Vehicle allocation management device and vehicle allocation management method

Abstract

To easily allocate an automatic store desired by a user.SOLUTION: A vehicle allocation management device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires parameter information about an automatic store desired by a user and position information of the user; an automatic store extraction unit that extracts an automatic store having a predetermined positional relationship with the user as at least one candidate automatic store which is a candidate for allocating a vehicle to the user based on the parameter information and the position information acquired by the acquisition unit; and an automatic store determination unit that allocates a candidate automatic store selected by the user from the candidate automatic stores to the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle allocation management device and a vehicle allocation management method. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle dispatch management system is known that acquires and monitors location and status information of commercial vehicles such as taxis equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and a communication device, and dispatches a vehicle traveling near a customer to a location where the customer is waiting (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-190096 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is assumed that various services will be provided using autonomous vehicles. In this case, if a store with autonomous vehicles parked near a user (hereinafter also referred to as an automated store) is not suitable for the user's purpose, it is desirable to enable the user to call up a store desired by the user from the automated store.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle dispatch management device and a vehicle dispatch management method that can easily dispatch an automated store desired by a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle dispatch management device of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires parameter information regarding an automated store desired by a user and location information of the user, an automated store extraction unit that extracts automated stores that are in a predetermined location relationship with the user based on the parameter information and the location information acquired by the acquisition unit as at least one candidate automated store that is a candidate for dispatching a vehicle to the user, and an automated store determination unit that dispatches a candidate automated store selected by the user from among the candidate automated stores to the user.

[0007] The vehicle dispatch management method of the present invention includes a step of acquiring parameter information regarding an automated store desired by a user and location information of the user, a step of extracting an automated store having a predetermined location relationship with the user based on the acquired parameter information and location information as at least one candidate automated store that is a candidate for dispatching a vehicle to the user, and a step of dispatching a vehicle to the user from among the candidate automated stores, the candidate automated store selected by the user. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, an automated store desired by a user can be easily dispatched. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a vehicle dispatch management system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the vehicle dispatch management system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the automated store terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of the automated store terminal according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the vehicle dispatch management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow of the vehicle dispatch management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a vehicle allocation position determination process in an automated store according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining a vehicle allocation position of an automated store. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and in the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0011] [First embodiment] A vehicle dispatch management system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle dispatch management system according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the vehicle dispatch management system according to the first embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle dispatch management system 10 includes an automated store terminal 1001, an automated store terminal 1002, . . . , an automated store terminal 100 n (n is an arbitrary integer) and a vehicle dispatch management device 200. n The vehicle dispatch management device 200 is connected to the automated store terminal 1001 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with the automated store terminal 100. n When there is no need to distinguish between them, they may be called the automated store terminal 100.

[0013] The automated store terminal 100 is arranged in an automated store. The automated store terminal 100 is preferably arranged in a position where the user can operate it from outside. As shown in FIG. 2, the automated store terminal 100 is provided, for example, at the door of the automated store V. The automated store terminal 100 accepts desired conditions for the automated store from the user. Specifically, when the user finds a parked automated store and the automated store does not meet the user's desired conditions, the user can input the desired conditions for the automated store to the automated store terminal 100 installed in the automated store. The automated store terminal 100 transmits the conditions accepted by the user to the vehicle allocation management device 200. The vehicle allocation management device 200 accepts the desired conditions for the automated store from the user and allocates the automated store. Note that the automated store terminal 100 is arranged in the automated store, but is not limited to this. The automated store terminal 100 does not need to be arranged in the automated store, and may be, for example, a portable communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet.

[0014] [Automatic store terminal] An example of the configuration of the automated store terminal according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the automated store terminal according to the first embodiment.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the automated store terminal 100 includes an imaging unit 102, an input unit 104, a display unit 106, an audio output unit 108, a memory unit 110, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiving unit 112, a communication unit 114, and a control unit 116.

[0016] The imaging unit 102 is disposed outside the automated store and captures the user's face, a photo related to a service the user desires to receive at the automated store, and the like. The imaging unit 102 is, for example, configured with a visible light camera or an infrared camera. The imaging unit 102 may be, for example, configured with a combination of a visible light camera and an infrared camera.

