Management device and management method

Abstract

To provide a management device and a management method with which an arithmetic unit of a vehicle that is in a non-operating state while a user uses an arbitrary facility can be used for grid computing, and the occurrence of traffic congestion can be prevented in a parking lot of the facility.SOLUTION: A management device 50 is for grid computing processing. Arithmetic units 105 are mounted on a plurality of vehicles 10 parked in a parking lot FP of a facility F. The management device classifies the plurality of arithmetic units 105 into arithmetic groups G1 to Gn based on visitor information D43 including exit scheduled time when the plurality of vehicles 10 exit from the parking lot FP. The management device notifies a plurality of users that arithmetic processing is executed by using the exit scheduled time and the arithmetic units 105. The management device causes the plurality of arithmetic units 105 constituting the arithmetic groups G1 to Gn to perform the same arithmetic job D1 in parallel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device and a management method, and more particularly to a management device and a management method for managing grid computing. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technology for applying multiple vehicles to grid computing has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The system described in Patent Document 1 is composed of a management server connected to a communication network and computing devices mounted on multiple vehicles. In this system, the management server distributes computation jobs to the multiple computing devices via the communication network and performs computational processing.

[0003] The computing device can provide stable quality computing power when the vehicle is in an out-of-operation state (e.g., IG off). For this reason, the management server in Patent Document 1 predicts the period during which each vehicle can participate in grid computing based on the usage history of each vehicle. Then, the management server selects a computing device suitable for distributing computational jobs based on this prediction. In other words, the management server can select a computing device of a vehicle that is likely to be in an out-of-operation state throughout the computation period during which the computational job is executed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0005] When a user arrives at a large commercial facility (e.g., a shopping mall) by car, the user's vehicle remains idle in the parking lot while the user is using the facility. However, because it is difficult to predict such visits to commercial facilities from usage history, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the computing device of the vehicle cannot be selected as a computing resource. Meanwhile, at large commercial facilities, many users begin to head home at specific times (e.g., in the evening), which creates another problem: congestion is likely to occur in the parking lot.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a management device and management method that can utilize the computing device of a vehicle that is in an inoperative state for grid computing while a user is using a facility, and can reduce traffic congestion in the facility's parking lot. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a management device for grid computing processing that causes computational devices mounted on multiple vehicles connected via a communication network to process computational jobs, wherein the computational devices are mounted on each of multiple vehicles parked in a parking lot of the facility by multiple users who have arrived at the facility by vehicle, and the management device classifies the computational devices of the multiple vehicles into multiple computation groups based on visitor information including the scheduled exit time for each of the multiple vehicles to exit the parking lot, and the management device notifies the multiple users of the scheduled exit time and that computational processing will be performed using the computational device before or during the execution of the computational processing of the computational job, and the management device is configured to cause the multiple computational devices constituting each computation group to process the same computational job in parallel during the period before the scheduled exit time.

[0008] According to the present invention configured as described above, when multiple users who have arrived at a facility by vehicle are using the facility and multiple vehicles are out of service, the management device can execute grid computing processing using a computing group formed by the computing devices of these multiple vehicles. Furthermore, these multiple computing devices are located in the same area (the facility's parking lot). This allows the computing devices to participate in grid computing processing even when they are not actually being used by the vehicles, thereby ensuring stable, high-quality computing capacity.

[0009] Furthermore, in the present invention, a calculation group consisting of a plurality of calculation devices is formed based on the scheduled exit time set for each vehicle, so that the probability that any vehicle constituting the calculation group will exit the parking lot during calculation processing of each calculation group can be reduced. In other words, in the present invention, the risk of a decrease in overall calculation capacity due to some of the vehicles constituting the calculation group being in operation during calculation processing by the calculation group can be reduced.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, since users are notified in advance of the execution of grid computing and the scheduled exit time, it is possible to at least provide users with an incentive to abide by the scheduled exit time (such as a sense of social contribution through participation in grid computing). Therefore, in the present invention, by having each user abide by the scheduled exit time, it is possible to prevent some computing devices from leaving the computing group before the end of the computation, and it is also possible to spread out the exit times in the facility parking lot, thereby reducing congestion.

[0011] In the present invention, the scheduled exit time is preferably set in accordance with the time each of the plurality of vehicles parks in the parking lot of the facility. According to the present invention configured in this manner, the scheduled exit time can be set to an appropriate time using the parking time of each vehicle.

[0012] Furthermore, in the present invention, the management device is preferably configured to set multiple calculation groups in order of earliest scheduled exit times based on the visitor information. According to the present invention configured in this manner, calculation groups can be set from earliest scheduled exit times to latest scheduled exit times. Specifically, in the present invention, the management device can be configured to set calculation devices of vehicles with the same or similar scheduled exit times to the same calculation group based on the visitor information. Specifically, in the present invention, the management device is configured to set calculation devices of vehicles whose scheduled exit times fall within the same predetermined time range to the same calculation group based on the visitor information.

[0013] Preferably, in the present invention, the management device is configured to set the scheduled end time of the calculation process by the calculation device of each calculation group based on the scheduled exit time. According to the present invention configured in this way, the calculation process by the multiple calculation devices of each calculation group can be appropriately set to end before the scheduled exit time of the corresponding multiple vehicles.

[0014] In the present invention, the management device is preferably configured to provide a reward to the user for the computation performed by the user's computing device. According to the present invention configured in this manner, the reward provided by the computation performed by the computing device can motivate the user to leave the vehicle on time.

