Vehicle management device, vehicle, vehicle management method, and program

Abstract

To improve convenience of anti-theft techniques.SOLUTION: A vehicle management device 20 disclosed herein is for managing vehicles VH to be loaded with one or more parcels for delivery. The vehicle management device 20 comprises a control unit configured to respond to detection of stopping of a vehicle VH by determining whether a driver 11 of the vehicle VH is out for delivery or not on the basis of vehicle data indicative of the state of the vehicle VH and providing control to lock doors of the vehicle VH if the driver 11 is determined to be out for delivery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle management device, a vehicle, a vehicle management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a theft prevention technology for a vehicle having a lockable seat door and a lockable luggage compartment door, in which the security function is reactivated after a lapse of a predetermined time since the security function is released.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The driver of a delivery vehicle may leave the vehicle for purposes other than delivering goods, for example, for the purpose of loading and unloading goods at a logistics company's warehouse or for the purpose of taking a break. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, even when the driver of a delivery vehicle leaves the delivery vehicle for purposes other than delivering goods, the security function always operates and the doors are locked. Therefore, the driver has to perform the operation of releasing the security function and unlocking the doors every time he leaves the vehicle, and there is room for improvement in convenience.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to improve the convenience of theft prevention technology.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle management device according to the present disclosure is a vehicle management device that manages a vehicle for loading and delivering one or more goods, When it is detected that the vehicle has stopped, based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, it is determined whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery. When it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery, a control unit performs control to lock the doors of the vehicle.

[0007] The vehicle management method according to the present disclosure is a vehicle management method for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more packages, wherein when the control unit detects that the vehicle has stopped, it determines whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle; and when the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, it performs control to lock the doors of the vehicle. It includes.

[0008] The program according to the present disclosure is for a computer as a vehicle management device that manages a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more packages, when it detects that the vehicle has stopped, it determines whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle; and when it determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, it performs control to lock the doors of the vehicle. It causes to execute operations including.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the convenience of anti-theft technology is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0013] With reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0014] The system 10 according to the present embodiment includes at least one vehicle management device 20 and at least one vehicle VH. The vehicle management device 20 can communicate with the vehicle VH via a network 40 such as the Internet.

[0015] The vehicle management device 20 is installed in a facility such as a data center and is operated by an operator who manages the vehicle VH. The operator is, for example, a delivery operator who receives articles such as luggage from customers and delivers them to a designated destination. The vehicle management device 20 is, for example, a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system. The vehicle management device 20 may be installed in the management room of the system 10 and used by the operator. Alternatively, the vehicle management device 20 installed in the management room may be shared by two or more operators.

[0016] The vehicle VH is any type of automobile such as, for example, 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. In the present embodiment, the vehicle VH is driven by the driver 11, but the operation of the vehicle VH may be automated at any level. 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.

[0017] The network 40 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or a combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. The network 40 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. The wireless network is, 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] Referring to FIG. 1, the outline of the present embodiment will be described.

[0019] In this embodiment, the package LG is brought in and received by the sender at, for example, the business office of the delivery company who is the administrator of the system 10. The business office includes, for example, a forwarding store that receives the package LG sent from the sender and forwards it to the delivery company. The vehicle VH is a delivery vehicle that loads and delivers one or more received packages LG. The vehicle VH loads and delivers the package LG, for example, in the cargo compartment LR. Alternatively, the vehicle VH may load and deliver the package LG in the passenger compartment. The vehicle VH is provided with a weight sensor WS that detects the weight of the vehicle VH. The vehicle VH transports one or more packages LG to the delivery point DP for each package. In this embodiment, the delivery point DP is a place where the package is handed over from the vehicle VH to the addressee of each package LG. Specifically, the delivery point DP is the home of the addressee for each package. In this embodiment, a plurality of packages LG may be handed over collectively at one delivery point. When arriving at the delivery point DP1 of a certain package LG1 among one or more packages LG, the driver 11 stops the vehicle VH, opens the door of the cargo compartment LR, takes out the package LG1, and delivers it to the addressee of the package LG1. In this embodiment, the vehicle VH may be provided with a door sensor CS that detects the opening and closing of the door of the vehicle VH.

[0020] In the system 10 shown in FIG. 1, when the vehicle management device 20 that manages the vehicle VH detects that the vehicle VH has stopped, it determines whether the driver 11 of the vehicle VH is in the process of delivery based on the vehicle data VD indicating the state of the vehicle VH. When the vehicle management device 20 determines that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery, it performs control to lock the door of the vehicle VH.

[0021] According to this embodiment, when the driver 11 is in the process of delivery, the door of the vehicle VH is locked. In other words, when the driver 11 is not in the process of delivery, that is, when the driver 11 leaves the vehicle VH for purposes other than the delivery of goods, such as for the purpose of loading and unloading goods in the warehouse of the logistics company or for the purpose of rest, the door of the vehicle VH is not locked. Therefore, the driver 11 does not need to unlock the door of the vehicle VH every time he leaves the vehicle VH. Therefore, the convenience of the anti-theft technology is improved.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the vehicle management device 20 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0023] The vehicle management device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0024] 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 a GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. "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 controls each part of the vehicle management device 20 and executes processes related to the operation of the vehicle management device 20.

