Information Processing Method

Abstract

To provide an information processing method which enables provision of route information suitable a driver.SOLUTION: An information processing method is provided, comprising causing an information processing device to acquire route information instructing a route or stopping locations for a delivery vehicle, the route information being generated based on driver information regarding a driver of the delivery vehicle and delivery information regarding parcels to be delivered by the delivery vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing method for providing suitable route information to a vehicle driver. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART There is known a device that provides route information according to vehicle class (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-139644 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for providing route information that is suitable for drivers.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide route information suitable for drivers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an information processing device acquiring route information indicating the route or stopping positions of a delivery vehicle, the route information being generated based on driver information regarding the driver of the delivery vehicle and delivery information regarding the parcel to be delivered by the delivery vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, route information suitable for a driver can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an information processing method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Configuration example of information processing system 1) As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing system 1 according to one embodiment includes an information processing device 10 and a vehicle 40. The vehicle 40 transports packages to be delivered. The vehicle 40 transporting the packages to be delivered is also referred to as a delivery vehicle. The information processing device 10 manages the operation of the vehicle 40 to improve the efficiency of package delivery. The information processing device 10 generates information indicating the route or stopping positions of the vehicle 40. The information processing device 10 may generate information indicating the route or stopping positions of the vehicle 40 to improve the efficiency of package delivery. The information indicating the route or stopping positions of the vehicle 40 is also referred to as route information.

[0010] The information processing system 1 further includes, but is not required to include, a terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 may be mounted on the vehicle 40 or carried by the driver of the vehicle 40. The terminal device 20 may be configured to output route information generated by the information processing device 10 and notify the driver. An example configuration of the information processing system 1 will be described below.

[0011] <Information processing device 10> The information processing device 10 includes a control unit 12 and an interface 14 .

[0012] The control unit 12 controls at least one component of the information processing device 10. The control unit 12 may be configured to include one or more processors. In this embodiment, the "processor" may include, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control unit 12 may be configured to include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may include, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 12 may be configured to include a dedicated circuit instead of a processor, or may be configured to include a dedicated circuit together with a processor.

[0013] The information processing device 10 may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these. The storage unit may function as, for example, a main storage unit, an auxiliary storage unit, or a cache memory. The storage unit may include an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk. The storage unit may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The storage unit stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 10. For example, the storage unit may store a system program, an application program, or the like. The storage unit may be included in the control unit 12.

[0014] The interface 14 outputs information, data, etc. from the control unit 12 to an external device, and inputs information, data, etc. acquired from an external device to the control unit 12. The interface 14 may include a communication module configured to be able to communicate with an external device such as the vehicle 40 or the terminal device 20 via the network 30. The communication module may be compatible with mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The communication module may be compatible with communication standards such as LAN (Local Area Network). The communication module may be compatible with wired or wireless communication standards. The communication module is not limited to these and may be compatible with various communication standards. The interface 14 may be configured to be connectable to the communication module.

[0015] The interface 14 may include an input device that accepts input of information, data, etc. from a user. The input device may include, for example, a touch panel or touch sensor, or a pointing device such as a mouse. The input device may include physical keys. The input device may also include an audio input device such as a microphone.

[0016] The interface 14 may be configured to include an output device that outputs information, data, etc. to the user. The output device may include, for example, a display device that outputs visual information such as images, characters, or graphics. The display device may include, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, or a PDP (Plasma Display Panel). The display device is not limited to these displays and may include various other types of displays. The display device may include a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode). The display device may include various other devices. The output device may include, for example, an audio output device such as a speaker that outputs audio information such as sound. The output device is not limited to these examples and may include various other devices.

[0017] The information processing device 10 may include one or more server devices that can communicate with each other.

