Information processing method, information processing program, and information processing device

Abstract

An information processing method executed by an information processing device (40) involves determining, on the basis of remote control request information received from a mobile body (10), a remote operator (Q) that satisfies a service manager request condition indicating a request condition of a service manager (P) related to allocation of a remote operator (Q) that remotely controls the mobile body (10), as an execution operator that executes the remote control of the mobile body (10) that is the transmission source of the remote control request information.

Description

Information processing method, information processing program, and information processing device

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing method, an information processing program, and an information processing device.

[0002] A system for remotely controlling an autonomously mobile object is known. For example, a system has been disclosed in which, when an exceptional event occurs that makes it difficult for the robot to move autonomously, the exceptional event can be handled by a remote operator through remote control. A technology has also been disclosed in which a remote operator with a suitable working environment is assigned to handle the exceptional event in response to a remote request received from the mobile object.

[0003] However, in the prior art, remote operators are not allocated in accordance with the needs of the service manager who is the main manager of the service using mobile devices.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-42764

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing method, an information processing program, and an information processing device that can realize the allocation of remote operators according to the needs of a service manager.

[0006] An information processing method according to an embodiment is an information processing method executed by an information processing device, and includes a receiving step of receiving remote control request information from a mobile object, and an executing operator determination step of determining, based on the remote control request information, a remote operator that satisfies service manager requirements that represent service manager requirements regarding the allocation of a remote operator to remotely control the mobile object, as an executing operator that will perform remote control of the mobile object that is the source of the remote control request information.

[0007] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a remote control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example of a mobile object. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an example of a service manager terminal. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an example of a remote control terminal. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an information processing device. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data configuration of mobile object management information. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data configuration of area management information. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data configuration of remote operator management information. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data configuration of remote control history information. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by a control unit of an information processing device. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen for operator selection reference information. FIG. 12 is a hardware configuration diagram.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing method, an information processing program, and an information processing device will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a remote control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0010] The remote control system 1 includes a mobile object 10, a service administrator terminal 20, a remote control terminal 30, and an information processing device 40. The mobile object 10, the service administrator terminal 20, the remote control terminal 30, and the information processing device 40 are communicably connected via a network NW or the like.

[0011] The mobile body 10 is an object that moves autonomously and can be remotely controlled. The mobile body 10 is, for example, an autonomously moving vehicle, a robot that has a movement function and moves autonomously, etc. An autonomously moving vehicle is sometimes called an automatically driven vehicle.

[0012] In this embodiment, the mobile object 10 provides various services in a service provision area that is assigned to the mobile object 10 by a service manager P. For example, the mobile object 10 provides various services such as selling goods, road maintenance, construction work, etc. in a service provision area such as a factory, airport, or port. Furthermore, for example, the mobile object 10 provides services such as delivering goods in a service provision area such as a public road.

[0013] 1 shows an example in which multiple mobile objects 10 provide services in their respective predetermined areas D (areas DA to DC). The mobile objects 10 autonomously travel within their respective areas D and provide the predetermined services.

[0014] When the moving body 10 needs remote control by a remote operator Q, for example, when autonomous movement becomes difficult, the moving body 10 transmits remote control request information to the information processing device 40. The remote control request information will be described in detail later.

[0015] The service manager terminal 20 is an information processing device operated by a service manager P. The service manager P is the entity that provides services using the mobile object 10. In other words, the service manager P is the provider or manager of the services provided by the remote control system 1. For example, when a transport service is provided in which the mobile object 10 transports goods, the service manager P creates and manages service specifications such as the area D in which the mobile object 10 provides the service, the transport point of the goods within the area D, the mobile object 10 that performs the service, and information about the driving rules of the mobile object 10, as well as managing the costs required for the service.

[0016] The remote control terminal 30 is an information processing device operated by a remote operator Q. The remote operator Q is an operator who remotely controls the mobile body 10. The remote operator Q remotely controls the mobile body 10 assigned to the remote operator Q by the information processing device 40 (details will be described later). The remote operator Q is paid a remuneration corresponding to the remote control by at least one of the information processing device 40 and the service manager P (details will be described later). Note that, hereinafter, the remuneration refers to the amount paid to the remote operator Q. Furthermore, the charge refers to the charge to the service manager P.

[0017] In this embodiment, the remote operator Q is a user who exists outside the local network to which the information processing device 40 belongs, and is described as operating the remote control terminal 30 that exists outside the local network. However, the remote operator Q may also be a user who exists in the local network to which the information processing device 40 belongs, and operate the remote control terminal 30 that exists in the local network.

[0018] The information processing device 40 manages the mobile objects 10 and the remote operators Q included in the remote control system 1. The information processing device 40 also receives and manages the service manager requirements of the service manager P from the service manager terminal 20 operated by the service manager P. Based on the remote control request information received from the mobile object 10, the information processing device 40 determines the remote operator who will perform remote control of the mobile object 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information. Details of these processes will be described later.

[0019] Next, the functional configurations of the mobile object 10, the service manager terminal 20, the remote control terminal 30, and the information processing device 40 will be described.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example of the mobile object 10. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The mobile object 10 includes a communication unit 11, a sensor 12, a drive unit 13, a service providing unit 14, a memory unit 15, and a control unit 16. The communication unit 11, the sensor 12, the drive unit 13, the service providing unit 14, the memory unit 15, and the control unit 16 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus or the like.

[0022] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface with the remote control terminal 30, the information processing device 40, and the remote control terminal 30, etc., via a network NW, etc.

[0023] The sensor 12 is a sensor that acquires information about the traveling environment of the mobile body 10. The traveling environment is, for example, observation information about the mobile body 10 and information about the surroundings of the mobile body 10. The sensor 12 is, for example, an internal sensor and an external sensor.

[0024] The internal sensor is a sensor that observes observation information. The observation information includes at least position information of the mobile object 10. The position information may be a relative position or an absolute position. In this embodiment, a form in which the position information is an absolute position represented by latitude and longitude will be described as an example. The internal sensor includes, for example, a position sensor (GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), GPS (Global Positioning System)). The observation information may also include speed, acceleration, etc. In this case, the internal sensor further includes, for example, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), an acceleration sensor, a speed sensor, a rotary encoder, etc.

[0025] The external sensor observes information about the surroundings of the mobile body 10. The external sensor may be mounted on the mobile body 10 or may be mounted outside the mobile body 10. The outside of the mobile body 10 refers to, for example, other mobile bodies 10 other than the mobile body 10 in question, external devices, etc. In the following description, other mobile bodies 10 other than the mobile body 10 in question may be referred to as other mobile bodies.

[0026] The surrounding information is information that indicates the situation around the mobile body 10. The surroundings of the mobile body 10 is an area within a predetermined range from the mobile body 10. This range is an observable range of an external sensor. This range may be set in advance.

[0027] The surrounding information is, for example, at least one of a captured image of the surroundings of the moving body 10 and distance information. The captured image is captured image data obtained by capturing an image. In the following description, the captured image data will be simply referred to as a captured image. The distance information is information indicating the distance from the moving body 10.

[0028] The external sensor is, for example, an imaging device that obtains a captured image by imaging, a distance sensor, etc. The distance sensor is, for example, a millimeter-wave radar, a laser sensor, a distance image sensor, etc. The captured image is, for example, digital image data in which a pixel value is defined for each pixel, or a depth map in which the distance from the sensor 12 is defined for each pixel, etc. The laser sensor is, for example, a two-dimensional LiDAR (Laser imaging Detection and Ranging) sensor or a three-dimensional LiDAR sensor installed parallel to a horizontal plane.

[0029] The drive unit 13 is a device mounted on the mobile body 10 that drives the movement of the mobile body 10. The drive unit 13 is, for example, an engine, a motor, wheels, etc. The drive unit 13 is driven under the control of the control unit 16. For example, the control unit 16 determines the surrounding situation based on information obtained from the sensor 12, etc., and controls the amount of acceleration, the amount of braking, the steering angle, etc. For example, the control unit 16 controls the drive unit 13 of the mobile body 10 so that the mobile body 10 moves autonomously along a predetermined route within a predetermined area D.

[0030] The service providing unit 14 is hardware for providing a service. For example, if the service provided by the mobile object 10 is a luggage transport service, the service providing unit 14 is a luggage locker.

[0031] The storage unit 15 stores various types of data. The storage unit 15 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. The storage unit 15 may be a storage device provided outside the mobile object 10. The storage unit 15 may also be a storage medium that stores or temporarily stores programs and various types of information downloaded via a LAN, the Internet, etc.

[0032] In this embodiment, the storage unit 15 stores a basic program for autonomous movement. The control unit 16 of the mobile body 10 executes control of the autonomous movement and the like using the basic program stored in the storage unit 15. The storage unit 15 also stores service information for the mobile body 10 to execute a service. For example, if the service is a parcel delivery service, the service information includes information such as a parcel pickup location and a parcel delivery destination. The control unit 16 of the mobile body 10 controls the service providing unit 14, the drive unit 13, and the like to execute the service using the service information stored in the storage unit 15.

[0033] The control unit 16 is a computer that executes information processing in the mobile object 10. The control unit 16 is realized by one or more processors. The control unit 16 may be realized by having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a program, i.e., by software. The control unit 16 may also be realized by a processor such as a dedicated IC, i.e., by hardware. The control unit 16 may also be realized by a combination of software and hardware. At least one of the one or more functional units included in the control unit 16 may be mounted on an external information processing device that is communicatively connected to the mobile object 10 via a network NW or the like.

[0034] The control unit 16 controls the drive unit 13 so as to cause the moving body 10 to move autonomously.

[0035] For example, the control unit 16 controls the driving unit 13 to autonomously move along a route represented by route information within a predetermined area D, using captured images acquired by the sensor 12 and position information of the mobile body 10, for example. The route along which the mobile body 10 autonomously moves is predefined, for example, in mobile body management information (described later) managed by the information processing device 40, and map information of the real space including the route is pre-stored in the memory unit 15 of the mobile body 10. The control unit 16 controls the driving unit 13 to cause the mobile body 10 to travel along the route, using the map information, information about the route, position information detected by the sensor 12, captured images acquired by the sensor 12, and the like. The control unit 16 controls the driving unit 13 to cause the mobile body 10 to autonomously travel along the route. The control unit 16 also provides services by controlling the service providing unit 14 based on service information stored in the memory unit 15.

[0036] Furthermore, when the control unit 16 detects a situation requiring remote control, it transmits remote control request information to the information processing device 40 .

[0037] A situation requiring remote control is, for example, a situation in which autonomous movement of the mobile object 10 is difficult. The control unit 16 can detect that a situation requiring remote control is present based on the detection results of the sensor 12, the driving state of the driving unit 13, and the provision state of the service providing unit 14. When the control unit 16 detects that a situation requiring remote control is present, it transmits remote control request information to the information processing device 40.

[0038] The remote control request information includes the mobile object ID (identifier) ​​of the mobile object 10, the location information of the mobile object 10, and the request content information.

[0039] The mobile body ID is identification information of the mobile body 10. The location information of the mobile body 10 is information that indicates the location of the mobile body 10. The location information of the mobile body 10 is expressed, for example, by the latitude and longitude of the mobile body 10. The location information of the mobile body 10 may also be area identification information of the area D in which the mobile body 10 currently exists. The location information of the mobile body 10 may also be information that can identify driving rules, such as driving speed, that are specified for the area D in which the mobile body 10 is traveling.

[0040] The request content information is information that represents the content of the remote control request. For example, the request content information includes specific details of the situation in which autonomous movement is difficult, information that can identify travel rules such as the travel speed specified for the area D in which the mobile object 10 travels, information that can be used by the information processing device 40 to assign a remote operator, etc.

[0041] Examples of information that can be used by the information processing device 40 to assign a remote operator include status information of the mobile body 10, the service status of the mobile body 10, the service delay status of the mobile body 10, and information regarding the content of remote control to be performed in response to a remote request.

[0042] The status information of the mobile body 10 is information that indicates, for example, the remaining battery powering the mobile body 10, whether or not the mobile body 10 has any cargo on board, etc. The service status of the mobile body 10 is information that indicates, for example, whether the mobile body 10 is moving to the delivery destination, moving to the delivery origin, or being sent out, etc. The service delay status of the mobile body 10 is information that indicates, for example, whether there is sufficient time, whether it is on time, whether it is delayed, the delay time, etc. The information regarding the content of remote control to be performed in response to a remote request is information that indicates, for example, obstacle avoidance, departure decision, etc.

[0043] The control unit 16 drives and controls the driving unit 13, the service providing unit 14, etc. in response to remote control by a remote control terminal 30 operated by an executing operator among the remote operators Q who is assigned as the remote operator Q by an information processing device 40 (described later) to remotely control the mobile body 10. In detail, the control unit 16 drives and controls the driving unit 13, the service providing unit 14, etc. in response to commands related to remote control received from the remote control terminal 30. Through this control, the mobile body 10 is remotely controlled by the remote control terminal 30 operated by the remote operator Q.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an example of the service manager terminal 20. As shown in FIG.

[0045] The service administrator terminal 20 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, an output unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25. The communication unit 21, the input unit 22, the output unit 23, the storage unit 24, and the control unit 25 are communicatively connected via a bus or the like.

[0046] The communication unit 21 is a communication interface that communicates with the mobile body 10, the remote control terminal 30, and the information processing device 40 via a network NW or the like. For example, the communication unit 21 transmits information related to the service, such as service specifications, to the information processing device 40. The communication unit 21 also transmits the service manager requirement conditions of the service manager P to the information processing device 40. Details of the service manager requirement conditions will be described later. The communication unit 21 also transmits information related to the service to the mobile body 10. The communication unit 21 also receives inquiry information related to remote control from the remote operator Q by communicating with the remote control terminal 30 operated by the remote operator Q. The communication unit 21 also communicates various information with external devices.

[0047] The input unit 22 accepts various operations by the service manager P. The input unit 22 is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a microphone, etc. The output unit 23 outputs various information. The output unit 23 is, for example, a display that displays various information, a speaker that outputs various sounds, etc. The input unit 22 and the output unit 23 may be integrated into a touch panel. The input unit 22 and the output unit 23 may also be configured as separate entities from the service manager terminal 20. In this case, the input unit 22 and the output unit 23 may be configured to be communicably connected to the service manager terminal 20.

[0048] The storage unit 24 stores various types of data. The storage unit 24 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like. The storage unit 24 may be a storage device provided outside the service manager terminal 20. The storage unit 24 may also be a storage medium that stores or temporarily stores programs and various types of information downloaded via a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or the like. In this embodiment, the storage unit 24 stores various types of information, such as information required to create service specifications.

[0049] The control unit 25 is a computer that executes information processing in the service administrator terminal 20. The control unit 25 may be realized by causing a processor such as a CPU to execute a program, i.e., by software. It may also be realized by a processor such as a dedicated IC, i.e., by hardware. The storage unit 15 may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. At least one of one or more functional units included in the control unit 25 may be mounted on an external information processing device that is communicatively connected to the service administrator terminal 20 via a network NW or the like.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an example of the remote control terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

[0051] The remote control terminal 30 includes a communication unit 31, an input unit 32, an output unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35. The communication unit 31, the input unit 32, the output unit 33, the storage unit 34, and the control unit 35 are communicatively connected via a bus or the like.

[0052] The communication unit 31 is a communication interface that communicates with the mobile object 10, the remote control terminal 30, and the information processing device 40 via a network NW or the like. For example, the communication unit 31 receives remote control assistance request information in response to remote control request information for the mobile object 10 from the information processing device 40 via the network NW. The communication unit 31 also transmits information about the remote operator Q to the information processing device 40. The communication unit 31 also transmits commands related to remote control to the mobile object 10 that is the target of remote control. The communication unit 31 also communicates various information with external devices.

[0053] The input unit 32 accepts various operations by the remote operator Q. For example, the input unit 32 accepts input of commands for remote control of the mobile body 10 by the remote operator Q. The input unit 32 is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a microphone, a steering wheel, a joystick, an accelerator, a brake, a touch panel, etc.

[0054] The output unit 33 outputs various types of information. For example, when remotely controlling the mobile object 10 that is the remote control target, the output unit 33 outputs captured video information of the mobile object 10. The output unit 33 is a display that displays various types of information, a speaker that outputs various types of audio, etc. The input unit 32 and the output unit 33 may be integrated into a touch panel. The input unit 32 and the output unit 33 may also be configured as separate units from the remote control terminal 30. In this case, the input unit 32 and the output unit 33 may be configured to be communicably connected to the remote control terminal 30.

[0055] The storage unit 34 stores various types of data. The storage unit 34 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM or flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. The storage unit 34 may be a storage device provided outside the remote control terminal 30. The storage unit 34 may also be a storage medium that stores or temporarily stores programs and various types of information downloaded via a LAN, the Internet, etc.

[0056] In this embodiment, the storage unit 34 stores, for example, a remote control application. The remote control application is software for providing functions such as accepting remote control assistance request information from the information processing device 40 and executing remote control on the mobile object 10. The remote control application operates, for example, online with the information processing device 40. Note that the remote control application may also be configured to operate offline with respect to the information processing device 40. The remote control application may be configured to be downloaded to the remote control terminal 30, or may be configured to realize the above functions on a browser without being downloaded.

[0057] The control unit 35 is a computer that executes information processing in the remote control terminal 30. The control unit 35 may be realized by causing a processor such as a CPU to execute a program, i.e., by software. The control unit 35 may also be realized by a processor such as a dedicated IC, i.e., by hardware. The control unit 35 may also be realized by a combination of software and hardware. At least one of one or more functional units included in the control unit 35 may be mounted on an external information processing device that is communicatively connected to the service administrator terminal 20 via a network NW or the like.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the information processing device 40.

[0059] The information processing device 40 includes a communication unit 41, an input unit 42, an output unit 43, a storage unit 44, and a control unit 45. The communication unit 41, the input unit 42, the output unit 43, the storage unit 44, and the control unit 45 are communicatively connected via a bus or the like.