[0015] In the present invention, the management device is preferably configured to receive attendee information from an external source or to generate attendee information based on information received from the vehicle. According to the present invention configured in this manner, the management device can obtain attendee information including the scheduled exit times of the vehicles of multiple users by any method.

[0016] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a management method in a grid computing system in which a management device causes a computing device mounted on a plurality of vehicles connected via a communication network to perform computational job processing, the computing device being mounted on each of a plurality of vehicles parked in a parking lot of the facility by a plurality of users who have arrived at the facility by vehicle, the method including the steps of the management device classifying the computing devices of the plurality of vehicles into a plurality of computation groups based on visitor information obtained from a facility manager, the visitor information including the scheduled exit time for each of the plurality of vehicles to exit the parking lot; the management device notifying the plurality of users of the scheduled exit time and that the computation will be performed using the computing device before or during the execution of the computational job processing; and the management device causing the plurality of computing devices constituting each computation group to process the same computation job in parallel during the period before the scheduled exit time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the management device and management method of the present invention, it is possible to use the computing device of a vehicle that is in an idle state for grid computing while a user is using a facility, and to reduce traffic congestion in the facility's parking lot. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of grid computing in a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a vehicle in a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a user terminal in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a client server in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a facility server in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a management server in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a processing flow of a management server in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a processing flow of a facility server in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of visitor information stored in a facility server in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a processing flow of a management server in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 3 is an explanatory diagram of a facility management table stored in the management server in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a calculation group in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 3 is a process flow of arithmetic control in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 1 is a grid computing system including a plurality of vehicles 10, a plurality of user terminals 20, one or more client servers 30, one or more facility servers 40 (communication devices 40) of facility managers, and a management server 50 (management device 50). These components can communicate with each other via a communication network 5. Each of the plurality of vehicles 10 is equipped with a computing device 105.

[0020] In this embodiment, while a user is using a facility F such as a large shopping center, the computing device 105 of a non-operating vehicle 10 parked in the parking lot FP of the facility F is configured to participate in grid computing.

[0021] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of grid computing in the system of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, in the system 1, grid computing is configured by a plurality of arithmetic units 105, and grid computing processing is performed in which an available arithmetic unit 105 among the plurality of arithmetic units 105 processes job data (arithmetic jobs).

[0022] When the vehicle 10 needs the computing power or the computing capacity of the computing device 105, the computing device 105 enters an operating state and uses the computing capacity of the computing device 105. For example, when the vehicle 10 is traveling, the computing capacity of the computing device 105 is required for the traveling control of the vehicle 10, and the computing device 105 enters an operating state.

[0023] On the other hand, when the computing power of the arithmetic device 105 is no longer needed in the vehicle 10, the arithmetic device 105 is brought to a stopped state, and the computing power of the arithmetic device 105 is no longer used. For example, when the vehicle 10 is stopped and the power supply of the vehicle 10 is turned off (IG off), the computing power of the arithmetic device 105 is no longer needed, and the arithmetic device 105 is brought to a stopped state. Therefore, when the computing power of the arithmetic device 105 is no longer needed in the vehicle 10, the arithmetic device 105 provides that computing power for grid computing processing, thereby making it possible to effectively use the computing power (i.e., computing resources) of the arithmetic device 105.

[0024] 3 is an explanatory diagram of a vehicle in the system of this embodiment. Vehicle 10 is an automobile used by a user, such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Vehicle 10 is equipped with a battery (not shown), and power from the battery is supplied to on-board devices such as a computing device 105. As shown in FIG. 3, vehicle 10 includes actuator 11, sensor 12, input unit 101, output unit 102, communication unit 103, storage unit 104, and computing device 105.

[0025] The actuators 11 include drive system actuators, steering system actuators, braking system actuators, etc. Examples of drive system actuators include an engine, a transmission, and a motor. Examples of braking system actuators include a brake. Examples of steering system actuators include a steering wheel.

[0026] The sensor 12 acquires various types of information used to control the vehicle 10. Examples of the sensor 12 include an exterior camera that captures images outside the vehicle, an interior camera that captures images inside the vehicle, radar that detects objects outside the vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a yaw rate sensor, an accelerator opening sensor, a steering sensor, and a brake oil pressure sensor.

[0027] The input unit 101 is a device for inputting information and data. Examples of the input unit 101 include an operation unit that is operated to input information corresponding to the operation, a camera that inputs an image showing information, and a microphone that inputs audio showing information. Examples of the operation unit include operation buttons and touch sensors of a car navigation device. The information and data input to the input unit 101 are sent to the calculation device 105.

[0028] The output unit 102 is a device for outputting information and data. Examples of the output unit 102 include a display unit that outputs an image representing information, and a speaker that outputs sound representing information. An example of a display unit is the display of a car navigation device. An example of a speaker is the speaker of a car navigation device.

[0029] The communication unit 103 is a device for transmitting and receiving information and data. The information and data received by the communication unit 103 is sent to the calculation device 105. The storage unit 104 is a storage device for storing information and data. The storage unit 104 may be provided in the calculation device 105.

[0030] The arithmetic device 105 is a device for controlling each part of the vehicle 10. In this example, the arithmetic device 105 controls the actuator 11 in accordance with various information obtained by the sensor 12. The arithmetic device 105 is a computer device having a processor, a memory, etc. Examples of the processor include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and an MPU (Media Processing Unit). In this example, the processor includes a CPU and a GPU. The memory stores a program for operating the processor, information and data indicating the processing results of the processor, etc.

[0031] The number of processors installed in the arithmetic device 105 may be one or more. The processor installed in the arithmetic device 105 may include one or more of a CPU, a GPU, and an MPU. For example, the arithmetic device 105 is configured by one or more ECUs (Electronic Control Units).

