CONTROL DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND ADJUSTMENT METHOD

Abstract

To enable users commuting to a plant using vehicles, such as buses, to catch a pick-up vehicle even when work finishing time is delayed.SOLUTION: A control device 20 includes a control unit. The control unit acquires target data indicating a production target of a plant 11 and detects a production progress state of the plant 11, compares the detected production progress state with the production target indicated by the acquired target data, in order to predict a work finishing time zone in which one or more users 12 working at the plant 11 will finish work on the basis of an obtained comparison result, and adjusts the time zone in which one or more vehicles 40 for commutation will pick up and transport one or more users 12, in accordance with the predicted work finishing time zone.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that estimates the time a user will leave the house based on information obtained from a plurality of sensors, and requests a vehicle to arrive by the estimated time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-103462 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If a problem occurs on the production line where an employee who commutes to the factory by bus is working and the employee finishes work late, there is a risk that the employee will not be able to make the pick-up bus in time, or that buses operating at later times will be over capacity.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to enable a user who commutes to a factory by vehicle such as a bus to be able to board a vehicle to pick him / her up even if the end of work day is late. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device according to the present disclosure includes: The system includes a control unit that acquires target data indicating a production target of a factory and detects a production progress status of the factory, compares the production target indicated by the acquired target data with the detected production progress status, predicts a work-ending time when one or more users working at the factory will finish their work based on the obtained comparison result, and adjusts the time period when one or more commuting vehicles will pick up and drop off the one or more users in accordance with the predicted work-ending time.

[0007] The adjustment method according to the present disclosure includes: acquiring target data indicating a production target of a factory by a control unit; detecting a production progress status of the factory by the control unit; comparing the production target indicated by the acquired target data with the detected production progress status by the control unit; predicting a work-ending time when one or more users working in the factory will finish work based on the obtained comparison result by the control unit; adjusting, by the control unit, a time period during which one or more vehicles for commuting pick up or drop off the one or more users according to the predicted end of work time period; Includes. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a user who commutes to a factory by vehicle such as a bus can board a vehicle to pick him up even if he finishes work late. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing yet another operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

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

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

[0013] The system 10 according to this embodiment includes a control device 20, one or more terminal devices 30, and a plurality of vehicles 40 for commuting, such as commuter buses. The control device 20 can communicate with the one or more terminal devices 30 and the plurality of vehicles 40 via a network 50.

[0014] The control device 20 is installed in a facility such as a data center, etc. The control device 20 is a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system.

[0015] One or more terminal devices 30 are held by one or more users 12 or installed in the factory 11 and used by the one or more users 12. In this embodiment, a terminal device 30 held by each of two or more users 12 is used by each user 12. Such a terminal device 30 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet. Alternatively, a terminal device 30 installed in the factory 11 may be shared by two or more users 12. Such a terminal device 30 is, for example, a mobile device, a general-purpose device such as a PC, or a dedicated device for the factory 11. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer.

[0016] Each vehicle 40 is any type of automobile, such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. Each vehicle 40 is an AV in this embodiment, but may be driven by a driver or may be automated at any level. "AV" is an abbreviation for autonomous vehicle. The level of automation is, for example, any one of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE level classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. Each vehicle 40 may be a MaaS-only vehicle. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0017] Network 50 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 50 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. A wireless network may be, for example, an ad-hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0018] The present embodiment will be outlined with reference to FIG.

[0019] The control device 20 acquires target data Dt indicating a production target of the factory 11 and detects the production progress status of the factory 11. The control device 20 compares the production target indicated by the acquired target data Dt with the detected production progress status. Based on the obtained comparison result, the control device 20 predicts a work end time zone Tf when one or more users 12 working in the factory 11 will finish their work. The control device 20 adjusts a first time zone T1 during which one or more first vehicles 41 for commuting pick up or drop off one or more users 12, according to the predicted work end time zone Tf.

[0020] The closing time zone Tf may be predicted as a time range with a certain width, such as from 20:55 to 21:05, or may be predicted as a time with a certain margin of error, such as around 21:00. The first time zone T1 is set as a time range from the time of departure from a boarding point within or near the site of the factory 11 to the time of arrival at a disembarking point such as a station or an employee dormitory, such as from 21:10 to 21:30.

