Server device, system, and system operation method

Abstract

To provide a server device configured to efficiently prepare and modify a delivery plan, a system, and an operation method of the system.SOLUTION: An information processing system is configured by connecting one or more server devices, delivery vehicles, and terminal devices, over a network so as to communicate information each other. The server device 10 includes: a communication unit 21; a storage unit 22 for storing information on a virtual vehicle and information on a real vehicle having a delivery capacity of the virtual vehicle, in association with each other; and a control unit 23 which transmits / receives information to / from another vehicle via the communication unit 21. The control unit 23 transmits, to a first terminal device corresponding to a first real vehicle, a first instruction to cause the first real vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute a delivery plan of loads by the virtual vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device, a system, and a method of operating the system. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been proposed to support the creation of transportation plans for each truck that transports various cargoes of goods. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the creation of a table that uniquely identifies delivery vehicles and delivery plans. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-106036 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As the number of cargoes to be transported or the number of transport vehicles increases, the amount of information processing required to create and change a transportation plan increases. If the processing delays caused by the increase in the amount of information processing, there is a risk that the execution of the transportation plan will be hindered.

[0005] In view of the above, a server device and the like that can efficiently create and change a transportation plan will be disclosed below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The server device in the present disclosure has a communication unit, a memory unit that stores information about a virtual vehicle in association with information about a real vehicle that has the transportation capacity of the virtual vehicle, and a control unit that sends and receives information with other devices via the communication unit, and the control unit sends a first instruction to a first terminal device corresponding to the first real vehicle, causing the first real vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute a cargo transportation plan by the virtual vehicle.

[0007] The system disclosed herein is a system having a server device and a terminal device that communicate with each other, in which the server device stores information about a virtual vehicle in association with information about a real vehicle that has the transportation capacity of the virtual vehicle, and sends a first instruction to a first terminal device corresponding to the first real vehicle to cause the first real vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute a cargo transportation plan by the virtual vehicle, and the first terminal device outputs the instruction.

[0008] The system operation method disclosed herein is a system operation method having a server device and a terminal device that communicate with each other, and includes a step in which the server device stores information about a virtual vehicle in association with information about a real vehicle that has the transportation capacity of the virtual vehicle, and sends a first instruction to a first terminal device corresponding to the first real vehicle to cause the first real vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute a cargo transportation plan by the virtual vehicle, and a step in which the first terminal device outputs the instruction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the server device and the like of the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently create and change transportation plans. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of a server device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a transport vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the information processing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle database. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of transportation plan information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes the embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes one or more server devices 10, one or more transport vehicles 12, and one or more terminal devices 13, which are connected to each other via a network 11 so as to be able to communicate information with each other. The server device 10 is, for example, a server computer that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functions as a server that implements various functions. The transport vehicle 12 is a vehicle for carrying and transporting cargo, such as a truck that has communication and information processing functions and a cargo storage section or bed. The transport vehicle 12 is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The transport vehicle 12 is manually driven, but some of its operation may be automated. The transport vehicle 12 may be, for example, a gasoline-powered automobile, an electric vehicle (BEV; Battery Electric Vehicle), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV; Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV; Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV; Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). The terminal device 13 is an information processing device used by the driver of the transport vehicle 12. The terminal device 13 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), etc. The network 11 is, for example, the Internet, but may also be an ad-hoc network, a LAN, a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), or other networks, or any combination thereof.

[0013] In this embodiment, the server device 10 creates and modifies a transportation plan for a load by a transport vehicle 12. The server device 10 stores information about a virtual vehicle and information about a real vehicle having the transportation capacity of the virtual vehicle, i.e., information about the transport vehicle 12, in association with each other. A virtual vehicle is a conceptual vehicle that represents a group when one or more transport vehicles 12 are grouped by transportation capacity. One or more transport vehicles 12 having the transportation capacity of the group correspond to a virtual vehicle. The server device 10 sends an instruction to the terminal device 13 corresponding to the transport vehicle 12 to have the transport vehicle 12 corresponding to the virtual vehicle execute a transportation plan for a load by the virtual vehicle. In this way, even if the transport vehicle 12 that instructed the original transportation plan becomes unable to operate for some reason, the original transportation plan can be executed by having another transport vehicle 12 corresponding to the same virtual vehicle, i.e., having the same transportation capacity, execute the original transportation plan, without requiring a massive amount of information processing to recreate the transportation plan. This enables efficient creation and modification of transportation plans.