[0032] In this example, the storage unit 104 stores vehicle information D11, vehicle state information D12, driving history information D13, arithmetic unit information D14, and operation history information D15. The vehicle information D11 is information related to the vehicle 10. For example, the vehicle information D11 includes a vehicle ID set for the vehicle 10, vehicle performance information indicating the performance of the vehicle, etc. The vehicle ID is an example of vehicle identification information that identifies the vehicle 10. The user ID is an example of user identification information that identifies a user.

[0033] Vehicle status information D12 indicates the status of vehicle 10. For example, vehicle status information D12 includes vehicle location information, vehicle communication information, vehicle power source information, vehicle battery remaining capacity information, vehicle charging information, etc. Vehicle location information indicates the location (latitude and longitude) of vehicle 10. For example, vehicle location information can be acquired using a GPS (Global Positioning System). Vehicle communication information indicates the communication status of vehicle 10. Vehicle power source information indicates the power source status of vehicle 10. For example, vehicle power source information indicates whether the ignition power is on or off, whether the accessory power is on or off, etc. Vehicle battery remaining capacity information indicates the remaining capacity of a battery (not shown) installed in vehicle 10. Vehicle charging information indicates whether vehicle 10 is being charged at a charging facility (not shown).

[0034] The driving history information D13 is information that indicates the driving history of the vehicle 10. For example, the driving history information D13 indicates the position of the vehicle 10 in association with the time. The arithmetic device information D14 is information related to the arithmetic device 105. For example, the arithmetic device information D14 includes an arithmetic device ID set in the arithmetic device 105, a vehicle ID set in the vehicle 10 on which the arithmetic device 105 is mounted, arithmetic device performance information indicating the performance of the arithmetic device 105, etc. The arithmetic device ID is an example of arithmetic device identification information for identifying the arithmetic device 105. The performance of the arithmetic device 105 indicated in the arithmetic device performance information includes a calculation capacity indicating the calculation capacity (specifically, maximum calculation capacity) of the arithmetic device 105, a ratio of CPU to GPU in the arithmetic device 105, etc. The calculation capacity of the arithmetic device 105 is the amount of data or the number of calculation processes (amount of calculation) that the arithmetic device 105 can calculate per unit time. The operation history information D15 is information that indicates the operation history of the arithmetic device 105. For example, the operation history information D15 indicates the utilization rate of the computing capacity of the arithmetic device 105 in association with time.

[0035] 4 is an explanatory diagram of a user terminal in the system of this embodiment. The user terminal 20 is an information terminal device (computer device) used by a user, such as a smartphone, tablet, or notebook personal computer. The user terminal 20 is preferably a portable device. As shown in FIG. 4, the user terminal 20 includes an input unit 201, an output unit 202, a communication unit 203, a storage unit 204, and a control unit 205.

[0036] The input unit 201 is a component for inputting information and data. Examples of the input unit 201 include an operation unit that is operated to input information corresponding to the operation, a camera that inputs an image representing information, and a microphone that inputs audio representing information. Examples of the operation unit include an operation button and a touch sensor. The information input to the input unit 101 is sent to the arithmetic device 105.

[0037] The output unit 202 is a component for outputting information and data. Examples of the output unit 202 include a display unit that outputs an image representing information, and a speaker that outputs sound representing information. The communication unit 203 is a component for transmitting and receiving information and data. Information and data received by the communication unit 203 is sent to the control unit 205. The storage unit 204 is a storage device for storing information and data.

[0038] The control unit 205 is a component for controlling each unit of the user terminal 20. The control unit 205 has a processor, a memory, etc. The memory stores a program for operating the processor, information and data indicating the processing results of the processor, etc.

[0039] In this example, the storage unit 204 stores terminal information D21, terminal state information D22, and schedule information D23. The terminal information D21 is information related to the user terminal 20. For example, the terminal information D21 includes a user terminal ID set in the user terminal 20, user terminal performance information indicating the performance of the user terminal 20, etc. The user terminal ID is an example of user terminal identification information that identifies the user terminal 20.

[0040] The terminal status information D22 is information indicating the status of the user terminal 20. The terminal status information D22 includes user terminal position information indicating the position of the user terminal 20, user terminal communication status information indicating the communication status of the user terminal 20, and the like. The schedule information D23 indicates the behavior history and behavior schedule of the user who owns the user terminal 20. For example, the schedule information D23 indicates the user's location and the length of stay (or the planned length of stay) in association with each other. The schedule information D23 can be acquired by a schedule function installed in the user terminal 20. Specifically, when a user uses the schedule function to input their own behavior history and behavior schedule into the user terminal 20, the schedule information D23 indicating the user's behavior history and behavior schedule is obtained.

[0041] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a client server in the system of this embodiment. The client server 30 is a server device or computer device used by a client. The client is, for example, a business entity such as a company, research institute, or educational institution, and executes a project or task. A project includes computational processing such as computer simulation, as well as various other tasks such as fundraising, securing human resources, and negotiations with external organizations. Of these, the client requests the management server 50 to perform calculations of job data or computational jobs required for executing the project. As shown in FIG. 5, the client server 30 includes an input unit 301, an output unit 302, a communication unit 303, a memory unit 304, and a control unit 305.

[0042] The input unit 301 is a device for inputting information and data. Examples of the input unit 301 include an operation unit that is operated to input information corresponding to the operation, a camera that inputs an image representing information, and a microphone that inputs audio representing information. Examples of the operation unit include an operation button, a touch sensor, a keyboard, and a mouse. The information and data input to the input unit 301 are sent to the control unit 305.

