Vehicle control system

Abstract

Improve the technology for suggesting routes. [Solution] The vehicle control device 14 includes a processor that performs processing including obtaining the user's hourly rate information, obtaining the highway usage fee, calculating the time cost of not using the highway based on the difference in estimated arrival time at the destination when using the highway and when not using the highway and the hourly rate information, comparing the usage fee and the time cost, and presenting a route using the highway when the usage fee is cheaper, and a route not using the highway when the time cost is cheaper, and presenting the results of the comparison.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle control device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for proposing a route has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a route search device that can automatically search in advance for a cheap route that is inexpensive in terms of cost, and provide an economic route guidance to the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technique of Patent Document 1 mainly focuses on proposing a route that is advantageous to the user in terms of cost, and has not considered proposing a route with good cost performance. Thus, there is room for improvement in the technique of proposing a route.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technique of proposing a route.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a processor that performs processing including acquiring user hourly rate information, acquiring highway tolls, calculating the time cost of not using the highway based on the difference in estimated arrival times at the destination when using the highway and when not using the highway and the hourly rate information, comparing the tolls and the time costs, and presenting a route using the highway when the tolls are cheaper, and a route not using the highway when the time costs are cheaper, and presenting the results of the comparison. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the technology for proposing routes is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle control system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described. Referring to Figure 1, the overview and configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment will be described. System 1 according to this embodiment comprises a vehicle 10 and an information processing device 20.

[0010] Vehicle 10 is any type and classification of automobile. Types of vehicle 10 include, for example, gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, HV (Hybrid Vehicle), PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle), EV (Electric Vehicle), or FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle). Vehicle 10 includes automobiles with any level of automated driving. Classifications of vehicle 10 include, for example, passenger cars, trucks, or buses. Vehicle 10 includes vehicles specifically designed for MaaS (Mobility as a Service).

[0011] The information processing device 20 is a device installed, for example, in a data center. The vehicle 10 and the information processing device 20 are connected to each other via a network 2 such as the Internet. Although Figure 1 shows one vehicle 10 and one information processing device 20, System 1 may consist of multiple such devices.

[0012] First, an overview of the technology for proposing routes according to this embodiment will be explained, and details will be described later. The technology according to this embodiment is executed by the control device 13 of the vehicle 10. First, the control device 13 obtains the user's hourly rate information. Next, the control device 13 obtains the highway usage fee. Based on the difference in estimated arrival time at the destination when using the highway and when not using the highway, and the hourly rate information, the control device 13 calculates the time cost when not using the highway. The control device 13 compares the usage fee and the time cost. The control device 13 presents a route using the highway when the usage fee is cheaper, and a route not using the highway when the time cost is cheaper, and presents the results of the comparison.

[0013] Here, the user's hourly rate information is the information about the compensation the user receives for working for one hour. The user's hourly rate information can be determined from the salary or compensation the user normally receives. The highway toll is the fee for using the highway from the nearest interchange (an entrance / exit connecting the general road and the highway) to an interchange near the destination. The time cost without using the highway is the difference between the estimated arrival time at the destination without using the highway and the estimated arrival time at the destination with the highway, converted into an expense based on the hourly rate information.

[0014] Thus, according to this embodiment, the control device 13 can propose an optimal route to the user that takes time costs into account by comparing the toll fees for using expressways with the time costs. Therefore, the route proposal technology is improved in that it can propose a cost-effective route. Furthermore, since the value indicator related to time differs for each user, according to this embodiment, the time cost is calculated using the user's time unit price information. Therefore, the route proposal technology is also improved in that it can propose a cost-effective route tailored to each user.

[0015] Next, the configurations of the vehicle 10 and the information processing device 20 will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 comprises an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 11, an input unit 12, and a control device 13. The ECU 11, the input unit 12, and the control device 13 are communicated together via an in-vehicle network such as CAN or a dedicated line. The ECU 11 is a control unit that controls various devices mounted on the vehicle 10. The input unit 12 may be configured to include at least one input interface. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, etc. The input unit 12 accepts destination input based on the control of the control device 13. The input unit 12 also accepts basic information for calculating the user's hourly rate information based on the control of the control device 13. The basic information may be, for example, annual income, hourly wage, etc. The control device 13 may be part of the ECU 11. The control device 13 has a communication unit 14, a positioning unit 15, a storage unit 16, and a control unit 17. The communication unit 14 may be configured to include at least one communication module that can connect to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 14 may be configured to include in-vehicle communication equipment such as a DCM (Data Communication Module). The communication unit 14 communicates with the communication unit 21 of the information processing device 20 to receive information related to highway usage fees. The positioning unit 15 acquires location information of the vehicle 10 based on the control of the control unit 17. The storage unit 16 may be configured to include at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or at least two combinations thereof. The storage unit 16 may function as a main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 16 stores data used for the operation of the control device 13 and data obtained by the operation of the control device 13. The memory unit 16 stores, for example, the destination, basic information for calculating the user's hourly rate, highway tolls, map information, and so on.The information stored in the memory unit 16 may be updated as appropriate. The control unit 17 may be configured to include at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The control unit 17 may execute processes related to the operation of the control device 13 while controlling each part of the control device 13.