[0060] The communication unit 41 is a communication interface that communicates with the mobile object 10 , the service manager terminal 20 , and the remote control terminal 30 .

[0061] The input unit 42 accepts various operations by the user. For example, the input unit 42 is a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a microphone, etc. The output unit 43 outputs various information. For example, the output unit 43 is a display that displays various information, a speaker that outputs various sounds, etc. Note that the input unit 42 and the output unit 43 may be integrated into a touch panel.

[0062] The storage unit 44 stores various types of information. The storage unit 44 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. The storage unit 44 may be a storage device provided outside the information processing device 40. The storage unit 44 may also be a storage medium that stores or temporarily stores programs and various types of information downloaded via a LAN, the Internet, etc.

[0063] In this embodiment, the storage unit 44 stores mobile unit management information 44A, area management information 44B, remote operator management information 44C, remote control history information 44D, service provider request condition management information 44E, and the like.

[0064] 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the mobile object management information 44A. The mobile object management information 44A is a database for managing information about each of the multiple mobile objects 10 included in the remote control system 1 that are subject to management by the information processing device 40. Note that the data format of the mobile object management information 44A is not limited to a database.

[0065] The mobile object management information 44A is a database that associates a mobile object ID, type, traveling area, location information, operating status, and route information. The mobile object ID is identification information of the mobile object 10. The type is the type of the mobile object 10. The traveling area is the area D in which the mobile object 10 is traveling. The location information is current location information of the mobile object 10, and is expressed by, for example, latitude and longitude. The operating status is information indicating whether the mobile object 10 is in operation. The route information is information indicating the route traveled by the mobile object 10.

[0066] Dynamically changed information in the mobile unit management information 44A, such as location information and operating status, is received from the mobile unit 10 periodically or when a predetermined event occurs, and is updated by the control unit 45 of the information processing device 40. Furthermore, static information in the mobile unit management information 44A, such as the mobile unit ID, is not generally updated, but may be changed as needed in response to a user's operation instruction on the input unit 42 or a request from the service administrator terminal 20.

[0067] The information stored in the mobile unit management information 44A is not limited to these. For example, the mobile unit management information 44A may be a database that further associates, for each mobile unit ID of the mobile unit 10, at least one of the remaining battery charge of the mobile unit 10, the content of the service provided by the mobile unit 10, the status of the service provided by the mobile unit 10, the failure status of the mobile unit 10, the communication status of the mobile unit 10, the hardware configuration of the mobile unit 10, and the software configuration of the mobile unit 10.

[0068] The service content is, for example, information indicating the transportation of goods performed by the mobile body 10. The service status is, for example, information indicating whether or not there is a delay in the service performed by the mobile body 10. The fault status is, for example, information indicating whether or not there is a fault in the mobile body 10. The communication status of the mobile body 10 is, for example, information indicating whether the communication of the mobile body 10 is good, has deteriorated, or is interrupted. The hardware configuration of the mobile body 10 is, for example, information indicating the placement of cameras mounted on the mobile body 10, whether the drive source is electric or engine-powered, etc. The software configuration of the mobile body 10 is, for example, the type and version information of software installed on the mobile body 10.

[0069] 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the area management information 44B. The area management information 44B is a database for managing information about the area D in which the mobile body 10 performs services, and for managing information about at least the driving rules of the mobile body 10 in the area D. Note that the data format of the area management information 44B is not limited to a database.

[0070] The area management information 44B is a database that associates area IDs, area position information, services, area managers, moving object IDs, and driving rules.

[0071] The area ID is identification information of the area D. The area position information is information that represents the position, size, and range of the area D in real space. The area manager is information that represents the manager of the area D, and a service manager ID that is identification information of one of the service managers P is registered. The moving vehicle ID is identification information of the moving vehicle 10 that is moving in the area D identified by the corresponding area ID.

[0072] The driving rules are defined for the area D identified by the corresponding area ID. The driving rules may be, for example, a speed limit within the area D, or unique regulations for each area D. The driving rules may further include at least one of information indicating which mobile bodies 10 can and cannot travel through the area D identified by the corresponding area ID, information indicating which mobile bodies 10 can and cannot stop in the area D, information indicating locations or conditions under which a temporary stop is required within the area D, and speed limits for specific time periods or for specific mobile bodies 10 in the area D.

[0073] That is, the area management information 44B manages the areas D in the real space where the mobile body 10 travels, for each area D that has the same travel rules. Note that, as shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the area D is an approximately rectangular area. However, the shape of the area D is not limited to a rectangle, and may be rectangular, circular, or other shapes. Furthermore, the area D may be a dispersed, isolated area as long as it has the same travel rules in the real space.

[0074] Furthermore, the service range and driving rules may differ for each service or each mobile body 10. In this case, the area D may be an area divided for each service and / or each mobile body 10. In this case, the area position information may include information representing the position, size, and range of the area D in real space, as well as information representing the service type and the type of the mobile body 10. Furthermore, multiple areas D may partially overlap.

[0075] 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the remote operator management information 44C. The remote operator management information 44C is a database for managing the remote operators Q. The data format of the remote operator management information 44C is not limited to a database.

[0076] The remote operator management information 44C is a database that associates remote operator IDs, remote control terminal IDs, skills, total remote control response time, available vehicle types, remote control hourly cost, login status, and task status.

[0077] The remote operator ID is identification information of the remote operator Q. In the remote operator management information 44C, the remote operator ID of each of all remote operators Q who use the remote control system 1 is registered.

[0078] The remote control terminal ID is identification information of the remote control terminal 30 used by the remote operator Q. The skill is information representing the remote operator Q's ability in remote control. In FIG. 8, the skill is expressed on a scale of 1 to 5, with the smaller the numerical value, the higher the ability (skill). For example, the skill is determined according to the length of time required to respond to a remote control request. The skill may also be determined according to the results of a test measuring the remote control skill. The skill may also be determined according to the remote control experience points. The experience points are expressed by the total remote control response time, the total number of times, etc.

[0079] The total remote control response time is the total response time for the remote operator Q to remotely control the mobile body 10. The special vehicle license is information indicating whether the remote operator Q has a driver's license for a special vehicle. The available vehicle types are information indicating the vehicle types of the mobile body 10 that the remote operator Q can handle. The unit cost per remote control hour is information indicating the operation cost (labor cost) of the remote operator Q per unit remote control time of the mobile body 10 by the remote operator Q. The login status is information indicating whether the remote operator Q is logged in to the remote control system 1. The task status is information indicating whether the remote operator Q is remotely operating the mobile body 10 or is waiting for assignment.

[0080] Dynamically changing information in the remote operator management information 44C, such as the total remote control response time, login status, and task status, is received from the mobile object 10 periodically or when a predetermined event occurs, and is updated by the control unit 45 of the information processing device 40. In addition, skills, special vehicle licenses, and the like are updated as appropriate when they are updated.

[0081] Note that the information stored in the remote operator management information 44C is not limited to the above. For example, the remote operator management information 44C may further include information indicating the total response time and total number of times for each remote control task, the hardware configuration of the remote control terminal 30, the software configuration of the remote control terminal 30, and whether or not optional functions are used.

[0082] Remote control tasks include, for example, obstacle avoidance and departure confirmation. The hardware configuration of the remote control terminal 30 is, for example, a configuration of a steering wheel, brake, accelerator, display, etc. The software configuration of the remote control terminal 30 is information indicating the type and version of software installed in the remote control terminal 30. The availability of optional functions is information indicating, for example, whether a driving assistance function using AI (Artificial Intelligence) is used.

[0083] 9 is a schematic diagram of an example of the data configuration of the remote control history information 44D. The remote control history information 44D is a database for managing history information of the remote control of the mobile body 10 performed by the remote operator Q. The data configuration of the remote control history information 44D is not limited to a database.

[0084] The remote control history information 44D is a database that associates the history ID, the remote request date and time, the occurrence location, the occurrence area ID, the executing operator ID, the response skill, the remotely controlled mobile object ID, the remote control content, the required time, the remote control result, and the communication status.

[0085] The history ID is identification information of the history. The generation location is information representing the location of the mobile body 10 when the remote control request information was transmitted. The generation area ID is identification information of the area D in which the mobile body 10 was located when the remote control request information was transmitted. The executing operator ID is identification information of the remote operator Q who performed the remote control of the mobile body 10. The response skills are information representing the skills of the remote operator Q when responding to the remote control. The remotely controlled mobile body ID is identification information of the mobile body 10 that is the remotely controlled object. The remote control content is information representing the content of the remote control. The required time is information representing the time required for the remote control.

[0086] The remote control result is information representing the result of the remote control. The remote control result may be, for example, an evaluation result based on the difference between the estimated time required to respond to the remote control request information and the actual time required. For example, the control unit 45 may register a remote control result that indicates "poor" when the result of subtracting the actual time required from the estimated time is a negative value, "standard" when the result is zero, or "excellent" when the result is a positive value. Furthermore, the control unit 45 may register a user's evaluation result as the remote control result after responding to the remote control request information. For example, the service manager P may check the content and results of the remote control response, and the control unit 45 may register the evaluation result of the remote control response as the remote control result.

[0087] The communication status is information that indicates the communication status between the mobile object 10 and the remote control terminal 30 that remotely controls it during remote control.

[0088] The remote control history information 44D may further register the following information. For example, the remote control history information 44D may further register information about the remote control terminal 30 used for remote control, whether or not an optional function was used, the fatigue level of the remote operator Q at the time of response, and the surrounding conditions of the mobile body 10 at the time of response. The information about the remote control terminal 30 may be, for example, the hardware configuration of the remote control terminal 30, the software configuration of the remote control terminal 30, etc. Whether or not an optional function was used is information indicating, for example, whether or not a driving assistance function using AI was used. The fatigue level of the remote operator Q at the time of response is represented, for example, by the time required for remote control up to that point at the time of response. The surrounding conditions of the mobile body 10 at the time of response is information indicating, for example, the presence or absence of obstacles or other mobile bodies 10 around the mobile body 10, the number of such other mobile bodies 10, the weather, the width of the road, etc.

[0089] The service provider requirement management information 44E will be described later.

[0090] Returning to FIG. 5, the description will continue.

[0091] The control unit 45 includes a receiving unit 45A, a request condition specifying unit 45B, an execution operator determining unit 45C, a transmission control unit 45D, and a remuneration amount determining unit 45E.

[0092] The receiving unit 45A, the request condition specifying unit 45B, the execution operator determining unit 45C, the transmission control unit 45D, and the remuneration determining unit 45E are realized, for example, by one or more processors. For example, each of the above units may be realized by having a processor such as a CPU execute a program, i.e., by software. Each of the above units may be realized by a processor such as a dedicated IC (Integrated Circuit), i.e., by hardware. Each of the above units may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. When multiple processors are used, each of the multiple processors may realize one of the multiple units, or may realize two or more of the multiple units.

[0093] The processor realizes each of the above-mentioned multiple units by reading and executing a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like. Note that instead of storing the program in a ROM, the program may be directly embedded in the processor circuit. In this case, the processor realizes each of the above-mentioned multiple units by reading and executing the program embedded in the circuit.

[0094] The receiving unit 45A receives the remote control request information from the mobile object 10. The receiving unit 45A receives the remote control request information from the mobile object 10 via the communication unit 41.

[0095] The requirement specification unit 45B specifies the service manager requirement of the service manager P.

[0096] The service manager requirement is information representing the requirement made by the service manager P for the allocation of a remote operator Q who remotely controls the mobile object 10. The service manager requirement is, for example, registered in advance in the service provider requirement management information 44E.

[0097] For example, the control unit 45 receives service provider request conditions from the service manager terminal 20 operated by the service manager P and registers them in advance in the service provider request condition management information 44E. The request condition identification unit 45B identifies the service manager request conditions by reading the service provider request condition management information 44E.

[0098] For example, the service manager requirement condition is information indicating that a remote operator Q having a remote control history in an area of ​​the driving rules corresponding to the driving area of ​​the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is to be determined as the executing operator.

[0099] The service manager request conditions may be information representing the request conditions made by the service manager P for the allocation of a remote operator Q who remotely controls the mobile object 10, and are not limited to a form set by the service manager P operating the service manager terminal 20. For example, the service manager request conditions may be set in the service provider request condition management information 44E by an operator managing the information processing device 40 estimating the needs of the service manager P. Furthermore, the operator who has received a physical media medium from the service manager P may operate the information processing device 40 to set the service manager request conditions recorded on the media medium in the service provider request condition management information 44E.

[0100] The execution operator is one of the multiple remote operators Q registered in the remote control system 1, and is the remote operator Q who executes the remote control of the mobile object 10 that sent the remote control request information.

[0101] Based on the remote control request information received from the mobile body 10, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines a remote operator Q that meets the service manager requirement conditions of the service manager P as the execution operator that will perform remote control of the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information.

[0102] First, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies an assignable remote operator Q. The execution operator determination unit 45C identifies, as an assignable remote operator Q, a remote operator Q identified by a remote operator ID in the remote operator management information 44C whose login status is "logged in" and whose task status corresponds to "waiting for assignment" indicating that the remote operator Q is waiting to be assigned.

[0103] The execution operator determination unit 45C may specify the assignable remote operator Q based on other conditions.

[0104] For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C may identify, as an assignable remote operator Q, a remote operator Q whose login status and task status satisfy the above conditions and also satisfy assignment conditions previously specified by the service manager P. The assignment conditions previously specified by the service manager P may be, for example, a unit price per operation hour of 1,000 yen or more, a skill level of the remote operator Q of 3 or more, etc.

[0105] Furthermore, when the available operating time of the remote operator Q is determined, the executing operator determination unit 45C may identify a remote operator Q who can complete the remote control within the operating time as an assignable remote operator Q. For example, assume that the remaining operating time of the remote operator Q is 10 minutes. In this case, the executing operator determination unit 45C identifies a remote operator Q whose estimated required time for the remote control represented by the remote control request information is less than 10 minutes as an assignable remote operator Q. Also, assume that the remaining operating time of the remote operator Q is 15 minutes. In this case, the executing operator determination unit 45C does not identify a remote operator Q whose estimated required time for the remote control represented by the remote control request information is 15 minutes or more, but identifies a remote operator Q whose estimated required time for the remote control represented by the remote control request information is less than 15 minutes as an assignable remote operator Q.

[0106] The execution operator determination unit 45C identifies, as the execution operator, one of the identified remote operators Q who satisfies the service manager requirement specified by the requirement specification unit 45B.

[0107] For example, as described above, assume that the service manager requirement is information indicating that remote operator Q, who has a remote control history for the area of ​​the driving rules corresponding to the driving area of ​​the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information, is to be determined as the executing operator. In this case, the executing operator determination unit 45C determines remote operator Q, who has a remote control history for the area D of the driving rules corresponding to the driving area of ​​the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information, as the executing operator. The area of ​​the driving rules corresponding to the driving area means an area of ​​the driving rules that matches or is similar to the driving rules of the driving area.

[0108] As described above, in this embodiment, driving rules are defined for each area D. Therefore, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies, from the mobile object management information 44A, identification information for the driving area corresponding to the mobile object ID included in the remote control request information. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies, from the remote control history information 44D, an occurrence area ID that matches the identification information for the identified driving area. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q identified by the execution operator ID corresponding to the identified occurrence area ID as the execution operator that will remotely control the mobile object 10 that transmitted the remote control request information.

[0109] Specifically, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines whether or not there is a remote operator Q among the remote operators Q identified as available for assignment who has experience in remotely controlling a mobile body 10 that is located in an area D with the same driving rules as the driving area of ​​the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information.

[0110] In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines whether or not there is a remote operator ID among the remote operator IDs of the remote operator Q identified as assignable in the remote control history information 44D in which the area ID of the traveling area of ​​the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is registered as the generation area ID.

[0111] For example, assume that the execution operator IDs "OP1" and "OP3" are identified as the remote operator IDs of the assignable remote operator Q. Also assume that the area ID of the traveling area of ​​the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information is "C." In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q, who is identified by the execution operator ID "OP3" associated with "C" as the generation area ID, of the execution operator IDs "OP1" and "OP3," as the execution operator of the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request.

[0112] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine that a mobile body 10 located in the same area D as the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is a mobile body 10 that is located in an area D with the same driving rules as the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information.

[0113] For example, consider a situation in which remote control request information is received from a mobile object 10 located in area D of area ID "A." In this case, the executing operator determination unit 45C determines, from among the remote operators Q identified as assignable, a remote operator Q who has experience in remotely controlling other mobile objects 10 located in area D of area ID "A," as the executing operator.

[0114] In this case, the determined executing operator is remote operator Q who has experience in remotely controlling mobile bodies 10 located in the same area D as the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information. Therefore, in this case, the executing operator determining unit 45C can determine remote operator Q, who already understands the traffic rules and surrounding conditions of the area D, as the executing operator. Furthermore, the executing operator can safely and quickly respond to the remote control request.

[0115] It is preferable that the remote control history in the remote control history information 44D that the execution operator determination unit 45C refers to when determining the execution operator is the most recent remote control history. Furthermore, if there is a change in the traffic rules for area D, it is preferable that the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the execution operator using the remote control history for the schedule after the traffic rules are changed in the remote control history information 44D. It is also preferable that the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the execution operator using similar remote control history in the remote control history information 44D, such as a time period with similar surrounding conditions as the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information and the number of mobile bodies 10 in the vicinity.

[0116] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine that a mobile body 10 located in an area D managed by the same area manager as the area D in which the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is located is a mobile body 10 that is located in an area D with the same driving rules as the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information.

[0117] For example, consider a situation in which remote control request information is received from a mobile object 10 in an area D of an area ID "A" managed by an area administrator ID "S01." Also consider a case in which a service manager P identified by the area manager ID "S01" manages each of the areas D of the area ID "A" and the area ID "D." In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may identify a remote operator Q identified by an execution operator ID that has the area D of the area ID "A" and the area ID "D" as the occurrence area ID from the remote control history information 44D, and may determine the remote operator Q as the execution operator by giving priority to the other remote operators Q.