[0043] The output unit 302 is a device for outputting information and data. Examples of the output unit 302 include a display unit that outputs an image representing information, and a speaker that outputs sound representing information. The communication unit 303 is a device for transmitting and receiving information and data. The information and data received by the communication unit 303 is sent to the control unit 305. The storage unit 304 is a storage device that stores information and data.

[0044] The control unit 305 is a device for controlling each unit of the client server 30. The control unit 305 has a processor, a memory, etc. The memory stores a program for operating the processor, information and data indicating the processing results of the processor, etc.

[0045] In this example, the storage unit 304 stores client information D31, job information D32, and job data D1. The client information D31 is information about the client. The client information D31 includes a client ID set for the client, a client-server ID set for the client server 30 owned by the client, a person in charge's name, address, telephone number, etc. The client ID is an example of client identification information that identifies the client. The client-server ID is an example of client-server identification information that identifies the client server 30.

[0046] The job information D32 includes job name information indicating the name of the job, job content information explaining the content of the job, job data information regarding the job data corresponding to the job, job deadline information indicating the deadline for the job, etc. The job data information indicates the calculation type, processing conditions, required calculation capacity, etc. of the job data.

[0047] The job data D1 is computational processing data (computation job), such as data for simulation calculations. The job data D1 can be classified by computation type. Examples of computation types include CPU-based computation types and GPU-based computation types. Job data D1 of the CPU-based computation type tend to require complex computations with many conditional branches, such as simulation computations. Job data D1 of the GPU-based computation type tend to require a huge amount of simple computations, such as image processing and machine learning. The job data D1 can also be classified by processing conditions. Examples of processing conditions include processing conditions that require constant communication and processing conditions that do not require constant communication.

[0048] 6 is an explanatory diagram of the facility server in the system of this embodiment. The facility server 40 is a server device or computer device used by a facility manager. A user can visit a facility F in a vehicle 10 and use the facility F for a desired period of time. Examples of such a facility F include shopping centers, amusement parks, and public parks.

[0049] 6, facility server 40 includes input unit 401, output unit 402, communication unit 403, storage unit 404, and control unit 405. The configurations of input unit 401, output unit 402, communication unit 403, storage unit 404, and control unit 405 of facility server 40 are the same as the configurations of input unit 301, output unit 302, communication unit 303, storage unit 304, and control unit 305 of client server 30.

[0050] In this example, the storage unit 404 stores facility information D41, user registration information D42, and visitor information D43. The facility information D41 is information related to facility F. The facility information D41 includes a facility ID set for facility F, the name of facility F, the type of facility F, location information of facility F and facility F's parking lot FP, business hours of facility F, etc. The facility ID is an example of facility identification information that identifies facility F.

[0051] The user registration information D42 is information about users of the facility F. The user registers the user registration information D42 in advance before using the facility F. The user registration information D42 includes personal information of each user. The user's personal information includes the user's address, contact information (such as the communication address of the user terminal 20 of the event participant and the communication address of the vehicle 10). The user registration information D42 may also include the user ID and vehicle ID of the user table D51 described later.

[0052] Visitor information D43 is information about users visiting facility F. Facility server 40 receives information identifying users visiting facility F (e.g., user ID, vehicle ID, computing device ID, etc.), the parking time when vehicle 10 was parked in parking lot FP, the parking location, and other information from outside or acquires it using a sensor, etc., and updates visitor information D43. In addition to the above information, visitor information D43 further includes the user's scheduled exit time, etc.

[0053] 7 is an explanatory diagram of a management server in the system of this embodiment. The management server 50 (or management device 50) is a server device or computer device that manages the operation of the system 1 that executes grid computing. As shown in FIG. 7, the management server 50 includes an input unit 501, an output unit 502, a communication unit 503, a storage unit 504, and a control unit 505. The configurations of the input unit 501, output unit 502, communication unit 503, storage unit 504, and control unit 505 of the management server 50 are the same as the configurations of the input unit 301, output unit 302, communication unit 303, storage unit 304, and control unit 305 of the client server 30.

[0054] In this example, the storage unit 504 stores a user table D51, a computing device table D52, a client table D53, a job table D54, a resource table D55, a facility management table D56, job data D1, and calculation result data D2.

[0055] The user table D51 is a table for managing users. For each user, the user table D51 registers a user ID set for the user, a vehicle ID set for the vehicle 10 owned by the user, a computing device ID set for the computing device 105 owned by the user, a user terminal ID set for the user terminal 20 owned by the user, and the like. The user table D51 also registers personal information of the user (name, address, user contact information (communication address of the user terminal 20, communication address of the vehicle 10, etc.)).

[0056] The arithmetic device table D52 is a table for managing the arithmetic devices 105. In the arithmetic device table D52, for each arithmetic device 105, a arithmetic device ID set in the arithmetic device 105, a user ID set for the user who owns the arithmetic device 105, a vehicle ID set for the vehicle 10 in which the arithmetic device 105 is installed, etc. are registered.

[0057] Furthermore, the arithmetic device table D52 registers, for each arithmetic device 105, the performance of that arithmetic device 105 (such as computing capacity and the ratio of CPU to GPU), the operating status of that arithmetic device 105 (operating history and operation schedule), etc. In other words, the arithmetic device table D52 includes operating status information D5 indicating the operating status of each of the multiple arithmetic devices 105, and performance information D6 indicating the performance of each of the multiple arithmetic devices 105. The performance information D6 includes computing capacity information D7 indicating the computing capacity of each of the multiple arithmetic devices 105.

