Grid computing management method and grid computing system

Abstract

To reduce the complexity of inquiry procedures while keeping the objective quality of an operation resource.SOLUTION: A method for managing a grid computing includes: a registration step of registering a registration user of a vehicle in a user table; and an operation step of automatically starting an operation of a grid computing by the operation resource when a sensor is not detecting a passenger in the vehicle in a case where the vehicle is shifted from a driving state to a parking state, the parking of the vehicle is detected, and the door-lock state of the vehicle is also detected, while issuing an inquiry of operation start of a grid computing to a notification unit when the sensor is detecting a passenger in the vehicle, and starting an operation of a grid computing on the condition that an inquiry approving operation of the passenger is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein belongs to the technical field of a grid computing management method and a grid computing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to a grid computing system that uses computational resources installed in a vehicle. In Patent Document 1, when the processing capacity of at least one of a plurality of processing devices is insufficient, a management server transmits an instruction to the vehicle to participate in grid computing.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for managing the content of services provided to vehicle users for each user. In Patent Document 2, when a vehicle user uses a service, license information associated with both the vehicle ID assigned to the vehicle and the user ID assigned to the user is read from a storage unit, and the content of the service to be provided to the vehicle user is managed through a service management unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-160661 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-109816 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, when a vehicle is not in operation and grid computing operations (hereinafter also referred to as "grid computing") are performed using the vehicle's computing resources, objective quality of each computing resource in the grid computing is required.

[0006] Generally, when a vehicle is not in operation, no occupants are on board, but there are cases where occupants remain in the vehicle, for example, when they are going their separate ways or waiting for someone. If grid calculations are not permitted in all cases where occupants remain in the vehicle, an opportunity loss for grid calculations will occur.

[0007] The technology disclosed herein has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to enable grid calculations to be started in a secure state even when passengers are inside the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, a first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for managing grid computing that utilizes computational resources mounted on a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is provided with a sensor that recognizes occupants, a parking detection unit that detects the parking state of the vehicle, a lock detection unit that detects the door lock state of the vehicle, and an alarm unit that issues content for the occupants, and includes a registration process for registering registered users of the vehicle in a user table, and a computation process in which, when the vehicle changes from a driving state to a parked state, the parking detection unit detects that the vehicle is parked and the lock detection unit detects that the doors of the vehicle are locked, and when no occupant is detected in the passenger compartment of the vehicle by the sensor, the vehicle automatically starts grid computing computation using the computational resources, and when the sensor detects the registered user as an occupant in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the vehicle issues a query to start grid computing computation from the alarm unit, and then starts grid computing computation on the condition that approval input from the registered user in response to the query is received.

[0009] According to the first aspect, when a door lock state is detected after the vehicle is parked and no occupants are detected inside the vehicle, calculation is automatically started. This allows grid calculation to be started without bothering the user. Also, even if a registered user stays inside the vehicle after the door is locked, a query is displayed on the in-vehicle notification unit, and grid calculation is started only when an approval response from the registered user is received. This allows grid calculation to be started while maintaining security.

[0010] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a grid computing system utilizing computational resources mounted on a vehicle is targeted, and the vehicle is equipped with a sensor that recognizes occupants, a parking detection unit that detects the parking state of the vehicle, a lock detection unit that detects the door lock state of the vehicle, an alarm unit that issues content for occupants, a memory unit that stores a user table in which registered users of the vehicle are registered, and a computing device, and the computing device is configured to perform the following operations: a registration process that registers the registered users of the vehicle in the user table; and a computation process that, when the vehicle changes from a traveling state to a parked state, the parking detection unit detects that the vehicle is parked and the lock detection unit detects that the doors of the vehicle are locked, and when no occupant is detected in the passenger compartment of the vehicle by the sensor, automatically starts a grid computing operation using the computational resources; and when the sensor detects the registered user as an occupant in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the vehicle issues a query to start a grid computing operation from the alarm unit, and then starts the grid computing operation on the condition that an approval input from the registered user in response to the query is received.

[0011] According to the second aspect, similarly to the first aspect, when no occupant is detected in the vehicle cabin, grid calculation can be started without bothering the user. Also, even when an occupant is in the vehicle, grid calculation can be started in a security state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, according to the technology disclosed herein, grid calculations can be started in a state where security is maintained even when passengers are inside the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Conceptual diagram to explain grid computing [Figure 3] A block diagram illustrating the configuration of a vehicle [Figure 4] Block diagram illustrating a client-server configuration [Figure 5] Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management server [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a grid computing system. [Figure 7A] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a grid computing system. [Figure 7B] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a grid computing system. [Figure 7C] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a grid computing system. [Figure 8] Flowchart showing an example of a flow for detecting a door lock state DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts will be designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations may be omitted. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, configurations highly relevant to the contents of the present disclosure will be mainly described. Note that the following embodiments are merely illustrative, and there is no intention to limit the contents of the present disclosure by the presence or absence of descriptions or the exemplified numerical values, etc.