[0017] The input unit 104 is an input device that accepts various operations for the automated store terminal 100. The input unit 104 is composed of, for example, buttons, switches, and a touch panel. The input unit 104 is composed of, for example, a microphone that accepts voice from a user. The user can input parameter information related to desired conditions of the automated store into the input unit 104.

[0018] The display unit 106 displays various images. The display unit 106 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. For example, when the input unit 104 is a touch panel, the display unit 106 is configured integrally with the input unit 104.

[0019] The audio output unit 108 outputs various sounds. The audio output unit 108 is realized by, for example, a speaker.

[0020] The storage unit 110 is a memory that stores various types of information. The storage unit 110 stores information such as the contents of calculations by the control unit 116 and programs. The storage unit 110 includes at least one of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a main storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an external storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0021] The GNSS receiver 112 receives a GNSS signal including information for identifying location information from a GNSS satellite (not shown). The GNSS receiver 112 can be realized by, for example, a GNSS receiver circuit or a GNSS receiver device.

[0022] The communication unit 114 is a communication device that wirelessly transmits and receives various information between the automated store terminal 100 and an external device. For example, the communication unit 114 transmits and receives information between the automated store terminal 100 and the vehicle dispatch management device 200.

[0023] The control unit 116 controls the operation of each unit of the automated store terminal 100. The control unit 116 is realized, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) executing a program stored in the storage unit 110 or the like using a RAM or the like as a working area. The control unit 116 may be realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 116 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0024] The control unit 116 includes a video data acquisition unit 120 , an input information acquisition unit 122 , a display control unit 124 , an audio output control unit 126 , a position information acquisition unit 128 , a recognition unit 130 , and a communication control unit 132 .

[0025] The video data acquisition unit 120 controls the imaging unit 102 to capture an image. The video data acquisition unit 120 acquires video data from the imaging unit 102.

[0026] The input information acquisition unit 122 acquires various input information. For example, the input information acquisition unit 122 acquires input information input by a user to the input unit 104. For example, the input information acquisition unit 122 acquires parameter information related to the automated store input by the user to the input unit 104.

[0027] The display control unit 124 controls the display unit 106 to display various information. The display control unit 124 causes the display unit 106 to display, for example, an input screen and a selection screen on which the user inputs and selects various information.

[0028] The audio output control unit 126 controls the audio output unit 108 to output various sounds. The audio output control unit 126 controls the audio output unit 108 to output audio information related to the input screen and selection screen displayed on the display unit 106 from the audio output unit 108.

[0029] The position information acquisition unit 128 acquires the GNSS signal from the GNSS receiving unit 112. The position information acquisition unit 128 calculates current position information of the automated store terminal 100 based on the GNSS signal. The position information acquisition unit 128 calculates the current position of the automated store terminal 100 in Earth coordinates, for example.

[0030] The recognition unit 130 recognizes the user. For example, the recognition unit 130 compares the image of the user's face captured by the imaging unit 102 with the image of the user's face received from the vehicle dispatch management device 200 to determine whether the user is the user who dispatched the automated store equipped with the automated store terminal 100.

[0031] The communication control unit 132 controls the communication unit 114 to execute communication between the automated store terminal 100 and an external device. The communication control unit 132 controls the communication unit 114 to execute communication between the automated store terminal 100 and the vehicle dispatch management device 200, for example.

[0032] [Processing content] The processing contents of the automated store terminal according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the automated store terminal according to the first embodiment.

[0033] The control unit 116 determines whether or not to dispatch the automated store (step S10). Specifically, the control unit 116 determines to dispatch the automated store when an operation to dispatch the automated store is received from a user. The user can, for example, input an operation to dispatch the automated store to the input unit 104. When it is determined that the automated store is to be dispatched (step S10; Yes), the process proceeds to step S12. When it is not determined that the automated store is to be dispatched (step S10; No), the process of step S10 is repeated.