[0118] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine that a mobile body 10 located in an area D that provides the same services as the area D in which the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is located is a mobile body 10 that is located in an area D with the same driving rules as the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information.

[0119] For example, consider a situation in which remote control request information is received from a mobile object 10 located in area D of area ID "A." The service provided in area ID "A" is the same as the service provided in area ID "C" (see FIG. 7). In this case, the executing operator determination unit 45C may identify a remote operator Q identified by an executing operator ID that has area D of area ID "A" and area ID "C" as the occurrence area ID from the remote control history information 44D, and may determine the remote operator Q as the executing operator by giving priority to the other remote operators Q.

[0120] If there are a plurality of remote operators Q determined as the executing operator, the executing operator determination unit 45C may further narrow down the conditions and specify one remote operator Q as the executing operator.

[0121] For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C may identify, among multiple remote operators Q determined as execution operators, one remote operator Q who has the most matches with the time of receipt of the remote control request information, the subarea obtained by further subdividing the area D in which the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is located, and the model of the mobile body 10, as the execution operator.

[0122] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may narrow down the remote operators Q determined as execution operators using conditions previously specified by the service manager P, such as the skills of the remote operator Q, the amount of compensation for the remote operator Q expressed in terms of the unit price of the operation time, etc., and determine one remote operator Q as the execution operator.

[0123] For example, assume that the condition is a highly skilled remote operator Q. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines, as the execution operator, one remote operator Q with the highest skill among the multiple remote operators Q determined as the execution operator.

[0124] Also, for example, assume that the condition is that the unit price per operation hour is 1,000 yen or more. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q whose unit price per remote control hour registered in the remote operator management information 44C is 1,000 yen or more from among the multiple remote operators Q determined as the execution operators.

[0125] If the execution operator determination unit 45C cannot determine a remote operator Q that satisfies the service manager requirement conditions of the service manager P, it may use another service manager requirement condition to determine the remote operator Q as the execution operator for the remote control request information. The other service manager requirement condition may be any.

[0126] The transmission control unit 45D transmits the remote control assistance request information to the remote control terminal 30 operated by the determined execution operator.

[0127] The remote control assistance request information may include at least one of the mobile object ID of the mobile object 10 to be remotely controlled, request content information included in the remote control request information received from the mobile object 10, and the type, travel area, location information, operating status, and route information corresponding to the mobile object ID in the mobile object management information 44A. The remote assistance request information may also include travel rules corresponding to the area ID of the travel area of ​​the mobile object 10.

[0128] A remote operator Q who operates the remote control terminal 30 that has received the remote control assistance request information operates the input unit 32 of the remote control terminal 30 to remotely control the mobile body 10, thereby performing remote control corresponding to the remote control request information.

[0129] The remuneration determination unit 45E determines the remuneration for the executing operator in accordance with at least one of the remote control request information, the determination status of the executing operator, and the remote control status of the executing operator. The remuneration determination unit 45E will be described in detail later.

[0130] Next, an example of the flow of information processing executed by the control unit 45 of the information processing device 40 of this embodiment will be described.

[0131] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the control unit 45 of the information processing device 40 of this embodiment.

[0132] The receiving unit 45A receives remote control request information from the mobile object 10 (step S100).

[0133] The requirement specification unit 45B specifies the service manager requirement of the service manager P (step S102). As described above, in this embodiment, for example, the service manager requirement is information indicating that a remote operator Q having a remote control history for an area of ​​a driving rule corresponding to the driving area of ​​the mobile body 10 that has transmitted the remote control request information is determined as an executing operator that satisfies the service manager requirement.

[0134] The execution operator determination unit 45C identifies an assignable remote operator Q (step S104). Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines whether or not there is a remote operator Q that satisfies the service manager requirement conditions identified in step S102 among the remote operators Q identified in step S104 (step S106).

[0135] If it is determined that there is a remote operator Q that satisfies the service manager requirement conditions (step S106: Yes), the performing operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q that satisfies the service manager requirement conditions as the performing operator (step S108).

[0136] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no remote operator Q that satisfies the service manager's requirements (step S106: No), the performing operator determination unit 45C determines an performing operator using other assignment conditions (step S110).

[0137] The transmission control unit 45D transmits the remote control assistance request information to the remote control terminal 30 operated by the execution operator determined in step S108 or step S110 (step S112).

[0138] The control unit 45 repeats a negative determination (step S114: No) until it determines that the remote control of the mobile object 10 in accordance with the remote control assistance request information transmitted in step S112 has ended. The control unit 45 executes the determination of step S114, for example, by determining whether or not an end signal has been received from the remote control terminal 30 that transmitted the remote control assistance request information in step S112. If the determination in step S114 is affirmative (step S114: Yes), the process proceeds to step S116.

[0139] In step S116, the remuneration determination unit 45E determines the remuneration for the executing operator in accordance with at least one of the remote control request information, the determination status of the executing operator, and the remote control status by the executing operator (step S116), and then ends this routine.

[0140] As described above, the information processing method executed by the information processing device 40 of this embodiment is an information processing method executed by the information processing device 40 that communicates with the autonomously moving and remotely controllable mobile body 10, the service administrator terminal 20 operated by the service administrator P, and the remote control terminal 30 operated by the remote operator Q. The information processing method includes a receiving step of receiving remote control request information from the mobile body 10, and an executing operator determination step of determining, based on the received remote control request information, a remote operator Q that satisfies service administrator requirement conditions that represent the requirement conditions of the service administrator P regarding the allocation of a remote operator Q that will remotely control the mobile body 10, as an executing operator that will perform remote control of the mobile body 10 that is the source of the remote control request information.

[0141] Therefore, in the remote operator allocation method of this embodiment, a remote operator Q that meets the needs of the service manager P can be allocated as an execution operator who executes remote control of the mobile body 10.

[0142] Therefore, the information processing device 40 of this embodiment can realize allocation of a remote operator Q according to the needs of the service manager P.

[0143] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the service manager requirement condition is information indicating that a remote operator Q having a remote control history for an area of ​​a driving rule corresponding to a driving area of ​​the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information is to be determined as the executing operator. However, the service manager requirement condition is not limited to the above condition.

[0144] For example, the service manager requirement condition may be information indicating that when remote control request information is received multiple times from the same mobile body 10 within a specified range of time or distance, the same remote operator Q is determined to be the executing operator for the multiple remote control request information.

[0145] In other words, when the execution operator determination unit 45C receives or has received remote control request information multiple times from the same mobile body 10 within a specified range of time or distance, it may determine the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for the multiple remote control request information.

[0146] In this case, the remote operator Q who has the best understanding of the current situation of the mobile unit 10 that sent the remote control request information can be determined as the executing operator. Therefore, the remote operator Q who satisfies the needs of the service manager P who wants to keep the service provided by the mobile unit 10 as long as possible can be assigned as the executing operator.

[0147] For example, assume that the control unit 45 predicts in advance that remote control request information will be received consecutively within a predetermined period from the same mobile object 10. A known method may be used for this prediction process. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for each of the mobile objects 10 that are the senders of the consecutively received remote control request information.

[0148] Specifically, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies the planned movement route of each of the multiple mobile objects 10 managed by the remote control system 1 from the route information in the mobile object management information 44A. Then, based on information indicating the occurrence location for each remote reception date and time registered in the remote control history information 44D, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies an area D within the planned movement route of the mobile object 10 in which the mobile object 10 is located and from which the remote control request information is predicted to be transmitted. Then, based on the traveling speed of the mobile object 10 when traveling along the planned movement route, the execution operator determination unit 45C calculates a predicted time of occurrence of the remote control request information for each identified area D. Furthermore, based on the calculated predicted time of occurrence of the remote control request information for each area D, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines whether remote control request information will occur consecutively within a predetermined period. If the execution operator determination unit 45C determines that remote control request information will occur consecutively within the predetermined period, it may determine the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for each of the remote control request information that occurs consecutively within the predetermined period. The execution operator determination unit 45C may determine which remote operator Q to determine as the execution operator based on any conditions.

[0149] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine the execution operator in the same manner when remote control request information is received consecutively within a predetermined distance from the same mobile body 10, instead of within a predetermined period of time.

[0150] In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may use the predicted location where the remote control request information will occur instead of the predicted time when the remote control request information will occur.

[0151] If the number of times that remote control request information is generated consecutively within a predetermined period exceeds a predetermined value, the executing operator determination unit 45C may determine, as the executing operator, a remote operator Q different from the remote operator Q determined when the number of times is less than the predetermined value. This process reduces the possibility that the remote operator Q will lose concentration and safety will be compromised if the remote operator Q continuously responds to remote control.

[0152] Instead of the number of remote control request information, when the cumulative time spent responding to remote control request information that occurs consecutively within a predetermined period exceeds a predetermined time, the executing operator determination unit 45C may determine, as the executing operator, a remote operator Q different from the remote operator Q determined before the predetermined time. This process reduces the possibility that the remote operator Q will lose concentration and endanger safety due to responding to remote control requests for a long period of time.

[0153] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for the mobile body 10 when remote control request information is received continuously from the same mobile body 10 within a specified period or a specified distance, limited to a specific time period and a specific area D.

[0154] Furthermore, when it is difficult to grasp the status of the mobile body 10 that has transmitted the remote control request information, if remote control request information is received from the same mobile body 10 continuously within a predetermined period or a predetermined distance, the executing operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine the same remote operator Q as the executing operator for that mobile body 10. This is because, in a situation where it is easy to grasp the status of the mobile body 10 that has transmitted the remote control request information, even a different remote operator Q can quickly grasp the status, and it is considered that there is not much difference in the speed of remote control compared to when the same remote operator Q is determined as the executing operator.

[0155] Furthermore, when remote control request information is continuously received within a predetermined period or a predetermined distance from the same mobile body 10 in an area D where the situation does not change significantly in a short period of time, the executing operator determination unit 45C may determine the same remote operator Q as the executing operator for the mobile body 10. In an area where the situation changes significantly in a short period of time, even if the same remote operator Q is determined as the executing operator, the situation has changed significantly since the previous remote control, and it is considered that the time required to grasp the situation will be approximately the same whether it is the same remote operator Q or a different remote operator Q. Furthermore, this determination method is preferable from the viewpoint of fairly determining as many different remote operators Q as possible as the executing operator.

[0156] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may limit the mobile body 10 to a specific model of mobile body 10, and when remote control request information is received continuously from the same mobile body 10 within a specified period or a specified distance, it may preferentially determine the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for that mobile body 10.

[0157] The camera placement, camera performance, and obstacle detection sensor performance vary depending on the vehicle model of the moving body 10. Therefore, even among moving bodies 10 in the same situation, it is considered that there are moving bodies 10 for which it is difficult for the remote operator Q to grasp the situation. In the case of a moving body 10 for which it is easy to grasp the situation, even if a different remote operator Q is determined as the executing operator for that moving body 10, it is considered that the situation can be grasped immediately, and there is not much difference in the speed of remote control compared to when the same remote operator Q is determined as the executing operator for that moving body 10. Therefore, when remote control request information is received continuously from the same moving body 10 within a predetermined period or a predetermined distance, the same remote operator Q may be preferentially determined as the executing operator for that moving body 10, limited to moving bodies 10 for which it is difficult to grasp the situation.

[0158] Furthermore, when remote control request information is received consecutively from the same mobile object 10 within a predetermined period or a predetermined distance, the execution operator determination unit 45C may transmit information indicating the period between the first received remote control request information and the second received remote control request information to the remote control terminal 30 operated by the determined remote operator Q. By transmitting the information indicating the period to the remote control terminal 30 operated by the execution operator, the remote operator Q, who is the execution operator operating the remote control terminal 30, can easily prepare for the subsequent remote control request information.

[0159] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may control the remote control terminal 30 of the execution operator so that, after responding to the previous remote control request information, video data of the area around the mobile body 10 to be remotely controlled is continuously played back until the subsequent remote control request information is started. In this case, the remote operator Q, who is the execution operator, can continuously grasp the situation of the mobile body 10 to be remotely controlled, and can quickly respond to the subsequent remote control request information. Furthermore, by controlling the remote control terminal 30 so that video data of the area around the mobile body 10 is continuously played back, the process of reconnecting the video communication is also unnecessary.

[0160] In this case, the remote operator Q, who is the executing operator, will monitor the video information connecting the previous remote control request information and the subsequent remote control request information. Therefore, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E may calculate an additional remuneration for that purpose.

[0161] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may combine the earlier remote control request information and the later remote control request information into one task and notify the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q, who is the execution operator. In this case, the information can be provided in a way that allows the remote operator Q to recognize that the information is a response to successive remote control request information from the same mobile body 10, making it easier for the remote operator Q to prepare for the response.

[0162] In addition, when the previous remote control request information occurs, the execution operator determination unit 45C may notify the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q, who is the execution operator who determined that the subsequent remote control request information also requires a response.

[0163] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may notify the remote control terminal 30 operated by the execution operator, remote operator Q, that it is necessary to continue responding to the subsequent remote control request information before or after the execution operator has completed responding to the previous remote control request information.

[0164] The execution operator determination unit 45C may also notify the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q, who is the determined execution operator, of information on the number of remote control request information to be consecutively responded to, the predicted required time for each remote control request information, and the total predicted required time. The execution operator determination unit 45C may also notify the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q, who is the determined execution operator, of information showing progress information, such as information indicating which response is currently being performed, information indicating how much of the total predicted required time has been completed, and information indicating how much remains. By notifying the remote control terminal 30 of this information, it is possible to provide the remote operator Q, who uses the remote control terminal 30, with information that makes it easier for him or her to prepare for a response.

[0165] It may be difficult for the control unit 45 to predict that remote control request information will be received consecutively from the same mobile object 10 within a predetermined period of time.

[0166] In this case, if the execution operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information multiple times from the same mobile body 10 within a specified range of time or distance, it simply determines the same remote operator Q as the execution operator that meets the service manager's requirements for the mobile body 10.

[0167] In detail, when the execution operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information consecutively from the same mobile body 10 within a specified period, at the time when the later remote control request information is received, the execution operator determination unit 45C preferentially determines the remote operator Q corresponding to the earlier remote control request information as the execution operator.

[0168] Specifically, when remote control request information is received from a certain mobile body 10, the executing operator determination unit 45C searches the remote control history information 44D to determine whether there is a remote control history for the mobile body 10 during a predetermined period prior to the remote request date and time, which is the time when the received remote control request information was generated. If the executing operator determination unit 45C determines that there is a remote control history, it identifies the remote operator Q who handled the remote control in the remote control history, and determines the identified remote operator Q as the executing operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the currently received remote control request information.

[0169] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may further perform control so that the remote operator Q who handled the remote control of the mobile body 10 that transmitted the previous remote control request information is not determined as the execution operator for another remote control request information until the predetermined period has elapsed. In this case, even if remote control request information is suddenly and consecutively received from the same mobile body 10, the remote operator Q who handled the remote control request information received earlier can be determined as the execution operator for the remote control request information received later.

[0170] In this case, there will be a period during which the remote operator Q will not be determined as an executing operator. Therefore, if further control is performed so that the remote operator Q who handled the remote control of the mobile body 10 that transmitted the previous remote control request information will not be determined as an executing operator for another remote control request information until the predetermined period has elapsed, the remuneration determination unit 45E may control to increase the remuneration of the remote operator Q.

[0171] In this case, for example, the reward amount determination unit 45E may perform processing such as increasing the reward for remote control for earlier remote control request information, increasing the reward for remote control for later remote control request information, or granting a separate reward for restricting the determination of the execution operator.

[0172] In addition, just as in the case of predicting that remote control request information will be received consecutively from the same mobile body 10 within a specified period of time, the execution operator determination unit 45C may limit the time period, the area D, and the type of mobile body 10, and at the time when the later remote control request information occurs, determine the remote operator Q corresponding to the earlier remote control request information as the execution operator with priority.

[0173] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may search the remote control history information 44D to determine whether or not there is a remote control history for the mobile body 10 during a predetermined period prior to the remote request date and time, which is the time when the received remote control request information was generated, and may use the remote control history at any of the following times.

[0174] For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C may use as the time of the relevant point in time any of the following: the time when the remote control request information is received from the mobile body 10, the time when the execution operator is determined in response to the remote control request information of the mobile body 10, the time when the execution operator starts remote control in response to the remote control request information of the mobile body 10, or the time when the execution operator ends remote control in response to the remote control request information of the mobile body 10.

[0175] Although the execution operator determination unit 45C uses the remote request date and time of the remote control request information as the generation time of the remote control request information, a time other than the above may be used. For example, the generation time of the remote control request information may be the transmission time when the mobile object 10 transmits the remote control request information to the information processing device 40, or the time when an event occurs on the mobile object 10 side that causes the remote control request information to be transmitted.

[0176] (Variant 2) The service manager requirement condition may be information indicating that when multiple pieces of remote control request information are received or have been received from one or more mobile bodies 10 within the same area D within a specified period, the same remote operator Q is determined to be the executing operator for the multiple pieces of remote control request information.

[0177] That is, when the execution operator determination unit 45C receives multiple pieces of remote control request information from mobile bodies 10 in the same area D within a predetermined period, it determines the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for the multiple pieces of remote control request information.

[0178] For example, if the execution operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information from another mobile body 10 located in the same area D as the mobile body 10 within a predetermined period after remotely controlling the mobile body 10, it determines the same remote operator Q as the mobile body 10 as the execution operator for remote control of the other mobile body 10.

[0179] The remote operator Q, who has just started remote control, is likely to have the best understanding of the situation in the area D where remote control is to be performed. Therefore, this determination process can quickly perform remote control and satisfy the needs of the service manager P who wants to avoid interrupting the service provided by the mobile object 10 as much as possible.

