Information processing device
The information processing device optimally controls mobile objects by switching control functions based on communication status, addressing control failures and ensuring safe operation across varying communication conditions.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022175537
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-26
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-11-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing information processing devices struggle to effectively control mobile objects due to varying communication statuses between the device and the mobile object, leading to potential control failures.
An information processing device that includes a communication unit, function control unit, and switching control unit, which dynamically switches control of functions between the device and the mobile object based on communication status, using a pre-created map of communication strength in the travel area.
Enables optimal control of mobile objects by adapting to communication quality, ensuring safe operation even in areas with low communication, and allowing continued operation in case of control unit failures.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device that controls a moving object. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile object that moves autonomously by efficiently using wireless resources, and an information processing device provided in the mobile object. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-176262 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] When a mobile object is controlled by an instruction via communication from an information processing device on the cloud, the mobile object may not be controlled appropriately depending on the communication status between the information processing device and the mobile object. Therefore, there is room for further study on a method for controlling a mobile object by an information processing device via communication.
[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing device that can preferably control a mobile body based on the communication status between the mobile body and the information processing device, etc. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the disclosed technology is an information processing device that controls a mobile body, and includes a communication unit that communicates with the mobile body, a function control unit that controls functions necessary for the mobile body to travel autonomously, and a switching control unit that switches whether at least some of the necessary functions are controlled by the information processing device or the mobile body based on the communication status between the information processing device and the mobile body. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the information processing device of the present disclosure, it is possible to preferably control the mobile body based on the communication status between the information processing device and the mobile body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system including an information processing device and a mobile object according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image of a map stored in an information processing device. [Figure 3A] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a process for controlling a moving object executed by an information processing device. [Figure 3B] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a process for controlling a moving object executed by an information processing device. [Figure 4A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of a process for controlling a moving object executed by an information processing device. [Figure 4B] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of a process for controlling a moving object executed by an information processing device. [Figure 4C] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of a process for controlling a moving object executed by an information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] When remotely controlling a mobile object, the information processing device of the present disclosure creates information related to the strength of wireless communications between the information processing device and the mobile object in advance in the form of a map of the travel area, and switches the control entity of a specific function implemented by the mobile object between the information processing device and the mobile object based on the communication strength on the map corresponding to the current location of the mobile object, thereby enabling the mobile object to be controlled optimally. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0010] <Embodiment> [composition] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a system 10 including an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a moving object 200 that is an object to be controlled by the information processing device 100.
[0011] (1) Information processing device The information processing device 100 is communicably connected to the mobile object 200 and is configured to be able to perform predetermined control over the mobile object 200 via communication. In this embodiment, the information processing device 100 controls functions required to enable the mobile object 200 to travel autonomously. The information processing device 100 is provided, for example, in a cloud server. The information processing device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a function control unit 120, a switching control unit 130, and a map storage unit 140.
[0012] The communication unit 110 is configured to execute predetermined communications with the mobile body 200 and transmit to the mobile body 200 instructions related to the control of functions required for the mobile body 200 to travel autonomously, instructions related to the transfer of control of specific functions, which will be described later, and the like. The communication unit 110 can also receive information related to the autonomous travel state of the mobile body 200 (which will be described later) from the mobile body 200 at any time.
[0013] The function control unit 120 has various functions necessary for autonomous driving of the mobile object 200, and is configured to control these functions. More specifically, the function control unit 120 implements an application (APP) of the functions necessary for autonomous driving of the mobile object 200, and executes this application to realize predetermined functions. At least some of the functions of the function control unit 120 (hereinafter referred to as "specific functions") are also implemented in the mobile object 200.
[0014] The switching control unit 130 controls switching between whether the control of a specific function is to be executed by the function control unit 120 of the information processing device 100 or by the mobile object 200, based on the communication status between the information processing device 100 and the mobile object 200. The switching control unit 130 also detects a failure state of the ECU 210 (described later) mounted on the mobile object 200, and controls switching between the entities that execute the control of the specific function. These switching instructions are transmitted to the mobile object 200 via the communication unit 110.
