Information Processing Method

Abstract

To reduce the probability that hazard lights or horn is actuated in an inappropriate situation.SOLUTION: An information processing method is executed by an information processing apparatus 1 which can communicate with a vehicle 2 designated as a destination of a package, the method including: receiving, when detecting an occurrence of predetermined event related to a deliverer of a package, vehicle information from the vehicle 2; determining, based on the vehicle information, whether to actuate hazard lights or horn of the vehicle 2; and transmitting, when determining to actuate the hazard lights or the horn, a control signal to actuate the hazard lights or the horn, to the vehicle 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology that starts the activation of a vehicle's horn or alarm when the vehicle's current location is included in a preset sound generation area after a voice call between an emergency notification device and an emergency notification center is completed (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-222289 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the vehicle's conditions, it may not always be appropriate to activate the horn or alarm.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the likelihood of activating a hazard lamp or horn in an inappropriate situation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: An information processing method by an information processing device capable of communicating with a vehicle designated as a delivery destination of a package, comprising: receiving vehicle information from the vehicle upon detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event related to the package delivery person; determining whether to activate the hazard lights or horn of the vehicle based on the vehicle information; If it is determined that the hazard lamp or the horn is to be activated, transmitting a control signal to the vehicle to activate the hazard lamp or the horn; Includes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the likelihood of activating the hazard lights or horn in an inappropriate situation can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a user and a vehicle. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system S according to this embodiment. The information processing system S includes an information processing device 1 and a vehicle 2. The information processing device 1 is capable of communicating with the vehicle 2 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, a mobile communication network or the Internet.

[0010] 1, for ease of explanation, one information processing device 1 and one vehicle 2 are illustrated. However, the number of information processing devices 1 and vehicles 2 is not limited to this. For example, the processing executed by the information processing device 1 may be executed by multiple information processing devices 1 that are distributed.

[0011] The information processing device 1 may be a server that supports the business operator in providing services. The information processing device 1 may be installed, for example, in a facility dedicated to the business operator or in a shared facility including a data center. As an alternative example, the information processing device 1 may be mounted on a vehicle 2. As another alternative example, the information processing device 1 may be a terminal device operated by a delivery person.

[0012] Vehicle 2 may be any type of automobile, such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel 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. The operation of vehicle 2 may be automated at any level. The level of automation may be, for example, any of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. Vehicle 2 may be a dedicated MaaS vehicle. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service. Alternatively, vehicle 2 may be driven by a driver.

[0013] The internal configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0014] The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, a display unit 14, an input unit 15, and a sensor 16. The components of the information processing device 1 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via, for example, a dedicated line.

[0015] The control unit 11 includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. Instead of including a processor, the control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may be, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 11 may include an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0016] The communication unit 12 includes a communication module compatible with one or more wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standards for connecting to a network. The communication unit 12 may include a module compatible with one or more mobile communication standards including LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 12 may include a communication module compatible with one or more short-range communication standards or specifications including Bluetooth (registered trademark), AirDrop (registered trademark), IrDA, ZigBee (registered trademark), FeliCa (registered trademark), or RFID. The communication unit 12 transmits and receives any information via the network.

[0017] The memory unit 13 may include, but is not limited to, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory may be, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM may be, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM may be, for example, an EEPROM. The memory unit 13 may function as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 13 may store information resulting from analysis or processing by the control unit 11. The memory unit 13 may store various information related to the operation or control of the information processing device 1. The memory unit 13 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc. The memory unit 13 may be provided outside the information processing device 1 and may be accessed by the information processing device 1.

[0018] The display unit 14 is, for example, a display. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for liquid crystal display. "EL" is an abbreviation for electroluminescence. The display unit 14 may be connected to the information processing device 1 as an external output device instead of being provided in the information processing device 1. Any connection method may be used, for example, USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0019] The input unit 15 is, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone. The input unit 15 accepts an operation to input information used for the operation of the information processing device 1. The input unit 15 may be connected to the information processing device 1 as an external input device instead of being provided in the information processing device 1. Any connection method may be used, for example, USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0020] The sensor 16 includes, for example, a position information sensor. The position information sensor includes at least one GNSS receiver. "GNSS" is an abbreviation for Global Navigation Satellite System. GNSS includes, for example, at least one of GPS, QZSS, BeiDou, GLONASS, and Galileo. "GPS" is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. "QZSS" is an abbreviation for Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. QZSS satellites are called quasi-zenith satellites. "GLONASS" is an abbreviation for Global Navigation Satellite System. "Position information" is information that can identify the position of the vehicle 2, and includes, for example, coordinates.

[0021] Alternatively, the sensor 16 may be a proximity sensor that detects the approach of an object without contact. The sensor 16 may be an image sensor including a camera. The sensor 16 may also be a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction sensor, etc.

[0022] The internal configuration of the vehicle 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0023] The vehicle 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a sensor 24. The components of the vehicle 2 are communicably connected to each other via, for example, a dedicated line.

[0024] The description of the hardware configuration of the control unit 21, the communication unit 22, the storage unit 23, and the sensor 24 may be the same as the description of the hardware configuration of the control unit 11, the communication unit 12, the storage unit 13, and the sensor 16. The description here will be omitted.

[0025] The processing executed by the information processing system S of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Here, as an example, a vehicle 2 is designated as the delivery destination of a package. A delivery person DP delivers the package to the trunk TR of the vehicle 2 or the like. The information processing device 1 is operated by the delivery person DP. The information processing device 1 is capable of communicating with the vehicle 2.