[0021] According to this embodiment, a user 12 who commutes to the factory 11 by vehicle 40 can board the first vehicle 41, which is the pick-up vehicle 40, even if the end of work day is late. For example, if a problem occurs on the production line where an employee who commutes to the factory 11 by bus is working, and it is predicted that the end of work day will be late, the bus operation schedule can be adjusted to easily avoid a situation in which the employee cannot make the pick-up bus in time or a bus operating at a late time period is over capacity.

[0022] The multiple vehicles 40 may include only vehicles with the same capacity, but in this embodiment, they include two or more types of vehicles with different capacity. The control device 20 may select one or more first vehicles 41 from the two or more types of vehicles according to the number of users 12 predicted to finish work during the closing time Tf, which makes it easier to avoid the first vehicles 41 from exceeding their capacity. For example, if a problem occurs on a production line where many employees who commute to the factory 11 by bus are working, and it is predicted that the closing time will be late, the bus that operates during the later time period can be changed to one with a larger capacity, making it easier to avoid the bus from exceeding its capacity.

[0023] The control device 20 may adjust the number of first vehicles 41 according to the number of users 12 predicted to finish work during the closing time period Tf, thereby enabling all users 12 to board the first vehicles 41. For example, if a problem occurs on a production line where many employees who commute to the factory 11 by bus are working, and it is predicted that the closing time will be late, by increasing the number of buses operating during the later time period, even if one or several of those buses are over capacity, the remaining employees can be assigned to another bus.

[0024] In this embodiment, the control device 20 estimates whether the production target will be achieved within the first period P1 based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the production target indicated by the target data Dt with the production progress status. When the control device 20 estimates that the production target will not be achieved within the first period P1, the control device 20 predicts a work start time zone Ts during which at least one user 12 working in the factory 11 will start work in a second period P2 following the first period P1. The control device 20 adjusts a second time zone T2 during which at least one second vehicle 42 for commuting in the second period P2 picks up or drops off at least one user 12, according to the predicted work start time zone Ts.

[0025] The start time zone Ts may be predicted as a time range with a certain margin, such as from 7:25 to 7:35, or may be predicted as a time with a certain margin of error, such as around 7:30. The second time zone T2 is set as a time range from the time of departure from a boarding point such as a station or a company dormitory to the time of arrival at a disembarking point within or near the site of factory 11, such as from 7:00 to 7:20.

[0026] According to this embodiment, even if the work start time is earlier, the user 12 who commutes to the factory 11 by vehicle 40 can board the second vehicle 42, which is the vehicle 40 bound for the factory 11, in time for the work start time. For example, if a problem occurs on the production line where an employee who commutes to the factory 11 by bus is working, and the production target cannot be achieved within the day, and it is predicted that the work start time of the next day will be earlier, the bus operation schedule for the next day can be adjusted to avoid a situation in which the employee cannot make it to the work start time of the next day or the bus operating in the early hours of the next day is over capacity.

[0027] The configuration of the control device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0028] The control device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0029] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 executes processes related to the operation of the control device 20 while controlling each part of the control device 20.

[0030] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The storage unit 22 functions, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used in the operation of the control device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the control device 20.

[0031] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 23 communicates with one or more terminal devices 30 and a plurality of vehicles 40 including one or more first vehicles 41 and at least one second vehicle 42. The communication unit 23 receives data used in the operation of the control device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the control device 20.

[0032] The functions of the control device 20 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the control device 20 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the control device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the control device 20. That is, the computer functions as the control device 20 by executing the operations of the control device 20 in accordance with the program.

[0033] The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The program may be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as an SD card, DVD, or CD-ROM on which the program is stored. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program may be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transferring the program from the server to another computer. The program may be provided as a program product.

[0034] A computer temporarily stores in a main storage device, for example, a program stored in a portable medium or a program transferred from a server. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor, and executes processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing according to the program. The computer may execute processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer. Processing may be executed by a so-called ASP-type service that realizes functions only by execution instructions and result acquisition without transferring a program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program is information used for processing by a computer, and includes those equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct command to a computer but has the property of defining computer processing falls under "those equivalent to a program."