[0025] 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 as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. Stored in the storage unit 22 are data used for the operation of the vehicle management device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the vehicle management device 20. In the present embodiment, vehicle data VD may be stored in the storage unit 22.

[0026] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 23 receives data used for the operation of the vehicle management device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the vehicle management device 20. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 23 communicates with the vehicle VH. For example, the control unit 21 may receive vehicle data VD from the vehicle VH via the communication unit 23.

[0027] The functions of the vehicle management device 20 are realized by executing the program according to the present embodiment on a processor as the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the vehicle management device 20 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operation of the vehicle management device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the vehicle management device 20. That is, the computer functions as the vehicle management device 20 by executing the operation of the vehicle management device 20 according to the program.

[0028] The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or ROM. The distribution of the program is carried out, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as an SD card, DVD, or CD-ROM that stores the program. "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 it in the server's storage and transferring the program from the server to other computers. The program may be provided as a program product.

[0029] A computer, for example, temporarily stores a program stored in a portable medium or transferred from a server in the main memory device. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main memory device with a processor and executes processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may directly read the program from the portable medium and execute processing according to the program. Each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer, the computer may sequentially execute processing according to the received program. Processing may be executed by a so-called ASP-type service that realizes functions only by execution instructions and result acquisition without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. The program is information for use in processing by an electronic computer and includes things conforming to the program. For example, data that does not give a direct instruction to the computer but has the property of defining the computer's processing corresponds to "things conforming to the program".

[0030] Some or all of the functions of the vehicle management device 20 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. That is, some or all of the functions of the vehicle management device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0031] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation of the vehicle management device 20 according to this embodiment will be described. This operation corresponds to the vehicle management method according to this embodiment.

[0032] In step S1 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 detects that the vehicle VH has stopped. Whether the vehicle VH has stopped may be detected by an arbitrary procedure. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 detects that the vehicle VH has stopped based on the detection values from various sensors mounted on the vehicle VH. The various sensors include, for example, an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

[0033] In step S2 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 acquires vehicle data VD indicating the state of the vehicle VH. Specifically, the control unit 21 acquires weight data WD indicating the weight of the vehicle VH as the vehicle data VD. As an example, the vehicle VH is a delivery vehicle that loads and delivers a load LG in a cargo compartment LR, and the weight data WD is data indicating the weight W in the cargo compartment LR of the vehicle VH. The weight data WD includes at least first weight data WD1 and second weight data WD2. In this embodiment, the first weight data WD1 is data indicating the weight W1 in the cargo compartment LR measured at a first time point T1 before the vehicle VH stops. The second weight data WD2 is data indicating the weight W2 in the cargo compartment LR measured at a second time point T2 after the vehicle VH stops. The weight data WD may be acquired by an arbitrary procedure, but in this embodiment, it is acquired, for example, by the following procedure.

[0034] In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 acquires weight data WD from a weight sensor WS mounted on the vehicle VH. The weight sensor WS is an arbitrary sensor such as a pressure sensor provided on the floor of the luggage compartment LR of the vehicle VH, for example. The weight sensor WS detects the weight W1 in the luggage compartment LR at the first time point T1 and detects the weight W2 in the luggage compartment LR at the second time point T2. The weight sensor WS transmits to the vehicle management device 20 a first weight data WD1 indicating the weight W1 which is the detection result at the first time point T1 and a second weight data WD2 indicating the weight W2 which is the detection result at the second time point T2. The communication unit 23 of the vehicle management device 20 receives the transmitted first weight data WD1 and second weight data WD2 from the weight sensor WS. The control unit 21 acquires the first weight data WD1 and the second weight data WD2 received by the communication unit 23 as the weight data WD.

[0035] As another example in this embodiment, the vehicle VH may be a delivery vehicle that loads and delivers a load LG in the vehicle interior. In this case, the weight sensor WS is provided in the vehicle interior. Then, in step S2 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 may acquire, as the weight data WD, data indicating the weight in the vehicle interior of the vehicle VH. However, it is desirable that the weight of the driver 11 is not included in the weight in the vehicle interior so that the getting in and out of the driver 11 does not affect the first weight data WD1 and the second weight data WD2.

[0036] In step S3 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 determines whether the driver 11 of the vehicle VH is in the process of delivery based on the vehicle data VD acquired in step S2. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether the driver 11 of the vehicle VH is in the process of delivery based on the first weight data WD1 and the second weight data WD2 included in the weight data WD acquired as the vehicle data VD in step S2. When the result of comparing the weight W1 indicated by the first weight data WD1 and the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2 shows that the weight W2 is smaller than the weight W1, the control unit 21 determines that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery. This is because, for example, when the driver 11 takes out the package LG1 from the vehicle VH for delivery, it is considered that the weight of the vehicle VH decreases by the amount of the package LG1. That is, when the driver 11 takes out the package LG1 from the luggage compartment LR or the passenger compartment for delivery, it is considered that the weight inside the luggage compartment LR or the passenger compartment decreases by the amount of the package LG1.