[0034] If the result of the determination in step S10 is Yes, the control unit 116 displays a menu screen (step S12). Specifically, the display control unit 124 controls, for example, the display unit 106 to display a menu screen for the user to select an automatic store. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0035] The control unit 116 acquires parameter information related to the automatic store (step S14). Specifically, the input information acquisition unit 122 acquires the genre of the automatic store, the type of the automatic store, the number of users, the usage time, and the like as parameter information. Examples of the genre of the automatic store include, but are not limited to, food and drink, hospital, toilet, and rest. Examples of the type of the automatic store include, but are not limited to, cafe, lunch box, and fast food when the genre of the automatic store is food and drink. For example, when the input unit 104 is a touch panel, the user can directly input the genre of the automatic store, the type of the automatic store, the number of users, the usage time, and the like to the touch panel. The user inputs parameter information such as, for example, the genre of the store as "food and drink", the type of the store as "cafe", the number of users as "2 people", and the usage time as "30 minutes". For example, when the input unit 104 is a microphone, the user may input the genre of the automatic store, the type of the automatic store, the number of users, the usage time, and the like by voice. The user may input the type of automated store, the number of users, and the usage time, for example, by having the imaging unit 102 capture an image. The user may also input an acceptable waiting time until the automated store arrives as parameter information. Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0036] The control unit 116 acquires current location information of the automated store terminal 100 (step S16). Specifically, the location information acquisition unit 128 calculates current location information of the automated store terminal 100 based on, for example, the GNSS signal received by the GNSS receiving unit 112. Then, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0037] The control unit 116 transmits the parameter information and the location information (step S18). Specifically, the communication control unit 132 transmits the parameter information acquired in step S14 and the current location information of the automated store terminal 100 acquired in step S16 to the vehicle dispatch management device 200. Then, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0038] The control unit 116 determines whether or not information about the desired automated store has been received (step S20). Specifically, the control unit 116 determines whether or not information about the desired automated store corresponding to the parameter information acquired in step S14 has been received. If it is determined that information about the desired automated store has been received (step S20; Yes), the process proceeds to step S22. If it is determined that information about the desired automated store has not been received (step S20; No), the process proceeds to step S32.

[0039] If the answer is Yes in step S20, the control unit 116 displays information about the automated store (step S22). Specifically, the display control unit 124 controls the display unit 106 to display a menu screen or the like for selecting the candidate automated store that is a candidate for dispatching received in step S20. Then, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0040] The control unit 116 determines whether or not the automated store displayed on the display unit 106 has been selected (step S24). Specifically, the input information acquisition unit 122 determines whether or not a candidate automated store has been selected by the user on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 106. If it is determined that the automated store has been selected (step S24; Yes), the process proceeds to step S26. If it is determined that the automated store has not been selected (step S24; No), the process of FIG. 4 ends.

[0041] If the answer is Yes in step S24, the control unit 116 acquires the recognition information (step S26). Specifically, the video data acquisition unit 120 controls, for example, the imaging unit 102 to capture the user's face as the recognition information so that other automated store terminals installed in the dispatched automated store can identify the user. That is, the recognition information can be video data of the user's face. The control unit 116 may issue an identification code or the like as the recognition information. Then, the process proceeds to step S28.

[0042] The control unit 116 transmits the store information and the recognition information (step S28). Specifically, the communication control unit 132 transmits information about the automated store selected in step S24 and the recognition information acquired in step S26 to the vehicle dispatch management device 200 via the communication unit 114. Then, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0043] The control unit 116 acquires arrival position information of the automated store (step S30). Specifically, the communication control unit 132 acquires arrival position information on the position where the automated store selected in step S24 will arrive from the vehicle dispatch management device 200. The arrival position information indicates, for example, information that the automated store will arrive at the user's current position. For example, if the automated store does not arrive at the user's current position, the arrival position information indicates map information indicating the arrival position. Then, the process of FIG. 4 ends. When the automated store arrives, if the automated store terminal 100 installed in the automated store that has arrived matches the recognition information transmitted in step S28 with the result of matching the user's face image, etc., the user can use the automated store that has arrived. The user can pay the usage fee for the automated store with an automated payment machine.

[0044] If it is determined that the result of step S20 is No, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the user has re-input parameter information, etc. (step S32). Specifically, when the user re-inputs parameter information, the input information acquisition unit 122 reflects that re-input has occurred. If it is determined that re-input has occurred (step S32; Yes), the process proceeds to step S18. If it is not determined that re-input has occurred (step S32; No), the process of FIG. 4 ends.

[0045] [Vehicle allocation management device] An example of the configuration of the vehicle allocation management device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle allocation management device according to the first embodiment.