[0015] The map storage unit 140 stores a map showing, for example, information on communication strength at each position in the movable area (hereinafter referred to as the "movable area") within which the mobile object 200 can move. This map is created in advance based on simulations and actual measurements in the movable area.
[0016] 2 illustrates an image of a map 300 stored in the map storage unit 140. In the example of FIG. 2, areas with high communication strength using 5G communication, areas with high communication strength using WiFi communication, and areas with low communication strength using WiFi communication are set as information in the map 300. Note that the information set in the map 300 may be a numerical value of communication strength in addition to a classification (level) of communication strength.
[0017] The entire or partial configuration of this information processing device 100 typically includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), a readable / writable storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and an input / output interface, and the processor reads and executes a program stored in the memory to realize all or part of the above-mentioned configuration.
[0018] (2) Mobile The mobile body 200 is configured to be able to communicate with the information processing device 100, and is a mobility that can perform autonomous driving under control from the information processing device 100 and under its own control. While FIG. 1 shows an example in which one mobile body 200 is connected to the information processing device 100, multiple mobile bodies 200 may be connected to the information processing device 100. The mobile body 200 includes an ECU 210, a command unit 250, an ACT drive unit 260, and an actuator 270.
[0019] The ECU 210 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire autonomous driving of the moving body 200, and includes a communication unit 220, a function storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.
[0020] The communication unit 220 is configured to communicate with the information processing device 100 and receive control instructions related to functions for autonomous driving of the mobile object 200. The communication unit 220 also provides information related to the autonomous driving state acquired by the mobile object 200 to the information processing device 100. The information related to the autonomous driving state includes the current position of the mobile object 200, its operating state (running / stopped), its moving speed, its moving direction, and detected objects in the vicinity. The communication unit 220 can also receive instructions to transfer control of a specific function from the information processing device 100 to the mobile object 200 (control transfer) and instructions to return control of a specific function that has been transferred to the mobile object 200 to the information processing device 100 (control transfer end).
[0021] The function storage unit 230 is configured to store specific functions necessary for the autonomous driving of the mobile body 200. In other words, the specific functions are implemented in the ECU 210. Examples of the specific functions stored in the function storage unit 230 include, for example, functions among all functions related to the autonomous driving of the mobile body 200 that are intended to ensure safety with simple processing in an emergency, such as a function for determining only one-dimensional information acquired from a radar or the like (one-dimensional information determination function) and an emergency stop function based on that determination. All functions necessary for the autonomous driving of the mobile body 200, including these specific functions, are implemented in the function control unit 120 of the information processing device 100. Therefore, the specific functions are provided redundantly in the information processing device 100 and the mobile body 200.
[0022] The control unit 240 is configured to perform control necessary to enable the mobile object 200 to travel autonomously. Based on a control instruction for a function received from the information processing device 100, the control unit 240 controls the instruction unit 250 to cause the ACT driver 260, which controls the actuator 270 corresponding to that function, to operate the actuator 270. Furthermore, the control unit 240 executes control of a specific function stored in the function storage unit 230 or transfers control of a specific function stored in the function storage unit 230 to the instruction unit 250 in response to an instruction (control transfer / control transfer end) received from the information processing device 100 based on the communication status between the information processing device 100 and the mobile object 200. Furthermore, the control unit 240 detects a fault state in a functional unit related to its own processing / memory and notifies the information processing device 100 of the detected fault state.
[0023] The instruction unit 250 is configured to issue predetermined instructions to the ACT drive unit 260 to cause the moving object 200 to travel autonomously based on the control by the control unit 240. When multiple ACT drive units 260 are present, the instruction unit 250 distributes appropriate instructions to each of the multiple ACT drive units 260. For this reason, the instruction unit 250 is sometimes referred to as an electronic infrastructure box. This instruction unit 250 can be configured, for example, by a low-performance ECU that is capable of executing only functions with a low processing load compared to the ECU 210.
