Vehicle control device and vehicle control method

Abstract

This vehicle control device acquires an attribute of a user (70) and an attribute of baggage (80), partitions a space in a vehicle into multiple spaces before at least one of the user (70) and the baggage (80) rides the vehicle (40), and performs an air-conditioning control in accordance with the attribute of a subject riding in at least one of the partitioned multiple spaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an invention for controlling a vehicle device (for example, an air conditioning system) before a user gets on the vehicle has been known (Patent Document 1). The invention described in Patent Document 1 controls the air conditioning system based on an input from the user before the vehicle arrives at a boarding location for boarding the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a mixed passenger and cargo situation where the transportation and operation of users and luggage are carried out together, it is necessary to perform air conditioning control in consideration of the attributes of both users and luggage, but the invention described in Patent Document 1 does not consider the attributes of both users and luggage. This may cause inconvenience to the boarding target.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method capable of avoiding inconvenience caused to a boarding target.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle control device according to an aspect of the present invention acquires the attributes of a user and the attributes of luggage, and partitions the space inside the vehicle into a plurality of spaces before at least one of the user and the luggage gets on the vehicle, and performs air conditioning control according to the attributes of the target boarding in at least one of the partitioned plurality of spaces.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to avoid inconveniences occurring to the passengers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a configuration example of the system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a management server 20, a communication network 30, vehicles 40 to 42, a user 70, a communication device 60 possessed by the user 70, a freight carrier 71, a communication device 61 possessed by the freight carrier 71, and a freight 80 handled by the freight carrier 71. In FIG. 1, there are three vehicles, but the present invention is not limited to this. The system 10 may include four or more vehicles.

[0011] In the present embodiment, the user 70 and the freight 80 board the same vehicle. Such a form is called "mixed passenger and cargo transportation". Specifically, "mixed passenger and cargo transportation" is defined as "a form of jointly transporting and operating goods and passengers". "Goods" are defined as "articles carried by a means of transportation". The "means of transportation" includes railways, buses, taxis, airplanes, ships, etc. In the present embodiment, the "means of transportation" will be described as a vehicle. "Articles" mainly refer to carry-on luggage and small packages, and their size is limited to those that can be loaded on a vehicle. "Articles" include animals (pets), plants, foods, sundries, etc. "Foods" include foods that require refrigeration (refrigerated foods), foods that require freezing (frozen foods), and fresh foods that require appropriate temperature management. In "mixed passenger and cargo transportation", usually, the space where passengers stay and the space where goods are loaded are clearly separated. In the present embodiment, the means of transportation is a vehicle, and the seats where passengers sit and the seats where goods are loaded are clearly separated. Hereinafter, "articles" will be referred to as freight, and "passengers" will be referred to as users. "Freight carriers" include employees of pet shops, flower shops, bento shops, online supermarkets, etc. An online supermarket refers to a service that accepts orders via the Internet and delivers goods directly to the customer's home. In the English-speaking world, an online supermarket is called an online supermarket, an online grocery, etc. The "freight" in the present embodiment includes pets, flowers, bentos, and foodstuffs (including fresh foods).

[0012] The management server 20 communicates with vehicles 40 to 42 and communication devices 60 to 61 via the communication network 30. The management server 20 is a general-purpose computer (controller) including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a memory 22, a communication I / F 23, and a storage device 24, and these components are electrically connected via a bus or the like (not shown). The management server 20 is used for the vehicle dispatching service of vehicles 40 to 42. The installation location of the management server 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the management server 20 is installed in the management center of the operator that operates vehicles 40 to 42.

[0013] The CPU 21 reads various programs stored in the storage device 24 and the like into the memory 22 and executes various instructions included in the programs. The memory 22 is a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage device 24 is a storage medium such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Note that part (or all) of the system 10 including the functions of the management server 20 described below may be provided by an application (such as Software as a Service (SaaS)) arranged on the communication network 30.

[0014] The communication I / F 23 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication softwares, and combinations thereof, and is configured to enable wired or wireless communication via the communication network 30 and the like. Further, the communication I / F 23 has functions as an input unit and an output unit for transmitting and receiving data.

[0015] The communication network 30 is described as the Internet, but is not limited thereto, and other wireless communication methods may be adopted. The management server 20, vehicles 40 to 42, and communication devices 60 to 61 are connected to the communication network 30 via the Internet.