[0018] <Vehicle 40> The vehicle 40 includes a vehicle body and a drive unit. The vehicle 40 is configured to load items to be delivered onto the vehicle body. The vehicle 40 may further include a control unit that controls the drive unit. The vehicle 40 may further include a location information detection unit that acquires location information of the vehicle 40 itself. The vehicle 40 may output the location information of the vehicle 40 itself to the information processing device 10. The location information detection unit may be configured to include a receiver compatible with a satellite positioning system. The receiver compatible with the satellite positioning system may include, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver or the like.

[0019] The number of vehicles 40 managed by the information processing system 1 may be two or more. The vehicle 40 is configured to be operated by a driver. The vehicle 40 may be equipped with an on-board device such as a navigation device that acquires route information from the information processing device 10 and notifies the driver of the route information. The vehicle 40 may notify the driver of the route information using a terminal device 20, which will be described later.

[0020] <Terminal device 20> The terminal device 20 may be configured to include one or more processors or one or more dedicated circuits. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include a storage unit. The storage unit of the terminal device 20 may be configured identically or similarly to the storage unit of the information processing device 10. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include an interface or a communication module. The interface or communication module of the terminal device 20 may be configured identically or similarly to the interface or communication module of the information processing device 10.

[0021] The terminal device 20 may be configured to include an input device that accepts input of information, data, etc. from a user. The input device may be configured to include various devices described as the interface 14. The terminal device 20 may also be configured to include an output device that outputs information, data, etc. to the user. The output device may be configured to include various devices described as the interface 14.

[0022] The number of terminal devices 20 included in the information processing system 1 is not limited to one, and may be two or more. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a PC such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet PC. The terminal device 20 is not limited to these examples, and may be configured to include various devices.

[0023] (Example of operation of information processing system 1) In the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the control unit 12 of the information processing device 10 generates route information indicating the route or stopping position of the delivery vehicle based on driver information relating to the driver of the delivery vehicle and delivery information relating to the parcels to be delivered by the delivery vehicle.

[0024] <Example of delivery information> The delivery information may include information specifying the delivery destination of the package. The delivery information may include information specifying the time or time slot designated for delivery of the package. The delivery information may include information specifying whether the package is refrigerated or frozen, or whether the package is fragile, etc. The delivery information may include information specifying whether the package is to be delivered by hand or by drop-off.

[0025] <Example of driver information> The driver information may include, for example, the number of years of experience the driver has engaged in delivery work. The driver information may include information identifying whether the driver is a veteran or a rookie. For example, a driver may be identified as a veteran if his / her number of years of experience is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of years. The predetermined number of years for identifying whether a driver is a veteran may be set to various values, such as 3 years or 5 years. For example, a driver may be identified as a rookie if his / her number of years of experience is less than a predetermined number of years. The predetermined number of years for identifying whether a driver is a rookie may be set to various values, such as 1 year, 0.5 years (6 months), or 0.25 years (3 months).

[0026] The driver information may include information representing the driver's delivery work characteristics. The driver's delivery work characteristics may include, for example, information identifying the driver's efficiency in delivering packages. The driver's efficiency in delivering packages may be identified, for example, by the number of packages the driver can deliver per unit time, the number of delivery destinations the driver can visit per unit time, or the range the driver can deliver to per unit time. The unit time may be set to various values, such as one hour. The control unit 12 may calculate the driver's efficiency in delivering packages as a numerical value. If the numerical value representing the driver's delivery efficiency is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the driver may be identified as an advanced driver. If the numerical value representing the driver's delivery efficiency is less than a predetermined value, the driver may be identified as a novice driver. The driver's rank may be identified based on the numerical value representing the driver's delivery efficiency.

[0027] The control unit 12 may calculate the difference between average delivery work and the delivery work performance of the driver as the delivery work characteristics of the driver. Average delivery work is also referred to as average work. The control unit 12 may acquire a value representing the delivery efficiency of each of multiple drivers. The control unit 12 may calculate the average value of the values ​​representing the delivery efficiency of each driver as the value representing the average work. The control unit 12 may calculate the difference between the value representing the average work and the value representing the delivery efficiency of the driver whose delivery work characteristics are to be calculated as the value representing the delivery work characteristics of the driver.