[0035] A part or all of the functions of the control device 20 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the control device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0036] The operation of the control device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. This operation corresponds to the adjustment method according to this embodiment.

[0037] In step S101, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 acquires target data Dt indicating a production target for the factory 11. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 acquires the target data Dt for each production line of the factory 11. Any method may be used to acquire the target data Dt, but in this embodiment, a method is used in which the target data Dt is received via the communication unit 23 from a system that manages the production process of the factory 11, such as a production management system, an ERP system, or an MES. "ERP" is an abbreviation for enterprise resource planning. "MES" is an abbreviation for manufacturing execution system.

[0038] Specifically, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 acquires, as the target data Dt, data indicating a target quantity of products to be produced in the factory 11 within a certain period Px. For example, if the factory 11 is an automobile factory and the period Px is the current day, the control unit 21 acquires, as the target data Dt, data indicating a target production volume for the day for each production line.

[0039] In step S102, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 detects the production progress status of the factory 11. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 detects the production progress status for each production line of the factory 11. Any method may be used as a method for detecting the production progress status, but in this embodiment, a method is used in which data indicating the production progress status is received from a system that manages the production process of the factory 11, such as a production management system, an ERP system, or an MES, via the communication unit 23. Alternatively, a method may be used in which an image taken by a camera installed in the factory 11 is received via the communication unit 23 and the received image is analyzed to detect the production progress status. A known method may be used as a method for image analysis. Machine learning such as deep learning may be used.

[0040] Specifically, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 detects the number of products already produced in the factory 11 during the period Px as the production progress status. For example, if the factory 11 is an automobile factory and the period Px is the current day, the control unit 21 detects the number of completed products at the current point in time of the current day as the production progress status for each production line.

[0041] In step S103, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 compares the production target indicated by the target data Dt acquired in step S101 with the production progress status detected in step S102. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 compares the production target with the production progress status for each production line of the factory 11.

[0042] Specifically, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 subtracts the quantity detected in step S102 from the target quantity indicated by the data acquired in step S101 to obtain the remaining quantity. For example, if the factory 11 is an automobile factory and the period Px is the current day, the control unit 21 subtracts the number of units currently completed for that day from the target production number for that day for each production line to obtain the remaining number for that day.

[0043] In step S104, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 predicts the closing time zone Tf when one or more users 12 working in the factory 11 finish their work based on the comparison result obtained in step S103. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 predicts the closing time zone Tf for each production line of the factory 11. Any method may be used to predict the closing time zone Tf, but in this embodiment, a method is used in which the time required to achieve the production target based on the production progress status is estimated, and the estimated time is added to the current time within a range in which the overtime hours do not exceed the legal or regulatory upper limit to obtain the closing time zone Tf. The required time may be estimated as a time range with a certain width, such as 5 hours 55 minutes to 6 hours 05 minutes, or may be estimated as a time including a certain error, such as about 6 hours.

[0044] Specifically, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 predicts the end of work time slot Tf based on the remaining quantity calculated in step S103. For example, if the factory 11 is an automobile factory and the period Px is the current day, the control unit 21 estimates the time required to produce the remaining number of vehicles for that day for each production line, and calculates the end of work time slot Tf by adding the estimated time to the current time within a range in which the overtime hours for that day do not exceed the legal or regulatory upper limit.

[0045] In step S105, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 adjusts the first time zone T1 in which one or more first vehicles 41 for commuting pick up or drop off one or more users 12 according to the end of work time zone Tf predicted in step S104. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 sets the first time zone T1 for each production line of the factory 11 by adding a little extra time, such as a walking time from the building of the factory 11 to a boarding point within or near the site of the factory 11, to the end of work time zone Tf. For example, assume that the end of work time zone Tf is predicted to be from 20:55 to 21:05 on the day for a production line where 10 employees who commute to the factory 11 by bus are working. If the walking time to the boarding point is 5 minutes and the bus operation time from the boarding point to a drop-off point such as a station or employee dormitory is 20 minutes, the control unit 21 sets the first time zone T1 for the bus that picks up or drops off the 10 employees to be from 21:10 to 21:30. That is, the control unit 21 sets the time when the bus departs from the boarding point to 21:10 and the time when the bus arrives at the disembarking point to 21:30.