[0016] An example of the vehicles 40 to 42 is a taxi. The vehicles 40 to 42 may be normal vehicles with a driver or autonomous vehicles without a driver. An autonomous vehicle without a driver may be expressed as a robot taxi or a driverless taxi. In this embodiment, the vehicles 40 to 42 will be described as autonomous vehicles without a driver. Also, the vehicles 40 to 42 are vehicles for "mixed passenger and cargo" as described above.

[0017] The user 70 requests a vehicle using the communication device 60. Similarly, the freight carrier 71 requests a vehicle using the communication device 61. The communication devices 60 to 61 are installed with a vehicle dispatching application (hereinafter simply referred to as a dispatching app) used for vehicle reservation, and the user 70 and the freight carrier 71 request a vehicle using the dispatching app.

[0018] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the detailed configurations of the management server 20, the vehicles 40, and the communication devices 60 to 61 will be described. In FIG. 2, the vehicles 41 to 42 are omitted, but the vehicles 41 to 42 have the same configuration as the vehicle 40.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 60 includes a communication I / F 60a, a dispatching app 60b, and a GPS receiver 60c. Similarly, the communication device 61 includes a communication I / F 61a, a dispatching app 61b, and a GPS receiver 61c. The communication I / F 60a and the communication I / F 61a have the same configuration as the communication I / F 23 and communicate with the management server 20 via the communication network 30. The communication devices 60 to 61 are, as an example, portable terminals such as smartphones and tablets. Also, the communication devices 60 to 61 may be wearable devices. Although not shown, the communication devices 60 to 61 also include a CPU, a memory, a storage device, etc., similar to the management server 20.

[0020] The vehicle allocation app 60b is used for vehicle requests as described above. The vehicle allocation app 60b functions as a user interface when user 70 requests a vehicle. The vehicle allocation app 60b is realized by the CPU provided in the communication device 60 reading and executing a dedicated application program from the storage device provided in the communication device 60. When using the vehicle allocation app 60b, that is, when requesting a vehicle, user 70 inputs and registers their own information in the vehicle allocation app 60b in advance. Such prior registration is a well-known technology and is adopted in many applications. By performing prior registration, unique identification information (also expressed as user ID, account ID, etc.) is assigned to user 70, and user 70 can request a vehicle using the vehicle allocation app 60b. The information to be input in advance is, for example, the name, nickname, gender, address, phone number, email address, payment method for fees, attributes, etc. of user 70.

[0021] Here, the "attributes" to be registered in advance will be explained. The "attributes of user 70" in this embodiment is information regarding the preference for the air inside the vehicle. The "preference for the air inside the vehicle" in this embodiment means the preference of user 70 regarding the odor and temperature inside the vehicle. If a user dislikes things that emit an odor, they register that fact in advance as "information regarding preferences". Regarding the room temperature of the vehicle, different users feel comfortable at different room temperatures. User 70 registers the temperature at which they feel comfortable as "information regarding preferences" in advance. Note that the "temperature at which one feels comfortable" may vary depending on the season, etc. Therefore, the system may require user 70 to input the temperature for each season.

[0022] The attributes of the luggage 80 handled by the luggage carrier 71 are also registered in advance. The "attributes of the luggage 80" are information regarding the odor of the luggage 80 and information regarding the temperature of the luggage 80. When the luggage 80 is a bento that emits an odor, the luggage carrier 71 registers that the luggage 80 emits an odor. When the luggage 80 is fresh food, it is registered that temperature control below 10 degrees is required.

[0023] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle air conditioning is controlled according to the "attributes of user 70" and the "attributes of luggage 80". When there is a predetermined temperature difference between the temperature desired by user 70 registered as an attribute of user 70 and the temperature that requires management registered as an attribute of luggage 80, air conditioning control is performed. Also, when information regarding odor is registered for either one of the attributes of user 70 and luggage 80, air conditioning control is performed. When the attributes of user 70 and luggage 80 do not meet these conditions, normal air conditioning control is performed. "Normal air conditioning control" refers to air conditioning control preset according to the outside air temperature and the like.