[0058] The client table D53 is a table for managing clients. For each client, the client table D53 registers the client ID set for that client, the client server ID set for the client server 30 owned by the client, the name, address, telephone number, etc. of the person in charge of that client.

[0059] The job table D54 is a table for managing jobs requested by clients. For each job, the job table D54 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, etc. The job table D54 also registers for each job the calculation type and processing conditions of the job data corresponding to that job, the required calculation capacity that is the calculation capacity required to calculate the job data, the delivery date set for that job, etc.

[0060] The resource table D55 is a table for managing the computational capacity in grid computing processing. Specifically, the resource table D55 is a table for managing the results of a prediction process, which will be described later. For each computing device 105, the resource table D55 registers the computing device ID set for that computing device 105, the prediction result of the temporal change in the computational capacity available for grid computing processing of that computing device 105, and the like.

[0061] The facility management table D56 is a table for managing computation jobs executed by a plurality of vehicles 10 parked in the parking lot FP of facility F. The facility management table D56 registers a facility ID for identifying each facility F, facility information (including facility F and location information of facility F), reception numbers set for one or more jobs to be computed at that facility F, job data corresponding to one or more jobs, computation groups assigned to each job data, computation device IDs of the plurality of computation devices 105 that make up each computation group, computation processing date and time of each job data, and the like.

[0062] The job data D1 stored in the storage unit 504 is the job data D1 accepted by the job acceptance process. The calculation result data D2 stored in the storage unit 504 is job data calculated by grid computing processing, which will be described later, and indicates the results of that calculation.

[0063] Next, an explanation will be given of updating the user table D51. The user table D51 is updated by the control unit 505 of the management server 50. For example, when a new user joins the system 1, the control unit 505 updates the user table D51 by registering information related to the new user (including the above-mentioned personal information) in the user table D51.

[0064] Specifically, the control unit 505 sets a new user ID for the new user, associates the "user ID" set for the new user with the "vehicle ID" set for the vehicle 10 owned by the user, the "computing device ID" set for the computing device 105 installed in the vehicle 10, and the "user terminal ID" set for the user terminal 20 owned by the new user, and registers them in the user table D51.

[0065] It is possible to obtain a "vehicle ID" and a "computing device ID" related to the new user through communication between the vehicle 10 owned by the new user and the management server 50. It is also possible to obtain a "user terminal ID" related to the new user through communication between the user terminal 20 owned by the new user and the management server 50.

[0066] Next, we will explain how to update the arithmetic unit table D52. The arithmetic unit table D52 is updated by the control unit 505 of the management server 50. For example, when a new arithmetic unit 105 joins the system 1, the control unit 505 updates the arithmetic unit table D52 by registering information related to the new arithmetic unit 105 in the arithmetic unit table D52.

[0067] Specifically, the control unit 505 associates the "computing device ID" set in the new computing device 105, the "user ID" set for the user who owns the computing device 105, the "vehicle ID" set for the vehicle 10 in which the computing device 105 is installed, and the "performance" and "operating status" of the computing device 105, and registers them in the computing device table D52.

[0068] It is possible to obtain the "calculation device ID," "vehicle ID," "performance," and "operation status" related to the new calculation device 105 through communication between the vehicle 10 equipped with the new calculation device 105 and the management server 50. It is also possible to obtain the "user ID" related to the new calculation device 105 by referring to the user table D51.

[0069] Next, we will explain how to update the client table D53. The client table D53 is updated by the control unit 505 of the management server 50. For example, when a new client joins the system 1, the control unit 505 updates the client table D53 by registering information related to the new client in the client table D53.

[0070] Specifically, the control unit 505 sets a new client ID for the new client, associates the "client ID" set for the new client, the "client server ID" set for the client server 30 owned by the new client, and the "person in charge," "address," and "telephone number" of the new client, and registers them in the client table D53. Note that the "client server ID," "person in charge," "address," and "telephone number" of the new client can be obtained by communication between the client server 30 and the management server 50.

[0071] Next, the flow of grid computing processing in system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 14. Fig. 8 shows the processing flow of the management server, Fig. 9 shows the processing flow of the facility server, Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of visitor information stored in the facility server, Fig. 11 is the processing flow of the management server, Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the facility management table stored in the management server, Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the calculation group, and Fig. 14 is the processing flow of calculation control.

[0072] The user is registered in a user table D51 of the management server 50, and the arithmetic device 105 of the user's vehicle 10 is also registered in a arithmetic device table D52. Therefore, the management server 50 can identify the arithmetic device 105 of the vehicle 10 from the user and allow the user's arithmetic device 105 to participate in grid computing as appropriate (for example, while the user is using facility F).

[0073] First, as shown in Figure 8, when multiple users arrive at facility F in their vehicles 10, they park their vehicles 10 in parking lot FP of facility F, turn off the power (IG off), and put the vehicles 10 into a non-operating state. At this time, the vehicles 10 transmit parking information to the management server 50. Alternatively, the management server 50 may constantly monitor the vehicles 10, inquire about their current location (vehicle location information) and operating status, and acquire parking information from the vehicles 10.

[0074] The parking information includes vehicle information D11, parking time (time when IG was turned off), parking location (vehicle location information), operating status, etc. When the management server 50 receives the parking information (S11), it identifies the visiting user (or vehicle 10) and the facility F visited by the user based on the parking information, and creates visitor identification information that identifies the user (visitor) and facility F (S12). In this process, the management server 50 refers to the user table D51 to identify the user and vehicle 10 from the vehicle information D11, and also refers to the facility management table D56 to identify the facility F from the parking location. The facility F that has a parking lot FP that matches the parking location is the facility to be identified.