[0037] As a modification of this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 may acquire door data DD as the vehicle data VD and determine whether the driver 11 of the vehicle VH is in the process of delivery based on the acquired door data DD. As an example, the vehicle VH is a delivery vehicle that loads and delivers the package LG to the luggage compartment LR, and the door data DD is data indicating the open / closed state of the door of the luggage compartment LR of the vehicle VH. In this modification, in step S2 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 acquires the door data DD instead of or together with the weight data WD. The door data DD may be acquired by an arbitrary procedure, but in this modification, it is acquired, for example, by the following procedure.

[0038] In this modification example, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 acquires door data DD from a door sensor DS mounted on the vehicle VH. Specifically, the control unit 21 detects that the door of the luggage compartment LR has been opened or closed based on the detection value from the door sensor DS mounted on the door of the luggage compartment LR. The door sensor DS is, for example, a contact sensor such as a microswitch or a magnet catch with a switch, or a non-contact sensor such as an optical photosensor or a magnetic proximity sensor. When the door is a swing-type door, the door sensor DS may be a door angle sensor that detects the pivoting angle, which is the angle pivoted from the position where the door is closed. Alternatively, when the door is a sliding-type door, the door sensor DS may be a door distance sensor that detects the sliding distance, which is the distance slid from the position where the door is closed. The door sensor DS monitors the state of the door after the vehicle VH has stopped and transmits data indicating the detection value as the detection result to the vehicle management device 20. The control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 receives the data transmitted from the door sensor DS via the communication unit 23 and acquires the received data as the door data DD.

[0039] As another example in this modification example, the vehicle VH may be a delivery vehicle that loads and delivers the luggage LG into the vehicle interior. In this case, the door sensor DS is provided on the door of the vehicle interior. Then, in step S2 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 may acquire, as the door data DD, data indicating the opening and closing of the door of the vehicle interior of the vehicle VH.

[0040] In step S3 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 determines whether the door of the vehicle VH has been opened or closed based on the door data DD acquired in step S2. Then, when the control unit 21 determines that the door has been opened or closed, it determines that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery. This is because, for example, when the driver 11 takes out the luggage LG1 from the vehicle VH for delivery, the door of the vehicle VH is considered to be opened or closed. That is, when the driver 11 takes out the luggage LG1 from the luggage compartment LR or the vehicle interior for delivery, the door of the luggage compartment LR or the vehicle interior is considered to be opened or closed.

[0041] Alternatively, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 may determine that the door of the vehicle VH has been opened or closed based on an image acquired from an imaging sensor provided in the vehicle VH instead of, or in addition to, the detection value from the door sensor DS. The imaging sensor is an arbitrary sensor such as a camera capable of photographing the luggage compartment LR in which the luggage LG is loaded or the interior of the vehicle cabin. The imaging sensor photographs the interior of the luggage compartment LR or the interior of the vehicle cabin and transmits the photographed image to the vehicle management device 20. The image may be a still image or a moving image. The image from the imaging sensor includes an image of the door of the luggage compartment LR or the door of the vehicle cabin. In step S2 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 receives the image transmitted from the imaging sensor via the communication unit 23 and acquires the received image. In step S3 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 analyzes the acquired image to determine whether the door has been opened or closed. Then, when it is determined that the door has been opened or closed, the control unit 21 determines that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery.

[0042] As another modification of the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 may acquire vehicle height data HD as vehicle data VD and determine whether the driver 11 of the vehicle VH is in the process of delivery based on the acquired vehicle height data HD. The vehicle height data HD is data indicating the vehicle height H, which is the height of the vehicle VH from the ground. In this modification, in step S2 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 acquires the vehicle height data HD instead of, or in addition to, the weight data WD or the door data DD. The vehicle height data HD at least includes first vehicle height data HD1 and second vehicle height data HD2. The first vehicle height data HD1 is data indicating the vehicle height H1 of the vehicle VH measured at the first time point T1' before the vehicle VH stops. The second vehicle height data HD2 is data indicating the vehicle height H2 of the vehicle VH measured at the second time point T2' after the vehicle VH stops. The vehicle height data HD may be acquired by an arbitrary procedure, but in the present embodiment, it is acquired by the following procedure, for example.