[0024] After the pre-registration is completed, user 70 inputs the desired boarding location, desired boarding time, desired destination (alighting location), desired arrival time, desired seat, etc. into the carpooling app 60b and requests a vehicle. Regarding the desired seat, for example, user 70 selects from among the available seats (seats that are not reserved). The selection of the seat is optional. When user 70 does not select a seat, the seat is automatically selected on the management server 20 side. The carpooling app 60b transmits a carpooling request to the management server 20 according to the input of user 70. Also, the communication device 60 displays various information (carpooling request reception, scheduled arrival time, planned driving route, etc.) included in the signal returned from the management server 20 for the carpooling request on the display. However, the implementation method of the carpooling app 60b is not limited to this. For example, the communication device 60 may access a server that provides the functions of the carpooling app 60b to receive function provision and display the execution result of the function transmitted from the server on the browser. Similarly, after the pre-registration is completed, the luggage carrier 71 inputs the desired boarding location, desired boarding time, desired destination (alighting location), desired arrival time, desired seat, etc. into the carpooling app 61b and requests a vehicle.

[0025] The position information of the communication device 60 acquired by the GPS receiver 60c is transmitted to the management server 20 at an arbitrary timing. Similarly, the position information of the communication device 61 acquired by the GPS receiver 61c is transmitted to the management server 20 at an arbitrary timing.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 40 includes a communication I / F 401, a vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 402, a camera 403, a seating sensor 404, an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system 405, and a GPS receiver 406. The communication I / F 401 has the same configuration as the communication I / F 23 and communicates with the management server 20 via the communication network 30. The vehicle ECU 402 is a computer for controlling the vehicle 40. The vehicle ECU 402 controls various actuators (such as a brake actuator, an accelerator actuator, and a steering actuator) based on commands received from the management server 20. The camera 403 is installed inside the vehicle 40. The camera 403 detects the seating position of the user 70 (the position of the seat on which the user 70 is sitting). The camera 403 also detects the position of the seat on which the luggage 80 is placed. These positions may be detected by the seating sensor 404 instead of the camera 403. The HVAC system 405 controls the temperature, humidity, and air flow inside the vehicle 40 and includes a cooling device, a heating device, a blower, etc. The position information of the vehicle 40 acquired by the GPS receiver 406 is transmitted to the management server 20 at an arbitrary timing.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 21 of the management server 20 includes, as an example of a plurality of functions, a vehicle allocation reception unit 211, an allocation unit 212, a travel route calculation unit 213, and an air conditioning control method generation unit 214. The storage device 24 of the management server 20 stores a map database 241 and a customer database 242.

[0028] The map database 241 stores map information necessary for route guidance, such as road information and facility information. The map information includes the number of lanes of a road, road width information, and undulation information of the road. The map information also includes road signs indicating speed limits, one-way traffic, etc., and road markings indicating crosswalks, lane lines, etc. Note that the map information stored in the map database 241 may be high-precision map data (HD MAP) or normal map data (SD MAP).

[0029] The customer database 242 stores information of the user 70 and the freight carrier 71 (name, attributes, etc.), vehicle usage history, etc.

[0030] The vehicle dispatch reception unit 211 receives the vehicle dispatch request of the user 70 input to the communication device 60 (vehicle dispatch app 60b). The vehicle dispatch reception unit 211 also receives the vehicle dispatch request of the freight carrier 71 input to the communication device 61 (vehicle dispatch app 61b). The vehicle dispatch reception unit 211 has a function of notifying the communication device 60 of the fact that the vehicle dispatch request of the user 70 has been received, the scheduled arrival time at the boarding location, the planned driving route to the destination, etc. Similarly, the vehicle dispatch reception unit 211 has a function of notifying the communication device 61 of the fact that the vehicle dispatch request of the freight carrier 71 has been received, the scheduled arrival time at the boarding location, the planned driving route to the destination, etc.

[0031] The vehicle dispatch reception unit 211 acquires the position information of the user 70 from the communication device 60, acquires the position information of the freight carrier 71 from the communication device 61, and acquires the position information of the vehicle 40 from the vehicle 40. The "position information of the user 70" means the position information of the communication device 60 held by the user 70. The "position information of the freight carrier 71" means the position information of the communication device 61 held by the freight carrier 71. The vehicle dispatch reception unit 211 outputs the acquired position information to the allocation unit 212 and the driving route calculation unit 213.

[0032] The allocation unit 212 allocates an appropriate vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles 40 to 42 based on the received vehicle allocation request. For example, for the sake of efficiency, the allocation unit 212 can allocate the vehicle closest to the boarding location desired by the user 70 or the freight carrier 71 from among the plurality of vehicles 40 to 42. In the present embodiment, it will be described that the vehicle 40 has been allocated.