[0015] (Grid Computing System) FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a grid computing system 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "system 1") according to an embodiment.

[0016] The system 1 includes a plurality of vehicles 10, a plurality of client terminals 30, and a management server 50. These components can communicate with each other via a communication network 6. Each of the plurality of vehicles 10 is equipped with a computing device 102. The management server 50 is an example of a management device.

[0017] [Grid Computing] As shown in Figure 2, in the embodiment system 1, grid computing (hereinafter also simply referred to as "grid G") is configured using multiple computing devices 102, and grid computing is performed in which an available computing device 102 among the multiple computing devices 102 executes the computation of job data D1 of an application job (hereinafter also simply referred to as "job").

[0018] When the vehicle 10 is traveling, the computing power of the arithmetic device 102 is required for driving control of the vehicle 10, and the arithmetic device 102 is in an operating state. On the other hand, for example, when the vehicle 10 is parked and the power of the vehicle 10 is turned off, the computing power of the arithmetic device 102 for driving control of the vehicle is substantially unnecessary. Therefore, the above grid calculation is performed when the vehicle 10 is not in operation (for example, when the vehicle 10 is parked).

[0019] 〔vehicle〕 A battery (not shown) is mounted on the vehicle 10. Power from the battery is supplied to on-board devices such as the computing device 102. Examples of such vehicles 10 include electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

[0020] 3, the vehicle 10 includes a communication unit 101, a computing device (processor) 102, a memory unit 103, a touch panel 105, an occupant sensor 111, a driving operation sensor 112, a vehicle state sensor 113, and a position sensor 114. In the following description, the occupant sensor 111, the driving operation sensor 112, the vehicle state sensor 113, and the position sensor 114 may be collectively referred to as a sensor group 110.

[0021] -Communications Department- The communication unit 101 transmits and receives information and data to and from the management server 50 via the communication network 6. The information and data received by the communication unit 101 is sent to the arithmetic device .

[0022] -Touch panel- In the "Operation of the Grid Computing System" described below, when the door lock state is detected after the vehicle is parked, the touch panel 105 has the function of displaying a query screen to the occupants remaining in the vehicle and accepting input operations from the occupants.

[0023] The configuration of the touch panel 105 and the display form of the screen are not particularly limited, but for example, the screen of an in-vehicle car navigation system can be used as the touch panel 105. Also, a meter panel, a head-up display, or the like may be provided with the function of the touch panel 105.

[0024] Furthermore, instead of the touch panel 105, a display unit that displays an inquiry screen to the occupants remaining in the vehicle and an input unit that accepts response operations may be configured separately. The input format to the input unit is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a push button switch or a type that is operated by hand like the above-mentioned touch panel. The touch panel 105 is an example of a notification unit.

[0025] The notification mode of the notification unit is not limited to display on the display unit, but may be, for example, a voice notification. The input unit is also not limited to touch operation, but may be, for example, a voice input device such as a microphone (not shown), or a motion capture device (not shown).

[0026] -Arithmetic device- The arithmetic device 102 controls each part of the vehicle 10. In this example, the arithmetic device 102 controls each actuator (not shown) in accordance with various information obtained from the sensor group 110. Note that the arithmetic device 102 may be equipped with a arithmetic device dedicated to grid computing, i.e., a arithmetic device not involved in the control of the vehicle 10, in addition to a arithmetic device used for controlling the vehicle 10.

[0027] The arithmetic device 102 has one or more processors and one or more memories. The arithmetic devices 102 may be arranged in one place within the vehicle, or may be arranged in several places within the vehicle. Examples of processors include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory stores programs for operating the processors, information and data indicating the processing results of the processors, etc.

[0028] In this disclosure, for convenience of explanation, resources available for grid computing calculations and processing within the calculation device 102 will be referred to as "calculation resources."

[0029] The computing resources may also be resources used for controlling the vehicle 10, or a CPU or GPU dedicated to grid computing that is not used for controlling the vehicle may be used.

[0030] Also, for example, there may be separate time periods during which use as a computing resource is permitted and time periods during which use as a computing resource is restricted. That is, a single CPU may be counted as a computing resource during certain time periods and not counted as a computing resource during other time periods. The same applies to GPUs.

[0031] In addition, when a CPU is implemented with a single or multiple cores, some of the multiple cores may be counted as computing resources, and the remaining cores may not be counted as computing resources. The same applies to GPUs.