[0014] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of server device 10. Server device 10 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, a control unit 23, an input unit 25, and an output unit 26. Server device 10 is, for example, a single computer. Alternatively, server device 10 may be configured with two or more server computers that are communicably connected and operate in cooperation with each other. In this case, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is appropriately arranged in the two or more server computers.

[0015] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 21 receives information used in the operation of the server device 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the server device 10. The server device 10 is connected to the network 11 by the communication unit 21 and communicates information with the transport vehicle 12 or the terminal device 13 via the network 11.

[0016] The storage unit 22 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these, which function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static RAM (SRAM) or a dynamic RAM (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 22 stores information used in the operation of the server device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the server device 10. The storage unit 22 stores a vehicle database 27 and transportation plan information 28. The vehicle database 27 holds information about virtual vehicles and information about the transportation vehicles 12 in association with each other. The transportation plan information 28 includes information about transportation plans for each transportation vehicle 12.

[0017] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 23 executes information processing related to the operation of the server device 10 while controlling each unit of the server device 10.

[0018] The input unit 25 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interfaces are, for example, physical keys, capacitance keys, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone that accepts voice input. The input unit 25 accepts an operation to input information used in the operation of the server device 10 and sends the input information to the control unit 23.

[0019] The output unit 26 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 26 outputs information obtained by the operation of the server device 10.

[0020] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in the control unit 23. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute processing of steps included in the operation of the server device 10, thereby causing the computer to realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as the server device 10. Also, some or all of the functions of the server device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 23. Also, the control program may be stored in a non-transitory recording / storage medium that is readable by the server device 10, and read by the server device 10 from the medium.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows an example configuration of the transport vehicle 12. The transport vehicle 12 has a communication unit 31, a memory unit 32, a control unit 33, a positioning unit 34, an input unit 35, and an output unit 36. These may be configured as a single control device, two or more control devices, or a control device and other devices such as a communication device. The control device includes, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The communication device includes, for example, a DCM (Data Communication Module). The control device may also include a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone terminal, a navigation device, etc. Each unit is connected to each other or to other devices and apparatuses of the transport vehicle 12 so as to be able to communicate information with each other or with other apparatuses and apparatuses of the transport vehicle 12 via an in-vehicle network conforming to standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0022] The communication unit 31 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interfaces are interfaces compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 31 receives information used in the operation of the control unit 33 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control unit 33. The control unit 33 is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication base station by the communication unit 31, and communicates information with other devices via the network 11.

[0023] The storage unit 32 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The storage unit 32 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 32 stores information used in the operation of the control unit 33 and information obtained by the operation of the on-vehicle device 30. The storage unit 32 also stores transportation plan information 28 including associations between virtual vehicles, transportation vehicles 12, and transportation plans.

[0024] The control unit 33 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 33 executes information processing related to the operation of the transport vehicle 12 while controlling each part of the control unit 33.

[0025] The positioning unit 34 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. GNSS includes at least one of the following: GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo. The positioning unit 34 acquires position information of the transfer vehicle 12 and sends it to the control unit 33.

[0026] The input unit 35 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone for accepting voice input. The input interface may further include a camera for capturing captured images or image codes, or an IC card reader. The input unit 35 accepts user operations for inputting information to be used in the operation of the control unit 33, and sends the input information to the control unit 33.

[0027] The output unit 36 ​​includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 36 ​​outputs information obtained by the operation of the control unit 33 to, for example, the user.

[0028] The functions of the control unit 33 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in the control unit 33. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute processing of steps included in the operation of the control unit 33, thereby causing the computer to realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as the control unit 33. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control unit 33 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 33.

[0029] The control unit 33 generates information for controlling various mechanisms and devices of the transport vehicle 12, and sends the control information to the control circuits of the various mechanisms and devices to control them.

[0030] 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the terminal device 13. The terminal device 13 is an information terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal device, a personal computer, etc. The terminal device 13 has a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, a control unit 43, a positioning unit 44, an input unit 45, and an output unit 46.

[0031] The communication unit 41 has a communication module compatible with wired or wireless LAN standards, a module compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE, 4G, 5G, etc. The terminal device 13 is connected to the network 11 by the communication unit 41 via a nearby router device or a mobile communication base station, and performs information communication with other devices via the network 11.