[0180] First, a case will be described in which the execution operator determination unit 45C predicts that remote control request information will be received consecutively from different moving bodies 10 in the same area D within a predetermined period.

[0181] Specifically, the execution operator determination unit 45C searches the route information in the mobile object management information 44A to obtain information on the planned movement route of the mobile object 10 represented by the route information. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies an area D within the planned movement route of the mobile object 10 where a remote control request information is predicted to occur, based on the occurrence locations in the remote control history information 44D that indicate locations where a remote control request information has occurred in the past. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C calculates a predicted time of occurrence of the remote control request information for each identified area D, based on the traveling speed when traveling through the identified area D. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines whether there is remote control request information that occurs in the same area D where the predicted times of occurrence of the remote control request information are consecutive within a predetermined period. If the determination is affirmative, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for each remote control request information that occurs consecutively in the same area D within a predetermined period. Which remote operator Q is to be determined as the execution operator may be determined based on any condition.

[0182] In addition, there may be cases where the later remote control request information is generated between the time of the earlier remote control request information and the estimated time required for remote control of the earlier remote control request information. In this case, if the same remote operator Q is selected as the executing operator, remote control of the later remote control request information cannot be started until the remote control of the earlier remote control request information is completed, and the mobile body 10 that transmitted the later remote control request information will be forced to wait. In this case, the operation of the mobile body 10 will continue to be stopped, resulting in poor efficiency.

[0183] Therefore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for each of the remote control request information received consecutively within a specified period only when it determines that, among the remote control request information that occurs consecutively within the same area D within a specified period, the later remote control request information occurs after the estimated time required for remote control of the earlier remote control request information has elapsed from the time of occurrence of the earlier remote control request information.

[0184] The same area D may not be exactly the same point, but may be an area that overlaps to a certain extent.

[0185] If the number of times that remote control request information is generated consecutively within a predetermined period exceeds a predetermined value, the executing operator determination unit 45C may determine, as the executing operator, a remote operator Q different from the remote operator Q determined when the number of times is less than the predetermined value. This process reduces the possibility that the remote operator Q will lose concentration and safety will be compromised if the remote operator Q continuously responds to remote control.

[0186] Furthermore, instead of the number of remote control request information, when the cumulative time spent responding to remote control request information that occurs consecutively within a predetermined period exceeds a predetermined time, the executing operator determination unit 45C may determine, as the executing operator, a remote operator Q different from the remote operator Q determined before the predetermined time. This process can reduce the possibility that the remote operator Q will lose concentration and endanger safety due to responding to remote control requests for a long period of time.

[0187] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may, limited to a specific time period and a specific area D, preferentially determine the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for the mobile body 10 when remote control request information is received continuously from the mobile body 10 within the same area D within a specified period.

[0188] Furthermore, when it is difficult to grasp the status of the mobile body 10 that has transmitted the remote control request information, if remote control request information is received continuously from mobile bodies 10 in the same area D within a predetermined period, the executing operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine the same remote operator Q as the executing operator for that mobile body 10. This is because, in a situation where it is easy to grasp the status of the mobile body 10 that has transmitted the remote control request information, even a different remote operator Q can quickly grasp the status, and it is considered that there is not much difference in the speed of remote control compared to when the same remote operator Q is determined as the executing operator.

[0189] Furthermore, when remote control request information is received continuously within a predetermined period from mobile bodies 10 in the same area D where the situation does not change significantly over a short period of time, the executing operator determination unit 45C may determine the same remote operator Q as the executing operator for the mobile body 10. In an area where the situation changes significantly over a short period of time, even if the same remote operator Q is determined as the executing operator, the situation will have changed significantly since the previous remote control, and it is considered that the time required to grasp the situation will be approximately the same whether it is the same remote operator Q or a different remote operator Q. Furthermore, this determination method is preferable from the viewpoint of fairly determining multiple remote operators Q as the executing operator as much as possible.

[0190] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be limited to mobile bodies 10 of a specific model, and when remote control request information is received continuously from mobile bodies 10 within the same area D within a specified period, the execution operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for that mobile body 10.

[0191] The camera placement, camera performance, and obstacle detection sensor performance vary depending on the type of mobile body 10. Therefore, even among mobile bodies 10 in the same situation, it is considered that there are mobile bodies 10 for which it is difficult for the remote operator Q to grasp the situation. In the case of a mobile body 10 for which it is easy to grasp the situation, even if a different remote operator Q is determined as the executing operator for that mobile body 10, it is considered that the situation can be grasped immediately, and there is not much difference in the speed of remote control compared to when the same remote operator Q is determined as the executing operator for that mobile body 10. Therefore, when remote control request information is received consecutively from the same type of mobile body 10 in the same area D, the same remote operator Q may be preferentially determined as the executing operator for that mobile body 10.

[0192] It may be difficult for the control unit 45 to predict that remote control request information will be received consecutively from the mobile objects 10 in the same area D within a predetermined period of time.

[0193] In this case, if the execution operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information multiple times from a mobile body 10 in the same area D within a specified period, it simply determines the same remote operator Q as the execution operator that meets the service manager's requirements for the mobile body 10.

[0194] In detail, when the execution operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information consecutively from mobile bodies 10 within the same area D within a specified period, at the time when the later remote control request information is received, the execution operator determination unit 45C preferentially determines the remote operator Q corresponding to the earlier remote control request information as the execution operator.

[0195] Specifically, when remote control request information is received from a certain mobile body 10, the executing operator determination unit 45C searches the remote control history information 44D to determine whether there is a remote control history in the same area D as the location where the received remote control request information was generated and for a predetermined period prior to the remote request date and time, which is the time when the remote control request information was generated. If the executing operator determination unit 45C determines that there is a remote control history, it identifies the remote operator Q who handled the remote control in the remote control history, and determines the identified remote operator Q as the executing operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the currently received remote control request information.

[0196] Furthermore, the executing operator determination unit 45C may further perform control so that the remote operator Q that handled the remote control of the mobile body 10 that transmitted the previous remote control request information is not determined as the executing operator for another remote control request information until the predetermined period has elapsed. In this case, even if remote control request information is suddenly and consecutively received from mobile bodies 10 within the same area D, the remote operator Q that handled the remote control request information received earlier can be determined as the executing operator for the remote control request information received later.

[0197] In this case, there will be a period during which the remote operator Q will not be determined as an executing operator. Therefore, if further control is performed so that the remote operator Q who handled the remote control of the mobile body 10 that transmitted the previous remote control request information will not be determined as an executing operator for another remote control request information until the predetermined period has elapsed, the remuneration determination unit 45E may control to increase the remuneration of the remote operator Q.

[0198] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may search the remote control history information 44D to determine whether or not there is a remote control history for the mobile body 10 during a predetermined period prior to the remote request date and time, which is the time when the received remote control request information was generated, and may use the remote control history at any of the following times.

[0199] For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C may use as the time of the relevant point in time any of the following: the time when the remote control request information is received from the mobile body 10, the time when the execution operator is determined in response to the remote control request information of the mobile body 10, the time when the execution operator starts remote control in response to the remote control request information of the mobile body 10, or the time when the execution operator ends remote control in response to the remote control request information of the mobile body 10.

[0200] Although the execution operator determination unit 45C uses the remote request date and time of the remote control request information as the generation time of the remote control request information, a time other than the above may be used. For example, the generation time of the remote control request information may be the transmission time when the mobile object 10 transmits the remote control request information to the information processing device 40, or the time when an event occurs on the mobile object 10 side that causes the remote control request information to be transmitted.

[0201] Assume that a remote control request information is received from another mobile body 10 with mobile body ID "V02" that is also in the same area D, among the remote control targets of a mobile body 10 with mobile body ID "V01". In this case, the executing operator determination unit 45C may determine that another remote operator Q is able to start remote control of the mobile body 10 with mobile body ID "V02" before the remote operator Q completes remote control of the mobile body 10 with mobile body ID "V01". In this case, the executing operator determination unit 45C may determine the other remote operator Q as the executing operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10 with mobile body ID "V02". On the other hand, if it is determined that the other remote operator Q is unable to start remote control of the mobile body ID "V02", the executing operator determination unit 45C may determine the remote operator Q who remotely controlled the mobile body 10 with mobile body ID "V01" as the executing operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10 with mobile body ID "V02".

[0202] The execution operator determination unit 45C may make a determination by comparing the remaining time until the remote control of the mobile body 10 with the mobile body ID "V01" is completed with the time until another remote operator Q starts remote control of the mobile body 10 in response to the remote control request information received from the mobile body 10 with the mobile body ID "V02". The remaining time until the remote control of the mobile body 10 with the mobile body ID "V01" is completed may be calculated, for example, as the difference between the estimated required time and the remote control response time required so far. The time until the other remote operator Q starts remote control of the mobile body 10 may be calculated based on the remote control history.

[0203] This determination process allows the execution operator determination unit 45C to more quickly determine the execution operator who will remotely control the moving body 10 with moving body ID "V02".

[0204] Only when the remote control in response to the previous remote control request information is completed without any trouble such as an accident, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine the same remote operator Q as in the previous remote control request information as the execution operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the subsequent remote control request information. In this case, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of trouble and the prolongation of the remote control time, which would be caused by determining the remote operator Q in which the trouble occurred as the execution operator for the next remote control request information.

[0205] (Variant 3) The service manager requirement condition may be information indicating that a remote operator Q who remotely controls a mobile body 10 similar to the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information within a predetermined period of time from receiving the remote control request information is to be determined as the executing operator.

[0206] That is, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q who remotely controlled a mobile body 10 similar to the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information within a predetermined period of time from receiving the remote control request information as the execution operator.

[0207] A similar mobile body 10 means that at least one of the hardware configuration, software configuration, and type of the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information is the same or similar. Similar hardware configurations mean, for example, that the size of the mobile body 10, the type and placement of sensors 12 such as cameras provided on the mobile body 10, etc. are the same or similar. In this case, the mobile body management information 44A or the remote control history information 44D may further associate and register information such as the hardware configuration and software configuration used to determine the similarity with the mobile body ID of each mobile body 10.

[0208] For example, consider a situation in which remote control request information is received from a mobile body 10 with a mobile body ID of "V02." In this case, the executing operator determination unit 45C determines, as the executing operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10 with the mobile body ID of "V02," a remote operator Q who remotely controlled a mobile body 10 with a mobile body ID of "V11" that has a similar body size and camera arrangement to the mobile body 10 with the mobile body ID of "V02" within a predetermined period of time going back from the present time.

[0209] At this time, the execution operator determination unit 45C may control the remote operator Q who remotely controlled a mobile body 10 that is not similar to the mobile body 10 with mobile body ID "V02" within a specified period going back from the current time to prohibit or lower the priority of the determination as the execution operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10 with mobile body ID "V02".

[0210] Assume that a remote operator Q remotely controls mobile bodies 10 that differ in body size, camera placement, etc. In this case, the angle of view of the captured image obtained by the sensor 12 of each mobile body 10 and the capture direction relative to the mobile body 10 will be different. Therefore, when the remote operator Q remotely controls these mobile bodies 10, the sense of operation, such as the sense of distance and speed, will be different. Therefore, if the same remote operator Q continuously remotely controls mobile bodies 10 that differ in body size, camera placement, etc., the difference in the sense of operation during remote control may increase the risk of collisions due to remote control.

[0211] Therefore, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines, as the execution operator that satisfies the service manager's requirements, a remote operator Q that remotely controlled a mobile body 10 similar to the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information within a predetermined period of time from the receipt of the remote control request information. Through this determination process, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q that can perform remote control more safely. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C can reduce the possibility of causing trouble such as an accident. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine an execution operator that satisfies the needs of the service manager P, who wants to avoid interrupting the service provided by the mobile body 10 as much as possible.

[0212] In addition, if the execution operator determination unit 45C determines that a remote operator Q, who was determined as the execution operator based on previously received remote control request information, has lost the sense of remote control operation over the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information, it may allow the remote operator Q to be determined as the execution operator.

[0213] For example, if a predetermined period of time has passed since the start of remote control by the executing operator determined by the remote control request information, it may be determined that the operating sense of remote control of the mobile body 10 based on the remote control request information has disappeared.

[0214] In addition, if the execution operator determination unit 45C determines that a remote operator Q, who was determined as the execution operator based on previously received remote control request information, still has the operational sense to remotely control the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information, the execution operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine the remote operator Q as the execution operator.

[0215] It is considered that the longer the period of remote control of the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the previously received remote control request information, the more the operational feeling of remote control of the mobile body 10 remains. For this reason, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured to set the predetermined period for determining whether the operational feeling of remote control of the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the previously received remote control request information has disappeared or remains, depending on the period of remote control of the mobile body 10 based on the previously received remote control request information.

[0216] For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C sets a longer predetermined period as the period of remote control of the moving body 10 based on the previously received remote control request information becomes longer.

[0217] Furthermore, it is considered that the operational feel of remote control of another moving body 10 that has the same or similar operational feel may remain even if the remote control is continued, not limited to the period of remote control of the same moving body 10. For this reason, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine whether the operational feel has disappeared by taking into account the period of remote control of another moving body 10 that has the same or similar operational feel.

[0218] (Variation 4) The service manager requirement condition may be information indicating that a remote operator Q who has been in the previous remote control for a predetermined time or more is determined as an executing operator who satisfies the service manager requirement condition.

[0219] That is, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q, who has been in the position for a predetermined time or more since the previous remote control, as the execution operator who satisfies the service manager's requirements.

[0220] In detail, the execution operator determination unit 45C prohibits remote operator Q, who has been determined as the execution operator for remote control of the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information, from being determined as the execution operator for remote control of the mobile body 10 that sent the newly received remote control request information until a predetermined time has elapsed since the remote control.

[0221] From a labor perspective, if one remote operator Q repeatedly performs remote control of the mobile body 10 in response to remote control request information, the remote operator Q's concentration may be distracted, potentially compromising the safety of the remote control. Therefore, the executing operator determination unit 45C is prevented from determining a high-risk remote operator Q as the executing operator. Through this processing, the executing operator determination unit 45C can fulfill the needs of the service manager P, which are to ensure safer remote control, reduce the possibility of accidents and other problems, and avoid interruptions to the services provided by the mobile body 10 as much as possible.

[0222] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may prohibit a remote operator Q whose remote control time exceeds a predetermined time from being determined as the execution operator for remote control of a mobile body 10 that is the sender of newly received remote control request information until the predetermined time has elapsed or a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the remote control.

[0223] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may prohibit a remote operator Q whose cumulative time required for remote control has exceeded a predetermined time from being determined as the execution operator for remote control of the mobile body 10 that is the sender of newly received remote control request information until the predetermined time has passed or a predetermined time has passed since the end of the remote control.

[0224] (Variation 5) The service manager requirement may be information indicating that a remote operator Q who has a history of checking the driving rules of the driving area of ​​the mobile body 10 that is the source of the remote control request information is to be determined as the execution operator.

[0225] That is, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q who has a history of checking the driving rules of the driving area of ​​the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information as the execution operator.

[0226] For example, when the execution operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information, it preferentially determines as the execution operator a remote operator Q that has been identified as available for assignment and that has previously confirmed information regarding the driving rules corresponding to the area D in which the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is located.

[0227] For example, when the control unit 45 receives a request to view the driving rules in the area management information 44B from the remote control terminal 30, the control unit 45 may store the remote operator ID of the remote operator Q operating the remote control terminal 30 and the viewing date and time as a viewing history in association with the area ID of the area D of the viewed driving rules in the area management information 44B. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C may search the viewing history of the area management information 44B to identify a remote operator Q who has previously checked the information on the driving rules corresponding to the area D where the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information is located.

[0228] In addition, the information processing device 40 or the service administrator terminal 20 may publish information regarding the driving rules of the area D in which each of the multiple mobile bodies 10 managed by the remote control system 1 travels, and the information processing device 40 or the service administrator terminal 20 may manage the records of access to the driving rules by the remote operator Q operating the remote control terminal 30.

[0229] The execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q who has prior knowledge of information related to the driving rules in the area D where the mobile body 10 is located as the execution operator, thereby making it possible to determine the remote operator Q who can quickly respond to remote control as the execution operator. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine the execution operator so as to satisfy the needs of the service manager P who wants to avoid interrupting the services provided by the mobile body 10 as much as possible.

[0230] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine as the execution operator a remote operator Q who has confirmed the latest information on the driving rules among the remote operators Q who have previously confirmed the information on the driving rules corresponding to the area D in which the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is located.

[0231] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine as the execution operator a remote operator Q who has previously confirmed information about the driving rules corresponding to the area D where the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information is located, and who has confirmed the information most recently, closest to the current time. This is because a remote operator Q who has recently confirmed the information about the driving rules is likely to have the information about the driving rules clearly in their memory.

[0232] In addition, it is preferable that the execution operator determination unit 45C specifies a remote operator Q who has recently confirmed the information on the driving rules, taking into account the time required for the remote operator Q to confirm the information on the driving rules.

[0233] For example, assume that it takes five minutes for remote operator Q to confirm the information on the driving rules. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines, as the execution operator, remote operator Q who has confirmed the information at the most recent timing closest to the reception of the remote control request information or the current time within a period of five minutes from the reception of the remote control request information.

[0234] In addition, there may be cases where at least a part of the driving rules is changed. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured to determine, as the execution operator, the remote operator Q who has most recently confirmed the information about the driving rules among the remote operators Q who have confirmed the changed driving rules.

[0235] In addition, the driving rules may include driving rules that are applied depending on the time period. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured to determine, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q who has confirmed the driving rules during a time period that overlaps with a time period during which remote control is scheduled to be performed on the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the received remote control request information.