[0032] -Occupant sensor- The occupant sensor 111 acquires information necessary to authenticate occupants (including the driver) in the vehicle cabin. The occupant sensor 111 is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, an in-vehicle camera (not shown) installed in a position where it can capture images of the faces of the driver and other occupants, and an ultrasonic human presence sensor installed in the overhead console. Images captured by the in-vehicle camera are transmitted to the computing device 102. The computing device 102 extracts facial images of the occupants and identifies the driver and occupants in other seats, respectively.

[0033] The method for identifying the occupant is not particularly limited, and for example, deep learning technology can be used. When deep learning is used, the extracted face image and information on the identified driver are provided as input to a human model. The human model is, for example, a trained model generated by deep learning.

[0034] A biometric information sensor such as an iris recognition sensor, a fingerprint sensor, a voiceprint sensor, or a body measurement sensor may be used as the occupant sensor 111. Also, the driver may be identified by a combination of an image from an in-vehicle camera and information acquired by the above sensors.

[0035] The authentication unit that authenticates the driver can be realized, for example, by an occupant sensor and the arithmetic device 102. Note that information acquired by the occupant sensor 111 may be transmitted to the management server 50, and some or all of the functions of the arithmetic device 102 may be realized by the control unit 502 of the management server 50. However, by completing the functions of the authentication unit within the vehicle, more secure processing can be realized.

[0036] -Driving operation sensor- The driving operation sensor 112 detects the driving operation of the driver. Examples of the driving operation sensor 112 include an accelerator opening sensor, a shift sensor, a brake sensor, and a steering angle sensor. The detection signal from the driving operation sensor 112 is sent to the arithmetic device 102. A parking detection unit that detects the parking state can be realized by the driving operation sensor 112 and the arithmetic device 102. For example, when the brake sensor detects that the parking brake is applied and the shift sensor detects that the shift lever is set to park, the arithmetic device 102 determines that the vehicle 10 is in a parked state. Note that the arithmetic device 102 may detect the parking state based on composite information, such as detection information from a position sensor 114 and a vehicle state sensor 113 (described later) in addition to the driving operation sensor 112.

[0037] -Vehicle condition sensor- The vehicle state sensor 113 acquires the state of the vehicle 10. The vehicle state sensor 113 is composed of, for example, a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a yaw rate sensor, etc. A detection signal from the driving operation sensor 112 is transmitted to the arithmetic device 102. As described above, the vehicle state sensor 113 may constitute part of the parking detection unit.

[0038] The vehicle state sensor 113 includes a sensor that detects the door lock state of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the vehicle state sensor 113 includes a lid sensor that detects the open / closed state of the doors, the locked state of the doors provided in the vehicle, the open / closed state of the hood, and the position of the lift gate and the open / closed state of the trunk. The lid sensor is an example of a lock detection unit that detects the door lock state.

[0039] The lock detection unit is not limited to a lid sensor. For example, when a door lock actuator is activated based on a lock signal from a keyless entry device or an immobilizer authentication device, the lock detection unit may determine that the vehicle doors are locked based on the activation of the actuator.

[0040] -Position sensor- The position sensor 114 uses a global positioning system (GPS) to detect the position (vehicle position information) of the vehicle 10. The information acquired by the driving operation sensor 112 is transmitted to the computing device .

[0041] As described above, the vehicle state sensor 113 may constitute a part of the parking detection unit. Specifically, for example, the computing device 102 may determine that the vehicle is parked if the location where the vehicle is stopped is confirmed by a driving operation sensor or the like is a parking area such as a parking lot, and may not determine that the vehicle is parked if the stopping location is a no-parking area such as an intersection.

[0042] -Storage Department- The storage unit 103 stores various types of information and data. The specific configuration of the storage unit 103 is not particularly limited. For example, the storage unit 103 may be realized by a memory built into a chip, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or an optical disc such as a DVD or BD.

[0043] In this example, the storage unit 103 stores vehicle information D10 and a user table D20. The vehicle information D10 includes basic vehicle information D11, vehicle state information D13, and operation information D15.

[0044] <Vehicle basic information> The vehicle basic information D11 includes vehicle identification information and resource information.

[0045] The vehicle identification information includes information for identifying the vehicle, such as the VIN.

[0046] Resource information is information related to computational resources (such as CPUs and GPUs). The resource information includes, for example, a computational resource ID assigned to each computational resource and performance information indicating the performance of each computational resource. The performance of a computational resource includes the computational capacity of the computational resource (specifically, the maximum computational capacity), the ratio of CPUs to GPUs in the computational resource, and the like. The computational capacity of a computational resource is, for example, the amount of data that each computational resource can calculate per unit time.