[0075] The visitor identification information includes information that identifies the user (for example, the user's personal information) and some or all of the parking information. Then, the management server 50 transmits the visitor identification information to the facility server 40 of the identified facility F (S13).

[0076] 9, upon receiving the visitor identification information (S21), facility server 40 refers to user registration information D42 and identifies users and vehicles 10 who have visited facility F from the visitor identification information (S22). That is, of the users registered in user registration information D42, users who are currently visiting facility F are identified, and the identified users are added to visitor information D43. Alternatively, the visitor identification information may be configured so that facility server 40 can generate or update visitor information D43 from the visitor identification information without referring to user registration information D42.

[0077] Facility server 40 receives the visitor identification information for multiple users in chronological order. Then, facility server 40 sets a scheduled exit time from facility F (or parking lot FP) for each user (or vehicle 10) based on the parking time, and stores the time in visitor information D43 (S23). Then, facility server 40 returns visitor information D43 including the scheduled exit time to management server 50 (S24).

[0078] Fig. 10 shows part of the visitor information D43 stored by the facility server 40. In the example of Fig. 10, users 1 to N are visiting the facility, and the parking time, parking position, and scheduled exit time of each vehicle 10 are stored. The scheduled exit time can be the standard scheduled exit time obtained by adding the average stay time (for example, 2 hours) to the parking time.

[0079] However, many users' exit times tend to be concentrated in a specific time period. When many users' exit times are concentrated, congestion occurs in the parking lot FP, making it difficult for users to exit smoothly. For example, during a specific time period in the evening (e.g., 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM), many users begin to head home. Therefore, in this embodiment, the facility server 40 sets the scheduled exit times to be distributed so that many users' return times do not overlap during the specific time period. For example, if the standard scheduled exit time falls within a specific time period, the scheduled exit time is set by adding a positive or negative additional time (e.g., -30 minutes to +30 minutes) to the standard scheduled exit time within a predetermined time range (e.g., 30 minutes). This distributes the scheduled exit times of multiple users into time periods that are expanded by a predetermined time range (e.g., 30 minutes) before and after the specific time period. Therefore, if users adhere to their scheduled exit times, traffic congestion during the specific time period can be reduced.

[0080] 11, when the management server 50 receives the visitor information D43 (S14), it generates or updates an operation group in the facility management table D56 based on the visitor information D43 (S15). That is, the management server 50 performs a process of classifying a plurality of users who are visitors into a plurality of operation groups based on the scheduled exit times of the users (or vehicles 10) visiting the facility F, and assigning each operation group to a predetermined operation job. Each operation group includes operation devices 105 of a plurality of users, and the plurality of operation devices 105 belonging to each operation group process the same operation job in parallel. That is, each of the plurality of operation devices 105 in the same operation group executes operation processing of operation unit blocks (tasks or subtasks) obtained by dividing the same operation job into a plurality of units.

[0081] 12 shows some information of the facility management table D56 stored in the management server 50. In the example of FIG. 12, the parking time, parking location, and scheduled exit time are registered for multiple users 1 to N who are visitors to facility F, and calculation groups G1 to Gn are set. The calculation groups G1 to Gn are set in units of multiple vehicles 10, in principle, in order of earliest scheduled exit time. In this example, multiple users whose scheduled exit times fall within the same time slot (for example, 10 minutes) are set in the same calculation group. Note that if there are many users with the same scheduled exit time (or the same time slot), two or more calculation groups may be set for multiple users with the same scheduled exit time (or the same time slot).

[0082] When a calculation group is formed by a predetermined number of users, the management server 50 sets the calculation end time for the formed calculation group to a predetermined time earlier than the scheduled exit time of the user who has the earliest scheduled exit time among the multiple users. Then, the management server 50 notifies the users at a predetermined time of their scheduled exit time and that grid computing processing will be executed using the calculation device 105 while they are using the facility F (S16). Specifically, the management server 50 issues the above notification to the user terminal 20 or vehicle 10 of the user before or during the execution of the calculation processing.

[0083] Next, the management server 50 selects an operation job with an appropriate amount of operation so that the operation processing is completed before the set operation end time for each operation group, allocates the operation job to each operation group, and starts operation control (S17). The management server 50 causes each operation group to execute the operation job allocated to each operation group through operation control.

[0084] FIG. 13 shows the computation start times and computation end times of a plurality of n computation groups G1 to Gn. The computation start times and computation end times of these computation groups G1 to Gn are set differently. Furthermore, the scheduled exit times are distributed over time periods before and after the specific time period t1 to t2 (busy time) so as not to be concentrated in the specific time period t1 to t2. This prevents the computation end times from being concentrated in the specific time period t1 to t2. Each of the computation groups G1 to Gn executes computation processing of the assigned computation jobs 1 to n (job data D1, or tasks obtained by further dividing job data D1). Furthermore, the computation jobs assigned to each computation group are divided into a plurality of computation unit blocks (subtasks). Each of the plurality of computation devices 105 in each computation group executes computation processing of the assigned subtask.

[0085] The computation control will be further described with reference to Fig. 14. First, the control unit 505 refers to the facility management table D56, and distributes one or more pieces of job data D1 to be subjected to grid computing processing to the computation devices 105 of the computation group assigned to each job data D1 (S31). Specifically, the control unit 505 transmits a portion of the job data D1 to each of the computation devices 105 of the computation group assigned to each job data D1. As a result, each piece of job data D1 is processed in parallel by the multiple computation devices 105 of the computation group assigned to that job data D1.