[0024] The ACT driving unit 260 is configured to operate the actuator 270 based on an instruction from the instruction unit 250. The ACT driving unit 260 is, for example, an actuator ECU or a driver unit (EDU). A plurality of ACT driving units 260 may be provided according to the number of actuators 270.
[0025] The actuator 270 is a device for executing movements such as running, stopping, and turning of the moving body 200, and is, for example, a travel motor, a sensor, etc. A plurality of actuators 270 may be provided.
[0026] The entire or part of the configuration of this mobile body 200 typically includes a processor such as a CPU, memory such as RAM, a readable / writable storage medium such as an HDD or SSD, and an input / output interface, and the processor reads and executes a program stored in the memory to realize all or part of the above-mentioned configuration.
[0027] [control] Next, with further reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 4C, the control performed in the system 10 according to this embodiment will be described.
[0028] (1) First example of mobile control 3A and 3B are flowcharts illustrating the processing procedure of a first example of mobile object control executed by information processing device 100. The processing of FIG. 3A and the processing of FIG. 3B are connected by a connector X. This first example of mobile object control is started, for example, when a destination to travel to is set for mobile object 200.
[0029] (Step S301) The information processing device 100 acquires the current location of the moving body 200 before it starts moving (information related to the autonomous moving state) from the moving body 200, and also acquires the current communication status between the information processing device 100 and the moving body 200. The communication status includes the actual communication strength between the information processing device 100 and the moving body 200. When the information processing device 100 acquires the current location of the moving body 200 before it starts moving and the current communication status, the process proceeds to step S302.
[0030] (Step S302) The information processing device 100 refers to the map 300 stored in the map storage unit 140 and determines whether the communication strength set at the position on the map 300 corresponding to the current location of the mobile object 200 before traveling is equal to or greater than a first threshold. This determination is made to determine whether the current location of the mobile object 200 is at a location where it is estimated that high-quality communication is possible between the information processing device 100 and the mobile object 200. Therefore, the first threshold can be set to an appropriate value that can determine that high-quality communication is possible, depending on the communication strength set on the map 300. If the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength of the current location on the map 300 is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S302, Yes), the process proceeds to step S303. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength of the current location on the map 300 is less than the first threshold (step S302, No), the process proceeds to step S305.
[0031] (Step S303) The information processing device 100 determines whether the current communication strength between the information processing device 100 and the mobile object 200 is equal to or greater than a second threshold. This determination is made to determine whether the actual communication strength at the current location is high enough to enable the information processing device 100 and the mobile object 200 to perform high-quality communication. Therefore, the second threshold can be set to, for example, a value that reduces the likelihood of communication delays or communication interruptions. If the information processing device 100 determines that the current communication strength is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S303, Yes), the process proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength at the current location is less than the second threshold (step S303, No), the process proceeds to step S305.
[0032] (Step S304) The information processing device 100 initially sets the control of all functions necessary for the autonomous driving of the mobile object 200 so that it is executed on the information processing device 100 side. That is, the information processing device 100 controls all functions necessary for the autonomous driving of the mobile object 200 by the function control unit 120 based on information regarding the autonomous driving state acquired from the mobile object 200, and transmits instructions based on this control to the mobile object 200, thereby switching to a setting in which the mobile object 200 performs autonomous driving. When the information processing device 100 initially sets the control of all functions of the mobile object 200 in the information processing device 100, the process proceeds to step S306.
[0033] (Step S305) The information processing device 100 initially sets all functions necessary for the moving object 200 to autonomously travel so that control of specific functions is executed by the moving object 200 itself, and so that control of functions other than the specific functions is executed by the information processing device 100 itself. That is, the information processing device 100 internally controls the specific functions based on information about the autonomous travel state acquired by the moving object 200 itself, and externally controls functions other than the specific functions based on information about the autonomous travel state acquired from the moving object 200. By transmitting instructions based on this external control to the moving object 200, the moving object 200 switches to a setting for performing autonomous travel. In this case, among the functions other than the specific functions, high-load functions such as obstacle avoidance processing and data analysis using two-dimensional and three-dimensional information may be set so that they are not controlled by the function control unit 120 (control is stopped). When the information processing device 100 has initially set control of the specific functions to be executed by the moving object 200 itself and control of functions other than the specific functions to be executed by the information processing device 100 itself, the process proceeds to step S306.