[0047] <Vehicle status information> The vehicle state information D13 is information indicating the state of the vehicle 10, and includes, for example, vehicle position information, vehicle communication information, vehicle power supply information, and the like.

[0048] The vehicle position information indicates the position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle 10. For example, the vehicle position information is acquired by the position sensor 114.

[0049] The vehicle communication information includes information indicating the communication state between the vehicle 10 and the communication network 6, and information on the communication bandwidth between the vehicle 10 and the management server 50. The vehicle communication information is updated, for example, at predetermined time intervals.

[0050] The vehicle power source information includes information indicating the power source state of the vehicle 10, vehicle battery remaining amount information, vehicle charging information, etc. For example, the vehicle power source information indicates whether the ignition power is on / off, whether the accessory power is on / off, etc. The vehicle battery remaining amount information indicates the remaining amount of a battery (not shown) installed in the vehicle 10. The vehicle charging information indicates whether the vehicle 10 is being charged in a charging facility (not shown).

[0051] <Operation information> The operation information D15 includes, for example, vehicle driving information indicating the driving history of the vehicle 10, operation history information indicating the operation history of the arithmetic device 102, and operation schedule information indicating the operation schedule of the arithmetic device 102.

[0052] The vehicle travel information indicates, for example, the position of the vehicle 10 in association with time. In addition to the travel history information, travel schedule information indicating future travel schedules of the vehicle 10 may be included.

[0053] The operation history information indicates, for example, the utilization rate of the computing resources of the computing device 102 and / or the job processing volume in association with time. The operation history information includes a normal operation history and a grid operation history. The normal operation history is information indicating the history of the operation of the computing device 102 for user use, such as providing services such as vehicle driving, car navigation, and music playback. The grid operation history is information indicating the history of the operation of the computing device 102 to execute grid computing processing.

[0054] The operation schedule information indicates, for example, usage schedule information indicating the future usage status of the arithmetic device 102.

[0055] <User table> Information (hereinafter referred to as "user information") about registered users (hereinafter referred to as registered users) is registered in the user table D20. The user information includes main user information D21 and secondary user information D22.

[0056] The primary user information D21 is information about the primary user of the vehicle 10 (referred to as the "primary user"). The primary user information D21 includes information for identifying the primary user. The information for identifying the primary user includes, for example, a photograph of the primary user taken in advance, and the primary user's iris information, fingerprint information, and / or voiceprint information registered in advance. The primary user information D21 is updated when the primary user changes. For example, the primary user information D21 is the owner of the vehicle, and is changed when the owner of the vehicle 10 changes. In addition, in the case of a commercial vehicle, the primary user information D21 is the driver in charge of each vehicle, and is updated when the driver in charge is changed. Note that the primary user's contact information (for example, the email address of the terminal device 40 owned by the primary user) may also be registered as the primary user information D21.

[0057] The secondary user information D22 is information about users (referred to as "secondary users") other than the primary user who are registered with the vehicle 10. The secondary user information D22 includes information for identifying the secondary user. Information for identifying the secondary user includes, for example, a previously taken photograph of the secondary user, and previously registered iris information, fingerprint information, and / or voiceprint information of the secondary user. The secondary user information D22 can be updated by adding or deleting information. For example, the owner of the vehicle 10 can add or delete family members or friends as secondary users, and in the case of a commercial vehicle, employees who may drive the vehicle can be registered as secondary users. The secondary user information D22 may also include the secondary user's contact information (for example, the email address of the terminal device 40 owned by the secondary user). The primary user and secondary users registered in the user table D20 are examples of registered users.

[0058] It should be noted that all driver candidates who may potentially drive may be managed as simply "registered users" without distinguishing between primary and secondary users.

[0059] [Client terminal] The client terminal 30 is owned by a client. The client requests the calculation of job data. Examples of such clients include companies, research institutes, and educational institutions.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the client terminal 30 includes a communication unit 301, a storage unit 303, and a control unit 302.

[0061] -Communications Department- The communication unit 301 is connected to the management server 50 so as to be capable of two-way communication, and transmits and receives information and data therebetween. The information and data received by the communication unit 301 are sent to the control unit 302.

[0062] -Arithmetic section- The control unit 302 controls each unit of the client terminal 30. The control unit 302 has one or more processors, one or more memories, etc. The memories store programs for operating the processors, information and data indicating the processing results of the processors, etc.

[0063] -Storage Department- The storage unit 303 stores information and data. In this example, the storage unit 303 stores client information D31 and job data D1.

[0064] <Client Information> The client information D31 is information about the client, and includes a client ID set for the client, a client terminal ID set for the client terminal 30 owned by the client, a person in charge's name, address, telephone number, etc.