[0032] The memory unit 42 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The memory unit 42 functions as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 42 stores information used in the operation of the control unit 43 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 43.

[0033] The control unit 43 has, for example, one or more general-purpose processors such as a CPU, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. Alternatively, the control unit 43 may have one or more dedicated circuits such as an FPGA, an ASIC, or the like. The control unit 43 performs overall control of the operation of the terminal device 13 by operating according to a control / processing program or operating according to an operating procedure implemented as a circuit. The control unit 43 then transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 10, etc. via the communication unit 41, and performs the operation according to this embodiment.

[0034] The positioning unit 44 includes one or more GNSS receivers. GNSS includes at least one of GPS, QZSS, BeiDou, GLONASS, and Galileo, for example. The positioning unit 44 acquires location information of the terminal device 13 and sends it to the control unit 43.

[0035] The input unit 45 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone that accepts voice input. The input interface may further include a camera that captures captured images or image codes, or an IC card reader. The input unit 45 accepts an operation to input information used in the operation of the control unit 43 and sends the input information to the control unit 43.

[0036] The output unit 46 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 46 outputs information obtained by the operation of the control unit 43.

[0037] The functions of the control unit 43 are realized by a processor included in the control unit 43 executing a control program. The control program is a program for causing the processor to function as the control unit 43. In addition, some or all of the functions of the control unit 43 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 43.

[0038] The operation of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation procedure of the information processing system 1 in this embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the procedure for the cooperative operation of the server device 10, two transport vehicles 12 (referred to as transport vehicles 12-1 and 12-2 when distinguished from each other), and two terminal devices 13 (referred to as terminal devices 13-1 and 13-2 when distinguished from each other). Steps related to various information processing by the server device 10, the transport vehicles 12, and the terminal devices 13 in FIG. 5 are executed by the respective control units 23, 33, and 43. Steps related to sending and receiving various information by the server device 10, the transport vehicles 12, and the terminal devices 13 are executed by the respective control units 23, 33, and 43 sending and receiving information to each other via the communication units 21, 31, and 41, respectively. In the server device 10, the transport vehicle 12, and the terminal devices 13, the control units 23, 33, and 43 appropriately store the information sent and received in the storage units 22, 32, and 42, respectively. Furthermore, the control units 23, 33, and 43 accept input of various information through the input units 35 and 45, respectively, and output various information through the output units 36 and 46, respectively.

[0040] The procedure in FIG. 5 is executed at a predetermined timing, for example, 6:00 to 7:00 AM or 1:00 to 2:00 PM each day, before the transport vehicle 12 starts transporting the cargo. The procedure in FIG. 5 is applied when transporting cargo from an arbitrary transport source to an arbitrary transport destination. When collecting cargo, the transport source is a collection point designated by the collection requester, and the transport destination is a collection and delivery center of the delivery company. When delivering cargo, the transport source is a collection and delivery center, and the transport destination is the delivery destination of the cargo. The cargo may be individually packed boxes, or may be a pallet or cart on which multiple boxes are grouped.

[0041] In step S502, the server device 10 acquires cargo information. The cargo information includes, for example, the identification information of the cargo to be transported, the type, number, volume, weight, temperature during transport (necessity of refrigeration or freezing), location of the transport source, collection time at the transport source, location of the transport destination, arrival time at the transport destination, etc. The cargo information is sent, for example, from another server device managed by a delivery company or the like.

[0042] In step S504, the server device 10 sends information for requesting position information to each transport vehicle 12. The server device 10 can also send information for requesting position information to transport vehicles 12 other than the transport vehicles 12-1 and 12-3. The position information is information indicating the current position of each transport vehicle 12.

[0043] In step S506, each transport vehicle 12 transmits its position information, which is derived by the control unit 33 using an input from the positioning unit .