[0043] In this modified example, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 acquires vehicle height data HD from the vehicle height sensor HS mounted on the vehicle VH. The vehicle height sensor HS is, for example, any sensor that measures an amount substituting for height variation as the vehicle height H. As the amount substituting for height variation, for example, the vertical displacement amount between the suspension arm and the vehicle body of the vehicle VH can be used. The vehicle height sensor HS detects the vehicle height H1 at the first time point T1' and detects the vehicle height H2 at the second time point T2'. The vehicle height sensor HS transmits the first vehicle height data HD1 indicating the vehicle height H1, which is the detection result at the first time point T1', and the second vehicle height data HD2 indicating the vehicle height H2, which is the detection result at the second time point T2', to the vehicle management device 20. The control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 receives the first vehicle height data HD1 and the second vehicle height data HD2 transmitted from the vehicle height sensor HS via the communication unit 23, and acquires the received first vehicle height data HD1 and the second vehicle height data HD2 as the vehicle height data HD.

[0044] In step S3 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 determines whether the driver 11 of the vehicle VH is in the process of delivery based on the vehicle height data HD acquired in step S2. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether the driver 11 of the vehicle VH is in the process of delivery based on the first vehicle height data HD1 and the second vehicle height data HD2 included in the vehicle height data HD acquired in step S2. When the result of comparing the vehicle height H1 indicated by the first vehicle height data HD1 and the vehicle height H2 indicated by the second vehicle height data HD2 shows that the vehicle height H2 is greater than the vehicle height H1, the control unit 21 determines that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery. This is because when the driver 11 takes out the luggage LG1 from the vehicle VH for delivery, the vehicle body of the vehicle VH becomes lighter by the weight of the luggage LG1, and it is considered that the vehicle height H increases.

[0045] In step S3 of FIG. 3, if it is determined that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery, the process of step S4 is performed. On the other hand, in step S3, if it is determined that the driver 11 is not in the process of delivery, the process of FIG. 3 ends.

[0046] In step S4 of FIG. 3, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 performs control to lock the doors of the vehicle VH. As an example, when the load LG is loaded in the luggage compartment LR, the control unit 21 performs control to lock the door of the luggage compartment LR as the door of the vehicle VH. In this case, the control unit 21 may further perform control to lock the door of the luggage compartment LR and the door of the driver's seat of the vehicle VH. As another example of the present embodiment, when the load LG is loaded in the passenger compartment, the control unit 21 may perform control to lock the door of the passenger compartment as the door of the vehicle VH. The control to lock the doors of the vehicle VH may be performed by any method. For example, the control unit 21 performs control to operate a lock motor provided on the door of the vehicle VH. In the present embodiment, the door is locked by pressing down the door lock button by the lock motor.

[0047] As described above, when the vehicle management device 20 according to the present embodiment detects that the vehicle VH has stopped, it determines whether the driver 11 of the vehicle VH is in the process of delivery based on the vehicle data VD indicating the state of the vehicle VH. When the vehicle management device 20 determines that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery, it performs control to lock the doors of the vehicle VH.

[0048] According to such a configuration, when it is determined that the driver 11 of the vehicle VH is in the process of delivery, the doors of the vehicle VH are locked. In other words, when the driver 11 is not in the process of delivery, that is, when the driver 11 leaves the vehicle for purposes other than the delivery of goods, for example, for the purpose of loading and unloading goods in the warehouse of a logistics company or for the purpose of taking a break, the doors of the vehicle VH are not locked. Therefore, the driver 11 does not need to unlock the doors of the vehicle VH every time he leaves the vehicle VH. Therefore, the convenience of anti-theft technology is improved.

[0049] As a modification of this embodiment, in step S4 of FIG. 3, when it is determined that the distance from the position P1 of the vehicle VH to the position P2 of the driver 11 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 may perform control to lock the door of the vehicle VH. Specifically, the control unit 21 may acquire the first position data PD1 and the second position data PD2. The first position data PD1 is data indicating the position P1 of the vehicle VH. The second position data PD2 is data indicating the position P2 of the driver 11. Then, when it is determined that the distance from the position P1 indicated by the acquired first position data PD1 to the position P2 indicated by the second position data PD2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH, the control unit 21 may perform control to lock the door of the vehicle VH. Each position is indicated by, for example, two-dimensional coordinates or three-dimensional coordinates. The operation of the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 according to this modification will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0050] The flowchart of FIG. 4 describes in detail the process of step S4 of FIG. 3. In step S401 of FIG. 4, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 acquires the first position data PD1 and the second position data PD2.

[0051] In this modified example, the first position data PD1 indicating the position P1 of the vehicle VH may be measured by any procedure. For example, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 acquires, as the first position data PD1, data indicating the position P1 measured by the positioning unit PS1 provided in the vehicle VH. The measurement of the position P1 by the positioning unit PS1 may be performed by any procedure, but is performed, for example, by the following procedure. The positioning unit PS1 includes at least one GNSS receiver. "GNSS" is an abbreviation for global navigation satellite system. GNSS is, for example, GPS, QZSS, BDS, GLONASS, or Galileo. "GPS" is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. "QZSS" is an abbreviation for Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. The satellites of QZSS are called quasi-zenith satellites. "BDS" is an abbreviation for BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. "GLONASS" is an abbreviation for Global Navigation Satellite System. The positioning unit PS1 measures the position P1 and transmits position data indicating the measured result to the vehicle management device 20. The control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 receives the position data transmitted from the positioning unit PS1 via the communication unit 23 and acquires the received position data as the first position data PD1.

