Information processor

Abstract

To prevent the execution of air conditioning in a mobile body that the user is unlikely to use.SOLUTION: An information processor includes a control unit. The control unit performs the steps of: acquiring a first schedule for reserved air conditioning for reserving execution of air conditioning for a target mobile body; and acquiring a second schedule of a user. The control unit also performs the steps of: determining whether the first schedule overlaps with the second schedule; and stopping execution of the reserved air conditioning on the basis of the first schedule when the first schedule is determined to overlap with the second schedule.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 proposes an air conditioning control device that generates historical information based on the start time recorded each time the vehicle's power source is started, predicts future start times based on the historical information, generates a control schedule for controlling the air conditioning device, and controls the air conditioning device based on the generated control schedule. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-214034 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for suppressing the implementation of air conditioning in a mobile object that is unlikely to be used by a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information processing device of the present disclosure includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to acquire a first schedule for reserving air conditioning in a target moving object and acquire a second schedule of a user. The control unit is configured to determine whether the first schedule overlaps with the second schedule, and if it is determined that the first schedule overlaps with the second schedule, to stop the reserved air conditioning according to the first schedule. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the implementation of air conditioning in a mobile object that is unlikely to be used by a user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a situation to which the present disclosure is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a vehicle and a user terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the server and the information server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing by the server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Conventionally, air conditioning control devices have been proposed that can perform remote air conditioning without operating a terminal or making a reservation in advance. The air conditioning control device of Patent Document 1 generates history information based on the start time recorded each time the vehicle's power source is started, generates a control schedule for controlling the air conditioning device by predicting future start times based on the history information, and controls the air conditioning device based on the generated control schedule. This air conditioning control device allows remote air conditioning to be performed without operating a terminal or making a reservation in advance. However, the present inventor has found that these conventional methods have the following problems. For example, with the air conditioning control device described in Patent Document 1, if air conditioning is performed according to a reservation schedule generated in advance, there is a possibility that air conditioning in the vehicle will be performed even when the user is not using the vehicle. Therefore, it may be necessary to suppress the implementation of remote air conditioning in situations where the user is unlikely to use the vehicle.

[0009] In contrast, an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit. The control unit acquires a reservation air-conditioning schedule (hereinafter referred to as a reservation air-conditioning schedule or a first schedule) for reserving the execution of air-conditioning in a mobile object that is the target of the execution of reservation air-conditioning using an air conditioner (hereinafter referred to as a target mobile object), and acquires a user's schedule (hereinafter referred to as a user schedule or a second schedule). The user schedule is a schedule unrelated to the use of the target mobile object.

[0010] The control unit determines whether the reserved air-conditioning schedule overlaps with the user schedule, and if it is determined that the reserved air-conditioning schedule overlaps with the user schedule, stops the execution of the reserved air-conditioning. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the execution of air-conditioning in mobile objects that are unlikely to be used by a user.

[0011] The reserved air-conditioning schedule (first schedule) may include a start time (hereinafter also referred to as a first start time) and an end time (hereinafter also referred to as a first end time). The user schedule may include a start time (hereinafter also referred to as a second start time) and an end time (hereinafter also referred to as a second end time) of at least one of a use schedule of another mobile object, a use schedule of an accommodation facility, and a participation schedule of a predetermined event. Determining whether the reserved air-conditioning schedule overlaps with the user schedule may be determining whether the period from the first start time to the first end time (hereinafter also referred to as a first period) overlaps with a period from a second start time to a second end time (hereinafter also referred to as a second period) of at least one of a use schedule of another mobile object, a use schedule of an accommodation facility, and a participation schedule of a predetermined event. According to the present disclosure, by specifically comparing the user schedule reserved air-conditioning schedule and the user schedule, it is possible to suppress the implementation of air conditioning in mobile objects that are unlikely to be used by the user.

[0012] After stopping the execution of scheduled air conditioning, the information processing device may execute scheduled air conditioning according to a scheduled air conditioning schedule that overlaps with a user schedule (first schedule) in response to the end of a user schedule (second schedule) that overlaps with the scheduled air conditioning schedule. For example, there may be cases where the scheduled air conditioning schedule and the user schedule overlap, and the scheduled air conditioning schedule ends after the user schedule. In this case, after the user schedule ends, air conditioning in the vehicle according to the overlapping scheduled air conditioning schedule may be started, and air conditioning may be executed until the scheduled air conditioning schedule ends. According to the present disclosure, flexible control is possible in which air conditioning is suppressed when the user is unlikely to use the mobile object, and air conditioning according to the scheduled air conditioning schedule that overlaps with the user schedule is executed after the user schedule ends.