[0044] In step S508, the server device 10 updates the vehicle database 27. The vehicle database 27 includes, for example, one or more pieces of virtual vehicle information 60 and one or more pieces of real vehicle information 61, as shown in FIG. 6. The virtual vehicle information 60 is information on a virtual vehicle that represents each group when the transport vehicles 12 are grouped by transport capacity. One or more pieces of real vehicle information 61 are associated with each virtual vehicle information 60. The virtual vehicle information 60 includes a virtual vehicle ID and transport capacity information indicating the transport capacity for each virtual vehicle. The transport capacity includes a loading capacity (maximum loading amount) and a cooling capacity. The loading capacity may be a weight value such as 1 ton, 2 tons, or 4 tons, or may be a volume value. The cooling capacity indicates whether or not the vehicle has a freezer or a refrigerator. The real vehicle information 61 is information on the transport vehicle 12 having the transport capacity represented by the virtual vehicle. The actual vehicle information 61 includes a transport vehicle ID that identifies each transport vehicle 12, transport capacity information that indicates the transport capacity, location information that indicates the current location, driver information that indicates the driver in charge, and terminal information that identifies the terminal device 13 of the driver in charge. The server device 10 updates the location information included in the actual vehicle information 61 with location information received from each transport vehicle 12.

[0045] In step S510, the server device 10 selects a virtual vehicle for transporting the cargo. For example, the server device 10 selects a virtual vehicle in which the corresponding transport vehicle 12 is located near the transport origin. When the current position of the transport vehicle 12 is located within an arbitrarily determined distance range (for example, several hundred meters to several kilometers) from the transport origin, the server device 10 determines that the transport vehicle 12 is located near the transport origin. The server device 10 identifies the positions of the transport vehicle 12 and the transport origin using map information stored in advance in the storage unit 22.

[0046] In step S512, the server device 10 creates a transportation plan for a virtual vehicle to transport the cargo using an arbitrary algorithm. The transportation plan includes the arrival time and departure time at the origin, the identification information and number of cargo to be loaded, the temperature during transportation, the location of the destination and the travel route to the destination (the order of routes if multiple origins or destinations are passed through), the arrival time at the destination, the identification information and number of cargo to be unloaded at the destination, etc. When the number of cargoes to be loaded onto the virtual vehicle is L, the number of virtual vehicles is M, and the number of routes is R, the number of transportation plan patterns is L × M × R. For example, from multiple transportation plan patterns, the server device 10 determines, as the transportation plan, a pattern that maximizes the average loading capacity of the virtual vehicle or a pattern that minimizes the total traveling distance of the transportation vehicle 12. Alternatively, when multiple patterns are selected based on either the average loading capacity or the total traveling distance, the server device 10 may determine, as the transportation plan, a pattern narrowed down based on the other condition.

[0047] In step S514, the server device 10 selects a transportation vehicle 12 for executing the transportation plan for each virtual vehicle from the transportation vehicles 12 corresponding to the virtual vehicles, and updates the transportation plan information 28. For example, the transportation vehicle 12-1 located closest to the first transportation source included in the transportation plan is selected. As shown in FIG. 7, the transportation plan information 28 stores a virtual vehicle ID for each virtual vehicle, a transportation plan for that virtual vehicle, and a transportation vehicle ID of the transportation vehicle 12 selected to execute the transportation plan, in association with each other. In the transportation plan information 28, the server device 10 associates the transportation vehicle ID of the transportation vehicle 12-1 with the virtual vehicle ID of the corresponding virtual vehicle and the transportation plan.

[0048] In step S516, the server device 10 sends an instruction to execute the transportation plan to the terminal device 13-1 corresponding to the selected transportation vehicle 12-1. The server device 10 refers to the actual vehicle information 61 to identify the driver corresponding to the selected transportation vehicle 12-1 and the terminal device 13-1. The terminal device 13-1 receives the information sent from the server device 10.

[0049] In step S518, the terminal device 13-1 outputs the transportation plan, prompts the driver to input information indicating whether or not the transportation plan can be executed, and accepts the input. For example, the transportation plan and a selection menu for whether or not the transportation plan can be executed are displayed on the display of the output unit 46. When the driver performs an input operation to select whether or not the transportation plan can be executed, the input is accepted by the input unit 45. For example, either "executable" or "unexecutable" is selected by a touch operation on the touch panel.

[0050] In step S520, the terminal device 13 sends information indicating whether the transportation plan can be executed to the server device 10. The server device 10 receives the information sent from the terminal device 13.