[0026] When the sensor 16 or the like detects the occurrence of a predetermined event related to the delivery person DP of the package, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 receives vehicle information from the vehicle 2. The event related to the delivery person DP may be, for example, an event that the delivery person DP has approached the vehicle 2 to within a predetermined distance, or an event that the delivery person DP has performed a predetermined request operation. The vehicle information may include information indicating the operating status of the IGN or ACC, the operating status of the engine, or whether or not there is a person inside the vehicle 2. IGN indicates ignition. ACC indicates accessory.

[0027] Based on the received vehicle information, the control unit 11 determines whether to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN of the vehicle 2. If the control unit 11 determines to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN, it transmits a control signal to the vehicle 2 to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN.

[0028] The control unit 11 may determine not to operate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN when the IGN or ACC is ON, when the engine is running, or when there is a person inside the vehicle 2.

[0029] The vehicle information may include location information of the vehicle 2. In this case, when it is determined that the vehicle 2 is located in an area where operation of the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN is prohibited by law or regulation, the control unit 11 may decide not to operate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN.

[0030] If the control unit 11 determines not to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN, it may notify the delivery person DP by screen display or voice of the location information of the vehicle 2. The location information of the vehicle 2 may be, for example, relative location information of the vehicle 2 with respect to the delivery person DP (the direction and distance as seen by the delivery person), an AR (Augmented Reality) display showing the location of the vehicle 2, or identification information of the parking space for the vehicle 2.

[0031] The control unit 11 may determine whether to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN based on information indicating the status of the delivery person DP in addition to the vehicle information. For example, the control unit 11 may determine not to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN when the delivery person DP is on a different floor from the vehicle 2 or when the delivery person DP is facing the opposite direction from the vehicle 2.

[0032] An information processing method performed by the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] In step S1, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a predetermined event related to the parcel delivery person DP has occurred. If the result in step S1 is No, the control unit 11 executes step S1 again. If the result in step S1 is Yes, the control unit 11 receives vehicle information from the vehicle 2 in step S2.

[0034] In step S3, the control unit 11 determines, based on the vehicle information, whether to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN of the vehicle 2. If the answer is No in step S3, the control unit 11 does not execute step S4. If the answer is Yes in step S3, the control unit 11 transmits, in step S4, a control signal to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN to the vehicle 2.

[0035] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the control unit 11 detects the occurrence of a predetermined event related to the package delivery person DP, it executes operations including receiving vehicle information from the vehicle 2, determining whether to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN of the vehicle 2 based on the vehicle information, and, if it has been determined that the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN should be activated, transmitting a control signal for activating the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN to the vehicle 2. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 determines whether to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN based on the vehicle information, thereby reducing the likelihood that the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN will be activated in an inappropriate situation.

[0036] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the predetermined event related to the delivery person DP includes an event that the delivery person DP approaches within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 2, or an event that the delivery person DP performs a predetermined request operation. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can receive vehicle information at an appropriate timing.

[0037] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the vehicle information includes at least one of the operating state of the IGN or ACC, the operating state of the engine, and information indicating whether or not there is a person inside the vehicle 2. For example, the control unit 11 determines not to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN when the IGN or ACC is ON, the engine is running, or there is a person inside the vehicle 2. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can reduce the likelihood of activating the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN without the driver's operation, for example, when the driver is present inside the vehicle 2. In other words, the information processing device 1 can reduce the likelihood of the driver misunderstanding that there is a malfunction in the vehicle 2.

[0038] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the vehicle information includes location information of the vehicle 2. The operation of the control unit 11 includes determining not to activate the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN when it is determined that the vehicle 2 is located in an area where activation of the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN is prohibited by law. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can reduce the likelihood of activating the hazard lights HZ or the horn HN in an inappropriate situation.

[0039] Although the present disclosure will be described based on various drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means or step may be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple means or steps may be combined or divided into one.

[0040] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a program for executing all or part of the functions or processes of the information processing device 1 can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include non-transitory computer-readable media, such as magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or semiconductor memories. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium, such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), on which the program is recorded. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transmitting the program from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product. The present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

[0041] A computer temporarily stores a program recorded on a portable recording medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device using a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP-type service that achieves its functions simply by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results, without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. Programs include information used for processing by a computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that does not directly instruct a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under the category of "equivalent to a program." [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] S Information Processing System

Claims

1. An information processing method by an information processing device capable of communicating with a vehicle designated as a delivery destination of a package, comprising: receiving vehicle information from the vehicle upon detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event related to the package delivery person; determining whether to activate the hazard lights or horn of the vehicle based on the vehicle information; If it is determined that the hazard lamp or the horn is to be activated, transmitting a control signal to the vehicle to activate the hazard lamp or the horn; An information processing method, including:

2. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, An information processing method, wherein the predetermined event related to the delivery person includes an event that the delivery person approaches the vehicle within a predetermined distance, or an event that the delivery person performs a predetermined request operation.

3. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, An information processing method, wherein the vehicle information includes at least one of an operating state of an IGN or ACC, an operating state of an engine, and information indicating whether or not a person is present in the vehicle.

4. 4. The information processing method according to claim 3, An information processing method including determining not to operate the hazard lights or the horn when the IGN or ACC is ON, when the engine is running, or when there is someone in the vehicle.

5. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, the vehicle information includes location information of the vehicle; An information processing method including deciding not to operate the hazard lights or the horn when it is determined that the vehicle is located in an area where operation of the hazard lights or the horn is prohibited by law.

Images