[0013] The reserved air-conditioning schedule (first schedule) may include an end time (first end time), and the user schedule (second schedule) may include an end time (second end time). Performing reserved air-conditioning according to a reserved air-conditioning schedule that overlaps with a user schedule in response to the end of the user schedule that overlaps with the reserved air-conditioning schedule may mean performing air-conditioning according to the reserved air-conditioning schedule after the end time of the user schedule that overlaps with the reserved air-conditioning schedule has passed and until the end time of the reserved air-conditioning schedule that overlaps with the user schedule. According to the present disclosure, flexible control is possible in which air-conditioning is suppressed during periods when the user is unlikely to use a mobile object, and air-conditioning is performed according to the period set in the reserved air-conditioning schedule after the user schedule ends.

[0014] In the information processing device, stopping the execution of the reserved air conditioning is performed by Alternatively, the execution of scheduled air-conditioning according to the scheduled air-conditioning schedule may be stopped when a response (hereinafter referred to as an "acknowledgement response") is received from the user acknowledging the suspension of the scheduled air-conditioning schedule after the user has been notified in advance that the scheduled air-conditioning schedule (first schedule) overlaps with the user's schedule (second schedule), thereby suspending the execution of scheduled air-conditioning according to the scheduled air-conditioning schedule. According to the present disclosure, even when the scheduled air-conditioning schedule and the user schedule overlap, the user can decide whether or not to suspend the execution of scheduled air-conditioning. This allows the user's wishes to be better reflected in the control of scheduled air-conditioning.

[0015] [1 Application example] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a scenario to which the present disclosure is applied. The information processing system 1 is a system for processing information related to a server 10, a vehicle 20, a user terminal 30, and an information server 40. The vehicle 20 is a vehicle used by a user 35. The user 35 possesses a user terminal 30. The user 35 acts according to their own schedule (user schedule) and may use the vehicle 20 before or after the user schedule. The server 10 processes information related to the vehicle 20, the user terminal 30, and the information server 40. The information server 40 manages the user schedule. The vehicle 20 is equipped with an air conditioner. The air conditioner's start, stop, etc. can be controlled according to a reserved air conditioning schedule that is set in advance in the air conditioner or the user terminal 30. The server 10 processes information according to the reserved air conditioning schedule and the user schedule. The reserved air conditioning schedule and the user schedule may each be schedules that are repeatedly executed at least daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly.

[0016] In the information processing system 1, a server 10, a vehicle 20, a user terminal 30, and an information server 40 are interconnected by a network N. The network N may be, for example, a Wide Area Network (WAN), which is a global public communication network such as the Internet, or a mobile phone. A telephone communication network such as the above may also be employed.

[0017] [2 Configuration Examples] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the hardware configuration and functional configuration of each of the vehicle 20 and the user terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

[0018] (vehicle) The vehicle 20 is exemplified by a vehicle driven by a driver. The vehicle 20 may be an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle 20 may be an engine vehicle or an electric vehicle (including a hybrid vehicle). The vehicle 20 includes an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 21, an air conditioner 22, and The vehicle 20 is an example of a target moving body. In the vehicle 20, communication can be performed between vehicles using a predetermined in-vehicle communication standard. The predetermined in-vehicle communication standard may be a Controller Area Network (CAN) or a Local Interconnect Network (LIN). ) can be given as examples.

[0019] The ECU 21 is a computer for controlling various devices mounted on the vehicle 20. The ECU 21 includes a processor 210 and a storage unit 214.

[0020] The processor 210 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP). The processor 210 includes, as a functional unit, an air conditioning information acquisition unit 2 11, an output unit 212, and an air conditioning command unit 213.

[0021] The processor 210 operates as an air conditioning information acquisition unit 211, and acquires (receives), for example, a reserved air conditioning schedule as information related to the air conditioner 22. The air conditioner 22 may be equipped with an input device that accepts input from a user 35. The user 35 may input a reserved air conditioning schedule into the input device. The reserved air conditioning schedule includes start times, end times, and the like related to the operation of the air conditioner 22. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 211 passes the acquired reserved air conditioning schedule to the output unit 212. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 211 may store the acquired reserved air conditioning schedule in the memory unit 214.

[0022] The information regarding the air conditioner 22 may be a command (hereinafter also referred to as a control command) related to the control of the air conditioner 22 sent from the server 10. An example of a control command is a command to start, stop, or end operation of the air conditioner 22. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 211 passes the control command received from the server 10 to the air conditioning command unit 213. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 211 may store the control command in the memory unit 214. Note that the command to stop operation of the air conditioner 22 may include the start time and end time of a reserved air conditioning schedule for which the reserved air conditioning is to be stopped, as well as the start time and end time of a user schedule that overlaps with the reserved air conditioning schedule. If the processor 210 has a clock, the air conditioning information acquisition unit 211 may compare the current time measured by the clock with the end time of the user schedule that overlaps with the reserved air conditioning schedule. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 211 may acquire information that the user schedule that overlaps with the reserved air conditioning schedule has ended by confirming that the current time has passed the end time of the overlapping user schedule, and pass the acquired information to the output unit 212.