[0034] (Step S306) Based on the initially set control content, the information processing device 100 starts the autonomous traveling of the moving body 200. When the autonomous traveling of the moving body 200 is started by the information processing device 100, the process proceeds to step S307.
[0035] (Step S307) The information processing device 100 acquires, from time to time, the current location of the moving object 200 while it is moving and the current communication status between the information processing device 100 and the moving object 200. The timing for acquiring this information is not particularly limited, but may be triggered, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed, when the moving object 200 has moved a predetermined distance, or when there has been a change in the communication status. Once the information processing device 100 acquires the current location of the moving object 200 while it is moving and the current communication status, the process proceeds to step S308.
[0036] (Step S308) The information processing device 100 refers to the map 300 stored in the map storage unit 140 and determines whether the communication strength set on the map 300 is always equal to or greater than a first threshold while the mobile object 200 moves a predetermined distance from the current location toward the destination. This determination is made to determine whether there is a possibility that the communication quality between the information processing device 100 and the mobile object 200 will deteriorate while the mobile object 200 moves the predetermined distance. The first threshold used in this determination is the same as the threshold used in the determination in step S302 above, but a different threshold may also be used. If the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength on the map 300 is always equal to or greater than the first threshold while the mobile object 200 moves the predetermined distance from the current location (step S308, Yes), the process proceeds to step S309. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength on the map 300 will be less than the first threshold at any position while the mobile object 200 moves the predetermined distance from the current location (step S308, No), the process proceeds to step S312.
[0037] (Step S309) The information processing device 100 refers to the map 300 stored in the map storage unit 140 and determines whether the communication strength set at the position on the map 300 corresponding to the current location of the traveling mobile object 200 is equal to or greater than the first threshold. The reason for this determination is the same as in step S302 above. If the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength on the map 300 for the current location is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S309, Yes), the process proceeds to step S310. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength on the map 300 for the current location is less than the first threshold (step S309, No), the process proceeds to step S312.
[0038] (Step S310) The information processing device 100 determines whether the current communication strength between the moving object 200 and the information processing device 100 is equal to or greater than the second threshold. The reason for this determination is the same as in step S303 above. If the information processing device 100 determines that the current communication strength is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S310, Yes), the process proceeds to step S311. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength at the current location is less than the second threshold (step S310, No), the process proceeds to step S312.
[0039] (Step S311) The information processing device 100 sets the control of a specific function required for autonomous driving of the mobile object 200 to be executed on the information processing device 100 side. That is, if the information processing device 100 has transferred the control of the specific function to the mobile object 200, the information processing device 100 switches the setting to return the control of the specific function to the information processing device 100. In this case, if there is a high-level function such as an avoidance measure or data analysis for which control has been stopped, the control is resumed. When the information processing device 100 sets the control of the specific function of the mobile object 200 to the information processing device 100, the process proceeds to step S313.
[0040] (Step S312) The information processing device 100 sets the control of a specific function required for autonomous driving of the moving body 200 to be executed by the moving body 200. That is, if the control of the specific function was being performed by the information processing device 100, the information processing device 100 switches to a setting to transfer the control of the specific function to the moving body 200. When the control of the specific function of the moving body 200 is set by the information processing device 100 to the moving body 200, the process proceeds to step S313.
[0041] (Step S313) The information processing device 100 determines whether the moving body 200 has arrived at the destination. This determination can be made based on information regarding the autonomous driving state received from the moving body 200. If the information processing device 100 determines that the moving body 200 has arrived at the destination (step S313, Yes), the process proceeds to step S314. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the moving body 200 has not yet arrived at the destination (step S313, No), the process proceeds to step S308.