[0051] If "execution of the transportation plan is possible" is selected, the server device 10 omits step S522 and subsequent steps. Then, the driver of the transportation vehicle 12-1 drives the transportation vehicle 112-1 and executes the transportation plan. On the other hand, if "execution of the transportation plan is impossible" is selected, the server device 10 executes step S522 and subsequent steps. For example, the driver selects "unexecution is impossible" when it is discovered that the driver is in poor health or that the transportation vehicle 12 has a malfunction.

[0052] Step S522 and subsequent steps are steps for having another transportation vehicle 12 execute the initially created transportation plan.

[0053] In step S522, the server device 10 changes the transport vehicle 12 for executing the transportation plan. The server device 10 selects, for example, the transport vehicle 12-2 as a substitute for the transport vehicle 12-1 from among the transport vehicles 12 corresponding to the selected virtual vehicle. The server device 10 selects the transport vehicle 12-2 for the transport vehicles 12 other than the transport vehicle 12-1 corresponding to the virtual vehicle by the same determination procedure as in step S514. The server device 10 updates the transport vehicle ID of the transport vehicle 12-1 in the transport plan information 28 with the transport vehicle ID of the transport vehicle 12-2. The server device 10 may refer to the transport plan information 28 and perform a process of changing the transport vehicle 12-1 to the transport vehicle 12-2 on the condition that the transport vehicle 12-2 is not associated with another transport plan.

[0054] In step S524, the server device 10 sends an instruction to execute the transportation plan to the terminal device 13-2 corresponding to the selected transportation vehicle 12-2. The server device 10 refers to the actual vehicle information 61 to identify the driver corresponding to the selected transportation vehicle 12-2 and the terminal device 13-2. The terminal device 13-2 receives the information sent from the server device 10.

[0055] In step S526, the terminal device 13-2 outputs the transportation plan and accepts input of information indicating whether or not the transportation plan can be carried out.

[0056] In step S528, the terminal device 13-2 sends information indicating whether the transportation plan can be executed to the server device 10. The server device 10 receives the information sent from the terminal device 13-2.

[0057] If "execution of the transportation plan" is selected, the driver of the transportation vehicle 12-2 drives the transportation vehicle 12-2 and executes the transportation plan. On the other hand, if "execution of the transportation plan" is selected, the server device 10 executes step S522 and subsequent steps to change the transportation vehicle 12 for executing the transportation plan.

[0058] According to the above-described procedure, even if the transportation plan cannot be executed by the transportation vehicle 12-1, the original transportation plan can be executed by the transportation vehicle 12-2 (or another transportation vehicle 12) having an equivalent transportation capacity, and the original transportation plan can be carried out without requiring a huge amount of information processing to recreate the transportation plan. In other words, the transportation plan can be created and changed efficiently.

[0059] Note that, since multiple transport vehicles 12 having the same transport capacity and associated with the same virtual vehicle are likely to have the same specifications, if the transport vehicle 12-1 selected to execute the original transport plan cannot execute the plan due to a malfunction of an on-board device such as a removable navigation system, the on-board device of the transport vehicle 12-2 may be removed and the transport vehicle 12-2 may be diverted to the transport vehicle 12-1. For example, in step S518, the terminal device 13-1 displays a menu for selecting whether to execute the plan, as well as a menu for selecting the reason for the impossibility of execution, and allows the driver to select the reason. Then, when the server device 10 receives information indicating a malfunction of the on-board device, when sending an instruction to execute the transport plan in step S524, the server device 10 includes an instruction to divert the on-board device to the transport vehicle 12-1 in the execution instruction. Such an instruction may include location information of the transport vehicle 12-1. The instruction to divert the on-board device is displayed to the driver, and the driver removes the on-board device of the transport vehicle 12-2 and diverts it to the transport vehicle 12-1, thereby enabling the execution of the transport plan.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the processing and control programs that define the operation of the transport vehicle 12 and the terminal device 13 are stored in the memory unit 22 of the server device 10 or in the memory unit of another server device, and may be downloaded to each device via the network 11, or may be stored in a non-transitory recording and storage medium that can be read by each device, and read from the medium by each device.