[0023] The processor 210 operates as the output unit 212 and can transmit the reserved air-conditioning schedule passed from the air-conditioning information acquisition unit 211 to the server 10 via the network N. In response to information passed from the air-conditioning information acquisition unit 211 indicating that a user schedule that overlaps with the reserved air-conditioning schedule has ended, the output unit 212 can also transmit a notification to the server 10 via the network N indicating that the overlapping user schedule has ended.

[0024] The processor 210 operates as an air conditioning command unit 213 and controls the operation of the air conditioner 22 in response to a control command passed from the air conditioning information acquisition unit 211. If the control command indicates the start (execution) of the air conditioner 22, the air conditioning command unit 213 starts the air conditioner 22. Starting the air conditioner 22 may mean starting the air conditioner 22 in accordance with a reserved air conditioning schedule set for the air conditioner 22. If the control command indicates the stop of the air conditioner 22, the air conditioning command unit 213 stops the operation of the air conditioner 22. If the control command indicates the end of the air conditioner 22, the air conditioning command unit 213 ends the operation of the air conditioner 22.

[0025] The storage unit 214 includes a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit. The main storage unit is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The auxiliary storage unit is, for example, a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a flash memory. The auxiliary storage unit is, for example, a removable The removable medium may include a medium (portable recording medium), such as a USB memory, an SD card, or a disc recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disc, or a Blu-ray disc.

[0026] The auxiliary storage unit stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various information tables, etc. The processor 210 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit into the main storage unit and executes them, thereby realizing the information processing of this embodiment. Some or all of the functions of the ECU 21 can be realized by hardware circuits such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The ECU 21 does not need to be realized by a single physical configuration, and may be composed of multiple computers that work together. The auxiliary storage unit can store, for example, a reserved air conditioning schedule for the air conditioner 22.

[0027] The air conditioner 22 is a device that performs air conditioning such as heating and cooling in the vehicle 20. The air conditioner 22 can be controlled according to information on the type of air conditioning, including heating and cooling, set in the device itself, as well as the set temperature and air volume of the air conditioner. Operation can be started, stopped, or terminated according to the air conditioning schedule. The air conditioner 22 stops in standby mode and can execute the scheduled air conditioning when the start time scheduled in the scheduled air conditioning schedule arrives. When the ECU 21 receives a control command from the user terminal 30 via the network N instructing the execution of air conditioning, the air conditioner 22 can execute the scheduled air conditioning in response to the received control command. When the scheduled air conditioning schedule overlaps with the user schedule, the ECU 21 can receive a control command from the server 10 instructing the stopping of the scheduled air conditioning. In this case, the air conditioner 22 can stop the scheduled air conditioning in response to the control command received by the ECU 21. After the user schedule ends, the ECU 21 can receive a control command from the server 10 instructing the starting of operation according to the scheduled air conditioning schedule that was stopped due to overlap with the user schedule. In this case, the air conditioner 22 can start (resume) operation in response to the control command received by the ECU 21.

[0028] The communication unit 23 connects the vehicle 20 to the network N. The communication unit 23 communicates with the network N using a predetermined wireless communication standard such as 4th Generation (4G) or Long Term Evolution (LTE). It communicates with the server 10 and the user terminal 30 via the network N.

[0029] (user terminal) The user terminal 30 is a terminal carried by a user 35. The user 35 is a person who can act according to a user schedule. Examples of the user terminal 30 include a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, and a wearable terminal.

[0030] The user terminal 30 includes an input / output device 31, a processor 32, a storage unit 33, and a communication unit .

[0031] The input / output device 31 accepts information input by a user 35. An example of information input by the user 35 is remote air conditioning setting information for the air conditioner 22 (hereinafter referred to as air conditioning setting information). Examples of the air conditioning setting information include information on the type of air conditioning, including heating and cooling, as well as information such as the set temperature and air volume of the air conditioning. The air conditioning setting information may be information specifying the current air conditioning setting, or may be information on a reserved air conditioning schedule that reserves (specifies) future air conditioning settings. The reserved air conditioning schedule may include the start and end times of the air conditioning.

[0032] When the reserved air conditioning schedule and the user schedule overlap, the user terminal 30 may receive a notification (hereinafter referred to as a stop notification) from the server 10 inquiring whether or not to stop the reserved air conditioning. In this case, the input / output device 31 may receive information input by the user 35 in response to the stop notification, indicating whether or not to accept the stop notification.