[0033] The travel route calculation unit 213 calculates a travel route from the current location of the vehicle 40 via the boarding location to the destination with reference to the position information acquired from the vehicle allocation reception unit 211 and the map database 241. In the present embodiment, for the sake of efficient operation of the vehicle 40, it is assumed that the user 70 and the luggage 80 will ride together. Regarding sharing a ride, it may be confirmed with the user 70 and the freight carrier 71 whether to permit sharing a ride or not, but it will be described that sharing a ride is permitted. If the destinations of the user 70 and the luggage 80 are in the same direction, efficient operation of the vehicle 40 can be achieved. However, regarding the application of the present invention, the destinations do not have to be in the same direction. It is sufficient that there is a section in which both the user 70 and the luggage 80 are riding in any section of the route along which the vehicle 40 travels. Note that, as will be described later, it is not limited to the scene where both the user 70 and the luggage 80 are riding.

[0034] The air conditioning control method generation unit 214 acquires the attributes of the user 70 and the luggage 80 with reference to the customer database 242. The air conditioning control method generation unit 214 generates a control method for the air conditioning according to the attributes of the user 70 and the luggage 80. The air conditioning control method generation unit 214 transmits the generated air conditioning control method to the HVAC system 405.

[0035] Next, with reference to the sequence charts of FIGS. 3 to 4, an operation example of the system 10 will be described. In step S101, the user 70 requests a vehicle using the communication device 60. A request signal is transmitted from the communication device 60 to the management server 20. In step S103, the freight carrier 71 requests a vehicle using the communication device 61. A request signal is transmitted from the communication device 61 to the management server 20. In step S105, the management server 20 allocates a vehicle or calculates a driving route based on the received requests. The process proceeds to step S107, and the management server 20 refers to the customer database 242 to acquire the attributes of the user 70 and the luggage 80. The process proceeds to step S109, and the management server 20 generates a method for controlling the air conditioner according to the attributes of the user 70 and the luggage 80. The management server 20 transmits a vehicle allocation plan including the driving route and the air conditioner control method to the vehicle 40.

[0036] In step S111, the vehicle 40 acquires the vehicle allocation plan and the air conditioning control method from the management server 20. The process proceeds to step S113, where the vehicle ECU 402 controls various actuators to cause the vehicle 40 to travel along the travel route. In step S115, the vehicle 40 heads towards the desired loading location of the luggage 80 and loads the luggage 80. The process proceeds to step S117, where the camera 403 or the seating sensor 404 detects the position of the seat where the luggage 80 is placed. Here, an example of the position of the seat where the luggage 80 is placed detected by the camera 403 or the seating sensor 404 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 9. FIG. 9 shows the interior of the vehicle 40. Reference numerals 90 and 91 denote air conditioning devices that indicate the HVAC system 405 including a cooling device, a heating device, a blower, etc. Reference numeral 92 denotes an exhaust port. Reference numerals 93 to 96 denote seats. Here, assume that the luggage 80 is placed on the seat 94 as shown in FIG. 5. The process proceeds to step S119, where spatial partitioning is started based on the seat 94 where the luggage 80 is placed and the position of the seat where the later boarding user 70 will sit. When the seats where the user 70 will sit and the luggage 80 will be placed are determined on the management server 20 side, the information regarding the seat positions is included in the vehicle allocation plan. In this case, the management server 20 can grasp the seat where the user 70 will sit and the seat where the luggage 80 will be placed before the user 70 and the luggage 80 board the vehicle. Assume that the seat where the later boarding user 70 will sit is denoted by reference numeral 96 shown in FIG. 5. "Spatial partitioning" means blocking the space between the luggage 80 and the user 70 with an air current. "Spatial partitioning" is realized by an air curtain as an example. Reference numeral 100 in FIG. 5 denotes an air curtain generating device (a type of the HVAC system 405), and reference numeral 101 denotes an air curtain generated from the air curtain generating device 100. An "air curtain" generates a film of fast air current and blocks the movement of air. Note that "blocking" is used in the sense of including not only completely blocking the movement of air but also suppressing the movement of air. An "air curtain" is for the purpose of blocking heating and cooling and preventing the intrusion of odors, and it is possible to utilize the space without providing a wall or the like. The air curtain 101 in the present embodiment generates a film of air current from the ceiling towards the floor.