[0061] Although the embodiments have been described above based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means, step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Server device 11 Network 12 Transport vehicles 13 Terminal Equipment 20, 31, 41 Communications Department 21, 32, 42 storage section 22, 33, 43 Control section 34, 44 Positioning unit 25, 35, 45 Input section 26, 36, 46 Output section 27 Vehicle Database 28 Transportation Planning Information

Claims

1. The Communications Department and a storage unit that stores information about a virtual vehicle and information about a real vehicle that has the transportation capacity of the virtual vehicle in association with each other; a control unit that creates a transport plan for the cargo by the virtual vehicle and transmits and receives information to and from other devices via the communication unit; the control unit sends a first instruction to a first terminal device corresponding to the first real vehicle to cause the first real vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute the transportation plan for the cargo by the virtual vehicle; upon receiving information from the first terminal device indicating that the transportation plan cannot be executed by the first actual vehicle, sending a second instruction to a second terminal device corresponding to the second actual vehicle to cause a second actual vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute the transportation plan; If the transportation plan cannot be executed due to the on-board device of the first actual vehicle, an instruction to divert the on-board device of the second actual vehicle to the first actual vehicle is sent to the second terminal device. Server device.

2. In claim 1, The transport capacity includes a loading capacity and a cooling capacity. Server device.

3. In claim 1, The control unit sends the second instruction to the second terminal device on the condition that the control unit has not instructed the second actual vehicle to execute another transportation plan. Server device.

4. In claim 1, When the control unit receives information indicating that the transportation plan cannot be executed by the second real vehicle from the second terminal device, the control unit sends an instruction to another real vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute the transportation plan, to another terminal device corresponding to the other real vehicle. Server device.

5. 5. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not change the transportation plan for the virtual vehicle.

6. A system having a server device and a terminal device that communicate with each other, the server device stores information about a virtual vehicle in association with information about a real vehicle having the transportation capacity of the virtual vehicle, creates a transportation plan for a cargo by the virtual vehicle, and sends a first instruction to a first terminal device corresponding to the first real vehicle to cause the first real vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute the transportation plan for the cargo by the virtual vehicle; the first terminal device outputs the first instruction; When the server device receives information indicating that the transportation plan cannot be executed by the first actual vehicle from the first terminal device, the server device sends a second instruction to a second terminal device corresponding to the second actual vehicle to cause a second actual vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute the transportation plan, the second terminal device outputs the second instruction; When the transportation plan cannot be executed due to the on-board device of the first actual vehicle, the server device sends an instruction to the second terminal device to divert the on-board device of the second actual vehicle to the first actual vehicle. system.

7. In claim 6, The transport capacity includes a loading capacity and a cooling capacity. system.

8. In claim 6, the server device sends the second instruction to the second terminal device on the condition that the second actual vehicle has not been instructed to execute another transportation plan; system.

9. In claim 6, When the server device receives information indicating that the transportation plan cannot be executed by the second real vehicle from the second terminal device, the server device sends an instruction to another terminal device corresponding to the other real vehicle to cause the other real vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute the transportation plan. system.

10. According to any one of claims 6 to 9, the server device does not change the transportation plan for the virtual vehicle. system.

11. 1. A method of operating a system having a server device and a terminal device communicating with each other, comprising: the server device stores information about a virtual vehicle in association with information about a real vehicle having the transportation capacity of the virtual vehicle, creates a transportation plan for a cargo by the virtual vehicle, and sends a first instruction to a first terminal device corresponding to the first real vehicle to cause the first real vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute the transportation plan for the cargo by the virtual vehicle; the first terminal device outputting the first instruction; a step of, when the server device receives from the first terminal device information indicating that the transportation plan cannot be executed by the first actual vehicle, sending a second instruction to a second terminal device corresponding to the second actual vehicle to cause a second actual vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute the transportation plan; outputting the second instruction by the second terminal device; When the transportation plan cannot be executed due to the on-board device of the first actual vehicle, the server device sends an instruction to the second terminal device to divert the on-board device of the second actual vehicle to the first actual vehicle; Further comprising: How it works.

12. In claim 11, The transport capacity includes a loading capacity and a cooling capacity. How it works.

13. In claim 11, The server device sends the second instruction to the second terminal device on the condition that the server device has not instructed the second actual vehicle to execute another transportation plan. How it works.

14. In claim 11, and when the server device receives, from the second terminal device, information indicating that the transportation plan cannot be executed by the second real vehicle, sending an instruction to another terminal device corresponding to the other real vehicle to cause the other real vehicle corresponding to the virtual vehicle to execute the transportation plan. How it works.

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