[0033] The information input by the user 35 may be a user schedule. The user schedule may include start times and end times for at least one of schedules for using other mobile bodies such as public transportation, using accommodation facilities, traveling, and participating in a predetermined event. Examples of the predetermined event include concerts, theater, and using entertainment facilities and commercial facilities. Each schedule for using other mobile bodies, using accommodation facilities, traveling, and participating in a predetermined event may be transmitted from the user terminal 30 to the server 10 via the network N. Each schedule may also be transmitted from the user terminal 30 to the information server 40 via the network N. The user schedule may also be information regarding reservations for the user schedule described above (hereinafter referred to as schedule reservation information).

[0034] The input / output device 31 can output predetermined information. The predetermined information may be a notification to stop the reserved air-conditioning, which is sent from the server 10 via the network N when the reserved air-conditioning schedule overlaps with the user schedule. The predetermined information is sent by the user terminal 30 to the server 10 when the air-conditioning related to the reserved air-conditioning schedule that was stopped due to an overlap with the user schedule is to be resumed. 10, a notification inquiring whether or not to resume scheduled air conditioning (hereinafter referred to as a resume notification) may also be received.

[0035] The processor 32 is, for example, a CPU or a DSP. The processor 32 includes an air conditioning information acquisition unit 321, an air conditioning information output unit 322, a user information acquisition unit 323, and a user information output unit 324 as functional units.

[0036] The processor 32 operates as an air conditioning information acquisition unit 321 and can acquire air conditioning setting information (which may include a reserved air conditioning schedule) input by the user 35 to the input / output device 31. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 321 may receive (acquire) via the network N a stop notification sent from the server 10 when a reserved air conditioning schedule overlaps with a user schedule. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 321 may also acquire information related to a response to the stop notification (whether or not to accept the stop notification) input by the user 35 to the input / output device 31. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 321 may receive (acquire) via the network N a reserved air conditioning restart notification sent from the server 10 when a reserved air conditioning schedule that overlaps with a user schedule has ended after the user schedule has been stopped.

[0037] The processor 32 operates as an air conditioning information output unit 322 and can transmit at least one of the air conditioning setting information acquired by the air conditioning information acquisition unit 321 and responses to the stop notification and restart notification to the server 10 via the network N. The air conditioning information output unit 322 may transmit the air conditioning setting information to the vehicle 20. The air conditioning information output unit 322 may output the scheduled air conditioning stop notification and restart notification acquired by the air conditioning information acquisition unit 321 to the input / output device 31.

[0038] The processor 32 operates as a user information acquisition unit 323 and may acquire a user schedule input by the user 35 to the input / output device 31. The user schedule may include schedule reservation information. The user information acquisition unit 323 may receive (acquire) via the network N a notification that the reservation of the user schedule has been completed (hereinafter referred to as a reservation completion notification), which is sent from the information server 40 in response to the user schedule sent to the information server 40. The user information acquisition unit 323 may store the acquired user schedule in the storage unit 33.

[0039] The processor 32 operates as a user information output unit 324 and transmits the user schedule acquired by the user information acquisition unit 323 to the server 10 via the network N. The user information output unit 324 may transmit the user schedule (including schedule reservation information) to the information server 40 via the network N. Thereafter, a reservation completion notice for the transmitted schedule reservation information is transmitted from the information server 40, and the user information acquisition unit 323 receives the reservation completion notice. The user information output unit 324 may transmit the received reservation completion notice as a user schedule to the server 10 via the network N.

[0040] The memory unit 33 includes a main memory unit and an auxiliary memory unit. The main memory unit and auxiliary memory unit of the memory unit 33 have the same functions as the main memory unit and auxiliary memory unit of the memory unit 214. The memory unit 33 stores, for example, a reserved air conditioning schedule and a user schedule.

[0041] The communication unit 34 connects the user terminal 30 to the network N. The communication unit 34 has the same functions as the communication unit 23.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of each of the server 10 and the information server 40. As shown in FIG.

[0043] (server) The server 10 includes a processor 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. In this embodiment, the server 10 is an example of an "information processing device."

[0044] The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU or a DSP. The processor 11 includes, as functional units, an air conditioning information acquisition unit 111, a user information acquisition unit 112, a determination unit 113, an output unit 114, and a monitoring unit 115. The processor 11 may also have a clock that measures time and duration. In this embodiment, the processor 11 is an example of a "control unit."

[0045] The processor 11 operates as an air conditioning information acquisition unit 111, and can receive (acquire) the reserved air conditioning schedule included in the air conditioning setting information from at least one of the vehicle 20 and the user terminal 30 via the network N. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 111 may store the received reserved air conditioning schedule in the storage unit 12. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 111 may also receive a response from the user terminal 30 to a notification to stop reserved air conditioning, which will be described later.