[0042] (Step S314) The information processing device 100 stops the autonomous traveling of the moving body 200. When the autonomous traveling of the moving body 200 is stopped by the information processing device 100, this moving body control ends.
[0043] (2) Second example of mobile control 4A, 4B, and 4C are flowcharts illustrating the processing steps of a second example of mobile object control executed by information processing device 100. The processing of FIG. 4A, the processing of FIG. 4B, and the processing of FIG. 4C are connected by connectors X, Y, and Z. Steps S301 to S304 and S306 to S307 shown in FIG. 4A, steps S308 to S310 shown in FIG. 4B, and steps S313 to S314 shown in FIG. 4C are the same as the processing steps of the first example of mobile object control described above. Below, the second example of mobile object control will be described, focusing on the processing steps that differ from the first example of mobile object control. The mobile object control of this second example is started, for example, when a destination to travel to is set for mobile object 200.
[0044] (Step S302) The information processing device 100 refers to the map 300 stored in the map storage unit 140 and determines whether the communication strength set at the position on the map 300 corresponding to the current location of the mobile object 200 before traveling is equal to or greater than a first threshold. If the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength of the current location on the map 300 is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S302, Yes), the process proceeds to step S303. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength of the current location on the map 300 is less than the first threshold (step S302, No), the process proceeds to step S401.
[0045] (Step S303) The information processing device 100 determines whether the current communication strength between the information processing device 100 and the mobile object 200 is equal to or greater than the second threshold. If the information processing device 100 determines that the current communication strength is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S303, Yes), the process proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength at the current location is less than the second threshold (step S303, No), the process proceeds to step S401.
[0046] (Step S401) The information processing device 100 initially sets all functions necessary for the mobile object 200 to autonomously travel so that control of specific functions is executed by the mobile object 200 itself, and initially sets all functions other than the specific functions to be executed by the information processing device 100 itself. That is, the information processing device 100 internally controls the specific functions by the ECU 210 of the mobile object 200 based on information about the autonomous travel state acquired by the mobile object 200 itself, and externally controls the functions other than the specific functions by the function control unit 120 of the information processing device 100 based on information about the autonomous travel state acquired from the mobile object 200, and transmits instructions based on this external control to the mobile object 200, thereby switching to a setting in which the mobile object 200 performs autonomous travel. In this case, advanced functions such as avoidance measures and data analysis among the functions other than the specific functions may be set not to be controlled by the function control unit 120 (control may be stopped). When the information processing device 100 has initially set all functions to be controlled by the mobile object 200 itself, and all functions other than the specific functions to be controlled by the information processing device 100 itself, the process proceeds to step S306.
[0047] (Step S308) The information processing device 100 refers to the map 300 stored in the map storage unit 140 and determines whether the communication strength set on the map 300 is always equal to or greater than the first threshold while the mobile object 200 moves a predetermined distance from the current location toward the destination. If the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength on the map 300 is always equal to or greater than the first threshold while the mobile object 200 moves a predetermined distance from the current location (step S308, Yes), the process proceeds to step S309. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength on the map 300 is less than the first threshold at any position while the mobile object 200 moves a predetermined distance from the current location (step S308, No), the process proceeds to step S403.
[0048] (Step S309) The information processing device 100 refers to the map 300 stored in the map storage unit 140 and determines whether the communication strength set at the position on the map 300 corresponding to the current location of the traveling mobile object 200 is equal to or greater than a first threshold. If the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength at the current location on the map 300 is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S309, Yes), the process proceeds to step S310. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength at the current location on the map 300 is less than the first threshold (step S309, No), the process proceeds to step S403.
[0049] (Step S310) The information processing device 100 determines whether the current communication strength between the moving object 200 and the information processing device 100 is equal to or greater than the second threshold. If the information processing device 100 determines that the current communication strength is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S310, Yes), the process proceeds to step S402. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength at the current location is less than the second threshold (step S310, No), the process proceeds to step S403.