[0046] 5, the vehicle dispatch management device 200 includes a storage unit 202, a communication unit 204, and a control unit 206. The vehicle dispatch management device 200 manages automated stores of various categories, such as restaurants, hospitals, toilets, and rest areas. The vehicle dispatch management device 200 is configured to constantly acquire location information of the automated stores that it manages.

[0047] The storage unit 202 is a memory that stores various types of information. The storage unit 202 stores information such as the contents of calculations by the control unit 206 and programs. The storage unit 202 includes at least one of a RAM, a main storage device such as a ROM, and an external storage device such as a HDD.

[0048] The communication unit 204 is a communication device that wirelessly transmits and receives various information between the vehicle dispatch management device 200 and an external device. The communication unit 204 transmits and receives information between the vehicle dispatch management device 200 and the automated store terminal 100, for example.

[0049] The control unit 206 controls the operation of each unit of the vehicle dispatch management device 200. The control unit 206 is realized, for example, by a CPU, an MPU, or the like executing a program stored in the storage unit 202 or the like using a RAM or the like as a working area. The control unit 206 may be realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 206 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0050] The control unit 206 includes an acquisition unit 210 , an image recognition unit 212 , a voice recognition unit 214 , a parameter specification unit 216 , an automatic store extraction unit 218 , an automatic store determination unit 220 , and a communication control unit 222 .

[0051] The acquisition unit 210 acquires various information. For example, the acquisition unit 210 acquires store information related to a store selected by a user from the automated store terminal 100 via the communication unit 204. The acquisition unit 210 constantly acquires position information of each automated store managed by the vehicle dispatch management device 200 and stores it in the storage unit 202.

[0052] The image recognition unit 212 executes image recognition processing on the video data. The image recognition unit 212 identifies parameters related to the automated store based on the video data acquired by the acquisition unit 210, for example.

[0053] The voice recognition unit 214 executes a voice recognition process on the voice data. For example, the acquiring unit 210 identifies parameters related to the automated store based on the voice data acquired by the acquiring unit 210.

[0054] The parameter identification unit 216 identifies parameters for an automated store desired by a user. The parameter identification unit 216 identifies parameters for identifying an automated store based on, for example, the store information acquired by the acquisition unit 210, the parameters identified by the image recognition unit 212 based on video data, and the parameters identified by the voice recognition unit 214 based on voice data.

[0055] The automatic store extraction unit 218 extracts automatic stores that are candidates for dispatching. For example, the automatic store extraction unit 218 searches automatic stores to search for an automatic store that matches the parameter information. For example, the automatic store extraction unit 218 extracts an automatic store that matches the parameter information as a candidate automatic store for dispatching.

[0056] The automatic store determination unit 220 determines an automatic store to be allocated to a user. For example, the automatic store determination unit 220 determines an automatic store selected by a user from among automatic stores that are candidates for allocation as an automatic store to be allocated.

[0057] The communication control unit 222 controls the communication unit 204 to execute communication between the vehicle dispatch management device 200 and an external device. The communication control unit 222 controls the communication unit 204 to execute communication between the vehicle dispatch management device 200 and the automated store terminal 100, for example.

[0058] [Processing content] The processing contents of the vehicle allocation management device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing of the vehicle allocation management device according to the first embodiment.

[0059] The control unit 206 acquires parameter information and location information (step S40). Specifically, the acquisition unit 210 acquires parameter information related to the automated store desired by the user and current location information of the automated store terminal 100 from the automated store terminal 100 via the communication unit 204. Then, the process proceeds to step S42.