[0046] The processor 11 operates as a user information acquisition unit 112, and receives (acquires) a user schedule, which is an example of information related to the user 35, from the user terminal 30 via the network N. The user information acquisition unit 112 may receive schedule reservation information, which is an example of a user schedule, from the information server 40 via the network N. The user information acquisition unit 112 may send a request requesting schedule reservation information to the information server 40, and receive, via the network N, the schedule reservation information sent from the information server 40 in response to the request. The user information acquisition unit 112 may store the received user schedule in the storage unit 12.

[0047] The processor 11 operates as the determination unit 113 and executes a determination process related to reserved air conditioning. An example of the determination process related to reserved air conditioning is a determination process of whether or not a reserved air conditioning schedule and a user schedule overlap. The determination unit 113, for example, references the period from the start time to the end time of the reserved air conditioning schedule (first period) stored in the memory unit 12 and the period from the start time to the end time of the user schedule (second period). When comparing the first period and the second period and there is an overlapping period, the determination unit 113 can determine that the reserved air conditioning schedule and the user schedule overlap.

[0048] The determination unit 113 may determine whether or not an acknowledgment response to the stop notification has been received after the output unit 114, described below, has sent the stop notification of the scheduled air conditioning. For example, if the determination unit 113 determines that the first period and the second period overlap, the output unit 114, described below, sends a stop notification of the scheduled air conditioning to the user terminal 30 via the network N. The stop notification may include information that the scheduled air conditioning will be stopped due to the overlap, and a deadline for responding to the stop notification. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 111 may then receive an acknowledgment response to the stop notification or a response that does not approve (hereinafter referred to as a non-acknowledgment response) from the user terminal 30 via the network N. The determination unit 113 references the received response and the time when the response was received by the air conditioning information acquisition unit 111, which is measured by a clock included in the processor 11, and determines whether or not an acknowledgment response to the stop notification has been received by the deadline for responding to the stop notification. If the received response is an acknowledgment response and the time at which the response was received has not passed the deadline for the response to the stop notification, determination unit 113 may determine that the acknowledgment response to the stop notification was received by the deadline for the response to the stop notification. If the received response is a non-acknowledgment response to the stop notification, or the time at which the response was received has passed the deadline for the response to the stop notification, determination unit 113 may determine that the acknowledgment response to the stop notification was not received by the deadline for the response to the stop notification.

[0049] The processor 11 operates as the output unit 114 and outputs predetermined information. For example, if the determination unit 113 determines that the reserved air-conditioning schedule and the user schedule do not overlap, the output unit 114 may generate a command to execute reserved air-conditioning according to the reserved air-conditioning schedule (hereinafter referred to as an execution command) and transmit it to the vehicle 20.

[0050] If the judgment unit 113 determines that the reserved air conditioning schedule and the user schedule overlap, the output unit 114 generates a stop notification to inquire of the user 35 whether or not it is okay to stop the reserved air conditioning, and transmits the stop notification to the user terminal 30 via the network N.

[0051] The output unit 114 may generate a command to stop the scheduled air conditioning of the air conditioner 22 (hereinafter referred to as a stop command) in response to the determination unit 113 determining that an acknowledgment response to the stop notification has been received by the response deadline. "Stopping the scheduled air conditioning" can also be interpreted as switching the mode of the air conditioner 22 to a stop mode that stops the execution of air conditioning according to the scheduled air conditioning schedule, or omitting the execution of air conditioning according to the scheduled air conditioning schedule. The stop command may also include the start time and end time of the scheduled air conditioning schedule that is the target for stopping the scheduled air conditioning, as well as the start time and end time of a user schedule that overlaps with the scheduled air conditioning schedule. The output unit 114 may transmit the generated stop command to the vehicle 20 via the network N.

[0052] The monitoring unit 115, described later, may confirm that the air conditioning information acquisition unit 111 has received a notification from the vehicle 20 that a user schedule that overlaps with a reserved air conditioning schedule has ended (hereinafter referred to as a first confirmation). At that time, the monitoring unit 115 may confirm that the end time of the reserved air conditioning schedule that overlaps with the user schedule is later than the end time of the ended user schedule (hereinafter referred to as a second confirmation). The monitoring unit 115 may then notify the output unit 114 that the first and second confirmations have been made. In this case, the output unit 114 may generate a command to resume the reserved air conditioning (hereinafter referred to as a resume command). The output unit 114 transmits the generated resume command to the vehicle 20 via the network N. The output unit 114 may also generate a resume notification that includes a request to the user 35 to resume the reserved air conditioning in advance and a response deadline, and transmit this to the user terminal 30 via the network N. If the air conditioning information acquisition unit 111 confirms that a response acknowledging the restart notification sent from the user terminal 30 has been received within the response deadline, the output unit 114 may generate a restart command and transmit the restart command to the vehicle 20 via the network N.