[0236] For example, assume that the driving rules have a speed limit of 15 km / h during the day and 10 km / h at night. In this case, if the time period during which remote control is scheduled to be performed on the mobile body 10 that transmitted the received remote control request information is nighttime, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q who confirmed the driving rules at night as the execution operator.

[0237] It is considered that the remote operator Q will prioritize checking the driving rules for the time period at the time of confirmation. Therefore, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines, as the execution operator, the remote operator Q who has checked the driving rules during a time period that overlaps with the time period during which remote control is scheduled to be performed on the mobile body 10 that transmitted the received remote control request information. Through this determination process, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine, as the execution operator, the remote operator Q who correctly understands the driving rules and is capable of performing remote control.

[0238] Furthermore, if the driving rules for the area D where the mobile body 10 that can be a remote control target is located have changed since a predetermined period of time ago, such as the previous day, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured to control the display screen to highlight the changes in the driving rules on the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q. By displaying this display screen on the remote control terminal 30, it is possible to provide the remote operator Q operating the remote control terminal 30 with information that the driving rules have changed since the predetermined period of time ago so that the remote operator Q can understand.

[0239] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may perform control so that a display screen highlighting changes in the driving rules is displayed only on the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q who confirmed the driving rules a predetermined period of time ago.

[0240] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured to be able to disclose to the remote control terminal 30 the number of remote operators Q who have confirmed the information regarding the driving rules for each area D managed by the remote control system 1.

[0241] The more remote operators Q check the information on the driving rules in an area D, the lower the possibility that the remote operator Q who checks the information will be determined as the executing operator. Therefore, the executing operator determination unit 45C can provide the remote operator Q with information urging him or her to lower the priority of checking the information on the driving rules in an area D that is checked by a larger number of remote operators Q.

[0242] Furthermore, the fewer the number of remote operators Q checking the information on the driving rules in an area D, the higher the possibility that the remote operator Q checking the information will be determined as the executing operator. Therefore, the executing operator determination unit 45C can provide the remote operator Q with information urging them to increase the priority of checking the information on the driving rules in an area D that is checked by fewer remote operators Q.

[0243] The execution operator determination unit 45C may also be configured to disclose only information related to the driving rules of the area D in which the mobile body 10 is currently traveling to the remote control terminal 30. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C can prevent the remote operator Q from mistakenly checking information related to the driving rules of the area D in which the mobile body 10 is not currently traveling.

[0244] The execution operator determination unit 45C may also be configured to be able to disclose information regarding the driving rules of the area D in which the mobile body 10 is currently traveling and the area D in which the mobile body 10 is scheduled to travel in the future to the remote control terminal 30. The execution operator determination unit 45C may store driving schedule information for the mobile body 10 in the storage unit 44 in advance and derive the area D in which the mobile body 10 is scheduled to travel in the future using the driving schedule information. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C can provide the driving rules of the area D in which the mobile body 10 is scheduled to travel in the future to the remote operator Q so that they can be confirmed.

[0245] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured to provide, for each remote operator Q, only information relating to the driving rules of the area D in which the mobile body 10 that the remote operator Q can handle is located so that the remote operator Q can confirm the information. The mobile body 10 that the remote operator Q can handle may be determined in advance depending on the qualifications of the remote operator Q, etc. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C can prevent erroneous confirmation of information relating to the driving rules of the area D in which the mobile body 10 that the remote operator Q cannot handle is traveling.

[0246] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured to display the driving rules that the remote operator Q has confirmed on the remote control terminal 30 operated by the remote operator Q before the remote operator Q starts remote control, and to have the remote operator Q start remote control after being reminded of the driving rules.

[0247] This configuration allows the remote operator Q to be reminded of the driving rules when checking the driving rules for various areas D, since it is possible that the remote operator Q may not fully remember which driving rules were used. Furthermore, regardless of the scenario of the present invention, it is effective to display the driving rules for area D on the remote control terminal 30 operated by the remote operator Q before starting remote control, and to remind the remote operator Q of the driving rules before starting remote control. This is particularly effective in cases where the remote operator Q remotely controls moving objects 10 in succession that exist in areas D with different driving rules, as there is a risk that the driving rules of the moving object 10 being remotely controlled first may be influential. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured to display the subsequent driving rules on the remote control terminal 30 operated by the remote operator Q only when the remote operator Q remotely controls moving objects 10 in succession that exist in areas D with different driving rules. This is because it would be cumbersome to display the driving rules even when the driving rules are the same. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may highlight changes between the previous and subsequent driving rules.

[0248] (Variant 6) The service manager requirement condition may be information indicating that if the driving conditions of the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information are conditions that require a predetermined high level of remote control capability, a remote operator Q whose required time for remote control of the mobile body 10 in that driving condition is less than a predetermined time will be determined as the executing operator.

[0249] In other words, when the driving conditions of the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information require a predetermined high level of remote control capability, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q, whose required time for remote control of the mobile body 10 in that driving condition is less than a predetermined time, as the execution operator.

[0250] Examples of situations requiring advanced remote control capabilities include surrounding environmental conditions such as nighttime, rainy weather, and traffic volume exceeding a threshold, and conditions of the mobile body 10 itself such as the weight or volume of the load exceeding a threshold, and the ratio of the weight of the load to the weight of the mobile body 10 exceeding a threshold. Information indicating situations requiring advanced remote control capabilities may be stored in advance in the storage unit 44.

[0251] By executing the determination process, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q who can quickly respond to remote control. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q who satisfies the needs of the service manager P, who wants to avoid interrupting the service provided by the mobile body 10 as much as possible.

[0252] Specifically, the execution operator determination unit 45C acquires the traveling status of the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the received remote control request information. For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C acquires the traveling status of the mobile body 10 by receiving remote control request information including information indicating surrounding environmental conditions such as time, weather, traffic volume, etc., and the status of the mobile body 10 itself, such as whether the weight or volume of the load is equal to or greater than a threshold. The execution operator determination unit 45C may also acquire information such as surrounding environmental conditions such as weather and traffic volume of the mobile body 10, and the status of the mobile body 10, such as the load of the mobile body 10, from an external system or the like connected to the network NW.

[0253] Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C assumes a case where it determines that the acquired traveling situation of the mobile body 10 is a situation requiring a predetermined high level of remote control capability. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines, from among the remote operators Q identified as assignable based on the remote control history information 44D, the remote operator Q that has a remote control history in the past in traveling situations that are the same as or similar to the relevant traveling situation and has the shortest average time required to remotely control the mobile body 10 in the relevant traveling situation, as the execution operator.

[0254] The remote control history information 44D may be stored in association with each history ID and further associated with the driving conditions at the time of remote control.

[0255] In addition, if the driving conditions of the mobile body 10 that sent the received remote control request information require advanced remote control capabilities, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine a remote operator Q that has a remote control history for driving conditions identical to the driving conditions as the execution operator.

[0256] In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q who has a remote control history of the same driving situation in a time period that overlaps with the time period of the driving situation.

[0257] In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may further determine, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q who has performed remote control for the traveling situation a predetermined number of times or more and who has the shortest average value of the time required to remotely control the mobile body 10 for the traveling situation. The execution operator determination unit 45C may also determine, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q who has the shortest time required in the recent history. In other words, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine the execution operator in consideration of the recent skills of the remote operator Q.

[0258] In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may also determine as the execution operator a remote operator Q who has a history of remote control in driving conditions that are the same as or similar to the driving conditions in question and who has performed remote control of the mobile body 10 in the driving conditions in question a predetermined number of times or more.

[0259] In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may perform the determination process using the remote control history for a specific period, such as the past six months, in the remote control history information 44D.

[0260] (Variation 7) The service manager request condition may be information indicating that a remote operator Q who is remotely monitoring the travel area of ​​the mobile object 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information is to be determined as the execution operator.

[0261] That is, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q who is remotely monitoring the travel area of ​​the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information as the execution operator.

[0262] Remote operator Q is in a standby state until it is determined to be the executing operator. It is inefficient to have remote operator Q in a standby state without doing anything.

[0263] Therefore, the execution operator determination unit 45C controls the output unit 33 of the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q to display an image of the periphery of a mobile body 10 captured by the sensor 12 of a predetermined mobile body 10 among the multiple mobile bodies 10 managed by the remote control system 1. With this configuration, the execution operator determination unit 45C can provide the remote operator Q with information on the situation around the mobile body 10 so that the situation can be confirmed.

[0264] Then, when the execution operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information from the mobile body 10, it determines the remote operator Q of the remote control terminal 30 that was displaying the captured image of the area around the mobile body 10 as the execution operator, as the remote operator Q who is remotely monitoring the traveling area of ​​the mobile body 10.

[0265] Through this determination process, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine the remote operator Q who is remotely monitoring the traveling area of ​​the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information as the execution operator for remote control of the mobile body 10. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine the remote operator Q who can quickly respond to the remote control of the mobile body 10 as the execution operator. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine the remote operator Q who meets the needs of the service manager P who wants to avoid interrupting the service provided by the mobile body 10 as much as possible as the execution operator.

[0266] The remote operators Q who can remotely monitor the travel area of ​​the mobile body 10 may be limited to the remote operators Q who can remotely control the mobile body 10. In this case, the remote operator management information 44C may be configured so that the remote operator ID is further associated with the mobile body ID of the mobile body 10 that the remote operator Q identified by the remote operator ID can monitor.

[0267] Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C controls the display of the captured image of the surroundings of the mobile body 10 received from the mobile body 10 on the remote control terminal 30 identified by the remote control terminal ID corresponding to the mobile body ID of the mobile body 10 in the remote operator management information 44C.

[0268] Through this display control, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine a remote operator Q who is remotely monitoring the travel area of ​​the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information and who can remotely control the mobile body 10, as the execution operator for remote control of the mobile body 10. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine a remote operator Q who can quickly respond to remote control as the execution operator. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C can prevent a situation in which only a remote operator Q who cannot remotely control the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information is able to remotely monitor the travel area of ​​the mobile body 10.

[0269] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be able to predict in advance which mobile object 10 is likely to transmit remote control request information by making a judgment using AI or the like that uses the remote control history information 44D and the situation around the mobile object 10. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may perform control to notify the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q of the prediction result. This notification process enables the execution operator determination unit 45C to provide the remote operator Q with information that prompts advance remote monitoring based on the prediction result.

[0270] The execution operator determination unit 45C may then determine the remote operator Q, who is remotely monitoring in advance the travel area of ​​the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information, as the execution operator for remote control of the mobile body 10.

[0271] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may perform control to notify the remote control terminal 30 of information urging the remote monitoring of the mobile body 10 in advance based on the prediction result, instead of the prediction result. Then, when the execution operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information from the mobile body 10, it may determine the remote operator Q operating the remote control terminal 30 as the execution operator for remote control of the mobile body 10.

[0272] Through this determination process, the executing operator determination unit 45C can have the remote operator Q, who has previously monitored the captured images of the situation around the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information, perform the remote control as is. Therefore, the executing operator determination unit 45C can determine the remote operator Q, who can quickly respond to the remote control, as the executing operator. Furthermore, the executing operator determination unit 45C can determine the remote operator Q, who meets the needs of the service manager P, who wants to avoid interrupting the service provided by the mobile body 10 as much as possible, as the executing operator.

[0273] Furthermore, there may be cases where the remote operator Q is a beginner in remote control, or where the remote operator Q does not have high skills in remote control and the time required for remote control is longer than the standard time required. In such cases, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine the remote operator Q as the execution operator for remote control in response to the remote control request information received from the mobile body 10 only if the remote operator Q has remotely monitored the mobile body 10 in advance.

[0274] If the remote operator Q is a beginner at remote control, or if the remote operator Q does not have high remote control skills and the time required for remote control is longer than the standard time, the time required for remote control may be long. On the other hand, even if such a remote operator Q has remotely monitored the mobile body 10 in advance, it is possible to save time in understanding the situation, and the time required for remote control can be shortened by the saved time. Conversely, if such a remote operator Q who has not remotely monitored the mobile body 10 in advance is selected as the executing operator, the time required for remote control may be long, which may cause a delay in the service provided by the mobile body 10.

[0275] The execution operator determination unit 45C may determine whether the remote operator Q is a novice in remote control or a remote operator Q with low remote control skills who requires a longer time for remote control than the standard required time, based on the remote control history information 44D. For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines a remote operator Q with an operation history record number equal to or less than a threshold value as a novice in remote control. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines a remote operator Q with a remote control history record number equal to or greater than a threshold value longer than the standard operation time as a remote operator Q with low remote control skills who requires a longer time for remote control than the standard required time. The standard operation time is the average operation time of a standard remote operator Q who is neither a novice nor an expert, and may be stored in advance in the storage unit 44.

[0276] (Variation 8) The service manager requirement condition may be information indicating that the same remote operator Q is to be determined as the execution operator for a plurality of mobile bodies 10 that operate in cooperation with the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information.

[0277] That is, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the same remote operator Q as the execution operator for a plurality of mobile bodies 10 that perform cooperative operations with the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information.

[0278] For example, there may be cases where it is necessary to remotely control a series of operations by alternately operating multiple moving bodies 10. In this case, it is possible to remotely control each moving body 10 more smoothly if a remote operator Q who understands the status of the series of operations remotely controls the multiple moving bodies 10 that perform these coordinated operations. Furthermore, when a remote operator Q is assigned to each moving body 10, coordination is required, such as through communication between the remote operators Q, which may take time. For this reason, the execution operator determination unit 45C may perform this determination process.

[0279] For example, consider a case where a mobile body 10 with a mobile body ID "V01", a mobile body 10 with a mobile body ID "V02", a mobile body 10 with a mobile body ID "V01", and a mobile body 10 with a mobile body ID "V02" are operated sequentially in this order to perform coordinated operations. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C preferentially determines the same remote operator Q as the execution operator that will remotely control each of the mobile body 10 with the mobile body ID "V01" and the mobile body 10 with the mobile body ID "V02".

[0280] In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C stores in advance information indicating the conditions for performing the coordinated action.

[0281] If the execution operator determination unit 45C determines that the condition is met, it determines the same remote operator Q as the execution operator who will remotely control each of the multiple moving bodies 10 that will perform the coordinated operation.

[0282] The conditions for performing a coordinated operation include the following: For example, the conditions for performing a coordinated operation include the presence of a plurality of moving objects 10 in a predetermined area in a number equal to or greater than a threshold, the detection of a predetermined trigger that starts the coordinated operation, etc.

[0283] The execution operator determination unit 45C may perform control to display the content of the collaborative operation on the remote control terminal 30 operated by the determined execution operator. For example, when moving the moving bodies 10 in order, the execution operator determination unit 45C may display information indicating the order on the remote control terminal 30.

[0284] (Modification 9) In the above embodiment and modifications 1 to 8, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q who satisfies the service manager requirement of the service manager P as the execution operator.

[0285] However, the performing operator determination unit 45C may further determine a remote operator Q who satisfies the remote operator requirements of the remote operator Q as the performing operator.

[0286] The remote operator requirements are information that represents the requirements made by the remote operator Q for the allocation of the remote operator Q who remotely controls the mobile body 10 .

[0287] The remote operator requirement conditions are, for example, registered in advance in the storage unit 44. For example, the control unit 45 receives the remote operator requirement conditions from the remote control terminal 30 operated by the remote operator Q and stores them in advance in the storage unit 44. The requirement specification unit 45B may specify the remote operator requirement conditions by reading the storage unit 44.

[0288] By determining a remote operator Q that satisfies the service manager requirements of the service manager P as the executing operator, it is possible to determine a remote operator Q that satisfies the needs of the service manager P as the executing operator. On the other hand, in some cases, a remote operator Q that satisfies the needs of the service manager P may be inconvenient for the remote operator Q. In this case, a decrease in the number of applicants for the remote operator Q, malfunction of the remote control, etc. may occur.

[0289] Therefore, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q who satisfies the service manager requirement conditions and the remote operator requirement conditions as the execution operator.

[0290] This determination process makes it possible to determine the remote operator Q who meets the needs of both the service manager P and the remote operator Q as the execution operator.

[0291] As described above, the remote operator requirements may be registered in advance by the remote operator Q. However, the remote operator requirements are not limited to being registered by the remote operator Q. For example, the service manager P may determine and register the remote operator requirements by estimating the needs of the remote operator Q.

[0292] The remote operator requirement condition is information indicating that an execution operator is to be determined so as to suppress a reduction in reward due to differences in the frequency of determination as an execution operator depending on the type of remotely controllable mobile body 10, for example.

[0293] For example, consider the following two cases: A remote operator Q who can remotely control a moving body 10 of the type "special vehicle" can remotely control both the moving body 10 of the type "special vehicle" and the moving body 10 of the type "general vehicle." Also, a remote operator Q who can remotely control a moving body 10 of the type "general vehicle" can remotely control only the moving body 10 of the type "general vehicle."

[0294] Next, assume a situation in which remote control request information is received from a mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle." In this case, assume a case in which the executing operator determination unit 45C determines remote operator Q, who is capable of remotely controlling both mobile bodies 10 of the type "special vehicle" and the type "general vehicle," as the executing operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10. In this case, if remote control request information is further received from a mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle," it becomes difficult for the executing operator determination unit 45C to determine remote operator Q who is capable of remotely controlling the mobile body 10. Therefore, when the executing operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information from a mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle," the executing operator determination unit 45C determines remote operator Q, who is capable of remotely controlling mobile bodies 10 of the type "general vehicle," as the executing operator.

[0295] However, there are cases where the frequency of remote control request information received from mobile bodies 10 of the type "special vehicle" is lower than the frequency of remote control request information received from mobile bodies 10 of the type "general vehicle." In this case, a remote operator Q who can remotely control mobile bodies 10 of the type "special vehicle" may be determined as an execution operator less frequently and may receive a reduced remuneration than a remote operator Q who can remotely control only mobile bodies 10 of the type "general vehicle."