[0052] In this modification example, the second position data PD2 indicating the position P2 of the driver 11 may be acquired by any procedure. For example, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 acquires, as the second position data PD2, data indicating the position P2 measured by the terminal device TM held by the driver 11. The measurement of the position P2 by the terminal device TM may be performed by any procedure, but for example, it is performed by the following procedure. The terminal device TM measures the position P2 by a positioning unit PS2 provided in the terminal device TM. The positioning unit PS2 includes at least one GNSS receiver. GNSS is, for example, GPS, QZSS, BDS, GLONASS, or Galileo. The satellites of QZSS are called quasi-zenith satellites. The terminal device TM transmits position data indicating the position P2 measured by the positioning unit PS2 to the vehicle management device 20. The control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 receives the position data transmitted from the terminal device TM via the communication unit 23, and acquires the received position data as the second position data PD2.

[0053] In step S402 of FIG. 4, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 determines whether the distance from the position P1 indicated by the first position data PD1 acquired in step S401 to the position P2 indicated by the second position data PD2 is equal to or greater than a threshold value TH. The threshold value TH can be any value, but for example, it can be a distance at which it is considered that the driver 11 can direct attention to the vehicle VH, such as when the vehicle VH can be clearly seen from the driver 11. In step S402, if it is determined that the distance from the position P1 indicated by the first position data PD1 to the position P2 indicated by the second position data PD2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH, the process of step S403 is performed. In step S402, if it is determined that the distance from the position P1 indicated by the first position data PD1 to the position P2 indicated by the second position data PD2 is less than the threshold value TH, the process of step S401 is performed again.

[0054] In step S403 of FIG. 4, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 performs control to lock the door of the vehicle VH. The process of step S403 is the same as the door lock process of step S4 in FIG. 3, so the description is omitted.

[0055] According to this modification example, when the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 determines that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery, it acquires the first position data PD1 indicating the position P1 of the vehicle VH and the second position data PD2 indicating the position P2 of the driver 11. The first position data PD1 is data indicating the position P1 of the vehicle VH. The second position data PD2 is data indicating the position P2 of the driver 11. Then, when it is determined that the distance from the position P1 indicated by the acquired first position data PD1 to the position P2 indicated by the second position data PD2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH, the control unit 21 performs control to lock the door of the vehicle VH. That is, according to this modification example, when it becomes difficult for the driver 11 during delivery to pay attention to the vehicle VH because the driver 11 is far away from the vehicle VH, the door of the vehicle VH is locked. Therefore, security can be enhanced more efficiently, and the convenience of anti-theft technology is further improved.

[0056] As a further modification example of this modification example, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 may adjust the threshold value TH according to the difference DF between the weight W1 indicated by the first weight data WD1 and the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2. Here, the difference DF is considered to correspond to the weight of the luggage LG1 taken out by the driver 11 for delivery. The control unit 21 may decrease the threshold value TH as the difference DF increases. This is because it is considered that the larger the difference DF, that is, the larger the weight of the luggage LG, the more difficult it becomes for the driver 11 to pay attention to the vehicle VH. This is because the larger the weight of the luggage LG1, the more the driver 11 focuses on delivery work such as transporting the luggage LG1. Or, this is because the larger the weight of the luggage LG1, the more time the delivery work takes.

[0057] As yet another further modification example of this modification example, when the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 determines that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery, it may further acquire value data ED indicating the value E of the cargo LG' remaining in the vehicle VH. Then, the control unit 21 may adjust the threshold value TH according to the value indicated by the acquired value data ED. Specifically, the control unit 21 may decrease the threshold value TH as the value E indicated by the value data ED is higher. This is because the greater the value E of the cargo LG' remaining in the vehicle VH and the more expensive it is, the greater the damage will be if the cargo LG' is stolen. The cargo LG' remaining in the vehicle VH may be arbitrarily determined. For example, the control unit 21 may determine one or more cargos shown in the image acquired from the imaging sensor provided in the vehicle VH as the cargo LG'. In this example, the cargo LG' includes one or more cargos LGi, ···, LGn remaining in the cargo compartment LR or the vehicle interior of the vehicle VH. The value data ED may be acquired by any procedure. For example, it is acquired by the following procedure. As an example, the procedure for acquiring the value data EDi of the cargo LGi among one or more cargos LGi, ···, LGn will be described. When the cargo LGi is brought into the forwarding store of the delivery company by the sender, the clerk of the forwarding store that has received the cargo LGi inputs, for example, information indicating the value Ei of the cargo LGi declared by the sender into the forwarding store terminal device installed in the forwarding store as part of the procedure for receiving the cargo LGi. The value Ei may be any value. For example, it is the monetary evaluation amount of the cargo LGi. The forwarding store terminal device transmits the information indicating the input value Ei to the vehicle management device 20 as the value data EDi for the cargo LGi. The control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 receives and acquires the value data EDi transmitted from the forwarding store terminal device via the communication unit 23. The control unit 21 similarly acquires the value data Edii, ···, EDn for each of the cargos LGii, ···, LGn other than the cargo LGi. Then, the control unit 21 acquires, as the value data ED, data indicating the result of summing up the values Ei, ···, En indicated by the acquired value data EDi, ···, EDn.Incidentally, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 may separately acquire delivery completion data of the luggage LG including the luggage LG1 taken out by the driver 11 for delivery, determine the luggage LG' remaining in the vehicle VH based on the delivery completion data, and calculate the value data ED in real time by summing the value of each piece of luggage of the determined luggage LG'.