[0037] At time T1 in FIG. 5, the luggage 80 is loaded before the user 70 (step S115 in FIG. 4). The luggage 80 is fresh food. That is, it is assumed that temperature control below 10 degrees is required as an attribute of the luggage 80. When the luggage 80 is loaded, the temperature of the luggage 80 is 10 degrees. The luggage 80 needs to be managed at 10 degrees or less. That is, the room temperature of the vehicle 40 needs to be maintained at 10 degrees or less. Here, it is assumed that information is registered that the user 70 who will board later hopes that the room temperature is 23 degrees as an attribute. In this case, if the air conditioner is controlled so that the room temperature becomes 10 degrees or less, the demand of the user 70 cannot be satisfied. On the contrary, if the air conditioner is controlled so that the room temperature becomes 23 degrees, the demand of the luggage 80 cannot be satisfied. Therefore, when there is a predetermined temperature difference between the room temperature required for the luggage 80 (10 degrees) and the room temperature required for the user 70 (23 degrees), in order to avoid inconvenience to the boarding targets (user 70 and luggage 80), the vehicle interior space is partitioned and the air conditioner is controlled. The "predetermined temperature difference" is not particularly limited, but for example, it is 5 degrees or more. In the example shown in FIG. 5, since air-conditioning control is required after partitioning the space, at time T2, the air curtain 101 is generated, and the indoor space is partitioned into two areas (area 102 and area 103) (step S119 in FIG. 4). Area 102 is cooled by a cooling device and controlled to be 10 degrees or less (step S121 in FIG. 4). On the other hand, area 103 is heated by a heating device and the temperature rises (step S121 in FIG. 4). Whether air-conditioning control is required after partitioning the space is determined according to the attributes of the user 70 and the luggage 80. The timing at which "space partitioning" is performed, that is, the timing at which the air curtain 101 is generated, is a predetermined distance before the boarding location desired by the user 70, or a predetermined time before the time when the vehicle arrives at the boarding location desired by the user 70. At time T3, the vehicle 40 heads to the desired boarding location of the user 70 and allows the user 70 to board. When the user 70 boards, the temperature of the space (area 103) of the seat 96 where the user 70 sits is 23 degrees. This 23 degrees is the temperature desired by the user 70. Thereby, the comfort of the user 70 during boarding and driving is improved, and the freshness of the luggage 80 is also maintained.According to this embodiment, by partitioning the space inside the vehicle into multiple parts and controlling the air conditioning, it is possible to avoid inconveniences caused to the passengers (user 70 and luggage 80).

[0038] In step S125 of FIG. 4, the camera 403 or the seating sensor 404 detects the position of the seat 96 on which the user 70 is sitting. This detection is performed to confirm that the user 70 has boarded the vehicle. After the user 70 gets off the vehicle, the air curtain 101 is released and the air conditioning control ends (steps S127 to 131). The control of the air curtain 101 and the temperature management control are included in the air conditioning control method acquired from the management server 20. The method of partitioning the space inside the vehicle is not limited to the air curtain 101. For example, instead of the air curtain 101, physical shields such as shutters or partition plates may be provided to partition the space inside the vehicle into multiple parts.

[0039] In FIG. 5, a case where the luggage 80 is loaded first and then the user 70 gets in the vehicle was described. Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a case where the user 70 gets in the vehicle first and then the luggage 80 is loaded will be described. At time T1 in FIG. 6, the vehicle 40 heads to the boarding location desired by the user 70 and allows the user 70 to board. Since the temperature desired by the user 70 is 23 degrees, the room temperature is controlled to 23 degrees. Similar to FIG. 5, in FIG. 6, it is determined that air-conditioning control is required after partitioning the space according to the attributes of the user 70 and the luggage 80. Therefore, as shown at time T2, an air curtain 101 is generated at a predetermined distance in front of the desired loading location of the luggage 80, or a predetermined time before the time when the luggage 80 arrives at the desired loading location, and the indoor space is partitioned into two areas (area 102 and area 103). When partitioning the space, the user 70 is notified of that fact. This is for the purpose of not startling the user 70 and preventing the user 70 from interfering with the air-conditioning control. The notification method to the user 70 may be voice guidance or display guidance. Area 103 is heated by a heating device and the temperature is maintained at 23 degrees. On the other hand, area 102 is cooled by a cooling device and the temperature decreases. At time T3, the vehicle 40 heads to the desired loading location of the luggage 80 and the luggage 80 is loaded. When the luggage 80 is loaded, the temperature of the space (area 102) of the seat 94 where the luggage 80 is placed is 10 degrees. Thereby, the freshness of the luggage 80 is maintained, and the user 70 can enjoy a comfortable in-vehicle environment without being affected by the low temperature in area 102. Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to avoid inconveniences occurring to the boarding targets (the user 70 and the luggage 80) regardless of the order of getting in the vehicle 40. After the luggage 80 is unloaded, the user 70 is notified to release the air curtain 101. Thereafter, the air curtain 101 is released and the air-conditioning control ends.