[0053] When generating a restart command, the output unit 114 may, for example, generate a restart command in accordance with a reserved air-conditioning schedule that overlaps with a completed user schedule, to operate the air conditioner 22 from the end time of the user schedule to the end time of the reserved air-conditioning schedule. Furthermore, after the user schedule ends, the output unit 114 may generate a restart command to perform reserved air-conditioning for a period equivalent to the period from the start time to the end time of the reserved air-conditioning schedule. The output unit 114 may also generate a restart notification in advance to perform reserved air-conditioning for a period equivalent to the period from the start time to the end time of the reserved air-conditioning schedule, and transmit this to the user terminal 30 via the network N. Then, when it is confirmed that the air conditioning information acquisition unit 111 has received an acknowledgement response to the restart command sent from the user terminal 30 within the response deadline, the output unit 114 may generate a restart command and transmit this restart command to the vehicle 20 via the network N. With this disclosure, even if air conditioning according to a reserved air conditioning schedule that overlaps with a user schedule starts at a time during the reserved air conditioning schedule, air conditioning can be performed for a period corresponding to the set reserved air conditioning schedule. As a result, an air conditioning state desirable for the user 35 can be achieved in the vehicle 20.

[0054] The processor 11 operates as a monitoring unit 115 and monitors (confirms) the operating state of the air conditioner 22. For example, the monitoring unit 115 may confirm that the air conditioning information acquisition unit 111 has received a notification sent from the vehicle 20 that a user schedule that overlaps with a reserved air conditioning schedule has ended (first confirmation). In this case, the monitoring unit 115 may confirm that the end time of the reserved air conditioning schedule that overlaps with the user schedule is later than the end time of the user schedule that has ended (second confirmation). In this case, the monitoring unit 115 notifies the output unit 114 that the first confirmation and second confirmation have been made. As an alternative to the first confirmation, the monitoring unit 115 may check the status of the stored The monitoring unit 115 may also check (monitor) a user schedule that overlaps with a reserved air conditioning schedule, which is stored in the monitoring unit 115. In this case, the monitoring unit 115 compares the end time of the overlapping user schedule with the current time measured by a clock included in the processor 11. The monitoring unit 115 may consider that the first check has been made when it confirms that the current time has passed the end time of the overlapping user schedule.

[0055] The memory unit 12 includes a main memory unit and an auxiliary memory unit. The main memory unit and auxiliary memory unit of the memory unit 12 are similar to the main memory unit and auxiliary memory unit of the memory unit 214. The memory unit 12 stores, for example, a reserved air-conditioning schedule received by the air conditioning information acquisition unit 111 and a user schedule received by the user information acquisition unit 112.

[0056] The communication unit 13 connects the server 10 to the network N. The communication unit 13 has the same functions as the communication unit 23.

[0057] (information server) The information server 40 manages user schedules. The user schedules may include information related to reservations for the user schedules (hereinafter referred to as user reservation information). The information server 40 may execute predetermined processing related to reservations for the user schedules in accordance with the user reservation information. The information server 40 includes a processor 41, a storage unit 42, and a communication unit 43.

[0058] The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU or a DSP. The processor 41 includes an acquisition unit 411 and an output unit 412 as functional units.

[0059] The processor 41 operates as an acquisition unit 411 and may receive (acquire) a user schedule from the user terminal 30 via the network N. The user schedule may include user reservation information. Examples of the user reservation information include information on the scheduled departure time, departure point, scheduled arrival time, and arrival point of other mobile objects related to reservations in the user schedule. The user reservation information may also be information on the scheduled check-in time, scheduled check-out time, and location of the accommodation facility where the user 35 will be staying. The user reservation information may also be information on the scheduled start time, scheduled end time, and visited locations of a trip. The user reservation information may also be information on the scheduled start time, scheduled end time, and venue of an event in which the user 35 will participate. The acquisition unit 411 may store the received user schedule in a user information DB 421 of the storage unit 42, which will be described later.

[0060] The processor 41 operates as the output unit 412, and can transmit (output) the user schedule stored in the user information DB 421 to the server 10 via the network N at a predetermined cycle. In response to receiving a request for the user schedule from the server 10, the output unit 412 may transmit the user schedule to the server 10 via the network N. Furthermore, when the information server 40 completes a predetermined process related to reserving the user schedule in accordance with the user reservation information, the output unit 114 may transmit a notification to the user terminal 30 via the network N that the reservation has been completed.