[0046] The control unit 21 of the control device 20 may select one or more first vehicles 41 from two or more types of vehicles 40 with different seating capacities according to the number of users 12 predicted to finish work during the finishing time slot Tf. For example, if the first time slot T1 is set from 9:10 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for a bus transporting 10 employees working on the same production line, the control unit 21 selects a bus with a seating capacity of 10 or more as a bus to wait at the boarding point at 9:10 p.m.

[0047] The control unit 21 of the control device 20 may adjust the number of one or more first vehicles 41 according to the number of users 12 predicted to finish work in the closing time slot Tf. For example, assume that the first time slot T1 is set from 21:10 to 21:30 for a bus that transports 10 employees working on the same production line. If there are only buses with a capacity of less than 10 people, the control unit 21 selects two or more buses with a total capacity of 10 people or more as buses to be placed on standby at the boarding point at 21:10.

[0048] The plurality of vehicles 40 may include two or more vehicles 40 having different operating routes. In such a modified example, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 acquires route data Dr indicating an operating route registered in advance for each user 12 who predicts that work will be completed in the closing time zone Tf. Any method may be used to acquire the route data Dr, but in this modified example, a method of reading data stored in advance in the storage unit 22 as the route data Dr is used. The control unit 21 selects one or more first vehicles 41 from the two or more vehicles 40 according to the operating route indicated by the acquired route data Dr. For example, it is assumed that the first time zone T1 is set from 21:10 to 21:30 for a bus that shuttles 10 employees working on the same production line. If routes to the station are pre-registered for five of the ten employees, and routes to the employee dormitory are pre-registered for the remaining five employees, the control unit 21 selects a bus to the station and a bus to the employee dormitory as the buses to wait at the boarding point at 9:10 p.m.

[0049] In step S106, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 generates first notification data D1 for informing one or more users 12 of the first time zone T1 adjusted in step S105. The control unit 21 transmits the generated first notification data D1 to one or more terminal devices 30 via the communication unit 23. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 transmits data for informing each of the two or more users 12 of the first time zone T1 as the first notification data D1 to the terminal devices 30 held by each user 12. Upon receiving the first notification data D1, each terminal device 30 notifies the corresponding user 12 of the first time zone T1 by displaying the first notification data D1 on a display or outputting the first notification data D1 as audio from a speaker. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may transmit data for informing two or more users 12 of the first time zone T1 as the first notification data D1 to the terminal device 30 installed in the factory 11. When the terminal device 30 receives the first notification data D1, the terminal device 30 may notify two or more users 12 of the first time zone T1 by displaying the first notification data D1 on a display or outputting it as audio from a speaker.

[0050] In step S107, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 controls the dispatch of one or more first vehicles 41. Specifically, the control unit 21 causes one or more first vehicles 41 to pick up or drop off one or more users 12 during the first time slot T1 adjusted in step S105 via the communication unit 23. In this embodiment, the one or more first vehicles 41 pick up or drop off one or more users 12 by automatically driving according to a command from the control device 20, but the command may be notified to a driver, and the one or more users 12 may be picked up or dropped off by the driver manually driving according to the command.

[0051] According to this embodiment, when it is predicted that overtime will occur because the production line target cannot be achieved by the regular working time, the bus pick-up time can be automatically delayed. When it is predicted that the workday will start earlier because the production line target cannot be achieved on the same day, the bus drop-off time can be automatically advanced.

[0052] As a modified example of this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 may estimate whether or not additional personnel will be added to the factory 11 based on the comparison result obtained in step S103. In this modified example, when the control unit 21 estimates that additional personnel will be added, it controls the allocation of vehicles for commuting the personnel. For example, if the factory 11 is an automobile factory, the control unit 21 estimates the time required to produce the remaining number of vehicles on the day for each production line, and estimates that additional personnel will be added if the estimated time exceeds a threshold. For the production line where it is estimated that additional personnel will be added, the control unit 21 selects a vehicle for transporting the additional personnel from among the multiple vehicles 40. The control unit 21 causes the selected vehicle to transport the additional personnel via the communication unit 23.

[0053] According to this modified example, when it is predicted that additional personnel will be added due to a delay in the progress of the production line, a bus can be automatically arranged to pick up the additional personnel.

