 that the presence of an occupant has been detected, the control unit 101 may present the measurement details (measurement location, required time and distance required for measurement, remuneration, etc.) to the occupant via the in-vehicle device 200 and inquire whether or not to accept the measurement, and if the occupant accepts the measurement, the measurement (processing of steps S408 to S412 in Figure 12) may be performed.

[0150] [3.2.2. Variation 2] In the first modification, when it is detected that a passenger is present in the vehicle, the measurement content is presented to the passenger and it is confirmed whether the passenger agrees to the measurement, but even when there is no passenger in the vehicle, it is also possible to inquire of the vehicle manager or the like whether the passenger agrees to the measurement just to be sure. For example, the control unit 101 may send an inquiry email to a terminal device carried by the vehicle manager or the like, and if a reply indicating acceptance is received, the control unit 101 may execute the measurement (the processing of steps S408 to S412 in FIG. 12).

[0151] [3.2.3. Variation 3] The control unit 101 may determine whether or not the conditions set by the user in advance regarding the remuneration, compensation, and the time required for measurement and travel time (such as whether the remuneration or compensation is equal to or greater than a threshold, or whether the time required for measurement and travel time are equal to or less than a threshold) are satisfied, and if it is determined that the conditions are satisfied, it may perform measurement by autonomous driving. Specifically, the conditions set by the user regarding the remuneration, compensation, and the time required for measurement and travel time are stored in the memory unit 102, the memory unit 212 of the in-vehicle terminal 200, an external server device, etc. so that the control unit 101 can acquire them. Then, if the control unit 101 determines that a usage schedule has not been set in the measurement execution process (step S406: NO) or if it determines that the measurement will not affect the usage schedule (step S407: NO), it next determines whether or not the conditions set by the user regarding the remuneration, compensation, and the time required for measurement and travel time are satisfied, and if it determines that the conditions are satisfied, it proceeds to the process of step S408. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S413. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 1. Measurement request device 1A Determination means 1B Specific means 1B Transmission Method 200 On-vehicle equipment 211 Control Unit 211a CPU 211b ROM 211c RAM 212 Storage section 213 Input section 214 Display Unit 214a graphics controller 214b Buffer memory 214c Display 215 Bus Line 220 Input / Output Interface Section 221 Vehicle speed sensor 222 Angular rate sensor 223 Accelerometer 224 Steering Angle Sensor 225 GNSS receiver 226 Data transmission and reception unit 227 Radio Communication Department 228 Autonomous Driving Execution Department 300 Measuring equipment

Claims

[Claim 1] a determination means for determining the type of measuring equipment capable of making measurements corresponding to the road information to be acquired; an identification means for identifying a moving body having the measuring device of the determined type; a transmitting means for transmitting request information indicating that the measurement is being requested to the specified moving object; A measurement requesting device comprising:

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