[0058] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks described in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps described in the flowchart in time series according to the description, they may be executed in parallel or in a different order according to the processing ability of the device that executes each step or as necessary. In addition, changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0059] For example, when it is determined that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery, the control unit 21 of the vehicle management device 20 may further perform control to stop the engine of the vehicle VH. Specifically, when it is determined in step S3 of FIG. 3 that the driver 11 is in the process of delivery, the control unit 21 determines whether the engine of the vehicle VH is operating, and if it is determined that the engine is operating, the control unit 21 may perform control to stop the engine of the vehicle VH. The control unit 21 performs control to stop the engine via, for example, an engine control circuit provided in the vehicle VH. Alternatively, when the engine is controlled to operate by supplying power from a power source mounted on the vehicle VH, the control unit 21 may perform control to stop the engine by cutting off the power supply to the engine. According to such a configuration, since the engine of the vehicle VH is stopped while the driver 11 is in the process of delivery, it is effective from the viewpoints of security and energy saving.

[0060] The vehicle management device 20 may be mounted on the vehicle VH.

[0061] Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be exemplified below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Appendix 1] A vehicle management device for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more pieces of luggage, When it detects that the vehicle has stopped, based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, it determines whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery, and when it determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, it includes a control unit that performs control to lock the vehicle door. A vehicle management device. [Appendix 2] The control unit acquires, as weight data, first weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a first time point before the vehicle stops and second weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a second time point after the vehicle stops, and compares the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data. As a result, when the weight indicated by the second weight data is smaller than the weight indicated by the first weight data, the vehicle management device according to Appendix 1 determines that the driver is in the process of delivery. [Appendix 3] When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, it acquires first position data indicating the position of the vehicle and second position data indicating the position of the driver, When it is determined that the distance from the position indicated by the first position data to the position indicated by the second position data is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it performs control to lock the door. The vehicle management device according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. [Appendix 4] The control unit adjusts the threshold value according to the difference between the weight indicated by the first weight data and the weight indicated by the second weight data. The vehicle management device according to any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 3. [Appendix 5] When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, it acquires value data indicating the value of the luggage remaining in the vehicle, The vehicle management device according to any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 4 adjusts the threshold value according to the value indicated by the acquired value data. [Appendix 6] The control unit acquires door data indicating the open / closed state of the vehicle's door as vehicle data, determines whether the door has been opened or closed based on the acquired door data, and determines that the driver is in the process of delivery when it is determined that the door has been opened or closed. The vehicle management device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5. [Supplementary Note 7] When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, the control unit acquires first position data indicating the position of the vehicle and second position data indicating the position of the driver. When it is determined that the distance from the position indicated by the first position data to the position indicated by the second position data is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the vehicle management device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6 performs control to lock the door. [Supplementary Note 8] When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, the control unit further performs control to stop the vehicle's engine. The vehicle management device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 7. [Supplementary Note 9] A vehicle equipped with the vehicle management device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 8. [Supplementary Note 10] A vehicle management method for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more packages, when the control unit detects that the vehicle has stopped, based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, determining whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery; when the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, performing control to lock the vehicle's door; A vehicle management method including the above. [Supplementary Note 11] Determining based on vehicle data includes, when the control unit acquires, as vehicle data, first weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a first time point before the vehicle stops and second weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a second time point after the vehicle stops, and compares the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data, determining that the driver is in the process of delivery when the weight indicated by the second weight data is less than the weight indicated by the first weight data. The vehicle management method according to Supplementary Note 10. [Appendix 12] The control unit further includes acquiring first position data indicating the position of the vehicle and second position data indicating the position of the driver when it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery. Performing control to lock the door includes, when the control unit determines that the distance from the position indicated by the first position data to the position indicated by the second position data is equal to or greater than a threshold value, performing control to lock the door, and is the vehicle management method according to Appendix 10 or Appendix 11. [Appendix 13] The vehicle management method according to any one of Appendices 10 to 12 further includes adjusting a threshold value by the control unit according to the difference between the weight indicated by the first weight data and the weight indicated by the second weight data. [Appendix 14] The vehicle management method according to any one of Appendices 10 to 13 further includes, when the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, further acquiring value data indicating the value of the goods remaining in the vehicle, and adjusting a threshold value according to the value indicated by the acquired value data. [Appendix 15] Determining based on vehicle data includes, by the control unit, acquiring door data indicating the open / closed state of the vehicle door as vehicle data, determining whether the door has been opened or closed based on the acquired door data, and when it is determined that the door has been opened or closed, determining that the driver is in the process of delivery, and is the vehicle management method according to any one of Appendices 10 to 14. [Appendix 16] The control unit further includes acquiring first position data indicating the position of the vehicle and second position data indicating the position of the driver when it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery. Performing control to lock the door includes, when the control unit determines that the distance from the position indicated by the first position data to the position indicated by the second position data is equal to or greater than a threshold value, performing control to lock the door, and is the vehicle management method according to any one of Appendices 10 to 15. [Appendix 17] The vehicle management method according to any one of Appendices 10 to 16, further including performing control to stop the engine of the vehicle when the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery. [Appendix 18] A program that causes a computer, as a vehicle management device for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more pieces of luggage, to When detecting that the vehicle has stopped, determine whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, and When determining that the driver is in the process of delivery, perform control to lock the doors of the vehicle and execute operations including this. [Appendix 19] Determining based on vehicle data includes, as vehicle data, acquiring weight data including first weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a first time point before the vehicle stops and second weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a second time point after the vehicle stops, and comparing the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data. When the weight indicated by the second weight data is smaller than the weight indicated by the first weight data, determining that the driver is in the process of delivery. The program according to Appendix 18. [Appendix 20] Determining based on vehicle data includes, as vehicle data, acquiring door data indicating the open / closed state of the vehicle door, determining whether the door has been opened / closed based on the acquired door data, and when determining that the door has been opened / closed, determining that the driver is in the process of delivery. The program according to Appendix 18 or Appendix 19.