[0054] Another operation of the control device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. This operation also corresponds to the adjustment method according to the present embodiment.

[0055] In step S111, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 estimates whether the production target will be achieved within the first period P1 based on the comparison result obtained in step S103. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 estimates whether the production target will be achieved within the first period P1 for each production line of the factory 11. Any method may be used as a method for estimating whether the production target will be achieved within the first period P1. However, in this embodiment, a method is used in which, as in step S104, a required time until the production target is achieved based on the production progress status is estimated, and whether the estimated required time can be secured within the first period P1 while keeping overtime hours below the legal or regulatory upper limit.

[0056] Specifically, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 estimates whether or not production of the target quantity will be completed within the first period P1 based on the remaining quantity calculated in step S103. For example, if the factory 11 is an automobile factory and the first period P1 is the current day, the control unit 21 estimates the time required to produce the remaining number of vehicles for that day for each production line, and determines whether or not the estimated time can be secured within that day while keeping the overtime hours for that day below the legal or regulatory upper limit.

[0057] If it is estimated that the production target will not be achieved within the first period P1, the process of step S112 is executed. If it is estimated that the production target will be achieved within the first period P1, the operation shown in FIG. 4 is terminated.

[0058] In step S112, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 predicts a start time zone Ts at which at least one user 12 working in the factory 11 will start work in the second period P2 following the first period P1. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 predicts the start time zone Ts for a production line for which it is estimated in step S111 that the production target will not be achieved within the first period P1. Any method may be used to predict the start time zone Ts, but in this embodiment, a method is used in which the start time zone Ts is calculated by subtracting the difference between the required time estimated in step S111 and the time that can actually be secured within the first period P1 from the reference start time.

[0059] Specifically, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 subtracts the quantity of products that can be produced within the first period P1 from the remaining quantity obtained in step S103 to obtain the quantity of products whose production will be postponed to the second period P2. The control unit 21 predicts the start time slot Ts based on the obtained quantity. For example, if the factory 11 is an automobile factory, the first period P1 is the current day, and the second period P2 is the next day, the control unit 21 subtracts the number of units that can be produced from the current time of the day from the remaining number of units of the day for a production line that is determined in step S111 to be unable to secure the time estimated during the day, to obtain the additional number of units for the next day. The control unit 21 estimates the time required to produce the additional number of units for the next day, and subtracts the estimated time from the standard start time to obtain the start time slot Ts.

[0060] In step S113, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 adjusts the second time zone T2 in which at least one second vehicle 42 for commuting in the second period P2 picks up or drops off at least one user 12, according to the start time zone Ts predicted in step S112. In this embodiment, for a production line in which the production target is estimated not to be achieved within the first period P1 in step S111, the control unit 21 subtracts a little extra time, such as a walking time from a drop-off point within or near the site of the factory 11 to a building of the factory 11, from the start time zone Ts to set the second time zone T2. For example, for a production line in which 10 employees who commute to the factory 11 by bus are working, the start time zone Ts is predicted to be from 7:25 to 7:35 the next day. If the bus travel time from the boarding point, such as a station or employee dormitory, to the disembarking point is 20 minutes, and the walking time from the disembarking point is 5 minutes, the control unit 21 sets the second time slot T2 for the bus transporting the 10 employees to and from the bus from 7:00 to 7:20. That is, the control unit 21 sets the time that the bus departs from the boarding point to 7:00, and the time that the bus arrives at the disembarking point to 7:20.

[0061] In step S114, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 generates second notification data D2 for informing at least one user 12 of the second time zone T2 adjusted in step S113. The control unit 21 transmits the generated second notification data D2 to at least one terminal device 30 via the communication unit 23. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 transmits data for informing at least one user 12 of the second time zone T2 as the second notification data D2 to the terminal device 30 held by the user 12. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may transmit data for informing at least one user 12 of the second time zone T2 as the second notification data D2 to the terminal device 30 installed in the factory 11. Upon receiving the second notification data D2, the terminal device 30 notifies at least one user 12 of the second time zone T2 by displaying the second notification data D2 on a display or outputting it as audio from a speaker.