[0065] <Job Data> The job data D1 is data corresponding to a job and is processed to execute the job.

[0066] The job data D1 can be classified by calculation type. Examples of calculation types include CPU-based calculation types and GPU-based calculation types. Job data D1 of the CPU-based calculation type tend to require complex calculations with many conditional branches, such as simulation calculations. Job data D1 of the GPU-based calculation type tend to require a huge amount of simple calculations, such as image processing and machine learning.

[0067] <Job Information> Job information D32 relating to the job is stored in association with the job data D1. The job information D32 includes information such as the job name, job content, job data calculation type, processing conditions, required calculation capacity, and job deadline.

[0068] [Management Server] The management server 50 manages the operation of grid computing. In other words, the system 1 includes the management server 50. The management server 50 is owned by the operator that operates the system 1.

[0069] 5, the management server 50 includes a communication unit 501, a control unit 502, and a storage unit 503. The management server 50 includes one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0070] -Communications Department- The communication unit 501 is connected to the vehicle 10 and the client terminal 30 so as to be able to perform two-way communication, and transmits and receives information and data therebetween. The information and data received by the communication unit 501 is sent to the control unit 502.

[0071] -Storage Department- Various types of information and data are stored in the storage unit 503. There are no particular limitations on the specific configuration of the storage unit 503. For example, the storage unit 503 may be realized by a memory built into a chip, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or an optical disc such as a DVD or BD.

[0072] In this example, the storage unit 503 stores a vehicle information table D51, a job table D53, a matching table D55, a user table D56, job data D1, and calculation result data D2.

[0073] <Vehicle Information Table> The vehicle information table D51 is a table for managing vehicle information. For example, the vehicle information D10 of each vehicle is stored in the vehicle information table D51 in a list form.

[0074] <Job Table> The job table D53 is a table for managing jobs requested by clients. For each job, the job table D53 registers the reception number set for that job, the client ID set for the client that requested the job, the name and content of the job, and so on. The job table D53 also registers for each job the calculation type and processing conditions of the job data D1 corresponding to that job, the required computing power that is the computing power required to calculate the job data D1, the delivery date set for that job, and so on. In the job table D53, each piece of job data D1 is linked so that it is clear which client requested the job.

[0075] Matching Table The matching table D55 is a table for managing the results of matching in the matching process. For each job, the matching table D55 registers the reception number set for that job, the job data ID set in the job data D1 corresponding to that job, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle assigned to that job data by the matching process, and the like.

[0076] <User table> The user table D56 is a table for managing registered users of each vehicle 10. For example, the user table D56 stores a list of vehicle identification information for each vehicle, linked to the identification information of the registered users of each vehicle. The form of the primary user's identification information and secondary user's identification information is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an identification ID assigned to each user or the name of each user. The user table also stores contact information for registered users.

[0077] In addition, when implementing part of the functions of the authentication unit in the management server 50, it is necessary to store information equivalent to the user table D20 (information necessary to identify registered users based on data such as photographs and biometric information received from the vehicle) in the memory unit 503.

[0078] <Job Data> The job data D1 stored in the storage unit 503 is data of a job accepted from a client terminal in a job acceptance process, which will be described later.

[0079] <Calculation result data> The calculation result data D2 stored in the storage unit 503 is data of the calculation result of a job executed in each vehicle 10 by grid computing processing, which will be described later.

[0080] -Control Unit- In this example, the control unit 502 has the function of executing a series of controls and processes related to the operation and management of grid computing. For example, it executes the controls and processes in the flow diagram of FIG. 7 (FIGS. 7A and 7B) described below. Note that in the following explanation, for the sake of convenience, the operations and processes are described with the management server 50 as the main body, but the control unit 502 may contribute to the processes and controls.

[0081] The control unit 502 stores information and data received from the client terminal 30 in the storage unit 503. For example, when the control unit 502 receives job data D1 from the client terminal 30, the control unit 502 saves the job data D1 in the storage unit 503. Furthermore, when the control unit 502 receives job information D32 from the client terminal 30, the control unit 502 registers the job information D32 in a job table D53 in the storage unit 503.

[0082] The control unit 502 stores information and / or data received from each vehicle 10 and / or the primary user's terminal device 40 in the storage unit 503. For example, when the control unit 502 receives vehicle information D10 (including vehicle driving information and resource information) from the vehicle 10, it registers the information in the vehicle information table D51 in the storage unit 503. Furthermore, when the control unit 502 receives notification of addition / deletion of a secondary user from the primary user's terminal device 40, it updates the user information in the user table D56.