[0016] The information processing device 20 comprises a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The communication unit 21 may be configured to include at least one communication module that can connect to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module that complies with standards such as wired LAN (Local Area Network) or wireless LAN. The communication unit 21 can connect to the network 2 via the wired LAN or wireless LAN using the communication module. The storage unit 22 may be configured to include at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or at least two combinations thereof, similar to the configuration of the storage unit 16. The storage unit 22 may function as a main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used for the operation of the information processing device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 stores information related to highway tolls. The information stored in the storage unit 22 may be updated as appropriate. The control unit 23 may be configured similarly to the control unit 17, including at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The control unit 23 can control each part of the information processing device 20 and execute processes related to the operation of the information processing device 20.

[0017] The functions of the control device 13 or information processing device 20 of the vehicle 10 are realized by executing a program that causes a computer to perform the processing according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the control unit 17 or control unit 23. The program causes the computer to perform the operations of the control device 13 or information processing device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the control device 13 or information processing device 20. In addition, some or all of the functions of the vehicle 10 or information processing device 20 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 17 or control unit 23.

[0018] Referring to Figure 2, the operation of the control device 13 of the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0019] The control unit 17 of the control device 13 acquires the user's hourly rate information (S100). The user's hourly rate information is the hourly rate if the basic information entered by the user is an hourly rate. If the basic information entered by the user is an annual income, the user's hourly rate information is the annual income converted to an hourly rate. The control unit 17 acquires the basic information entered by the user from the storage unit 16. The control unit 17 acquires the user's hourly rate information from the basic information.

[0020] The control unit 17 obtains the highway toll (S200). The control unit 17 obtains information related to the highway toll from the information processing device 20 via the network 2.

[0021] Based on the difference in the predicted arrival times at the destination when using and not using the highway and the time unit price information, the control unit 17 calculates the time cost when not using the highway (S300). The control unit 17 determines the predicted arrival times at the destination for both the case of using the highway and the case of not using the highway respectively, based on the current location information obtained from the positioning unit 15 and the traffic congestion information of the road obtained from the information processing device 20 or internet information. The control unit 17 calculates the difference between these predicted arrival times at the destination. The control unit 17 calculates the time cost when not using the highway based on this difference and the time unit price information obtained in S100. When not using the highway, the predicted arrival time at the destination is usually delayed, so the time cost is usually a positive value. The time cost can be a negative value under circumstances such as when there is a shortened route on the general road and the general road is not congested.

[0022] The control unit 17 compares the usage fee and the time cost (S400). The control unit 17 compares the usage fee obtained in S200 with the time cost calculated in S300.

[0023] When the usage fee is lower, the control unit 17 presents a route that uses the highway, and when the time cost is lower, it presents a route that does not use the highway, and also presents the result of the comparison (S500). When the usage fee of the highway is lower than the time cost, the control unit 17 presents a route that uses the highway. When the time cost is lower than the usage fee of the highway, the control unit 17 presents a route that does not use the highway. Also, the control unit 17 presents the result of the comparison. For example, when the usage fee of the highway is lower, the control unit 17 presents how much cost can be saved compared to the time cost if the highway is used. Also, for example, when the time cost is lower, the control unit 17 presents how much cost can be saved compared to the usage fee of the highway if a general road is used. Any means can be adopted as the presentation method. For example, the control unit 17 can present information by outputting an image to a display. Also, the control unit 17 can present the result of the comparison by outputting sound from a speaker. Note that it is desirable to compare the usage fee and the time cost for each interchange (IC). If the time cost is lower at the nearest IC but the usage fee is lower when using the next IC, a route that uses the highway from the next IC is presented.

[0024] According to such a configuration, the control device 13 can propose an optimal route considering the time cost to the user by comparing the usage fee of the highway and the time cost. Therefore, the technology of proposing a route is improved in that a route with good cost performance can be proposed. Furthermore, the control device 13 can propose a route with good cost performance according to each user, and the technology of proposing a route is improved.

[0025] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two.

[0026] For example, in the embodiment described above, it is also possible to have an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the vehicle 10 or the information processing device 20 are distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0027] 1: System, 2: Network, 10: Vehicle, 11: ECU, 12: Input Unit, 13: Control Unit, 14: Communication Unit, 15: Positioning Unit, 16: Memory Unit, 17: Control Unit, 20: Information Processing Unit, 21: Communication Unit, 22: Memory Unit, 23: Control Unit

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle control device, To obtain the user's hourly rate information, To obtain tolls for using expressways, Based on the difference in estimated arrival times at the destination when the expressway is used and when it is not used, and the hourly rate information, calculate the time cost when the expressway is not used. Comparing the aforementioned usage fee with the aforementioned time cost, and When the aforementioned usage fee is cheaper, the route using the aforementioned expressway is presented, and when the aforementioned time cost is cheaper, the route not using the aforementioned expressway is presented, along with the results of the comparison. A vehicle control device equipped with a processor that performs processing including the following.

Images