[0086] Next, when each of the arithmetic devices 105 in each arithmetic group completes the calculation of the data (part of the job data D1) transmitted to that arithmetic device 105, it transmits the partial calculation result data obtained by that calculation to the management server 50. The control unit 505 of the management server 50 receives the partial calculation result data transmitted from the arithmetic devices 105 and stores the partial calculation result data in the storage unit 504 (S32). Furthermore, when the management server 50 receives the partial calculation results from each arithmetic device 105, it stores the calculation amount allocated to each arithmetic device 105 in the job table D54.

[0087] The control unit 505 determines whether all of the arithmetic devices 105 to which the job data D1 was distributed in step S31 have completed calculations (S33). If all of the arithmetic devices 105 have completed calculations, the process of step S34 is performed; if not, the process of step S32 is performed.

[0088] When all of the arithmetic devices 105 have completed the calculations, the control unit 505 generates calculation result data D2 (calculation result data D2 indicating the results of the calculation of the job data D1) corresponding to the job data D1 that is the target of the grid computing process by combining the partial calculation result data stored in the storage unit 504. Then, the control unit 505 transmits the calculation result data D2 corresponding to the job data D1 that is the target of the grid computing process to the client server 30 of the client that requested the calculation of the job data D1 (S34).

[0089] Next, the control unit 505 executes a process for granting a reward from the operator operating the system 1 to the user who provided the computing power of the arithmetic device 105 (S35). Examples of rewards granted to the user include points that can be used in the system 1, virtual currency, product discount benefits, etc.

[0090] The remuneration amount is calculated according to the amount of calculation (number of calculation unit blocks) performed by each calculation device 105 in the calculation process of the target job data D1. For example, the remuneration amount can be calculated by multiplying the amount of calculation by a remuneration coefficient. The calculation device 105 can perform a larger amount of calculation (number of calculation unit blocks) by providing a longer calculation time. Alternatively, the remuneration amount may be calculated according to the calculation time from the start of calculation to the end of calculation, instead of the amount of calculation. Remuneration information including the remuneration amount is registered in the user table D51 in association with each user's user ID.

[0091] Furthermore, the reward amount may include an additional reward for the user adhering to the scheduled exit time in addition to the reward according to the amount of calculation. For example, when the user puts the vehicle 10 into operation (i.e., when the power of the vehicle 10 is turned on (IG on)), the vehicle 10 can transmit an IG on signal to the management server 50. If the management server 50 receives the IG on signal after the user's scheduled exit time, the management server 50 can add the additional reward.

[0092] In the above embodiment, facility server 40 identifies vehicle 10 that has visited facility F based on visitor identification information received from management server 50. However, this is not limiting. Facility server 40 may monitor the entry and exit of vehicle 10 using an entry / exit management sensor installed at the entrance / exit gate of parking lot FP of facility F. For example, the entry / exit management sensor may be a card reader that reads user information from a user information card carried by the user, or a camera that captures an image of the license plate of vehicle 10. Facility server 40 can identify vehicle 10 from the read user information or license plate.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the management server 50 acquires the visitor information D43 including the scheduled exit time from the manager of the facility F or the facility server 40, but this is not limited thereto, and the visitor information D43 (particularly the scheduled exit time) may be created and updated based on visitor identification information without going through the facility server 40. In this case, the management server 50 can identify the visitor and the facility F based on the parking information received from the vehicle 10, and set the scheduled exit time from the facility F for each visitor (user) based on predetermined setting rules adopted by the facility server 40.

[0094] Next, the operation of the management device and management method of this embodiment will be described. The management device 50 of this embodiment is a management device 50 for grid computing processing that causes the arithmetic devices 105 mounted on multiple vehicles 10 connected via a communication network 5 to perform arithmetic processing on an arithmetic job D1, and the arithmetic devices 105 are mounted on each of multiple vehicles 10 parked in a parking lot FP of facility F by multiple users who have arrived at facility F by vehicle. The management device 50 is configured to classify the arithmetic devices 105 of the multiple vehicles 10 into multiple arithmetic groups G1 to Gn based on visitor information D43 including the scheduled exit time for each of the multiple vehicles 10 to exit the parking lot FP (S15), and before or during the execution of the arithmetic processing of the arithmetic job D1, notify the multiple users of the scheduled exit time and that the arithmetic processing will be performed using the arithmetic device 105 (S16), and cause the multiple arithmetic devices 105 constituting each of the arithmetic groups G1 to Gn to process the same arithmetic job D1 in parallel during the period before the scheduled exit time (S17).

[0095] In this embodiment configured as described above, when a plurality of users who have arrived at facility F in their vehicles 10 are using facility F and the plurality of vehicles 10 are out of service, the management device 50 can execute grid computing processing using the computation groups G1 to Gn formed by the computation devices 105 of these plurality of vehicles 10. Furthermore, these plurality of computation devices 105 are located in the same area (parking lot FP of facility F). As a result, in this embodiment, the computation device 105 can participate in grid computing processing even when it is not actually being used by the vehicles 10, thereby ensuring stable quality of computing capacity.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, calculation groups G1 to Gn each consisting of a plurality of calculation devices 105 are formed based on the scheduled exit time set for each vehicle 10, so it is possible to reduce the probability that any of the vehicles 10 constituting the calculation group will exit the parking lot during calculation processing by each calculation group G1 to Gn. In other words, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the risk of the overall calculation capacity decreasing due to some of the vehicles 10 constituting the calculation group G1 to Gn being in operation during calculation processing by the calculation group G1 to Gn.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the users are notified in advance of the execution of grid computing and the scheduled exit time, it is possible to at least motivate the users to keep to the scheduled exit time (such as by being aware of the social contribution that comes from participating in grid computing). Therefore, in this embodiment, by having each user keep to the scheduled exit time, it is possible to prevent some of the calculation devices 105 from leaving the calculation groups G1 to Gn before the end of calculation, and it is possible to spread out the exit times at the parking lot FP of the facility F, thereby suppressing the occurrence of congestion.