[0083] [Grid Computing System Operation] An example of the operation of the grid computing system will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of Figs. 6 to 8. Fig. 6 is a flowchart that mainly describes the operation of the vehicle and the control and processing in the vehicle. Fig. 7 (Figs. 7A and 7B) is a flowchart that describes the same operation as Fig. 6 from the perspective of cooperation between the vehicle and the management device, and cooperation between the management device and the display terminal. In Figs. 6 and 7, the same processes are assigned the same symbols. Also, Fig. 8 shows an example of a determination flow for grid start conditions.

[0084] -Step S11 (S41, S51)- In step S11, a registered user is registered in the vehicle 10. The method for registering a registered user is not particularly limited. For example, information about the registered user may be registered while the vehicle is stopped or moving using an occupant sensor 111 provided in the vehicle cabin, or may be registered using a terminal device 40 owned by the registered user. The information about the registered user is registered in a user table D20 in the storage unit 103. Contact information for the registered user may also be registered in the user table D20. The registration method is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known method may be used.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 7, the registered user of the vehicle 10 is registered in the management server 50 from the terminal device 40 along with his / her contact information.

[0086] 1, a vehicle owner P11 uses a terminal device 41 to register himself / herself as a primary user P11 in the management server 50 for his / her vehicle 11. Also, a vehicle owner P22 uses a terminal device 42 to register himself / herself as a primary user P21 and another person as a secondary user P22 in the management server 50 for his / her vehicle 12.

[0087] Based on the input information of the respective main users P11, P21, the terminal devices 41, 42 transmit information required for management in the user table D56 to the management server 50. The management server 50 registers the received user information in the user table D56 in the storage unit 503.

[0088] The processing here corresponds to a registration step of registering a registered user in the user table D20 or the user table D56. Note that the vehicle 10 and the management server 50 may be configured to share information between them so that the information in the user table D20 and the information in the user table D56 are the same information. In this example, it is assumed that the information in the user table D20 of the vehicle 10 and the information in the user table D56 of the management server 50 are the same information.

[0089] -Steps S12 and S13- In step S12, the ignition power of the vehicle 10 is turned on (in the case of an electric vehicle, the drive power is turned on), and the vehicle 10 starts to travel. In the next step S13, the calculation device 102 recognizes the driver of the traveling vehicle based on input information from the sensor group 110 from the time the vehicle starts traveling until it is parked. In this example, the primary user P11 is driving the vehicle 11, and the secondary user P22 is driving the vehicle 12. Therefore, the primary user P11 is recognized as the driver of the vehicle 11, and the secondary user P22 is recognized as the driver of the vehicle 12. The calculation device 102 also recognizes other occupants in the same way as the driver. In this example, the vehicle 12 has a user P23, who is not a registered user, as its occupant.

[0090] At this time, the arithmetic device 102 may use the user table D20 to determine whether each occupant is a registered user. In this example, in the vehicle 11, the primary user P11 is determined to be a registered user. In the vehicle 12, the secondary user P22 is determined to be a registered user, and the user P23 is determined to be not a registered user. When determining whether a user is a registered user, the occupant's information may be sent to the management server 50, and the determination result may be inquired.

[0091] -Step S14- In step S14, for example, when the vehicle 10 enters a parking area in a parking lot, the ignition power is turned off (in the case of an electric vehicle, the drive power is turned off), and the vehicle changes from a traveling state to a parking state. Then, the parking detection unit (for example, the driving operation sensor 112 and the vehicle state sensor 113) detects that the vehicle is in a parked state, and the flow proceeds to the next step S20.

[0092] -Step S20- In step S20, the arithmetic unit 102 determines whether the grid start condition is satisfied. A specific example will be described below.

[0093] -Step S21- In step S21, it is determined whether a condition for starting grid calculation is satisfied. The condition for starting grid calculation is, for example, that after the parking detection unit detects that the vehicle is parked, the occupant sensor 111 confirms that the occupants have exited the vehicle, and the lock detection unit detects that the vehicle doors are locked while no one remains in the vehicle.

[0094] Fig. 8 shows an example of a detection flow for the vehicle door lock state. In the example of Fig. 8, the arithmetic device 102 executes the determinations of steps S211 to S214 in parallel. In step S211, the lid sensor is used to determine whether the door is open or closed. In step S212, the lid sensor is used to determine whether the door is locked. In step S213, the lid sensor is used to determine whether the hood is open or closed. In step S214, the lid sensor is used to determine the position of the lift gate and the open or closed state of the trunk.

[0095] In the next step S215, the calculation device 102 determines the door lock status of the vehicle 10 based on the determination results of steps S211 to S214. For example, if the vehicle interior is closed and the doors are locked, the calculation device 102 determines that the door lock status determination result is OK, that is, that the grid start condition is satisfied. In this example, the calculation device 102 determines that the grid start condition is satisfied if it detects that all doors are closed in step S211, that all doors are locked in step S212, that the hood is closed in step S213, and that the lift gate is in the closed position and the trunk is closed in step S214.

