Information Processing Method

Abstract

To support efficiency improvement in energy charging.SOLUTION: An information processing method by an information processing apparatus 1 capable of communicating with one or more vehicles 2 delivering packages, the information processing method comprises: acquiring vehicle-related information including at least one of the position of each vehicle, an energy charge amount of each vehicle, the travel condition of each vehicle, a temperature, weight of packages on each vehicle, delivery destination information on the packages on each vehicle, energy charging station information near a delivery route of each vehicle, and road congestion information; generating, from the vehicle-related information, plans for at least one of delivery routes and energy charge timings with the highest energy efficiency; and commanding the one or more vehicles 2 to execute the plans.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Commercial electric vehicles are known in the art (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-073238 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Once a vehicle sets out on a delivery mission, it travels within the area assigned to it. This makes it impossible to grasp from an overall perspective the wastefulness of the driving route and the efficient timing of energy refueling.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to support the improvement of the efficiency of energy charging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: An information processing method by an information processing device capable of communicating with one or more vehicles that deliver packages, Acquiring vehicle-related information including at least one of the location of each vehicle, the amount of energy charged to each vehicle, the running state of each vehicle, the temperature, the weight of luggage of each vehicle, delivery destination information of luggage of each vehicle, energy charging station information near the delivery route of each vehicle, and road congestion information; generating a plan for at least one of the most energy-efficient delivery route and the timing of energy refueling from the vehicle-related information; instructing the one or more vehicles to execute the plan; Includes: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to help improve the efficiency of energy charging. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0014] The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The components of the information processing device 1 are connected to each other via, for example, a dedicated line so that they can communicate with each other.

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

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

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

[0018] The internal configuration of the vehicle 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0019] The vehicle 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The components of the vehicle 2 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via, for example, a dedicated line.

[0020] The hardware configuration of the control unit 21, the communication unit 22, and the storage unit 23 may be the same as the hardware configuration of the control unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the storage unit 13. The description here will be omitted.

[0021] The following describes in detail the processing executed by the information processing system S of this embodiment. As an example, one or more vehicles 2 deliver packages.

[0022] The control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 acquires vehicle-related information. As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 11 stores the vehicle-related information in the storage unit 13. The vehicle-related information is acquired from another information processing device or each vehicle. The vehicle-related information includes at least one of the following information: - Location of each vehicle Energy charge amount for each vehicle - Driving status of each vehicle ·temperature - Luggage weight for each vehicle · Delivery address information for each vehicle - Information on energy filling stations near each vehicle's delivery route -Road congestion information

[0023] The control unit 11 creates a plan for at least one of the most energy-efficient delivery route and the timing of energy refueling based on the vehicle-related information. The plan may be created based on past history, or may be determined from a table that stores the correspondence between the vehicle-related information and the plan. Energy refueling includes at least one of electricity storage (charging) and hydrogen refueling.

[0024] The control unit 11 instructs the vehicle 2 to execute the plan. Specifically, the control unit 11 transmits information indicating the plan to the vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 performs delivery and energy refueling in accordance with the plan.

[0025] If the vehicle 2 is an FCEV, the control unit 11 plans to have the vehicle refueled at a hydrogen filling station. Based on the plan, the control unit 11 reserves the hydrogen filling station where the energy filling will be performed and a person qualified to handle hydrogen filling at the hydrogen filling station. The information processing device 1 accesses a server that accepts reservations and executes the reservation.

[0026] If the vehicle 2 is a BEV, the control unit 11 plans to charge the vehicle 2 at a charging station, and reserves a quick charging station based on the plan.

[0027] The control unit 11 creates a plan for at least one of the delivery route and the energy refueling timing so that reservations for each filling station are distributed. For example, the control unit 11 identifies, from past history, a time period during which reservations for the filling station tend to be concentrated. In creating the plan, the control unit 11 plans a delivery route or an energy refueling timing that can avoid the identified time period.

[0028] An information processing method performed by the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0029] In step S1, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 acquires vehicle-related information. In step S2, the control unit 11 creates a plan for at least one of the most energy-efficient delivery route and the energy refueling timing from the vehicle-related information. In step S3, the control unit 11 instructs one or more vehicles 2 to execute the plan.

[0030] As described above, according to this embodiment, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 performs operations including acquiring vehicle-related information including at least one of the location of each vehicle, the amount of energy charged to each vehicle, the driving state of each vehicle, the temperature, the luggage weight of each vehicle, delivery destination information for each vehicle's luggage, information on energy charging stations near each vehicle's delivery route, and road congestion information, creating a plan for at least one of the most energy-efficient delivery route and energy charging timing from the vehicle-related information, and instructing one or more vehicles 2 to execute the plan. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can support efficient energy charging.

[0031] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, if one or more vehicles 2 include an FCEV, the operation of the control unit 11 includes reserving a hydrogen filling station and a hydrogen filling qualified person based on a plan. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can support hydrogen filling of the vehicle 2.

[0032] According to the present embodiment, when one or more vehicles 2 include a BEV, the operation of the control unit 11 includes reserving a quick charging station based on a plan. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can support quick charging of the vehicle 2.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the operation of the control unit 11 includes creating a plan for at least one of the delivery route and the energy refueling timing so as to distribute the reservations for each filling station. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 reduces congestion at the filling stations, thereby reducing the waiting time of the vehicle 2 at the filling station and thereby making energy refueling more efficient.

[0034] According to this embodiment, energy charging includes at least one of electricity storage and hydrogen charging, and this configuration allows the information processing device 1 to handle various types of energy charging.

[0035] Although the present disclosure will be described based on various drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means or step may be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple means or steps may be combined or divided into one.

[0036] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a program for executing all or part of the functions or processes of the information processing device 1 can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include non-transitory computer-readable media, such as magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or semiconductor memories. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium, such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), on which the program is recorded. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transmitting the program from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product. The present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

[0037] A computer temporarily stores a program recorded on a portable recording medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device using a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP-type service that achieves its functions simply by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results, without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. Programs include information used for processing by a computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that does not directly instruct a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under the category of "equivalent to a program." [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] S Information Processing System

Claims

1. An information processing method by an information processing device capable of communicating with one or more vehicles that deliver packages, Acquiring vehicle-related information including at least one of the location of each vehicle, the amount of energy charged to each vehicle, the running state of each vehicle, the temperature, the weight of luggage of each vehicle, delivery destination information of luggage of each vehicle, energy charging station information near the delivery route of each vehicle, and road congestion information; creating a plan for at least one of the most energy-efficient delivery route and the timing of energy refueling from the vehicle-related information; instructing the one or more vehicles to execute the plan; Including, The information processing method includes creating the plan by identifying time periods from past history when reservations for filling stations tend to be concentrated, and creating the plan for at least one of the delivery route and the energy filling timing so as to spread out reservations for each filling station by avoiding the identified time periods.

2. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, An information processing method that includes reserving a hydrogen filling station and a hydrogen filling qualified person based on the plan when the one or more vehicles include an FCEV.

3. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, An information processing method that includes reserving a quick charging station based on the plan when the one or more vehicles include a BEV.

4. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, The information processing method, wherein the energy charging includes at least one of electricity storage and hydrogen charging.

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