[0098] In this embodiment, the scheduled exit time is set according to the time when each of the multiple vehicles 10 parks in the parking lot FP of the facility F. In this embodiment configured as described above, the scheduled exit time can be set to an appropriate time using the parking time of each vehicle 10.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the management device 50 is configured to set multiple calculation groups G1 to Gn in order of earliest scheduled exit times based on the visitor information D43. In this embodiment configured in this manner, calculation groups can be set from earliest scheduled exit times to latest scheduled exit times. Specifically, in this embodiment, the management device 50 can be configured to set the calculation devices 105 of vehicles 10 with the same or similar scheduled exit times to the same calculation group based on the visitor information D43. Specifically, in this embodiment, the management device 50 is configured to set the calculation devices 105 of vehicles 10 with scheduled exit times that fall within the same predetermined time range to the same calculation group based on the visitor information D43.

[0100] In this embodiment, the management device 50 is configured to set the scheduled end time of the calculation process by the calculation device 105 of each calculation group G1 to Gn based on the scheduled exit time. In this embodiment configured in this way, the calculation process by the multiple calculation devices 105 of each calculation group G1 to Gn can be appropriately set to end before the scheduled exit time of the corresponding multiple vehicles 10.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the management device 50 is configured to provide a reward to the user for the calculation processing by the user's calculation device 105. In this embodiment configured in this manner, the reward provided by the calculation processing by the calculation device 105 can motivate the user to leave the vehicle 10 on time to leave the parking lot.

[0102] In this embodiment, the management device 50 is configured to receive visitor information D43 from an external source (for example, the facility server 40) or to generate visitor information D43 based on information received from the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the management device 50 can obtain visitor information D43 including the scheduled exit times of the vehicles 10 of multiple users by any method.

[0103] The management method of this embodiment is a management method in a grid computing system 1 in which a management device 50 causes a computing device 105 mounted on a plurality of vehicles 10 connected via a communication network 5 to perform computation processing of an operational job D1, the computing device 105 being mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles 10 parked in a parking lot FP of a facility F by a plurality of users who have arrived at the facility F in their vehicles 10, and the management device 50 receives arrival information including a scheduled exit time at which each of the plurality of vehicles 10 will exit the parking lot FP from the facility F, the arrival information being obtained from a manager of the facility F. The method includes a step (S15) of grouping the calculation devices 105 of the plurality of vehicles 10 into a plurality of calculation groups G1 to Gn based on the venue information D43, a step (S16) of the management device 50 notifying the plurality of users of the scheduled exit time and that the calculation will be performed using the calculation device 105 before or during the execution of the calculation processing of the calculation job D1, and a step (S17) of the management device 50 causing the plurality of calculation devices 105 constituting each of the calculation groups G1 to Gn to process the same calculation job D1 in parallel during the period before the scheduled exit time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 System 10 vehicles 105 Arithmetic equipment 20 User terminal 30 Client Server 40 Facility Server (Communication Device) 50 Management Server (Management Device) D1 Job data (computation job) D2 Calculation result data

Claims

1. A management device for grid computing processing that causes computing devices mounted on a plurality of vehicles connected via a communication network to perform computational job computations, the computing device is mounted on each of a plurality of vehicles parked in a parking lot of the facility by a plurality of users who have come to the facility by vehicle, the management device classifies the computing devices of the plurality of vehicles into a plurality of computing groups based on visitor information including a scheduled exit time for each of the plurality of vehicles to exit the parking lot; the management device notifies the plurality of users of the scheduled exit time and that the operation will be performed using the operation device before or during the execution of the operation processing of the operation job; The management device is configured to make the plurality of processing devices constituting each processing group process the same processing job in parallel during a period before the scheduled exit time.

2. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the scheduled exit time is set according to a time when each of the plurality of vehicles parks in the parking lot of the facility.

3. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management device is configured to set the plurality of calculation groups in order of earliest scheduled exit times based on the attendee information.

4. The management device described in any one of claims 1 to 3 is configured to set the calculation devices of vehicles whose scheduled exit times fall within the same specified time range to the same calculation group based on the visitor information.

5. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the management device is configured to set a scheduled end time of the calculation process by the calculation device of each calculation group based on the scheduled exit time.

6. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the management device is configured to provide a reward to the user for the computation performed by the user's computing device.

7. The management device described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the management device is configured to receive the visitor information from an external source or to generate the visitor information based on information received from the vehicle.

8. A management method in a grid computing system in which a management device causes computing devices mounted on a plurality of vehicles connected via a communication network to perform computational job processing, comprising: the computing device is mounted on each of a plurality of vehicles parked in a parking lot of the facility by a plurality of users who have come to the facility by vehicle, The management device divides the calculation devices of the plurality of vehicles into a plurality of calculation groups based on visitor information acquired from a manager of the facility, the visitor information including a scheduled exit time for each of the plurality of vehicles to exit the parking lot; a step in which the management device notifies the plurality of users of the scheduled exit time and that the operation will be performed using the operation device before or during the execution of the operation processing of the operation job; a step in which the management device causes the plurality of operation devices constituting each operation group to process the same operation job in parallel during a period before the scheduled exit time.

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