[0096] If the condition of step S21 is satisfied, that is, if it is detected that the doors of the vehicle 10 have been locked without an occupant after parking (YES in S21), the computing device 102 automatically starts grid computation using the computational resources (step S30). Step S30 in Fig. 6 corresponds to steps S31 to S35 in Fig. 7A.

[0097] Fig. 7A shows a flow when the determination is YES in step S21 in Fig. 6 and grid calculation is automatically started in the next step S30. The operations in steps S11 to S15 and S20 in Fig. 7A are the same as those in Fig. 6, and the operations from step S31 onwards will be explained here.

[0098] In step S31, the computing device 102 requests the management server 50 to transmit job data D1 to be used in the grid computing.

[0099] In step S54, the control unit 502 of the management server 50, which has received the transmission request from the arithmetic device 102, transmits to the vehicle 11 the job data D1 for the application job that is the request target.

[0100] In step S32, the arithmetic device 102 receives the job data D1 from the management server 50. Thereafter, the arithmetic device 102 starts grid calculation using the job data D1 (step S33). When the grid calculation is completed (step S34), the arithmetic device 102 transmits the calculation result to the management server 50 (step S35). When the calculation result from the arithmetic device 102 is received by the management server 50 in step S55, the series of processes ends. Note that if there is sufficient parking time, the process of step S20 may be executed repeatedly.

[0101] On the other hand, if an occupant remains in the vehicle compartment after the doors of the vehicle 10 are detected to be locked, the determination in step S21 is NO, and the flow proceeds to step S22.

[0102] -Steps S22 to S26- In step S22, after it is detected that the doors of the vehicle 10 are locked, it is determined whether or not the occupant remaining in the vehicle compartment is a registered user.

[0103] <If the user remaining in the vehicle is a registered user> Figure 7B shows a flow when the start of calculation is approved by a registered user who remains in the vehicle interior when the doors are locked. This example corresponds to the operations when the primary user P11 remains in the vehicle interior when the doors are locked in vehicle 11, and when the secondary user P22 remains in the vehicle interior when the doors are locked in vehicle 12. Note that the operations from steps S11 to S15 and S20 in Figure 7B are the same as those in Figure 6, and the operations from step S22 onwards will be explained here using Figures 6 and 7B.

[0104] 6, if the occupant remaining in the vehicle cabin is a registered user (YES in S22), in the next step S23, the calculation device 102 controls the touch panel 105 to display a query screen asking whether it is OK to start grid calculation. In the next step S24, it is determined whether permission to use has been obtained from the occupant (registered user).

[0105] More specifically, in step S42 of FIG. 7B, an inquiry screen is displayed on the touch panel 105, and when a registered user performs a touch operation, the operation information is transmitted to the arithmetic device 102.

[0106] 6, if the occupant approves the grid calculation in step S24, the flow proceeds to the next step S30, that is, the execution of the grid calculation. The operations of steps S31 to S35, S54, and S55 in Fig. 7B are the same as those in Fig. 7A, and therefore will not be described here.

[0107] On the other hand, if the occupant performs an operation to disallow the grid calculation in step S53, it is determined that permission is not granted in step S24 of Fig. 6. As a result, the grid calculation is not performed in the vehicle 12, and the series of processes ends.

[0108] <If the user remaining in the vehicle is not a registered user> 7C shows a flow when an occupant remaining in the vehicle cabin when the doors are locked is a user other than a registered user, and the registered user who is outside the vehicle is notified and approves the start of calculation. This example corresponds to the operation when user P23 remains in the vehicle cabin when the doors are locked in vehicle 12. Note that the operations from step S11 to S15 and S20 in FIG. 7C are the same as those in FIG. 6, and the operation from step S22 onwards will be described here using FIG. 6 and FIG. 7C.

[0109] 6, if the occupant remaining in the vehicle cabin is not a registered user (NO in S22), then in the next step S23, the calculation device 102 sends an inquiry request to the main user P21 regarding starting grid calculation to the management server 50. In the next step S26, it is determined whether or not permission for use has been granted by the main user P21.

[0110] More specifically, in step S52 of Fig. 7C, when the management server 50 receives the above-mentioned inquiry request from the vehicle 12, it refers to the user table D56 in the storage unit 503 and sends a confirmation message to the registered user's contact information (in this example, the terminal device 42 of the primary user P21) asking whether it is okay to execute grid calculations on the vehicle 12. When sending this confirmation message, it may also notify the primary user P21 that the occupant remaining in the vehicle cabin is user P23. In this way, by notifying the primary user P21 of the information about the occupant remaining in the vehicle cabin, it is possible to provide the primary user P21 with information on whether to approve or disapprove of the grid calculations.