[0296] Therefore, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines remote operator Q, who is capable of remotely controlling both mobile bodies 10 of the type "special vehicle" and the type "general vehicle," as the execution operator for remote control request information received from mobile bodies 10 of the type "general vehicle" where the predicted time required for remote control is short and below a threshold.

[0297] This determination process allows the remote control by the determined remote operator Q to be completed in a short time. Therefore, when the executing operator determination unit 45C subsequently receives remote control request information from a mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle," it can determine the remote operator Q who can remotely control the mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle" as the executing operator in a relatively short time.

[0298] The execution operator determination unit 45C may determine whether the predicted required time for remote control is a short time equal to or less than a threshold value as follows: For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C uses the remote control history information 44D to determine whether the predicted required time for remote control represented by the currently received remote control request information is short, based on the operation time of remote control corresponding to remote control request information received in the past under the same or similar circumstances.

[0299] Specifically, for example, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies the content of the remote control according to the request content information included in the received remote control request information. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines whether the predicted required time for the remote control represented by the currently received remote control request information is short, using the standard required time for the content of the remote control.

[0300] In addition, a remote operator Q who can remotely control a mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle" may receive remote control request information from a mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle" while remotely controlling a mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle."

[0301] There may be a case where the remote operators Q identified by the execution operator determination unit 45C as assignable do not include a remote operator Q capable of remotely controlling the mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle". In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C causes the remote operator Q to suspend the remote control of the mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle" that is currently being handled, and determines the remote operator Q of that type as the execution operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle".

[0302] For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C transmits remote control interruption request information to the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q who is currently remotely controlling the mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle." The remote control terminal 30 that receives the interruption request information outputs the information to the output unit 33, and the remote operator Q who visually recognizes the information interrupts the remote control. Through these processes, the execution operator determination unit 45C can cause the remote operator Q to interrupt the remote control of the mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle" that is currently being controlled. By causing the remote operator Q to interrupt the remote control of the mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle," the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine the remote operator Q as the execution operator who will perform remote control of the mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle."

[0303] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may cause a remote operator Q who is remotely controlling the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information to interrupt the remote control request information received from the mobile body 10 of the type ``general vehicle'', if the remote control request information allows the remote control to be interrupted.

[0304] To determine whether the remote control request information allows remote control to be interrupted, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured so that the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information transmits a captured image of the surroundings acquired by the sensor 12 of the mobile body 10 to the information processing device 40. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C performs image analysis on the captured image to determine whether an area where the mobile body 10 can park exists around the mobile body 10, whether there are other mobile bodies 10 around, etc. Through this determination process, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine whether the remote control request information transmitted from the mobile body 10 allows remote control to be interrupted.

[0305] The determination of whether the remote control request information allows interruption of the remote control may be made by a user or the like who operates the information processing device 40, and the determination result may be input to the input unit 42. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may use the determination result received from the input unit 42 to determine whether the remote control request information allows interruption of the remote control.

[0306] Note that the execution operator determination unit 45C can predict in advance that there is no remote operator Q that can be determined as the execution operator when remote control request information is received from a moving body 10 of the "special vehicle" type. Therefore, when making the prediction in advance, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured to notify in advance the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q who can remotely control the moving body 10 of the "general vehicle" type of information indicating that there is a possibility that the remote control will be interrupted when the remote operator Q who can remotely control the "special vehicle" type remotely controls the moving body 10 of the "general vehicle" type.

[0307] In this case, when the remote control is interrupted, the execution operator determination unit 45C immediately determines the remote operator Q, who is capable of remotely controlling the mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle," as the execution operator, thereby making it possible to resume the interrupted remote control.

[0308] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine, as the execution operator, the remote operator Q who is monitoring the video when remotely controlling the mobile body 10 that may be interrupted. In this case, the remote operator Q who is aware of the situation up until the interruption can be preferentially assigned as the execution operator, so that even if the execution operator is changed, the remote control can be quickly resumed.

[0309] In addition, during a period when the number of remote operators Q who can remotely control a mobile body 10 of the type ``special vehicle'' is less than a predetermined number, the execution operator determination unit 45C equally determines the remote operator Q who can remotely control a mobile body 10 of the type ``special vehicle'' and the remote operator Q who can control a mobile body 10 of the type ``general vehicle'' as the execution operator for the remote control request information received from a mobile body 10 of the type ``general vehicle.''

[0310] Then, when the number of remote operators Q who are remotely controlling the mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle" reaches or exceeds a predetermined number, the execution operator determination unit 45C temporarily stops determining the remote operator Q who is capable of controlling the mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle" as the execution operator for the remote control request information received from the mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle". Furthermore, a threshold may be set in stages, and the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured to gradually decrease the frequency with which it assigns the remote operator Q who remotely controls the mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle" compared to the remote operator Q who remotely controls the mobile body 10 of the type "general vehicle".

[0311] In addition, when the number of remote operators Q who are capable of remotely controlling a mobile body 10 of the type "special vehicle" who are currently remotely controlling the mobile body 10 falls below a predetermined number, the execution operator determination unit 45C may cancel the temporary suspension and preferentially determine the remote operator Q whose task status has become awaiting assignment due to the temporary suspension as the execution operator.

[0312] Note that not all remote operators Q who can remotely control a moving body 10 of the "special vehicle" type necessarily wish to remotely control a moving body 10 of the "general vehicle" type. For this reason, the executing operator determination unit 45C stores in advance in the storage unit 44 the confirmation result from the remote operator Q as to whether or not the remote operator Q wishes to remotely control a moving body 10 of the "general vehicle" type. Then, when the executing operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information from a moving body 10 of the "general vehicle" type, it may determine whether or not to determine the remote operator Q who can remotely control the moving body 10 of the "special vehicle" type as the executing operator based on the confirmation result.

[0313] (Modification 10) The remote operator requirement condition may be information representing the determination of an execution operator depending on the delay status of the service provided by the mobile object 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information.

[0314] For example, assume that remote control request information is received from a certain mobile object 10 and a remote operator Q who will remotely control the mobile object 10 is determined.

[0315] In this case, for example, the execution operator determination unit 45C preferentially determines a remote operator Q who has a lot of experience in remote control of the same or similar situations as the mobile body 10 as the execution operator who will perform remote control of the mobile body 10.

[0316] With this determination method, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine a remote operator Q who is familiar with remote control as the execution operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10, and can determine a remote operator Q who can remotely control the mobile body 10 safely and efficiently.

[0317] However, in this case, the remote operator Q who has little experience in remote control of the same or similar situation as the mobile body 10 will have a reduced chance of being selected as the executing operator of the mobile body 10. In addition, in this case, the remote operator Q may experience a decrease in remuneration, a decrease in motivation for the work, etc.

[0318] Therefore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine a remote operator Q who has little experience in remote control of the same or similar situation as the mobile body 10 as the execution operator to perform remote control of the mobile body 10.

[0319] In this determination method, the execution operator determination unit 45C can suppress a decrease in the frequency of determination of the remote operator Q, who has little experience in remote control, as the execution operator and a decrease in the remuneration.

[0320] However, with this determination method, a remote operator Q who has a lot of experience in remote control in the same or similar situations as the mobile body 10 has a reduced chance of being determined as the executing operator of the mobile body 10. In this case, the remote operator Q may receive a reduced remuneration, or may lose motivation to work. Furthermore, remote control by a remote operator Q with little experience in remote control may result in a longer time required for remote control, which may lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the service provided by the mobile body 10.

[0321] Therefore, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies a delay status of the service provided by the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information. The service delay status is, for example, a delivery delay status. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies a method for determining an execution operator based on the identified delay status of the service, and determines an execution operator based on the identified determination method.

[0322] The execution operator may be determined, for example, based on whether the number of experiences of remote control in the past under the same or similar circumstances as the mobile object 10 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, or less than a predetermined number.

[0323] Specifically, for example, the method of determining the execution operator indicates that, when the delay status of the service provided by the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information is "delayed," a remote operator Q who has a predetermined number of experiences in remote control in the same or similar situation as the mobile body 10 is preferentially determined as the execution operator. Also, when the delay status of the service provided by the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information is "on time," the method of determining the execution operator indicates that a predetermined remote operator Q is determined as the execution operator regardless of remote control experience. Also, when the delay status of the service provided by the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information is "with ample time," the method of determining the execution operator indicates that a remote operator Q who has less than a predetermined number of experiences in remote control in the same or similar situation as the mobile body 10 is preferentially determined as the remote operator Q.

[0324] The execution operator determination unit 45C then identifies a method for determining the execution operator depending on the delay status of the service provided by the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information, and determines the execution operator based on the identified determination method.

[0325] By this determination process, when a delay occurs in the service provided by the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information, the execution operator determination unit 45C can suppress determination of a remote operator Q who has less than a predetermined number of experiences of remote control in the same or similar situation as the execution operator. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C can suppress an increase in the delay in the service provided by the mobile body 10.

[0326] Furthermore, when there is no delay in the service provided by the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information or when there is sufficient time, the executing operator determination unit 45C can determine, as the executing operator, a remote operator Q who has less than a predetermined number of experiences of remote control in the same or similar situation. Furthermore, the executing operator determination unit 45C can suppress a decrease in the chances of determining, as the executing operator, a remote operator Q who has less than a predetermined number of experiences of remote control in the same or similar situation.

[0327] The method for determining the execution operator is not limited to the above.

[0328] For example, the method for determining an execution operator may represent that, when the delay status of the service provided by the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information is "delayed" or "on time," a remote operator Q who has a predetermined number or more of experience in remote control in the same or similar situation as the mobile body 10 is preferentially determined as the execution operator. Alternatively, the method for determining an execution operator may represent that, when the delay status of the service provided by the mobile body 10 that transmitted the remote control request information is "with time to spare," the method specifies whether the slack time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the slack time is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, a remote operator Q who has less than a predetermined number of experiences in remote control in the same or similar situation as the mobile body 10 is preferentially determined as the execution operator. Alternatively, if the slack time is less than the predetermined threshold, a remote operator Q who has a predetermined number or more of experience in remote control in the same or similar situation as the mobile body 10 is preferentially determined as the execution operator.

[0329] In addition, when the delay situation of the service provided by the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is "time leeway," the execution operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine as the execution operator a remote operator Q that has experience in remote control in the same or similar situation as the mobile body 10, depending on the degree of time leeway that indicates the degree of time leeway.

[0330] For example, if the degree of leeway is equal to or greater than a threshold, the executing operator determination unit 45C determines remote operator Q, who is a beginner in remote control, as the executing operator.Alternatively, if the degree of leeway is less than the threshold, the executing operator determination unit 45C determines remote operator Q, who is not a beginner but has less than a predetermined amount of experience in remote control, as the executing operator.

[0331] In the above description, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the execution operator depending on whether the remote control experience is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or less than a predetermined value. However, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine the execution operator depending on whether the remote control skill is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or less than a predetermined value. In other words, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q who is likely to require a short time for remote control when there is a delay, and may determine, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q who is likely to require a long time for remote control when there is ample time.

[0332] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine the execution operator according to the content of the remote control of the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information, in addition to the delay status of the service.

[0333] For example, when the remote control content represented by the request content information included in the remote control request information received from the mobile body 10 indicates "easy" remote control, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines, as the execution operator, remote operator Q who has less than a predetermined number of experiences in remote control in the same or similar situations as the mobile body 10. "Easy" remote control means, for example, that the predicted result of the time required for remote control is less than a threshold, there are few complex remote controls, there are few obstacles around the mobile body 10, there are few blind spots, the distance covered by remote control is short, etc. "Less complex remote controls" means, for example, that the mobile body 10 is turned less than a predetermined number of times.

[0334] Furthermore, when the remote control content represented by the request content information included in the remote control request information received from the mobile body 10 indicates "difficult" remote control, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines, as the execution operator, a remote operator Q who has a predetermined number of experiences in remote control of the same or similar situations as the mobile body 10. "Difficult" remote control means, for example, that the predicted result of the time required for remote control is above a threshold, that there are many complex remote controls, etc. "Many complex remote controls" means that the mobile body 10 has to turn more than a predetermined number of times, that there are many obstacles to avoid, that there are many blind spots (many caution areas), that there are intersections, that there is low illumination (for example, at night), etc.

[0335] Through these determination processes, the execution operator determination unit 45C can shorten the time required for remote control by the determined execution operator, suppress delays in the services provided by the mobile body 10, and the like.

[0336] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine the execution operator according to the delay impact level in addition to the delay status of the service.

[0337] The delay impact indicates the magnitude of the cost incurred due to the delay, and is set by the service manager P in advance.

[0338] For example, if the delay impact of the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is high, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines a remote operator Q who has a predetermined number or more of experience in remote control in the same or similar situations as the mobile body 10 as the execution operator, even if there is a margin for delay in the service.

[0339] In addition, if the delay impact of the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is low, the execution operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine as the execution operator a remote operator Q who has less than a predetermined number of experiences in remote control in the same or similar situations as the mobile body 10, even if the service delay situation is on time.

[0340] (Modification 11) The configuration may be such that the service manager P can set service manager requirements so that a remote operator Q that meets the needs of the service manager P is determined as the execution operator.

[0341] For example, the configuration may be such that the service manager P pays a fee that is higher than the normal fee, and by operating the service manager terminal 20, the service manager P can set the service manager requirement conditions of the service provider requirement condition management information 44E registered in the information processing device 40.

[0342] For example, the service manager P may set the service manager requirement conditions so that only a specific remote operator Q is determined as the executing operator. The specific remote operator Q may be, for example, a remote operator Q skilled in remote control. In this case, the executing operator determination unit 45C can determine the remote operator Q who is capable of remote control more quickly as the executing operator. Furthermore, the executing operator determination unit 45C can allow the mobile object 10 to continuously execute the service provided by the mobile object 10 as much as possible without stopping the service.

[0343] The service manager P may be configured to be able to set the service manager request conditions registered in the information processing device 40 free of charge by operating the service manager terminal 20 .

[0344] Furthermore, the information processing device 40 may be configured to manage both items for which conditions can be set by paying a fee and items for which conditions can be set free of charge.

[0345] For example, the control unit 45 of the information processing device 40 manages the service manager requirement conditions so that the service manager P can set the conditions for free or at a low fee less than a predetermined amount for items including conditions essential for remote control among the items of the multiple service manager requirement conditions. An essential condition for remote control is, for example, possession of a special license.

[0346] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 45 manages the service manager requirement conditions so that the service manager P can set conditions for a fee or a predetermined amount or more for items that include conditions that are not essential for remote control among the items of the multiple service manager requirement conditions. An example of a condition that is not essential for remote control is that the remote operator Q is an expert.

[0347] Then, when the execution operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information, it determines the remote operator Q that satisfies the service manager's requirements from among the remote operators Q that have been identified as available for assignment as the execution operator that will perform remote control of the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information.

[0348] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine a remote operator Q that meets the service manager's requirements as the execution operator only under certain conditions, such as when a delay occurs in the service provided by the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information.

[0349] Furthermore, when a plurality of service manager request conditions are registered in the service provider request condition management information 44E in the storage unit 44, the execution operator determination unit 45C may manage the conditions by associating a priority with each condition. Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may use one or more conditions that are set in advance or by the service manager P out of the plurality of service manager request conditions registered in the service provider request condition management information 44E as the service manager request conditions to be used in determining the execution operator.

[0350] For example, the service provider request condition management information 44E may register a plurality of service manager request conditions described in each of the above-described embodiment and Modifications 1 to 8. Furthermore, the service provider request condition management information 44E may further register service manager request conditions such as determining a highly skilled or experienced remote operator Q as the executing operator, determining a remote operator Q who has previously performed remote control in the same area / scene / situation as the executing operator, determining a remote operator Q designated by the service manager P, and determining a remote operator Q who has already confirmed information regarding the driving rules of the area D at the time of receiving the remote control request information.

[0351] Furthermore, there may be cases where the execution operator determination unit 45C is unable to determine a remote operator Q that satisfies the service manager's required conditions, and instead determines a remote operator Q that satisfies conditions different from the conditions as the execution operator. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may perform processing to refund a portion of the fee paid at the time of setup to the service manager P. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may be configured not to refund a portion of the fee paid at the time of setup to the service manager P.

[0352] In this case, if the remote operator Q who is determined as the executing operator and satisfies the different conditions performs the same remote control as the remote operator Q who satisfies the set service manager requirement conditions, the system may be configured not to refund part of the fee. The case where the same remote control is performed means, for example, that the remote control is completed within the same time as the remote control required by the remote operator Q who satisfies the service manager requirement conditions.

[0353] Furthermore, when the execution operator determination unit 45C determines a remote operator Q who satisfies conditions different from the service manager requirement conditions as the execution operator, the remote control performed may be of lower quality than the remote control required by the set service manager requirement conditions. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine the amount of the refund to be refunded to the service manager P depending on the degree of the deterioration in quality. For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine the amount of the refund depending on the difference between the time required for the remote control specified in the set service manager requirement conditions and the actual time required. Note that the execution operator determination unit 45C may give the service manager P points or a coupon ticket instead of money.

[0354] Furthermore, when the execution operator determination unit 45C determines a remote operator Q who satisfies conditions different from the service manager request conditions as the execution operator, the following processing may be performed. For example, the execution operator determination unit 45C may notify the service manager terminal 20 of the service manager P who set the service manager request conditions of information indicating that an execution operator who satisfies the conditions could not be determined. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C may accept a setting change of the service manager request conditions, a temporary setting change, or a selection of a remote operator Q from the service manager terminal 20, and update the service provider request condition management information 44E according to the accepted information.

[0355] (Modification 12) The configuration may be such that the remote operator Q can set remote operator requirements so that a remote operator Q that meets the needs of the remote operator Q is determined as the performing operator.

[0356] For example, the setting of the remote operator request conditions by the remote operator Q may be free or for a fee. Furthermore, the information processing device 40 may be configured to manage both items for which conditions can be set by paying a fee and items for which conditions can be set free of charge regarding the remote operator request conditions.