[0062] In step S115, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 controls the dispatch of at least one second vehicle 42. Specifically, the control unit 21 causes at least one second vehicle 42 to pick up or drop off at least one user 12 during the second time slot T2 adjusted in step S113 via the communication unit 23. In this embodiment, the at least one second vehicle 42 picks up or drops off at least one user 12 by automatically driving according to a command from the control device 20, but the command may be notified to a driver, and the at least one user 12 may be picked up or dropped off by the driver manually driving according to the command.

[0063] Still another operation of the control device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. This operation also corresponds to the adjustment method according to the present embodiment.

[0064] In step S121, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 acquires schedule data Ds indicating a scheduled departure time Tr at which a vehicle Vr reserved by a user Ur, who is one of the users 12 who predicts that work will be completed during the closing time slot Tf, will depart from the factory 11. Specifically, the control unit 21 receives the schedule data Ds via the communication unit 23 from a system that manages reservations for multiple vehicles 40.

[0065] In step S122, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 judges whether the user Ur will arrive at the scheduled departure time Tr indicated by the schedule data Ds acquired in step S121. Specifically, the control unit 21 adds a little extra time, such as a walking time from the building of the factory 11 to a boarding point within or near the site of the factory 11, to the closing time zone Tf to calculate the time when the user Ur can arrive at the boarding point. If the calculated time is the same as the scheduled departure time Tr or earlier than the scheduled departure time Tr, the control unit 21 judges that the user Ur will arrive at the scheduled departure time Tr. In this case, the operation shown in FIG. 5 ends. The operation shown in FIG. 5 may be performed after step S104 and before step S105, and if it is determined that the user Ur will arrive at the scheduled departure time Tr, it is not necessary to execute the processes from step S105 to step S107 for the user Ur. If the calculated time is later than the scheduled departure time Tr, the control unit 21 judges that the user Ur will not arrive at the scheduled departure time Tr. In this case, the process of step S123 is executed.

[0066] In step S123, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 generates guidance data Dg that prompts the user Ur to use the first vehicle 41. The control unit 21 outputs the generated guidance data Dg. Specifically, when the control unit 21 transmits data informing the user Ur of the first time zone T1 as the first notification data D1 to the terminal device 30 held by the user Ur, the control unit 21 includes the guidance data Dg in the first notification data D1. That is, for the user Ur, the process of step S123 is executed as part of the process of step S106.

[0067] In step S124, the control unit 21 of the control device 20 executes a process to cancel the reservation of the vehicle Vr. The control unit 21 does not need to execute this process until it detects that the user Ur has started overtime work or the remaining time until the scheduled departure time Tr falls below a threshold. Whether the user Ur has started overtime work can be determined, for example, from the operating status of the corresponding production line after regular working hours.

[0068] According to this embodiment, even if overtime occurs and the user Ur is unable to cancel the bus reservation himself / herself, the occurrence of overtime can be predicted or the start of overtime can be detected, and the reservation can be automatically canceled.

[0069] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps shown in the flowchart in chronological order as described, they may be executed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capacity of the device executing each step, or as necessary. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10. System 11 Factory 12 users 20 Control device 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 30 Terminal Equipment 40 vehicles 41 Car No. 1 42 2nd car 50 Network

Claims

1. A communication unit for performing communication; a control device comprising: a control unit that receives target data indicating a target quantity of products to be produced in the factory within a certain period from a system that manages a production process of the factory via the communication unit, and receives data indicating the quantity of products already produced in the factory during the period from the system via the communication unit to detect the quantity of the products already produced, or receives an image taken by a camera installed in the factory via the communication unit and detects the quantity of the products already produced by analyzing the received image, calculates a remaining quantity by subtracting the detected quantity from the target quantity indicated in the received target data, predicts a closing time zone when one or more users working at the factory will finish work based on the calculated remaining quantity, transmits notification data to a terminal device held or used by the one or more users via the communication unit, notifying the one or more users of a time zone when one or more vehicles for commuting will pick up or drop off the one or more users, the time zone being adjusted according to the predicted closing time zone, and notifies the one or more vehicles or drivers of the one or more vehicles via the communication unit.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit selects the one or more vehicles from among two or more types of vehicles with different capacities according to the number of users predicted to finish work during the closing time slot.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit adjusts the number of the one or more vehicles in accordance with a number of users predicted to finish work during the closing time slot.