[0050] (Step S402) The information processing device 100 sets the control of a specific function required for autonomous driving of the mobile object 200 to be executed by the information processing device 100. That is, if the information processing device 100 has transferred the control of the specific function to the ECU 210 of the mobile object 200 in step S305 above, or if the information processing device 100 has transferred the control of the specific function to the instruction unit 250 (electronic infrastructure) of the mobile object 200 in step S407 described below, the information processing device 100 switches the setting to return the control of the specific function to the information processing device 100. In this case, if there is a high-level function such as an avoidance measure or data analysis whose control has been stopped, the control is resumed. When the information processing device 100 sets the control of the specific function of the mobile object 200 to the information processing device 100, the process proceeds to step S404.
[0051] (Step S403) The information processing device 100 sets the control of a specific function required for autonomous driving of the mobile body 200 to be executed by the mobile body 200. In other words, if the control of the specific function was being performed by the information processing device 100, the information processing device 100 switches to a setting to transfer the control of the specific function to the ECU 210 of the mobile body 200. When the control of the specific function of the mobile body 200 is set by the information processing device 100 to the ECU 210 of the mobile body 200, the process proceeds to step S404.
[0052] (Step S404) The information processing device 100 determines whether or not a predetermined malfunction has been detected in the ECU 210 of the moving object 200. The predetermined malfunction is a malfunction in the processing / memory unit of the control unit 240. The presence or absence of a malfunction can be determined based on information regarding the autonomous driving state obtained from the moving object 200. If the information processing device 100 detects a malfunction in the ECU 210 of the moving object 200 (step S404, Yes), the process proceeds to step S405. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 does not detect a malfunction in the ECU 210 of the moving object 200 (step S404, No), the process proceeds to step S313.
[0053] (Step S405) The information processing device 100 refers to the map 300 stored in the map storage unit 140 and determines whether the communication strength set at the position on the map 300 corresponding to the current location of the traveling mobile object 200 is equal to or greater than the first threshold. This determination is the same as the determination in step S309 above. If the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength on the map 300 for the current location is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S405, Yes), the process proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength on the map 300 for the current location is less than the first threshold (step S405, No), the process proceeds to step S408.
[0054] (Step S406) The information processing device 100 determines whether the current communication strength between the moving object 200 and the information processing device 100 is equal to or greater than the second threshold. This determination is the same as the determination in step S310 above. If the information processing device 100 determines that the current communication strength is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S406, Yes), the process proceeds to step S407. On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the communication strength at the current location is less than the second threshold (step S406, No), the process proceeds to step S408.
[0055] (Step S407) The information processing device 100 sets the control of a specific function required for autonomous driving of the mobile object 200 to be executed by the instruction unit 250 (electronic infrastructure) of the mobile object 200. That is, if the information processing device 100 has been performing control of the specific function in the information processing device 100 in the above steps S304 or S402, or if the information processing device 100 has transferred control of the specific function to the ECU 210 of the mobile object 200 in the above step S305, the information processing device 100 switches to a setting to transfer control of the specific function to the instruction unit 250 (electronic infrastructure) of the mobile object 200, which can control the specific function if it has a low processing load. In this case, it is possible for the information processing device 100 to continue to control high-level functions such as avoidance measures and data analysis. When the information processing device 100 sets the control of the specific function of the mobile object 200 to the instruction unit 250 (electronic infrastructure) of the mobile object 200, the process proceeds to step S313.