[0060] The control unit 206 identifies the parameters (step S42). Specifically, the parameter identification unit 216 identifies the parameters based on, for example, the parameter information acquired by the acquisition unit 210 and input by the user to the input unit 104 of the automated store terminal 100. For example, when the user inputs parameter information by video or the like, the parameter identification unit 216 identifies the parameters based on image recognition processing of the video data by the image recognition unit 212. For example, when the user inputs parameter information by voice, the parameter identification unit 216 identifies the parameters based on voice recognition processing of the voice data by the voice recognition unit 214. For example, the parameter identification unit 216 identifies the store genre as "restaurant", the store type as "cafe", the number of users as "2 people", the usage time as "30 minutes", the parameter input method as "voice", etc. For example, the parameter identification unit 216 identifies the store genre as "restaurant", the store type as "bento", the number of users as "3 people", the usage time as "5 minutes", the parameter input method as "touch panel", etc. The parameter identification unit 216, for example, identifies the store genre as "hospital", the store type as "internal medicine", the number of users as "1 person", the usage time as "15 minutes", and the parameter input method as "audio". The parameter identification unit 216, for example, identifies the store genre as "restaurant", the store type as "fast food", the number of users as "4 people", the usage time as "60 minutes", and the parameter input method as "touch panel". In this way, the parameter identification unit 216 identifies various parameters related to the automated store input by the user. Then, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0061] The control unit 206 searches for an automated store (step S44). Specifically, the automated store extraction unit 218 searches for an automated store that matches the parameters specified in step S42 from among the automated stores that can be dispatched by the vehicle dispatch management device 200. Then, the process proceeds to step S46.

[0062] The control unit 206 determines whether there is at least one candidate automated store for vehicle allocation (step S46). Specifically, the automated store extraction unit 218 determines whether there is a candidate automated store that matches the parameters identified by the parameter identification unit 216 in step S42. If it is determined that there is a candidate automated store for vehicle allocation (step S46; Yes), the process proceeds to step S48. If it is determined that there is no candidate automated store for vehicle allocation (step S46; No), the process proceeds to step S58.

[0063] If the result of the determination in step S46 is Yes, the control unit 206 determines whether or not the current position of the candidate automated store to be allocated and the current position of the user satisfy a predetermined positional relationship (step S48). Specifically, the automated store extraction unit 218 determines that the current position of the candidate automated store to be allocated and the current position of the user satisfy a predetermined positional relationship based on the position information of the candidate automated store to be allocated and the position information of the automated store terminal 100 to which the user inputs the parameter information. For example, when the time until the candidate automated store to be allocated arrives is less than a predetermined time, the automated store extraction unit 218 determines that the current position of the candidate automated store to be allocated and the current position of the user satisfy a predetermined positional relationship. The predetermined time is, for example, predetermined according to the genre of the automated store to be allocated. Specifically, the automated store extraction unit 218 compares the time until the candidate automated store to be allocated arrives with the allowable time X for arrival that is preset for each genre of store. The automated store extraction unit 218 determines that the predetermined positional relationship is satisfied when the time until the candidate automated store to be allocated arrives is less than the allowable time X, and determines that the predetermined positional relationship is not satisfied when the time until the candidate automated store to be allocated arrives exceeds the allowable time X. The predetermined time may be determined in advance, for example, according to the type of automated store to be allocated. The predetermined time may be determined in advance, for example, according to the average use time of the automated store to be allocated. For example, in the case of an automated store with a short average use time, the predetermined time is set short. In addition, the automated store extraction unit 218 may determine that the predetermined positional relationship is satisfied when, for example, the distance between the candidate automated store to be allocated and the current location of the user is less than a predetermined distance. If it is determined that the candidate automated store to be allocated and the current location of the user satisfy the predetermined positional relationship (step S48; Yes), the process proceeds to step S50. If it is not determined that the candidate automated store to be allocated and the user's positional relationship satisfy the predetermined positional relationship (step S48; No), the process proceeds to step S58.

[0064] If step S48 returns Yes, the control unit 206 transmits automated store information about the automated store to the automated store terminal 100 (step S50). Specifically, the communication control unit 222 transmits information about at least one automated store that satisfies a predetermined positional relationship with the user, as determined in step S48, to the automated store terminal 100. Then, the process proceeds to step S52.

[0065] The control unit 206 determines whether or not an automated store to which a vehicle is to be dispatched has been selected (step S52). Specifically, the automated store determination unit 220 determines that an automated store has been selected when it acquires information selected by the user using the automated store terminal 100 from the automated store information transmitted in step S50. If it is determined that an automated store has been selected (step S52; Yes), the process proceeds to step S54. If it is not determined that an automated store has been selected (step S52; No), the process of FIG. 6 ends.

[0066] If it is determined that the answer is Yes in step S52, the control unit 206 dispatches the automated store (step S54). Specifically, the automated store determination unit 220 dispatches the automated store determined to have been selected in step S52 to the user. Then, the process proceeds to step S56.