[0028] The control unit 12 may acquire, for example, the travel time to the delivery destination or the fuel efficiency of the delivery vehicle as a numerical value representing the delivery work characteristics. The control unit 12 may acquire, for example, the condition of the package to be delivered as the delivery work characteristics. If the package to be delivered is deformed or dirty, the control unit 12 may determine that the driver's delivery work characteristics are poor. The control unit 12 may acquire, for example, an evaluation from a user receiving the package or a user requesting delivery of the package as the delivery work characteristics. The control unit 12 may acquire, for example, an evaluation from a third party, such as a passerby or resident near the location where the delivery vehicle is parked at the delivery destination, as the delivery work characteristics. The evaluation from the user or third party may include an opinion of satisfaction with the delivery work, or dissatisfaction with the delivery work, etc.

[0029] The control unit 12 may statistically process the numerical values ​​representing the delivery work characteristics of each of the multiple drivers. The control unit 12 may assume that the numerical values ​​representing the delivery work characteristics of each driver follow a normal distribution and calculate the standard deviation of the delivery work characteristics of the target driver.

[0030] The delivery work characteristics of the driver may include information representing the driver's skill in driving a delivery vehicle. The skill in driving a delivery vehicle may include, for example, information on roads on which the driver can drive the delivery vehicle and information on stopping locations where the driver can stop the delivery vehicle while reducing the impact on surrounding traffic.

[0031] <Generation of route information based on driver information and delivery information> The control unit 12 may generate route information that indicates the route along which the driver will drive the delivery vehicle when delivering the package or the stopping position of the delivery vehicle, based on the driver information and the delivery information. By generating route information based on the driver information, a route suitable for each driver can be presented. By presenting a route suitable for each driver, the driving of the vehicle 40 can be stabilized. Furthermore, the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 40 can be improved. Furthermore, the driving efficiency of the vehicle 40 as a whole can be improved. As a result, the efficiency of the entire delivery operation can be increased.

[0032] The control unit 12 may generate route information so as to improve the delivery work characteristics of the driver. For example, the control unit 12 may generate route information so as to improve the delivery efficiency of the driver. The control unit 12 may generate route information that instructs the route of the delivery vehicle so as to shorten the travel time of the delivery vehicle to the delivery destination, based on the driver's skill in driving the delivery vehicle. The control unit 12 may generate route information that instructs the stopping location of the delivery vehicle so as to shorten the time it takes for the delivery vehicle to stop at the delivery destination and deliver the package. By generating route information so as to improve the delivery characteristics of the driver, the efficiency of the entire delivery work can be increased.

[0033] If the driver's delivery performance is below average due to the driver's skill in driving the delivery vehicle, the control unit 12 may generate route information to improve the driver's skill in driving the delivery vehicle. For example, the control unit 12 may generate route information that instructs the driver on a route that will allow the driver to gain experience in increasing the number of roads on which the driver can drive the delivery vehicle. For example, the control unit 12 may generate route information that instructs the driver to make stops so that the driver can gain experience in stopping the delivery vehicle, so that the driver's skill in stopping the delivery vehicle can be improved. Improving the driver's skills can improve the driver's delivery performance characteristics. Improving the driver's delivery performance characteristics can improve the efficiency of delivery work.

[0034] The control unit 12 may generate route information using a trained model that outputs route information by inputting driver information and delivery information. The control unit 12 may generate the trained model by learning using the routes or stopping positions taken by each driver when driving a delivery vehicle as training data. The control unit 12 may acquire the trained model from an external device. The control unit 12 may input driver information and delivery information to a trained model running on the external device and acquire route information generated by the trained model of the external device.