[0111] In step S42, when the terminal device 42 receives the confirmation message from the management server 50, it displays the message on the display screen and accepts a response from the main user P21. When the terminal device 42 acquires the response operation information from the main user P21, it transmits the response result from the main user P21 to the terminal device 42.

[0112] In step S53, when the management server 50 receives the response result of the main user P21 from the terminal device 42, it transmits the content thereof to the vehicle 12. Thereafter, in step S54, the control unit 502 of the management server 50 transmits job data D1 for the application job to be requested to the vehicle 12. Note that, similar to the case of FIG. 7B, the management server 50 may transmit the job data D1 to the vehicle 12 after receiving a transmission request from the vehicle 12. The subsequent processing of steps S32 to S35 and step S55 is the same as that of FIG. 7B.

[0113] On the other hand, if the response result received by the management server 50 in step S53 does not permit grid calculation in the vehicle 12, a determination of no permission is made in step S26 of Fig. 6. As a result, grid calculation is not performed in the vehicle 12, and the series of processes ends.

[0114] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the door lock state is detected after the vehicle 10 is parked, grid calculation is automatically started if no occupants are detected inside the vehicle 10. This allows grid calculation to be started without bothering the registered user.

[0115] Furthermore, even when a registered user stays inside the vehicle after the doors of the vehicle 10 are locked, a query is displayed on the touch panel 105, and grid calculation is started on the condition that an approval operation by the occupant (registered user) is received via the touch panel 105. This allows grid calculation to be started while maintaining security.

[0116] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if occupants other than registered users are in the vehicle cabin after the doors are locked, grid calculations are started subject to the approval of the registered user, thereby ensuring the objective quality of calculation resources while minimizing opportunity loss in performing grid calculations.

[0117] The above embodiments may be combined as appropriate. The above embodiments are essentially preferred examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the technology disclosed herein, its applications, or its uses. In other words, the above embodiments are merely examples and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, and all modifications and variations that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0118] As described above, the technology disclosed herein is useful as a technology for managing grid computing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 10 vehicles 105 Touch panel (notification unit) 111 Occupant sensor (sensor) 112 Driving operation sensor (parking detection unit) 113 Vehicle status sensor (parking detection unit, lock detection unit)

Claims

1. A method for managing grid computing utilizing computing resources mounted on a vehicle, comprising: The vehicle is provided with a sensor that recognizes an occupant, a parking detection unit that detects a parking state of the vehicle, a lock detection unit that detects a door lock state of the vehicle, and a notification unit that issues content for the occupant, a registration step of registering a registered user of the vehicle in a user table; When the vehicle changes from a traveling state to a parking state, the parking detection unit detects that the vehicle is parked, and the lock detection unit detects that the doors of the vehicle are locked, When the sensor detects no occupant in the vehicle cabin, the vehicle automatically starts grid computing calculations using the calculation resources; and a calculation step of, when the sensor detects the registered user as an occupant in the vehicle cabin, issuing an inquiry about starting a grid computing calculation from the notification unit in the vehicle, and then starting the grid computing calculation on the condition that an approval input from the registered user in response to the inquiry is received. How to manage grid computing.

2. In the calculation step, when the vehicle changes from a running state to a parked state, the parking detection unit detects that the vehicle is parked, and the lock detection unit detects that the doors of the vehicle are locked, if the sensor detects an occupant in the vehicle cabin and the occupant is not the registered user, the vehicle starts grid computing calculations on the condition that approval information indicating that the registered user has approved the start of the grid computing process is received from outside. The method for managing grid computing according to claim 1 .

3. A grid computing system utilizing computational resources mounted on a vehicle, The vehicle is A sensor for recognizing an occupant; a parking detection unit that detects the parking state of the vehicle; a lock detection unit that detects a door lock state of the vehicle; a notification unit that issues content for occupants; a storage unit that stores a user table in which registered users of the vehicle are registered; a computing device; The computing device a registration step of registering a registered user of the vehicle in the user table; When the vehicle changes from a traveling state to a parking state, the parking detection unit detects that the vehicle is parked, and the lock detection unit detects that the doors of the vehicle are locked, when the sensor detects no occupant in the vehicle cabin, automatically starting grid computing calculations using the computing resources; When the sensor detects the registered user as an occupant in the vehicle cabin, the vehicle executes a calculation step of issuing an inquiry about starting a grid computing calculation from the notification unit, and then starting the grid computing calculation on the condition that an approval input from the registered user in response to the inquiry is received. Grid computing system.

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