[0067] The control unit 206 transmits the arrival position information to the automated store terminal 100 (step S56). Specifically, the automatic store determination unit 220 transmits position information of the arrival of the automated store dispatched in step S54 to the automated store terminal 100. For example, if the arrival position of the automated store matches the current position of the automated store terminal 100, the automatic store determination unit 220 transmits information to that effect to the automated store terminal 100. For example, if the arrival position of the automated store does not match the current position of the automated store terminal 100, the automatic store determination unit 220 transmits map information indicating the arrival position of the automated store to the automated store terminal 100. Then, the processing of FIG. 6 ends.

[0068] If the result of the determination in step S46 is No or if the result of the determination in step S48 is No, the control unit 206 transmits a re-input notification to the automated store terminal 100 (step S58).

[0069] Specifically, when the automatic store extraction unit 218 judges No in step S46, it transmits information indicating that there is no automatic store that meets the desired conditions. In this case, the automatic store terminal 100 displays information indicating that there is no automatic store that meets the desired conditions, and also displays a menu screen for re-entering parameters. The automatic store terminal 100 may inquire by voice whether or not to re-enter parameters. For example, the automatic store terminal 100 may inquire whether or not to re-enter parameters in the same manner as the user entered the parameters.

[0070] Furthermore, if the automated store extraction unit 218 judges No in step S48, it transmits information indicating that an automated store that meets the desired conditions exists but that a vehicle cannot be dispatched because it will take a long time to arrive at the automated store. In this case, the automated store terminal 100 displays information indicating that a vehicle cannot be dispatched because it will take a long time to arrive at the automated store, and also displays a menu screen for re-entering parameters. The automated store terminal 100 may ask by voice whether or not to re-enter parameters.

[0071] The control unit 206 determines whether or not re-input information has been received (step S60). Specifically, after step S58, if the acquisition unit 210 acquires parameter information related to the automated store desired by the user and current location information of the automated store terminal 100 from the automated store terminal 100 via the communication unit 204, it determines that re-input information has been received. If it is determined that re-input information has been received (step S60; Yes), the process proceeds to step S42. If it is not determined that re-input information has been received (step S60; No), the process of FIG. 6 ends.

[0072] [Vehicle location determination method] The vehicle dispatch management device 200 may receive requests for dispatching the same automated store from multiple users within a given time. In this case, the vehicle dispatch management device 200 determines the location to dispatch the automated store based on the location information of each of the multiple users who have requested the dispatch of the same automated store.

[0073] [Processing content] A vehicle allocation position determination process for an automated store according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a vehicle allocation position determination process for an automated store according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 shows the process after receiving vehicle allocation requests for the same automated store from multiple users within a predetermined time period.

[0074] The control unit 206 acquires the location information of the multiple users (step S70). Specifically, the acquisition unit 210 acquires the location information of the multiple users by acquiring the location information of the automated store terminals from which the multiple users have requested dispatching via the communication unit 204. Then, the process proceeds to step S72.

[0075] The control unit 206 determines the dispatch position of the automated store based on the position information of the multiple users (step S72). FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the dispatch position of the automated store. The automated store determination unit 220 sets a dispatchable range R1 of the automated store V in advance. The dispatchable range R1 is set as a circle with the position of the automated store V to be dispatched as the center and the radius of the circle being the first distance, but is not limited thereto. By setting the dispatchable range R1, it becomes possible to dispatch the automated store V so that the time until the arrival of the automated store V falls within a range that the user can tolerate. In the example shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that a dispatch request is made from users U1, U2, U3, and U4 who are within the dispatchable range R1 of the automated store V. In order to determine the dispatch position, the automated store determination unit 220 sets a dispatchable range R2 narrower than the dispatchable range R1 within the dispatchable range R1. The dispatchable range R2 is a circle with the radius of the second distance. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle allocation range R2 may be set as a circle, but is not limited thereto. The automatic store determination unit 220 moves the vehicle allocation range R2 within the vehicle allocation possible range R1 to calculate a position where the number of users included within the vehicle allocation range R2 is the largest among a plurality of users. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the automatic store determination unit 220 calculates a position where the number of users included within the vehicle allocation range R2 is the largest among users U1 to U4, including users U1, U2, and U3. In this case, the automatic store determination unit 220 determines, for example, a position within the vehicle allocation range R2 that is the same distance from each of users U1, U2, and U3 as a vehicle allocation position. By setting the vehicle allocation range R2, it becomes possible to allocate the automatic store V so that the distance that the user must travel falls within a range that the user can tolerate. The first distance of the vehicle allocation possible range R1 or the second distance of the vehicle allocation range R2 may be set according to the genre and type of the automatic store V.