[0357] The remote operator requirement conditions include the following conditions in addition to the conditions described in the above Modifications 9 and 10. For example, the remote operator requirement conditions include the remote control content, the type of mobile body 10 to be remotely controlled, the target area D in which the mobile body 10 to be remotely controlled travels, the time required for remote control, the interval until the next remote control, the amount of remuneration, etc.

[0358] The remote control content may be, for example, obstacle avoidance, departure judgment, remote control by steering operation, remote control by button operation, etc. The type of mobile body 10 to be remotely controlled may be, for example, only small mobile bodies 10, only mobile bodies 10 that run on public roads, etc. The target area D in which the mobile bodies 10 to be remotely controlled run may be, for example, only mobile bodies 10 that exist in a certain area D, etc. The required time for remote control may be, for example, an estimated required time of 15 minutes or less, etc. The interval until the next remote control may be, for example, an interval of 15 minutes or more, etc. The remuneration amount may be, for example, only remote control request information with a unit price of 500 yen or more, etc.

[0359] Furthermore, the control unit 45 of the information processing device 40 may be configured to manage only those conditions that can be specified within the range of the skills and capabilities of the remote operator Q among a plurality of remote operator request conditions so that they can be set.

[0360] When receiving the remote control request information, the execution operator determination unit 45C determines the remote operator Q who satisfies the remote operator requirements as the execution operator who will remotely control the mobile body 10 that is the sender of the remote control request information.

[0361] There are cases where the performing operator determination unit 45C cannot identify a remote operator Q that satisfies the remote operator requirements. In this case, the performing operator determination unit 45C identifies a remote operator Q that can handle the remote control represented by the received remote control request information, based on information such as the skills and ability ranges of each of the multiple remote operators Q registered in the remote operator management information 44C. Then, the performing operator determination unit 45C notifies the remote control terminal 30 of the identified remote operator Q of a request to handle the remote control represented by the remote control request information. At this time, the performing operator determination unit 45C may further notify information indicating whether the remote operator Q can handle the request on the condition that the remuneration be increased.

[0362] When the executing operator determination unit 45C receives information indicating that the remote operator Q is available from the remote control terminal 30 in response to an operation instruction from the remote operator Q, the executing operator determination unit 45C may determine the remote operator Q as the executing operator.

[0363] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may detect that the number of assignable remote operators Q is less than the threshold value, or may predict that the number of assignable remote operators Q will be less than the threshold value.

[0364] In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies a remote operator Q who can handle the remote control represented by the received remote control request information, based on information such as the skills and ability ranges of each of the multiple remote operators Q registered in the remote operator management information 44C. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C may transmit information to the remote control terminal 30 of the identified remote operator Q, requesting that at least some of the settings of the remote operator request conditions registered in the storage unit 44 be temporarily invalidated or changed. Then, when the execution operator determination unit 45C receives information indicating permission for invalidation or change from the remote control terminal 30 in response to an operation instruction from the remote operator Q, the execution operator determination unit 45C may temporarily invalidate or change at least some of the settings of the remote operator request conditions registered in the storage unit 44.

[0365] In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C may temporarily disable or change at least some of the settings of the remote operator request conditions registered in the storage unit 44. In this case, it is preferable to conclude in advance a contract that allows the information processing device 40 to disable or change the remote operator request conditions without the consent of the remote operator Q.

[0366] Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine an execution operator in the same manner as described above using the invalid or changed remote operator requirements.

[0367] (Modification 13) In the above embodiment and modifications, a form in which remote operator request conditions are registered in advance in the remote operator request condition management information 44F has been described as an example.

[0368] However, when receiving the remote control request information, the execution operator determination unit 45C may receive the service manager request conditions set by the service manager P from the service manager terminal 20 and determine the execution operator.

[0369] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C pre-selects a service manager P for whom the service manager request conditions are to be set, and notifies the service manager terminal 20 of the service manager P in advance that the service manager P is the person who set the conditions. Then, when the execution operator determination unit 45C receives remote control request information from the mobile object 10, it transmits a setting request for the service manager request information to the service manager terminal 20 of the pre-selected service manager P. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine an execution operator according to the service manager request information received from the service manager terminal 20.

[0370] Specifically, for example, a situation is assumed in which the information processing device 40 receives remote control request information from the mobile object 10. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C identifies an assignable remote operator Q in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0371] Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C extracts a remote operator Q that satisfies predetermined conditions for selecting a remote operator Q that have been set in advance by the service manager P, based on the location and time of occurrence of the received remote control request information, the type of mobile body 10 that has sent the remote control request information, request content information, etc. Then, for the extracted remote operator Q, the execution operator determination unit 45C creates operator selection reference information that the service manager P will use as a reference when selecting a remote operator Q, using information about the remote operator Q registered in the remote operator management information 44C and the remote control history information 44D.

[0372] The operator selection reference information includes, for example, information such as past remote control history in the same or similar situation as the mobile body 10 that sent the received remote control request information, and the fee charged to the remote operator Q when performing the remote control represented by the remote control request information.

[0373] The execution operator determination unit 45C transmits the created operator selection reference information to the service manager terminal 20 of the pre-selected service manager P as a setting request for the service manager request information.

[0374] The control unit 25 of the service manager terminal 20 displays the operator selection reference information received from the information processing device 40 on the output unit 23 .

[0375] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen 50 of operator selection reference information displayed on the output unit 23 of the service manager terminal 20. As shown in FIG.

[0376] The operator selection reference information is, for example, information that associates the remote operator ID, skills, fees, and past history of the remote operator Q.

[0377] Skills are determined according to the qualification information, certification information, and remote control performance (total number of times, total time) of the remote operator Q identified by the corresponding remote operator ID. The fee is a unit price per unit operation time and is set according to the skill, with the higher the skill, the higher the fee. The fee is not limited to a unit of operation time, but may be a fee per task. The fee may also be set according to the remote control content. For example, the fee is set higher for remote control content with a higher load, such as steering wheel operation or button operation.

[0378] The past history includes, for example, the number of remote controls, the remote control time, and the remote control results in the same area D as the area D where the mobile body 10 that sent the remote control request information is located.

[0379] The information included in the past history may be set as appropriate in accordance with an operation instruction by the user, etc. The past history may include, in addition to the same area D, the number of remote controls in similar areas D, the number of remote controls with similar remote control content represented by the remote control request information, etc.

[0380] The execution operator determination unit 45C may also create the operator selection reference information using remote control history in the remote control history information 44D, which is in the same area D as the area D where the mobile body 10 that transmitted the received remote control request information is located and at the same time as the time of receiving the remote control request information. The execution operator determination unit 45C may also accept a setting indicating which period of remote control history to use in the remote control history information 44D, and create the operator reference information using the remote control history information for the set period.

[0381] The execution operator determination unit 45C may also create operator reference information that further includes information about communication conditions during past remote control operations. This is because even highly skilled remote operator Q may not be able to perform remote control operations well when communication conditions are poor.

[0382] The service manager P operates the input unit 22 while viewing the display screen 50 displayed on the output unit 23 of the service manager terminal 20, to select the remote operator ID of the desired remote operator Q. The control unit 25 of the service manager terminal 20 transmits service manager request information including the remote operator ID whose input has been accepted to the information processing device 40.

[0383] The executing operator determination unit 45C of the information processing device 40 may determine the remote operator Q identified by the remote operator ID represented by the service manager request information received from the service manager terminal 20 as the executing operator.

[0384] (Modification 14) Next, a method for determining the remuneration amount by the remuneration amount determination unit 45E will be described.

[0385] The needs of the service manager P include not only the need to be able to respond to remote control safely and quickly and to avoid interrupting the service as much as possible, but also the need to keep the remuneration to the remote operator Q as low as possible. Therefore, the service manager P sets the service manager requirements while balancing the service quality and costs.

[0386] In this modified example, it is assumed that the service manager P designates a remote operator Q corresponding to remote control request information transmitted only from mobile bodies 10 in the area D managed by the service manager P as the executing operator.In this case, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E charges the service manager P for the designation and determines a remuneration amount for the remote operator Q that is higher than the normal remuneration amount.

[0387] The reward may be cash or electronic money. Electronic money includes electronic points that can be used on a specific side. The reward may also be a temporary privilege that is advantageous to the remote operator Q, such as being preferentially selected as an executing operator.

[0388] In this modified example, the remote operator Q performs remote control of only the mobile body 10 present in the area D managed by the service manager P in response to remote control request information transmitted from the mobile body 10 present in the area D. Therefore, the remote operator Q can quickly perform remote control of the mobile body 10 after having a thorough knowledge of the conditions and driving rules of the area D that he is responsible for. Furthermore, the information processing device 40 can improve the quality of the service provided by the mobile body 10.

[0389] On the other hand, in this case, the remote operator Q will only remotely control the mobile bodies 10 that exist in the same area D. Therefore, the remote operator Q may not be determined as an executing operator that executes remote control in response to remote control request information received from the mobile bodies 10 that exist in other areas D, which may result in a decrease in income. For this reason, the remote operator Q may not wish to remotely control only the mobile bodies 10 that exist in the same area D.

[0390] Therefore, the remuneration determination unit 45E determines a remuneration amount higher than the normal remuneration amount as a remuneration for remote control for a remote operator Q who is set to remotely control only the moving bodies 10 that are present in the same area D. By this determination process, the remuneration determination unit 45E can prevent a decrease in the income of the remote operator Q. Furthermore, the remuneration determination unit 45E can prevent a decrease in the number of remote operators Q who wish to be set to remotely control only the moving bodies 10 that are present in the same area D.

[0391] The area D managed by one service manager P may be one area D, multiple areas D, or a partial area within an area D. Furthermore, the area D managed by one service manager P may be an area designated by the service manager P.

[0392] The remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the amount to be charged to the service manager P for the above specification, depending on the number of specified areas D, the size of the areas D, the number of mobile objects 10 traveling within the areas D, the number of remote control request information pieces generated within the areas D, the remote control details such as the difficulty of remote control in response to the remote control request information, etc. The remuneration determination unit 45E may calculate the number of remote control request information pieces generated within the areas D using the remote control history information 44D or by simulation. The remuneration determination unit 45E may also use similar indicators to determine a remuneration amount higher than the normal remuneration amount to be determined for the remote operator Q.

[0393] The service manager P may also be configured to be able to specify a remote control method that indicates how the specified remote operator Q is to be remotely controlled. In this case, the remuneration determination unit 45E of the information processing device 40 receives the remote operator ID of the specified remote operator Q and information indicating the remote control method from the service manager terminal 20. Then, when the remote operator Q identified by the received remote operator ID is determined to be the executing operator, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the charge amount and the remuneration based on the content of the remote control method corresponding to the remote operator ID.

[0394] The remote control method, which indicates how remote control is to be performed, is, for example, information indicating that the mobile object 10 present in the specified area D is to be remotely monitored at all times or when a predetermined event occurs. In this case, the information processing device 40 can prompt the remote operator Q to grasp the situation by remotely monitoring the area D before the remote operator Q is determined as the executing operator, i.e., before receiving the remote control request information. Furthermore, when the information processing device 40 receives the remote control request information from the mobile object 10 present in the area D, it can cause the remote operator Q to immediately perform remote control.

[0395] In this case, since the remote operator Q is made to remotely monitor the area D before receiving the remote control request information, the remuneration determination unit 45E determines a fee and a remuneration that are higher than those charged and remuneration for normal remote control. The remuneration determination unit 45E may also determine the fee and the remuneration according to the duration and number of times the remote monitoring was performed.

[0396] Also, assume that a specific remote operator Q is set by an operation instruction of the service manager terminal 20 by the service manager P to remotely control only the mobile objects 10 that are present in the same area D. Also assume that this specific remote operator Q is set by an operation instruction of the remote control terminal 30 to remotely control only the mobile objects 10 that are present in the area D. In this case, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E may determine the normal amount of charge and remuneration as the charge to the service manager P and the remuneration to the remote operator Q.

[0397] (Modification 15) In this modification, the remuneration determination unit 45E determines the remuneration depending on the login status of the remote operator Q.

[0398] In detail, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E determines the remuneration amount so that the remuneration to the remote operator Q is higher depending on the length of time that the remote operator Q continues to log in to the system of the information processing device 40 by operating the remote control terminal 30 and remain available for assignment.

[0399] By this determination process, the remuneration determination unit 45E can support increasing the number of remote operators Q who are available for assignment as much as possible.

[0400] In particular, in a situation where the number of remote operators Q that can be assigned is small or is likely to be small relative to the number of mobile objects 10 included in the remote control system 1, or where the number of remote operators Q that can be assigned is small or is likely to be small relative to the number of remote control request information received or expected to be received, the longer the duration of the logged-in state of the remote operators Q, the more effectively the number of assignable remote operators Q can be prevented from decreasing. In this case, the executing operator determination unit 45C can determine, as the executing operator, a remote operator Q that satisfies the service manager requirement conditions, which are the needs of the service manager P.

[0401] Therefore, if the remuneration amount determination unit 45E determines that the number of remote operators Q that can be assigned is small or is likely to become small compared to the number of mobile bodies 10 included in the remote control system 1, it may determine the remuneration amount so that the remuneration to the remote operator Q is higher depending on the length of time that the assignable state continues.

[0402] In addition, if the remuneration amount determination unit 45E determines that the number of remote operators Q that can be assigned is low or is likely to become low compared to the number of remote control request information received or expected to be received, it may determine the remuneration amount so that the remuneration to the remote operator Q is high depending on the length of time that the assignable state continues.

[0403] For example, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration amount so that the remuneration to the remote operator Q is higher than usual by increasing the remuneration amount for the remote control request information, increasing the remuneration amount according to the length of the login duration, etc.

[0404] It is often the case that the number of assignable remote operators Q is small or likely to be small relative to the number of mobile objects 10 included in the remote control system 1, or the number of assignable remote operators Q is small or likely to be small relative to the number of remote control request information received or expected to be received, temporarily occurs. For this reason, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration amount so that the remuneration to the remote operators Q is higher than usual, limited to a predetermined period after determining that such a situation will occur.

[0405] This specified period may be the period from when the remuneration amount determination unit 45E detects that the situation in which the number of assignable remote operators Q is low compared to the number of remote control request information received from the mobile body 10 per unit time has improved to any arbitrary timing.

[0406] Furthermore, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration so that the remuneration is higher than usual only for some of the remote operators Q who continue to log in to the system of the information processing device 40.

[0407] For example, when the number of logged-in remote operators Q who can remotely control the "special vehicle" model relative to the number of mobile bodies 10 of the "special vehicle" model falls below a predetermined value, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration so that the remuneration for the logged-in remote operators Q who can remotely control the "special vehicle" model is higher than usual. Also, for example, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration so that the remuneration is higher only when a remote operator Q whose login duration exceeds a predetermined time or more continues to log in.

[0408] Furthermore, in a situation where the number of remote operators Q that can be assigned is small or is likely to be small compared to the number of mobile objects 10 included in the remote control system 1, or where the number of remote operators Q that can be assigned is small or is likely to be small compared to the number of remote control request information received or expected to be received, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration so that the remuneration will be higher than usual for a remote operator Q that newly logs into the system of the information processing device 40. Through this determination process, the remuneration determination unit 45E can support an increase in the number of remote operators Q that log into the system.

[0409] Furthermore, there may be cases where the remote operator Q is able to set a login period for the system of the information processing device 40. When a request to extend the login period is received from the remote control terminal 30, the remuneration determination unit 45E may be configured to extend the login period for the remote operator Q who operates the remote control terminal 30 in exchange for a specified condition such as an increase in remuneration.

[0410] In addition, the information processing device 40 may receive a request to extend the login period from the remote control terminal 30, for example, when the number of remote operators Q currently logged in to the system is small or is likely to decrease compared to the number of mobile bodies 10.

[0411] (Modification 16) In this modification, the remuneration determination unit 45E determines the remuneration depending on whether the remote operator Q uses an optional function for remote control.

[0412] The remote operator Q who performs the remote control performs remote control of the mobile object 10 by operating the remote control terminal 30 via dedicated software or a browser that has been installed on the remote control terminal 30 by downloading from the information processing device 40, etc. The dedicated software or browser may have optional functions.

[0413] Therefore, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration amount depending on whether or not the remote operator Q uses an optional function when remotely controlling the mobile object 10.

[0414] Note that, since the optional function is not a required function, it is considered that a usage fee is required for using the optional function. Therefore, when the remote operator Q performs remote control using the optional function, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the amount of remuneration to the remote operator Q for remote control of the mobile body 10 based on the usage fee. The usage fee for the optional function may be either a flat rate (unlimited use) or a pay-per-use fee charged according to the number of times, etc.

[0415] Next, an example of an optional function will be described.

[0416] The optional functions are, for example, the following functions: A function to display a captured image of the area around the moving body 10 displayed on the output unit 33 of the remote control terminal 30 during remote control, with detection frames added to objects present around the moving body 10. A function to display an alert of a collision risk with the moving body 10, derived based on a movement prediction result of objects around the moving body 10, on the captured image of the area around the moving body 10 displayed on the output unit 33 of the remote control terminal 30 during remote control. A function to display distance perception support information relating to the distance to objects around the moving body 10 on the captured image of the area around the moving body 10 displayed on the output unit 33 of the remote control terminal 30 during remote control. A function to display information indicating a guide for a turning path for turning the moving body 10 by remote control on the captured image of the area around the moving body 10 displayed on the output unit 33 of the remote control terminal 30 during remote control.

[0417] The remote operator Q may be configured to be able to turn on any of the multiple optional functions by paying a fee during remote control.

[0418] The execution operator determination unit 45C may also control the output unit 23 of the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q determined as the execution operator in response to the remote control request information to display the details of the remote control. At this time, the execution operator determination unit 45C extracts a remote control history identical to the details of the remote control based on the remote control history information 44D, and calculates the time required for the remote control for each of the cases where the optional function is not used and where the optional function is used. Either a statistical value or an average value may be used for the required time.