[0061] The storage unit 42 includes a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit. The main storage unit and the auxiliary storage unit of the storage unit 42 are similar to the main storage unit and the auxiliary storage unit of the storage unit 214.

[0062] The storage unit 42 has a user information database (DB) 421. The user information DB 421 stores a user schedule (user reservation information).

[0063] The communication unit 43 connects the information server 40 to the network N. The communication unit 43 has the same functions as the communication unit 23.

[0064] [3 Processing flow] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing according to this embodiment.

[0065] Vehicle 20, which is a target moving body, transmits a reserved air-conditioning schedule for air conditioner 22 to server 10 (step S1). Instead of or in addition to step S1, user terminal 30 may transmit the reserved air-conditioning schedule to server 10 (step S2). Server 10 receives the reserved air-conditioning schedule transmitted from at least one of vehicle 20 and user terminal 30. User terminal 30 transmits the user schedule of user 35 to server 10 (step S3). Server 10 receives the user schedule transmitted from user terminal 30. User terminal 30 may transmit the user schedule to information server 40 (step S4). Information server 40 receives the user schedule transmitted from user terminal 30 and stores it in memory unit 42. Information server 40 transmits the user schedule stored in memory unit 42 to server 10 at a predetermined interval (step S5). Server 10 receives the user schedule transmitted from information server 40. The processing of steps S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 can be performed in any order.

[0066] The server 10 determines whether the period related to the received reserved air-conditioning schedule overlaps with the period related to the user schedule (step S6). If the determination result is negative, the server 10 generates an execution command for reserved air-conditioning and transmits it to the vehicle 20 (step S7). The vehicle 20 receives the execution command for reserved air-conditioning that was transmitted, and in response to the execution command, performs the air-conditioning set in the reserved air-conditioning schedule in the air conditioner 22. If the determination result is positive, the server 10 transmits an instruction to stop the reserved air-conditioning to the vehicle 20 (step S8). The vehicle 20 receives the stop command transmitted from the server 10, and stops the execution of the air-conditioning set in the reserved air-conditioning schedule. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the implementation of air-conditioning in vehicles 20 that are unlikely to be used by the user 35.

[0067] [4 Example of operation] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure relating to control by the server 10, which is an example of an information processing device according to this embodiment. The following processing procedure is an example of a control method executed by a computer associated with the server 10.

[0068] The processor 11 included in the server 10 operates as the air conditioning information acquisition unit 111, and receives the reserved air conditioning schedule transmitted from at least one of the vehicle 20 and the user terminal 30 via the network N (step S101).

[0069] The processor 11 operates as the user information acquisition unit 112 and receives the user schedule transmitted from at least one of the user terminal 30 and the information server 40 via the network N (step S102). Note that the processing of steps S101 and S102 can be performed in any order.

[0070] The processor 11 operates as the determination unit 113 and determines whether the period related to the reserved air-conditioning schedule and the period related to the user schedule overlap (step S103). If the determination result by the determination unit 113 is negative (NO in step S103), the process proceeds to step S106. If the determination result by the determination unit 113 is positive (YES in step S103), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0071] In step S104, the processor 11 operates as the output unit 114 and generates a stop notification for the scheduled air-conditioning in the vehicle 20, the stop notification including the response deadline. The output unit 114 transmits the generated stop notification to the user terminal 30 via the network N.

[0072] The user information acquisition unit 112 may receive a response to the stop notification sent by the output unit 114 from the user terminal 30 via the network N. The response to the stop notification includes either an acknowledgment response or a non-acknowledgment response to the stop notification. The determination unit 113 determines whether or not an acknowledgment response to the stop notification has been received from the user terminal 30 (step S105). If the user information acquisition unit 112 receives a non-acknowledgment response to the stop notification from the user terminal 30, or if it does not receive a response from the user terminal 30 by the response deadline for the stop notification, the determination unit 113 determines that it has not received an acknowledgment response to the stop notification (determined as NO in step S105), and the process proceeds to step S106. If it receives an acknowledgment response to the stop notification from the user terminal 30 by the response deadline, the determination unit 113 determines that it has received an acknowledgment response (determined as YES in step S105), and the process proceeds to step S107. Note that the processes of steps S104 and S105 may be omitted. That is, if a positive determination is made in step S103, the process may proceed to step S107.

[0073] In step S106, the output unit 114 generates an execution command for the reserved air conditioning, transmits the generated execution command to the vehicle 20 via the network N, and ends the processing. The ECU 21 of the vehicle 20 receives the transmitted execution command via the network N. In response to the received execution command, the ECU 21 can execute the air conditioning set in the reserved air conditioning schedule.

[0074] In step S107, the output unit 114 generates a stop command for the reserved air conditioning. The output unit 114 transmits the generated stop command to the vehicle 20 via the network N.