Explanation of Signs

[0062] 10 System 11 Driver 20 Vehicle Management Device 21 Control Unit 22 Storage Unit 23 Communication Unit 40 Network VH Vehicle LR Cargo Compartment LG1 Luggage

Claims

1. A vehicle management device for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more pieces of luggage, when it detects that the vehicle has stopped, based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, determines whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery, and in the case where it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery, includes a control unit that performs control to lock the doors of the vehicle. In the vehicle management device, the control unit acquires weight data including first weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a first time point before the vehicle stops and second weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a second time point after the vehicle stops as the vehicle data, and compares the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data. As a result, when the weight indicated by the second weight data is smaller than the weight indicated by the first weight data, it determines that the driver is in the process of delivery. A vehicle management device.

2. When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, it acquires first position data indicating the position of the vehicle and second position data indicating the position of the driver, The vehicle management device according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the distance from the position indicated by the first position data to the position indicated by the second position data is equal to or greater than a threshold value, control to lock the door is performed.

3. The control unit adjusts the threshold value according to the difference between the weight indicated by the first weight data and the weight indicated by the second weight data. The vehicle management device according to claim 2.

4. When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, it acquires value data indicating the value of the luggage remaining in the vehicle, The vehicle management device according to claim 2, wherein the threshold value is adjusted according to the value indicated by the acquired value data.

5. A vehicle management device for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more pieces of luggage, when it detects that the vehicle has stopped, based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, determines whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery, and in the case where it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery, includes a control unit that performs control to lock the doors of the vehicle. In the vehicle management device, the vehicle is a delivery vehicle that loads luggage in a luggage compartment and delivers it. The control unit acquires, as the vehicle data, door data indicating the open / closed state of the door of the luggage compartment of the vehicle, determines whether the door has been opened or closed based on the acquired door data, and determines that the driver is in the process of delivery when it is determined that the door has been opened or closed. A vehicle management device.

6. When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, the control unit acquires first position data indicating the position of the vehicle and second position data indicating the position of the driver. The vehicle management device according to claim 5, wherein when it is determined that the distance from the position indicated by the first position data to the position indicated by the second position data is equal to or greater than a threshold value, control is performed to lock the door.

7. A vehicle management device for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more pieces of luggage, When it is detected that the vehicle has stopped, based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, it is determined whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery, and when it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery, a control unit that performs control to lock the door of the vehicle. In a vehicle management device provided with, The control unit acquires, as the vehicle data, vehicle height data indicating the vehicle height of the vehicle, including first vehicle height data indicating the vehicle height of the vehicle measured at a first time point before the vehicle stops and second vehicle height data indicating the vehicle height of the vehicle measured at a second time point after the vehicle stops. Compare the first vehicle height data and the second vehicle height data included in the acquired vehicle height data, and when the vehicle height indicated by the second vehicle height data is greater than the vehicle height indicated by the first vehicle height data, determine that the driver is in the process of delivery. A vehicle management device.

8. When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, the control unit further performs control to stop the engine of the vehicle. The vehicle management device according to claim 1.