4. 4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit estimates whether production of the target quantity will be completed within a first period based on the remaining quantity, and if it is estimated that production of the target quantity will not be completed within the first period, predicts a work start time zone at which at least one user working at the factory will start work in a second period following the first period, and transmits data via the communication unit to a terminal device held or used by the at least one user, informing the at least one user of a time zone at which at least one vehicle for commuting to work during the second period will pick up or drop off the at least one user, adjusted according to the predicted work start time zone, and notifies the at least one vehicle or a driver of the at least one vehicle via the communication unit of a command to have the at least one vehicle pick up or drop off the at least one user during the time zone adjusted according to the work start time zone.

5. 5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit estimates whether additional personnel will be added to work at the factory based on the remaining quantity, and when it estimates that the additional personnel will be added, controls the dispatch of vehicles for the personnel to commute via the communication unit.

6. Further comprising a storage unit for storing data, The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit reads route data indicating a driving route pre-registered for each user who predicts that they will finish work during the closing time period, which has been pre-stored in the memory unit, and selects the one or more vehicles from among two or more vehicles having different driving routes in accordance with the driving route indicated by the read route data.

7. The control unit receives, via the communication unit, schedule data from a system that manages reservations for multiple vehicles, indicating the scheduled departure time at which a vehicle reserved by one of the users who predicts that they will finish work during the closing hours will depart from the factory, determines whether the one of the users will be able to make it to the scheduled departure time indicated in the received schedule data, and if it is determined that the one of the users will not be able to make it to the scheduled departure time, generates guidance data that encourages the one of the users to use the one or more vehicles, and includes the generated guidance data in the notification data when transmitting the notification data via the communication unit to a terminal device held or used by the one or more users.

8. 8. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives the target data and detects the quantity of the produced products for each production line in the factory to predict the end-of-work time zone.

9. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a terminal device held or used by said one or more users; A system comprising:

10. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The one or more vehicles; A system comprising:

11. The control unit receives target data indicating a target quantity of products to be produced in a factory within a certain period of time from a system that manages a production process of the factory via a communication unit that performs communication; The control unit detects the quantity of the produced products by receiving data indicating the quantity of the products produced in the factory during the period from the system via the communication unit, or detects the quantity of the produced products by receiving images taken by a camera installed in the factory via the communication unit and analyzing the received images; The control unit subtracts the detected quantity from the target quantity indicated in the received target data to obtain a remaining quantity; The control unit predicts a work-ending time when one or more users working in the factory will finish work based on the determined remaining quantity; The control unit transmits, via the communication unit, notification data informing the one or more users of a time period during which one or more vehicles for commuting will pick up or drop off the one or more users, the time period being adjusted according to the predicted end-of-work time period, to a terminal device held or used by the one or more users; The control unit notifies, via the communication unit, a command to have the one or more vehicles pick up or drop off the one or more users in the one or more vehicles during a time period adjusted according to the closing time period, to the one or more vehicles or drivers of the one or more vehicles. Adjustment methods including:

12. The adjustment method according to claim 11, further comprising the control unit selecting the one or more vehicles from two or more types of vehicles with different capacities in accordance with the number of users predicted to finish work during the closing time period.

13. The adjustment method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising the control unit adjusting the number of the one or more vehicles in accordance with a number of users predicted to finish work during the closing time slot.

14. The control unit estimates whether production of the target quantity will be completed within a first period based on the remaining quantity; When the control unit estimates that the production of the target quantity will not be completed within the first period, it predicts a start time zone during which at least one user working in the factory will start work in a second period following the first period; The control unit transmits, via the communication unit, data informing the at least one user of a time period during which at least one vehicle for commuting during the second period will pick up or drop off the at least one user, the time period adjusted according to the predicted start time of work, to a terminal device held or used by the at least one user; The control unit notifies, via the communication unit, the at least one vehicle or a driver of the at least one vehicle of a command to have the at least one vehicle pick up and drop off the at least one user during a time period adjusted according to the start of work time period. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising:

15. The control unit estimates whether or not additional workers will be added to the factory based on the remaining quantity; When the control unit estimates that the personnel will be added, the control unit controls, via the communication unit, the allocation of vehicles for the personnel to commute to work. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising:

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