[0035] The control unit 12 may generate route information to convey the know-how of highly skilled drivers, such as veteran drivers, to less skilled drivers, such as new drivers. A less skilled driver may not be able to drive a delivery vehicle according to route information including the know-how of a highly skilled driver. The control unit 12 may generate route information including driver know-how at a level that a less skilled driver can perform. The trained model that outputs route information may be configured to output route information tailored to the level of the driver to whom the route information is notified. By generating route information tailored to the driver's level, the number of drivers who cannot drive according to the route information can be reduced. By allowing each driver to drive according to the route information, the burden on each driver can be reduced. By reducing the burden on each driver, the driver retention rate can be improved. As a result, the efficiency of the entire delivery operation can be improved.

[0036] The control unit 12 may generate, as route information, points that a highly skilled driver focuses on when determining a delivery route and stopping locations based on delivery information. The control unit 12 may also generate, for example, the timing of lane selection or lane change for a highly skilled driver to drive a delivery vehicle as route information. A low-skilled driver may have difficulty driving in the same lane as a highly skilled driver. A low-skilled driver may also have difficulty changing lanes at the same timing as a highly skilled driver. The control unit 12 may generate route information that instructs a low-skilled driver on the timing of lane selection or lane change that can be performed. A highly skilled driver can change his or her driving behavior depending on road conditions such as traffic volume. On the other hand, a low-skilled driver may not be able to change his or her driving behavior in response to road conditions. The control unit 12 may generate route information that prompts a driver to change his or her driving behavior depending on road conditions such as traffic volume.

[0037] The control unit 12 may calculate an average route or stopping position based on the driving routes or stopping positions of multiple delivery vehicles. The control unit 12 may extract characteristics of the driving route or stopping position selected by a highly skilled driver based on the results of comparing the driving route or stopping position of the highly skilled driver with the average route or stopping position. The control unit 12 may determine whether the extracted characteristics contribute to improving delivery efficiency. If the extracted characteristics contribute to improving delivery efficiency, the control unit 12 may generate route information such that the extracted characteristics are included in the route information as points that a highly skilled driver would focus on.

[0038] The control unit 12 may extract positions where the delivery vehicle can be stopped in advance, and calculate the delivery efficiency when the delivery vehicle is stopped at each of the extracted positions. The control unit 12 may determine that the delivery efficiency is low for each stopping position if it would cause inconvenience to those around. For example, if there is a high possibility that stopping the delivery vehicle at a certain position would result in honking from nearby passing vehicles or complaints from nearby passing vehicles or pedestrians, the control unit 12 may determine that the delivery efficiency is low when the delivery vehicle is stopped at that position.

[0039] The control unit 12 may extract a combination of routes or stopping locations with high delivery efficiency from among the driving routes or stopping locations of multiple delivery vehicles. The control unit 12 may calculate an evaluation value related to delivery efficiency for each combination of driving routes or stopping locations. The control unit 12 may calculate an average value of the evaluation values ​​for each combination, select a combination to be presented to the driver from among combinations with an evaluation value equal to or higher than the average value, and generate the selected combination as route information. The control unit 12 may select a combination that is suitable for the driver's skills from among combinations with an evaluation value equal to or higher than the average value, and generate the selected combination as route information.

[0040] <Output of route information> The control unit 12 may notify the driver of the generated route information. The control unit 12 may output the route information via the interface 14 and notify the driver. The control unit 12 may output the route information to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 may output the route information and notify the driver.

[0041] The control unit 12 may decide not to notify the driver of the generated route information. The control unit 12 may receive from the driver a designation as to whether to notify the driver of the generated route information. The control unit 12 may receive from the driver a designation as to not to notify the driver of the generated route information. For example, the information processing device 10 may receive, via the interface 14, an input from the driver designating that the route information be notified or an input designating that the route information not be notified. The terminal device 20 may receive from the driver an input designating that the route information be notified or an input designating that the route information not be notified.