9. A vehicle equipped with the vehicle management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vehicle management method for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more pieces of luggage, When the control unit detects that the vehicle has stopped, based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, determining whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery; When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, performing control to lock the door of the vehicle; In a vehicle management method including: Determining based on the vehicle data includes, by the control unit, as the vehicle data, obtaining weight data including first weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a first time point before the vehicle stops and second weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a second time point after the vehicle stops, and comparing the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data. When the weight indicated by the second weight data is smaller than the weight indicated by the first weight data, it includes determining that the driver is in the process of delivery. A vehicle management method.

11. It further includes, by the control unit, when it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery, obtaining first position data indicating the position of the vehicle and second position data indicating the position of the driver. Performing control to lock the door includes, by the control unit, performing control to lock the door when it is determined that the distance from the position indicated by the first position data to the position indicated by the second position data is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The vehicle management method according to claim 10.

12. It further includes, by the control unit, adjusting the threshold value according to the difference between the weight indicated by the first weight data and the weight indicated by the second weight data. The vehicle management method according to claim 11.

13. It further includes, by the control unit, when it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery, further obtaining information indicating the value of the luggage remaining in the vehicle, and adjusting the threshold value based on the obtained information. The vehicle management method according to claim 11.

14. A vehicle management method for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more pieces of luggage, When the control unit detects that the vehicle has stopped, determining whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, performing control to lock the door of the vehicle In a vehicle management method including The vehicle is a delivery vehicle that loads luggage in a cargo compartment and delivers it. Determining based on the vehicle data includes, by the control unit, acquiring, as the vehicle data, door data indicating an open / closed state of a door of a luggage compartment of the vehicle, determining whether the door has been opened or closed based on the acquired door data, and determining that the driver is in the process of delivery when it is determined that the door has been opened or closed. This is a vehicle management method.

15. The method further includes, by the control unit, acquiring first position data indicating a position of the vehicle and second position data indicating a position of the driver when it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery. Performing control to lock the door includes, by the control unit, performing control to lock the door when it is determined that a distance from the position indicated by the first position data to the position indicated by the second position data is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The vehicle management method according to claim 14.

16. A vehicle management method for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more pieces of luggage, When the control unit detects that the vehicle has stopped, determining whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery based on vehicle data indicating a state of the vehicle, When the control unit determines that the driver is in the process of delivery, performing control to lock a door of the vehicle In a vehicle management method including: Determining based on the vehicle data includes, by the control unit, acquiring vehicle height data as the vehicle data, the vehicle height data including first vehicle height data indicating a vehicle height of the vehicle measured at a first time point before the vehicle stops and second vehicle height data indicating a vehicle height of the vehicle measured at a second time point after the vehicle stops, comparing the first vehicle height data and the second vehicle height data included in the acquired vehicle height data, and determining that the driver is in the process of delivery when the vehicle height indicated by the second vehicle height data is greater than the vehicle height indicated by the first vehicle height data. This is a vehicle management method.

17. The vehicle management method according to claim 10 further includes, by the control unit, performing control to stop an engine of the vehicle when it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery.

18. In a computer as a vehicle management device for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more pieces of luggage, When it is detected that the vehicle has stopped, based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, determining whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery; When it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery, performing control to lock the doors of the vehicle; In a program for executing an operation including: The determination based on the vehicle data includes: as the vehicle data, acquiring weight data including first weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a first time point before the vehicle stops and second weight data indicating the weight of the vehicle measured at a second time point after the vehicle stops, and comparing the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data, and when the weight indicated by the second weight data is less than the weight indicated by the first weight data, determining that the driver is in the process of delivery. A program.

19. In a computer as a vehicle management device for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more packages, When it is detected that the vehicle has stopped, based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, determining whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery; When it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery, performing control to lock the doors of the vehicle; In a program for executing an operation including: The vehicle is a delivery vehicle that loads packages in a cargo compartment and delivers them. The determination based on the vehicle data includes: as the vehicle data, acquiring door data indicating the open / closed state of the door of the cargo compartment of the vehicle, determining whether the door has been opened or closed based on the acquired door data, and when it is determined that the door has been opened or closed, determining that the driver is in the process of delivery. A program.

20. In a computer as a vehicle management device for managing a vehicle that loads and delivers one or more packages, When it is detected that the vehicle has stopped, based on vehicle data indicating the state of the vehicle, determining whether the driver of the vehicle is in the process of delivery; When it is determined that the driver is in the process of delivery, performing control to lock the doors of the vehicle; In a program for executing an operation including: Determining based on the vehicle data includes obtaining vehicle height data as the vehicle data, the vehicle height data including first vehicle height data indicating the vehicle height of the vehicle measured at a first time point before the vehicle stops and second vehicle height data indicating the vehicle height of the vehicle measured at a second time point after the vehicle stops, comparing the first vehicle height data and the second vehicle height data included in the obtained vehicle height data, and determining that the driver is in the process of delivery when the vehicle height indicated by the second vehicle height data is greater than the vehicle height indicated by the first vehicle height data. A program.

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