[0076] The control unit 206 dispatches the automated store (step S74). Specifically, the automated store determination unit 220 dispatches the automated store to the location determined in step S72. Then, the process proceeds to step S76.

[0077] The control unit 206 determines whether each of the multiple users is a user within the vehicle dispatch range (step S76). If it is determined that the user is within the vehicle dispatch range (step S76; Yes), the process proceeds to step S78. If it is determined that the user is not within the vehicle dispatch range (step S76; No), the process proceeds to step S80.

[0078] If the answer is Yes in step S76, the control unit 206 transmits arrival position information to the automated store terminal 100 (step S78). Specifically, the automated store determination unit 220 transmits position information of the arrival of the automated store dispatched in step S74 to the automated store terminal 100. More specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 8, user U1, user U2, and user U3 transmit position information of the arrival of the automated store to the automated store terminal 100 that requested dispatch of the automated store. Then, the processing in Fig. 7 ends.

[0079] If it is determined as No in step S76, the control unit 206 transmits a re-input notification to the automated store terminal 100 (step S80). Specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 8, the automated store determination unit 220 transmits a re-input notification to the automated store terminal 100 to which the user U4 has requested dispatch of a vehicle from the automated store.

[0080] Specifically, if the automatic store extraction unit 218 judges No in step S76, it sends information indicating that an automatic store that meets the desired conditions exists, but the dispatch location is far from the current location to the automatic store terminal from which the user U4 requested dispatch of the automatic store.

[0081] As described above, in this embodiment, when a user finds an automated store parked on the road, the user can input parameter information into the automated store terminal 100 installed in the automated store to dispatch an automated store that meets the user's desired conditions. This allows the user to more easily dispatch a desired automated store when the user finds an automated store parked on the road.

[0082] Each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution or integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0083] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents of these embodiments. The above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10 Vehicle dispatch management system 100 Automatic store terminal 102 Imaging unit 104 Input section 106 Display section 108 Audio output section 110,202 Storage section 112 GNSS receiver 114,204 Communications Department 116 Control Unit 120 Video data acquisition unit 122 Input information acquisition unit 124 Display control section 126 Audio output control unit 128 Location information acquisition unit 130 Recognition part 132 Communication control section 200 Vehicle allocation management device 210 Acquisition Department 212 Image Recognition Unit 214 Voice Recognition Unit 216 Parameter Identification Unit 218 Automatic store extraction unit 220 Automatic store decision unit

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires parameter information related to an automated store desired by a user and location information of the user; an automated store extraction unit that extracts an automated store having a predetermined positional relationship with the user as at least one candidate automated store that is a candidate for distributing a vehicle to the user based on the parameter information and the location information acquired by the acquisition unit; an automated store determination unit that allocates a candidate automated store selected by the user from among the candidate automated stores to the user; Equipped with The parameter information includes at least information related to a genre or a type of the automated store, The predetermined positional relationship is determined in advance according to the genre or type of the automated store. Vehicle dispatch management device.

2. the automatic store extraction unit extracts, as the candidate automatic stores, automatic stores that can be reached within a predetermined time in the vicinity of a current location of the user as the predetermined location relationship; The vehicle dispatch management device according to claim 1.

3. When the acquisition unit acquires the same parameter information from a plurality of users who are within a vehicle dispatchable range of the candidate automated store, The automatic store determination unit determines a vehicle dispatch location that maximizes the number of the plurality of users based on the location information of each of the plurality of users. The vehicle dispatch management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. By a computer, acquiring parameter information related to an automated store desired by a user and location information of the user; extracting an automated store having a predetermined positional relationship with the user as at least one candidate automated store that is a candidate for distributing a vehicle to the user based on the acquired parameter information and the location information; and executing a step of distributing a vehicle to the user from among the candidate automated stores selected by the user, The parameter information includes at least information related to a genre or a type of the automated store, The predetermined positional relationship is determined in advance according to the genre or type of the automated store. Vehicle allocation management methods.

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