[0040] In FIGS. 5 to 6, there is a time period when both the user 70 and the luggage 80 board the vehicle 40 at the same time. Next, a case where the user 70 and the luggage 80 do not board the vehicle 40 at the same time will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 8. At time T1 in FIG. 7, since it is determined that air-conditioning control is required after partitioning the space according to the attributes of the user 70 and the luggage 80, the air curtain 101 is generated before a predetermined distance in front of the desired loading location of the luggage 80 or a predetermined time before the time when the luggage 80 arrives at the desired loading location, and the indoor space is partitioned into two regions (region 102 and region 103). Region 102 is cooled by the cooling device, and the temperature decreases. Here, no air-conditioning control is performed on region 103. Since the timing when the user 70 boards is earlier in time, the air-conditioning control at this timing results in energy loss for this reason. At time T2, the vehicle 40 heads towards the desired loading location of the luggage 80, and the luggage 80 is loaded. When the luggage 80 is loaded, the temperature of the space (region 102) of the seat 94 where the luggage 80 is placed is 10 degrees. At time T3, the luggage 80 is unloaded. Before a predetermined distance in front of the desired boarding location of the user 70 or a predetermined time before the time when the user 70 arrives at the desired boarding location, region 103 is heated by the heating device, and the temperature rises. At time T4, the vehicle 40 heads towards the desired boarding location of the user 70 and allows the user 70 to board. When the user 70 boards, the temperature of the space (region 103) of the seat 96 where the user 70 sits is 23 degrees. Regarding region 102, since the cooling control has ended, the temperature gradually rises (it is 14 degrees at time T4). When the temperature of region 102 rises to a temperature that does not affect the indoor temperature even if the air curtain 101 is released, the air curtain 101 may be released.

[0041] When information related to odor is registered in either the attributes of the user 70 or the attributes of the luggage 80, after partitioning the space with the air curtain 101, as shown in FIG. 9, it may be possible to blow air from the blowers 90 to 91 toward the exhaust port 92. As a result, when a bento box that emits an odor is registered as an attribute of the luggage 80, it is possible to reduce the impact of the odor of the luggage 80 (bento box) on the user 70. Note that the illustration of the air curtain 101 is omitted in FIG. 9. Note that reducing the impact on the user 70 includes cases where no impact is given to the user 70.

[0042] (Function and effect) As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following function and effect can be obtained.

[0043] The management server 20 (controller) acquires the attributes of the user 70 and the attributes of the luggage 80. The acquisition of the attributes is realized by referring to the customer database 242. The management server 20 partitions the space inside the vehicle into a plurality of spaces before at least one of the user 70 and the luggage 80 gets on the vehicle. The management server 20 performs air conditioning control according to the attributes of the object getting on at least one of the partitioned plurality of spaces. As a result, it is possible to avoid inconveniences caused to the object getting on (the user 70 and the luggage 80). Note that in FIGS. 5 to 8, the space inside the vehicle is partitioned into two, but it is not limited to this. The space inside the vehicle may be partitioned into three or more.

[0044] The attributes of the user 70 include information related to the temperature inside the vehicle cabin or information related to the odor inside the cabin. The attributes of the luggage 80 include information indicating that temperature management is necessary or information related to odor. When it is determined that there is a predetermined temperature difference between the temperature included in the attributes of the user 70 and the temperature included in the attributes of the luggage 80, or when information related to odor is included in either the attributes of the user 70 or the attributes of the luggage 80, the management server 20 performs air conditioning control according to the attributes. As a result, as described in FIGS. 5 to 8, the comfort of the user 70 is improved and the freshness of the luggage 80 is also maintained. As a result, it is possible to avoid inconveniences caused to the object getting on (the user 70 and the luggage 80).

[0045] In the transportation plan for user 70 and luggage 80, there may be a case where user 70 and luggage 80 board the vehicle simultaneously.

[0046] In the transportation plan for user 70 and luggage 80, there may be a case where one of them boards the vehicle after the other has alighted.