[0075] After the user schedule that overlaps with the reserved air conditioning schedule has ended, the air conditioning information acquisition unit 111 receives a notification from the vehicle 20 via the network N that the user schedule has ended.

[0076] The processor 11 operates as the monitoring unit 115 and confirms that the air conditioning information acquisition unit 111 has received the end notification (first confirmation). At that time, the monitoring unit 115 may confirm that the end time of the reserved air conditioning schedule that overlaps with the user schedule is later than the end time of the user schedule (second confirmation) (step S108). In this case, the monitoring unit 115 notifies the output unit 114 that the first confirmation and second confirmation have been made. Upon receiving the notification from the monitoring unit 115, the output unit 114 generates a command to resume the reserved air conditioning and transmits it to the vehicle 20 via the network N (step S109), thereby ending the processing. The ECU 21 of the vehicle 20 receives the transmitted resume command via the network N. In response to the received resume command, the ECU 21 can resume the reserved air conditioning according to the reserved air conditioning schedule that was stopped due to its overlap with the user schedule.

[0077] According to this embodiment, scheduled air conditioning in the vehicle 20 can be stopped when a period related to a scheduled air conditioning schedule overlaps with a period related to a user schedule. Therefore, this embodiment can suppress the implementation of air conditioning in a mobile object (vehicle 20) that is unlikely to be used by the user 35. This can suppress the wasteful consumption of energy (e.g., fuel such as gasoline, electricity) in the vehicle 20. Furthermore, for scheduled air conditioning that was stopped due to an overlap between a period related to a scheduled air conditioning schedule and a period related to a user schedule, air conditioning according to the overlapping scheduled air conditioning schedule can be resumed after the end of the overlapping user schedule and when the end time of the scheduled air conditioning schedule is after the end time of the user schedule. In other words, this embodiment can flexibly control the suppression and resumption of air conditioning in the mobile object depending on the likelihood that the user will use the mobile object.

[0078] [5 Variations] In this embodiment, the processor 11 of the server 10 receives the reserved air conditioning schedule from the vehicle 20 and the user terminal 30, and transmits the user schedule from the user terminal 30 and the information server 40. In the above description, the processor 210 of the ECU 21 in the vehicle 20 receives a scheduled air-conditioning schedule and executes information processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The processor 210 of the ECU 21 in the vehicle 20 may have functional units similar to those of the processor 11 of this embodiment and execute information processing similar to that of the processor 11. The server 10 and the vehicle 20 may share information processing. For example, the server 10 may collect user schedules from the user terminal 30 and the information server 40 and transmit the collected user schedules to the vehicle 20 via the network N. The vehicle 20 may then receive the transmitted information via the network N, and the processor 210 may determine whether or not there is an overlap between the reserved air-conditioning schedule and the user schedule.

[0079] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the above description is merely an example of the present disclosure in every respect. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1. Information Processing System 10. Server, 20. Vehicle, 30. User terminal, 40. Information server 11, 210, 32, 41: Processor, 12, 214, 33, 42: Memory unit, 13, 23, 34, 43: Communication unit 21··ECU, 22··Air conditioning unit, 35··User, N··Network

Claims

1. An information processing device including a control unit, The control unit Obtaining a first schedule of reserved air conditioning for reserving the execution of air conditioning in the target moving object; obtaining a second schedule of the user; determining whether the first schedule overlaps with the second schedule; and When it is determined that the first schedule overlaps with the second schedule, stopping the execution of the reserved air conditioning according to the first schedule; configured to perform Information processing device.

2. the first schedule includes a first start time and a first end time; the second schedule includes a second start time and a second end time of at least one of a use schedule of another moving object, a use schedule of an accommodation facility, and a participation schedule of a predetermined event; determining whether the first schedule overlaps with the second schedule by determining whether a first period from the first start time to the first end time overlaps with a second period from the second start time to the second end time; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the control unit, after stopping the execution of the reserved air-conditioning, executes the reserved air-conditioning according to the first schedule in response to the end of a second schedule that overlaps with the first schedule; further configured to perform 3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the first schedule includes a first end time; the second schedule includes a second end time; executing the reserved air conditioning according to the first schedule in response to the end of a second schedule that overlaps with the first schedule comprises executing the reserved air conditioning according to the first schedule after the second end time of the second schedule that overlaps with the first schedule has passed and until the first end time of the first schedule that overlaps with the second schedule. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. Stopping the execution of the scheduled air-conditioning comprises notifying the user in advance that the execution of the scheduled air-conditioning will be stopped because the first schedule overlaps with the second schedule, and then stopping the execution of the scheduled air-conditioning according to the first schedule when a response from the user indicating that the execution of the scheduled air-conditioning is accepted is received.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

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