[0042] The control unit 12 may determine to notify the driver of some items of the generated route information, and not to notify the driver of other items. The control unit 12 may receive input from the driver specifying the items to be notified to the driver or the items not to be notified to the driver. For example, the control unit 12 may determine to notify the driver of the route of the delivery vehicle, but not of the stopping location. Conversely, the control unit 12 may determine to notify the driver of the stopping location of the delivery vehicle, but not of the route. The control unit 12 may determine to notify the driver of the route of the delivery vehicle, but not of the selection of the lane in which the delivery vehicle will travel or the timing of lane changes.

[0043] An experienced driver or a highly skilled driver may find notification of at least some items of the route information annoying. By allowing the driver to specify notification of at least some items of the route information, the driver's annoyance may be reduced. Furthermore, a less skilled driver may not fully understand the notified route information or may be unable to concentrate on driving due to the route information notification. By allowing the driver to specify notification of at least some items of the route information, the driver's driving is less likely to be interrupted. As a result, convenience for the driver may be improved. Furthermore, the efficiency of the entire delivery operation may be improved.

[0044] <Example of information processing procedure> The control unit 12 of the information processing device 10 may execute an information processing method including, for example, the steps of the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 2 in order to generate route information that instructs the driver on the route or stopping positions of a delivery vehicle. The information processing method may be realized as an information processing program executed by the control unit 12. The information processing program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0045] The control unit 12 acquires information such as driver information and delivery information for the delivery vehicle (Step S1). The control unit 12 generates route information for the delivery vehicle based on the driver information and delivery information for the delivery vehicle (Step S2). The control unit 12 determines whether there are any items in the route information for the delivery vehicle that the driver of the delivery vehicle has specified to be notified (Step S3). If there are no items specified to be notified (Step S3: NO), the control unit 12 ends execution of the procedure in the flowchart of FIG. 2. If there are items specified to be notified (Step S3: YES), the control unit 12 notifies the driver of the specified items in the route information (Step S4). After executing the procedure in Step S4, the control unit 12 ends execution of the procedure in the flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0046] (summary) As described above, the control unit 12 of the information processing device 10 generates route information that indicates the route or stopping position of the delivery vehicle based on the driver information of the delivery vehicle and the delivery information. In this way, the control unit 12 can provide route information that is suitable for the driver of the delivery vehicle. By operating the delivery vehicle on an appropriate route, the driving of the vehicle 40 can be stabilized. The fuel efficiency of the vehicle 40 can be improved. The overall driving efficiency of the vehicle 40 can be improved. The efficiency of package delivery by the vehicle 40 can be improved. As a result, the efficiency of the entire delivery operation can be increased.

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can 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 or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means or steps can be combined or divided into one. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Information processing device (12: control unit, 14: interface) 20 Terminal equipment 30 Network 40 vehicles

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, and acquiring route information indicating a route or stopping position of the delivery vehicle, the route information being generated based on driver information relating to a driver of the delivery vehicle and delivery information relating to a package to be delivered by the delivery vehicle; the driver information includes delivery work characteristics of the driver of the delivery vehicle; An information processing method further comprising calculating the difference between the average work and the delivery work performance of the driver as the delivery work characteristics of the driver of the delivery vehicle.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1 , further comprising generating the route information so as to improve delivery work characteristics of the driver of the delivery vehicle.

3. 3. The information processing method of claim 2, further comprising generating the route information to indicate a route or stopping position among routes that the driver of the delivery vehicle can drive that will shorten the travel time of the delivery vehicle, or to indicate a route or stopping position that will allow the driver of the delivery vehicle to gain experience in order to increase the number of routes that the driver of the delivery vehicle can drive.

4. 4. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving from the driver of the delivery vehicle a designation to notify the driver of the delivery vehicle of at least some of the items of the route information or a designation not to notify the driver of the delivery vehicle of at least some of the items of the route information.

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