[0047] The position where user 70 sits and the position where luggage 80 is loaded can be separated by a partition (air curtain 101) as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0048] The management server 20 blocks the space inside the vehicle with an air current or using a physical device. This makes it possible to avoid inconveniences caused to the boarding targets (user 70 and luggage 80).

[0049] The management server 20 may partition the space inside the vehicle into multiple sections while one of user 70 and luggage 80 is boarding the vehicle and the other is about to board (see FIGS. 5 to 6).

[0050] The management server 20 may partition the space inside the vehicle into multiple sections after one of user 70 and luggage 80 has alighted from the vehicle and before the other boards (see FIGS. 7 to 8).

[0051] The management server 20 may partition the space inside the vehicle into multiple sections before both user 70 and luggage 80 board the vehicle (see FIG. 7).

[0052] Depending on the size of the luggage 80, there may be a case where the luggage 80 does not fit on the seat and is placed across the seat. When it is impossible to partition the space inside the vehicle in this way, the management server 20 may prohibit control according to the attributes.

[0053] Each function described in the above embodiments can be implemented by one or more processing circuits. The processing circuit includes a programmed processing device such as a processing apparatus including an electric circuit. The processing circuit also includes devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and circuit components arranged to execute the described functions.

[0054] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the discussions and drawings forming a part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operation techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0055] Although the management server 20 has been taken as an example and described as a vehicle control device, the vehicle control device is not limited to the management server 20. The configuration and functions of the management server 20 may be mounted on the vehicle 40. In this case, the controller mounted on the vehicle 40 functions as a vehicle control device.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0056] 20 Management server, 211 Vehicle reservation reception unit, 212 Allocation unit, 213 Travel route calculation unit, 214 Air conditioning control method generation unit

Claims

1. A vehicle control device used for a vehicle that transports users and luggage, comprising a controller, wherein the controller acquires the attributes of the user including information regarding the odor in the interior of the vehicle and the attributes of the luggage including information regarding the odor of the luggage, partitioning the space inside the vehicle into a plurality of spaces before at least one of the user and the luggage gets on the vehicle, performing air-conditioning control according to the attributes of the user and the luggage of the object getting on at least one of the partitioned spaces A vehicle control device characterized by the above.

2. The attributes of the user include information regarding the odor in the interior, wherein the controller performs the air-conditioning control according to the attributes when the information regarding the odor is included in either the attributes of the user or the attributes of the luggage. The vehicle control device according to Claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The transportation plan of the user and the luggage includes the user and the luggage getting on the vehicle simultaneously. The vehicle control device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. The transportation plan of the user and the luggage includes one getting on the vehicle after the other has gotten off. The vehicle control device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

5. The position where the user sits and the position where the luggage is loaded can be separated by partitioning. The vehicle control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized by the above.

6. The controller blocks the space inside the vehicle with an air current or blocks the space inside the vehicle using a physical device. The vehicle control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized by the above.

7. The controller partitions the space inside the vehicle into a plurality of spaces when one of the user and the luggage is in the vehicle and the other is about to get on the vehicle. The vehicle control device according to Claim 3, characterized by the above.

8. The controller partitions the space inside the vehicle into a plurality of spaces after one of the user and the luggage has gotten off the vehicle and before the other gets on the vehicle. The vehicle control device according to Claim 4, characterized by the above.

9. The controller partitions the space inside the vehicle into a plurality of spaces before both the user and the luggage get on the vehicle. The vehicle control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized by the above.

10. When it is impossible to partition the space inside the vehicle, the controller prohibits control according to the attributes. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

11. A vehicle control method for a vehicle control device used in a vehicle for transporting users and luggage, comprising: acquiring the attributes of the user including information on the odor in the interior of the vehicle and the attributes of the luggage including information on the odor of the luggage; partitioning the space inside the vehicle into a plurality of spaces before at least one of the user and the luggage gets on the vehicle; performing air-conditioning control according to the attributes of the user and the luggage of the object getting on at least one of the partitioned spaces. A vehicle control method characterized by the above.

12. The controller is configured to: perform the air-conditioning control when information related to odor is included in either the attributes of the user or the attributes of the luggage of the object getting on at least one of the partitioned spaces. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

13. The controller is configured to: when information related to odor is included in either the attributes of the user or the attributes of the luggage, partition the space inside the vehicle into a plurality of spaces before at least one of the user and the luggage gets on the vehicle, and perform the air-conditioning control. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

Images