[0056] (Step S408) The information processing device 100 sets the instruction unit 250 (electronic infrastructure) of the mobile object 200 to control a specific function required for autonomous driving of the mobile object 200. That is, if the information processing device 100 has controlled the specific function in the information processing device 100 in the above steps S304 or S402, or if the information processing device 100 has transferred the control of the specific function to the ECU 210 of the mobile object 200 in the above step S305, the information processing device 100 switches to a setting to transfer control of the specific function to the instruction unit 250 (electronic infrastructure) of the mobile object 200, which can control the specific function if the specific function has a low processing load. In this case, the information processing device 100 disables control of advanced functions such as avoidance measures and data analysis, and instructs the mobile object 200 to display a message indicating that the advanced functions are unavailable. When the information processing device 100 sets the control of the specific function of the mobile object 200 in the instruction unit 250 (electronic infrastructure) of the mobile object 200 and displays a message indicating that the advanced functions are unavailable, the process proceeds to step S313.
[0057] <Actions, effects, etc.> As described above, according to the information processing device 100 that controls the mobile body 200 in one embodiment of the present disclosure, when it is determined that there is a risk of communication delays or communication interruptions based on the map 300 regarding communication quality created in advance based on radio wave conditions and the communication conditions between the information processing device 100 and the mobile body 200, control of at least certain functions necessary for the autonomous driving of the mobile body 200, which can safely stop the mobile body 200 before any danger occurs, is transferred from the information processing device 100 to the mobile body 200.
[0058] This control allows the mobile object 200 to stop in an emergency based solely on its own judgment, even if the mobile object 200 is traveling in an area with low communication quality. Therefore, the mobile object 200 can be suitably controlled based on the communication status between the information processing device 100 and the mobile object 200.
[0059] Furthermore, even if a part (processing / memory unit) of the ECU 210 of the vehicle 200 to which control of a specific function has been transferred fails, the control of the specific function is transferred from the ECU 210 to a lower-level electronic infrastructure box (instruction unit 250). As a result, when a failure occurs, the vehicle 200 can continue traveling temporarily until an administrator of the system 10 or the like takes action to deal with the failure.
[0060] The above describes one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure can be understood as not only an information processing device, but also a system including an information processing device and a mobile object, a method executed by a system having a processor and memory, a program for executing this method, and a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium storing the program. [Industrial Applicability]
[0061] The information processing device of the present disclosure is useful when, for example, a mobile object is remotely controlled from an information processing device provided on the cloud side. [Explanation of symbols]
[0062] 10 Systems 100 Information processing device 110 Communications Department 120 Function control section 130 Switching control unit 140 Map memory section 200 Mobile 210 ECU 220 Communications Department 230 Function storage unit 240 Control Unit 250 Instruction section 260 ACT drive unit 270 Actuator
Claims
1. An information processing device for controlling a moving object, a communication unit that communicates with the mobile object; a function control unit that controls functions necessary for the moving body to travel autonomously; a switching control unit that switches whether at least some of the necessary functions are controlled by the information processing device or the mobile device based on a communication status between the information processing device and the mobile device; a storage unit that stores a map showing information on communication strength at each position in an area in which the mobile object can move, the switching control unit switches the at least some of the functions to be controlled by the mobile body at the current location when the current location of the mobile body is at a location on the map where the communication strength is less than a first threshold, and when the current location of the mobile body is at a location on the map where the communication strength is equal to or greater than the first threshold but there is a location on the map where the communication strength is less than the first threshold on the route from the current location of the mobile body to a destination by a predetermined distance; Information processing device.
2. The switching control unit acquiring, from the mobile body, a fault state of an electronic control unit mounted on the mobile body; switching whether the at least some of the functions are controlled by the information processing device or by an electronic infrastructure box provided in the mobile object based on a failure state of the electronic control unit; The information processing device according to claim 1 .
3. the switching control unit switches the at least some of the functions to be controlled by the mobile object when communication strength between the mobile object and the mobile object is less than a second threshold. The information processing device according to claim 1 .
4. the switching control unit switches the at least some of the functions, which have been switched to be controlled by the mobile body, to be controlled by the information processing device when the current location of the mobile body is located at a position on the map where the communication strength is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the communication strength of the communication with the mobile body is equal to or greater than the second threshold. The information processing device according to claim 3 .
5. The at least some functions include at least a one-dimensional information determination function and an emergency stop function. The information processing device according to claim 1 .
Citation Information
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