[0419] The execution operator determination unit 45C may then compare the calculated required times, and if the required time when the optional function is used is shorter than the required time when the optional function is not used, control the output unit 33 of the remote control terminal 30 to output information recommending the use of the optional function.

[0420] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may compare each calculated required time, and if the required time when the optional function is used is longer than the required time when the optional function is not used, control may be performed so that information not recommending the use of the optional function is output to the output unit 33 of the remote control terminal 30.

[0421] When the remote operator Q remotely controls the mobile object 10 by operating the remote control terminal 30 using the optional function, it is considered that the time required for remote control can be shortened compared to when the optional function is not used. Furthermore, it is considered that the shortened time required will improve the evaluation of the remote operator Q and the evaluation of the remote control. Accordingly, the execution operator determination unit 45C will determine the remote operator Q as the execution operator more frequently, and the remuneration of the remote operator Q will also increase.

[0422] Therefore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may perform control to display comparative information between the progress of the remuneration amount when the optional function is used and the progress of the remuneration amount when the optional function is not used on the output unit 23 of the remote control terminal 30. By this display control, the execution operator determination unit 45C can provide the remote operator Q with information that can assist in selecting the optional function.

[0423] Furthermore, when the remote operator Q remotely controls the moving body 10 by operating the remote control terminal 30 using the optional function, it is considered that safer remote control is possible compared to when the optional function is not used. For this reason, the execution operator determination unit 45C calculates the accident occurrence rate due to the remote control of the moving body 10 and the progress of remuneration including the costs associated with the accidents, based on the remote control history information 44D, simulation results, etc. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C may control the output unit 23 of the remote control terminal 30 to display these calculation results.

[0424] In addition, the remote operator Q may remotely control a mobile object 10 managed by another information processing device 40 in addition to the mobile object 10 managed by the information processing device 40. When the remote operator Q remotely controls a mobile object 10 managed by another information processing device 40 using the remote control terminal 30 or software of the remote control terminal 30 provided by the information processing device 40, the remuneration determination unit 45E may separately charge a usage fee for the remote control terminal 30 or the software of the remote control terminal 30.

[0425] In this case, the remuneration determination unit 45E may also charge a separate usage fee when an optional function available on the remote control terminal 30 is used.

[0426] Furthermore, when receiving the remote control request information, the execution operator determination unit 45C may preferentially determine a remote operator Q who is using an optional function as the execution operator, because the remote operator Q who is using the optional function can be remotely controlled more safely and quickly than a remote operator Q who is not using the optional function.

[0427] Furthermore, the execution operator determination unit 45C may determine whether or not to preferentially determine the remote operator Q who is using the optional function as the execution operator, depending on the content of the remote control according to the remote control request information.

[0428] For example, if the remote control is easy, such as the number of turns during remote control being less than a predetermined threshold or the number of surrounding obstacles being less than a predetermined number, the execution operator determination unit 45C will not prioritize determining remote operator Q, who is using an optional function, as the execution operator.

[0429] In addition, if the remote control is difficult, such as the number of turns during remote control is greater than a predetermined threshold, or there are more than a predetermined number of obstacles in the vicinity, the execution operator determination unit 45C will preferentially determine remote operator Q, who is using an optional function, as the execution operator.

[0430] When the execution operator determination unit 45C preferentially determines a remote operator Q who uses an optional function as the execution operator, the execution operator determination unit 45C may perform control to display the comparison result between the frequency with which a remote operator Q who uses an optional function is determined as the execution operator and the frequency with which a remote operator Q who does not use an optional function is determined as the execution operator on the output unit 33 of the remote control terminal 30. By this display process, the execution operator determination unit 45C can encourage a remote operator Q who does not use an optional function to use the optional function.

[0431] In addition, the execution operator determination unit 45C may display on the remote control terminal 30 of the remote operator Q the percentage of service managers P who have set the condition "preferentially assign remote operators Q who are using optional functions" to encourage them to use the optional functions.

[0432] (Modification 17) In this modification, the remuneration determination unit 45E determines the remuneration depending on the period until the start of remote control or the period until the completion of remote control by the remote operator Q determined as the executing operator.

[0433] For example, the remuneration determination unit 45E determines the remuneration amount so that the remuneration will be high if the remote operator Q determined as the executing operator immediately starts remote control within a predetermined period of time after being determined as the executing operator.

[0434] In addition, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E determines the remuneration amount so that the remuneration will be lower if the remote operator Q, who has been determined as the executing operator, starts remote control after a predetermined period of time has passed since being determined as the executing operator.

[0435] In addition, when the control unit 45 evaluates the remote control by the remote operator Q based on the period until the start of remote control by the remote operator Q determined as the executing operator, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E does not need to perform the process of increasing or decreasing the remuneration amount.

[0436] Furthermore, the remote operator Q checks the situation before starting to remotely control the mobile body 10. Therefore, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration amount so that the remuneration will be higher if the remote operator Q determined as the executing operator immediately starts the task within a predetermined period after being determined as the executing operator.

[0437] The remuneration determination unit 45E may determine that the work has begun by detecting, using a camera or the like, the movement of the remote operator Q's eyes in response to the confirmation work, or by detecting the pressing of a button to be pressed for the confirmation work.

[0438] The remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the predetermined period based on the time required for the status confirmation work. The predetermined period may also be set by the service manager P through an operation instruction on the service manager terminal 20. In this case, the service manager P can set the predetermined period as desired.

[0439] The remote control request information is classified into two types: remote control request information whose occurrence can be predicted based on the remote control history information 44D, and remote control request information whose occurrence cannot be predicted based on the remote control history information 44D and occurs suddenly.

[0440] In the case of remote control request information whose occurrence is predictable, the execution operator determination unit 45C can determine an execution operator corresponding to the remote control request information in advance. However, in the case of remote control request information that occurs unexpectedly, it is difficult for the execution operator determination unit 45C to determine an execution operator corresponding to the remote control request information in advance.

[0441] For this reason, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration amount so that the remuneration when a remote operator Q, who has been determined as the executing operator for remote control request information that occurs suddenly, immediately starts remote control within the above-mentioned specified period, is higher than the remuneration when a remote operator Q, who has been determined as the executing operator for remote control request information whose occurrence is predictable, immediately starts remote control within the above-mentioned specified period.

[0442] Furthermore, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration so that the remuneration is higher when the remote operator Q determined as the executing operator completes the remote control within a predetermined period. Furthermore, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration so that the remuneration is lower when the remote operator Q determined as the executing operator completes the remote control after the predetermined period has elapsed.

[0443] The predetermined period may be, for example, a standard time required for each remote control operation. Alternatively, the predetermined period may be an average value of the time required for remote control calculated based on the remote control history information 44D. Alternatively, the predetermined period may be set by the service manager P operating the service manager terminal 20.

[0444] (Modification 18) In this modification, when the content of the remote control indicated by the received remote control request information is changed, the remuneration determination unit 45E changes the remuneration in accordance with the changed content.

[0445] For example, the remote control content represented by the received remote control request information may be changed due to a change in the situation around the mobile object 10 while the remote operator Q, who is the executing operator, is remotely controlling the mobile object 10. In this case, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E changes the remuneration amount according to the change content.

[0446] For example, a remote control to avoid two mobile bodies 10 parked on a road may end with a remote control to avoid one mobile body 10 due to the movement of one mobile body 10 that is being remotely controlled. In this case, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E changes the determined remuneration amount so that it is reduced by the amount of the avoidance processing for one mobile body 10.

[0447] In addition, if the difficulty of remote control changes from the originally planned level due to a change in the surrounding conditions of the mobile body 10 being remotely controlled, the remuneration amount determination unit 45E may change the remuneration amount in accordance with the change in difficulty.

[0448] For example, if remote control of a moving body 10 located in an easy environment is planned, but the difficulty of remote control increases due to a change in the environment around the moving body 10, the reward amount determination unit 45E will change the reward amount to an increased amount.

[0449] An environment with an easy level of difficulty is, for example, when the density of people around the mobile object 10 to be remotely controlled is less than a threshold, when the width of the route traveled by the mobile object 10 is equal to or greater than a threshold, etc. An environment with a difficult level of difficulty is, for example, when the density of people around the mobile object 10 to be remotely controlled is equal to or greater than a threshold, when the width of the route traveled by the mobile object 10 is less than a threshold, etc.

[0450] (Modification 19) In this modification, the remuneration determination unit 45E determines the remuneration in accordance with the difference between the number of remote operators Q to be recruited and the number of applications.

[0451] Assume that the information processing device 40 is recruiting remote operators Q to remotely control the mobile object 10. In this case, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration amount based on the difference between the number of people recruited and the actual number of applicants.

[0452] For example, if the number of people to be recruited is equal to or less than the number of applicants, the remuneration determination unit 45E does not change the determined remuneration. On the other hand, if the number of people to be recruited is greater than the number of applicants, the remuneration determination unit 45E increases the determined remuneration.

[0453] In addition, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the remuneration based on the ratio of the number of applications to the number of people recruited, instead of the number of applications to the number of people recruited.

[0454] The remuneration amount determination unit 45E may also determine the remuneration amount according to the time remaining until the application deadline.

[0455] For example, when the number of people to be recruited is greater than the number of applications when there are 10 minutes remaining until the application deadline, the remuneration determination unit 45E may change the determined remuneration amount to increase it by a predetermined amount. Also, when the number of people to be recruited is greater than the number of applications when there are 5 minutes remaining until the application deadline, the remuneration determination unit 45E may change the determined remuneration amount to increase it even more than the predetermined amount.

[0456] (Variation 20) In this variation, when remote control is used to allow the moving body 10 to travel a shortcut along its travel route, the remuneration determination unit 45E determines a higher remuneration amount than when remote control is performed based on remote control request information.

[0457] Since delays in the service provided by the mobile object 10 degrade the quality of the service, the service manager P has a need to minimize delays as much as possible. For this reason, the service manager P would like to use remote control if it is possible for the mobile object 10 to take a shortcut along its travel route. On the other hand, if the service manager P requests remote control even though the mobile object 10 is in a state where it can travel autonomously, it places an unnecessary burden on the remote operator Q, which also increases costs.

[0458] Therefore, when the mobile object 10 uses remote control to take a shortcut along its travel route, the remuneration determination unit 45E determines a higher remuneration amount than when the mobile object 10 uses remote control based on remote control request information. The remuneration determination unit 45E may also determine the amount to be charged to the service manager P in the same manner, instead of the remuneration amount to be charged to the remote operator Q. In this case, the remuneration determination unit 45E may determine the amount to be charged to be a higher amount than usual.

[0459] For example, the control unit 45 of the information processing device 40 sets points where shortcuts can be taken in advance in map information and stores them in advance in the storage unit 44. Then, the execution operator determination unit 45C of the information processing device 40 determines whether the mobile object 10 will pass through a point where shortcuts can be taken, using the movement schedule information of the mobile object 10 stored in advance in the storage unit 44. Then, when the execution operator determination unit 45C determines that the mobile object 10 will pass through a point where shortcuts can be taken, it transmits inquiry information to the service manager terminal 20 of the service manager P, asking whether to take a shortcut. In this case, the execution operator determination unit 45C transmits inquiry information including information on a fee for remotely controlling the shortcut route.

[0460] When the service manager P operates the input unit 22 to input information indicating acceptance in response to the inquiry information, the control unit 25 of the service manager terminal 20 transmits the information indicating acceptance to the information processing device 40. When the execution operator determination unit 45C of the information processing device 40 receives the information indicating acceptance from the service manager terminal 20, it determines an execution operator who will execute remote control to change the travel route of the mobile object 10 to a shortcut route when the mobile object 10 reaches a point where a shortcut can be taken.

[0461] Only when a delay occurs in the service provided by the mobile object 10, the control unit 45 of the information processing device 40 may transmit inquiry information to the service administrator terminal 20 as to whether or not to execute a shortcut. This is to prevent inquiry information from being transmitted from the information processing device 40 to the service administrator terminal 20 even when there is no delay in the service.

[0462] In addition, when there is a delay in the service provided by the mobile body 10, the control unit 45 of the information processing device 40 may determine an execution operator to perform remote control to change the driving route of the mobile body 10 to a shortcut route when the mobile body 10 reaches a point where a shortcut can be taken, without sending the above-mentioned inquiry information to the service manager terminal 20.

[0463] By this determination process, the control unit 45 can reduce the burden on the service manager P due to the transmission of inquiry information, shorten the decision time of the execution operator, and shorten the time until the start of remote control.

[0464] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the mobile object 10, the service administrator terminal 20, the remote control terminal 30, and the information processing device 40 in the above embodiment and modified example will be described.

[0465] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the mobile object 10, the service administrator terminal 20, the remote control terminal 30, and the information processing device 40 according to the embodiment and the modified example of the embodiment.

[0466] The mobile body 10, service administrator terminal 20, remote control terminal 30, and information processing device 40 of the above embodiment and the modified example have a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 80, ROM (Read Only Memory) 82, RAM (Random Access Memory) 84, I / F 86, etc. interconnected by a bus 88, and have a hardware configuration utilizing a conventional computer.

[0467] The CPU 80 is a computing device that controls the mobile object 10, the service administrator terminal 20, the remote control terminal 30, and the information processing device 40 of the above-described embodiment and modified examples. The ROM 82 stores programs and the like that realize information processing by the CPU 80. The RAM 84 stores data necessary for various processes by the CPU 80. The I / F 86 is an interface that is connected to a storage unit, an input unit, an output unit, a sensor, a communication unit, and the like, and is used to send and receive data.

[0468] In the mobile body 10, service administrator terminal 20, remote control terminal 30, and information processing device 40 of the above-mentioned embodiment and variants, the CPU 80 reads a program from ROM 82 onto RAM 84 and executes it, thereby realizing each of the above-mentioned functional units on the computer.

[0469] The programs for executing the above processes executed by the mobile object 10, the service administrator terminal 20, the remote control terminal 30, and the information processing device 40 in the above embodiment and modified examples may be stored in a hard disk drive (HDD). Also, the programs for executing the above processes executed by the mobile object 10, the service administrator terminal 20, the remote control terminal 30, and the information processing device 40 in the above embodiment and modified examples may be provided by being pre-installed in the ROM 82.

[0470] In addition, the programs for executing the above processes executed by the mobile object 10, service administrator terminal 20, remote control terminal 30, and information processing device 40 in the above embodiments and modifications may be stored in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, memory card, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or flexible disk (FD) and provided as a computer program product. Furthermore, the programs for executing the above information processes executed by the mobile object 10, service administrator terminal 20, remote control terminal 30, and information processing device 40 in the above embodiments and modifications may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network. Furthermore, the programs for executing the above information processes executed by the mobile object 10, service administrator terminal 20, remote control terminal 30, and information processing device 40 in the above embodiments and modifications may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0471] Although the above describes an embodiment, the embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0472] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) An information processing method executed by an information processing device, comprising: a receiving step of receiving remote control request information from a mobile object; and an executing operator determination step of determining, based on the remote control request information, the remote operator that satisfies a service manager requirement that represents a requirement of a service manager regarding the allocation of a remote operator to remotely control the mobile object, as an executing operator that will perform remote control of the mobile object that transmitted the remote control request information. (2) The information processing method described in (1), in which the executing operator determination step determines, as the executing operator, the remote operator that has a remote control history for an area of ​​a driving rule that corresponds to a driving area of ​​the mobile object that transmitted the remote control request information. (3) The information processing method described in (1) or (2), in which, when the remote control request information is received or has been received multiple times from the same mobile object within a predetermined range in time or distance, the same remote operator is determined as the executing operator for the multiple remote control request information. (4) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the executing operator determination step, when receiving or having received a plurality of pieces of remote control request information from mobile bodies in the same area within a predetermined period, determines the same remote operator as the executing operator for the plurality of pieces of remote control request information. (5) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the executing operator determination step determines, as the executing operator, the remote operator who remotely controlled a mobile body similar to the mobile body that transmitted the remote control request information within a predetermined period from receiving the remote control request information. (6) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the executing operator determination step determines, as the executing operator, the remote operator for whom a predetermined time or more has passed since the last remote control. (7) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the execution operator determination step determines the remote operator who has a history of checking the driving rules of the driving area of ​​the mobile body that sent the remote control request information as the execution operator.(8) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the execution operator determination step, when the traveling situation of the mobile body that transmitted the remote control request information is a situation requiring a predetermined high level of remote control capability, determines the remote operator who took a predetermined time or less to remotely control the mobile body in the traveling situation as the execution operator. (9) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the execution operator determination step, when the traveling situation of the mobile body that transmitted the remote control request information is a situation requiring a predetermined high level of remote control capability, determines the remote operator who took a predetermined time or less to remotely control the mobile body in the traveling situation as the execution operator. (10) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the execution operator determination step, when the traveling situation of the mobile body that transmitted the remote control request information is a situation requiring a predetermined high level of remote control capability, determines the remote operator who is remotely monitoring the traveling area of ​​the mobile body that transmitted the remote control request information as the execution operator. (11) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the executing operator determination step determines the remote operator who satisfies the service manager requirement conditions and the remote operator requirement conditions of the remote operator as the executing operator. (12) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (11), including: a remuneration determination step of determining a remuneration for the executing operator according to at least one of the remote control request information, the determination status of the executing operator, and the remote control status by the executing operator. (13) The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (12), including: a transmission control step of transmitting remote control assistance request information to a remote control terminal operated by the executing operator. (14) An information processing program executed by an information processing device, comprising: a receiving step of receiving remote control request information from a mobile object; and an executing operator determination step of determining, based on the remote control request information, the remote operator that satisfies a service manager requirement condition that represents a service manager's requirement condition regarding the allocation of a remote operator to remotely control the mobile object, as an executing operator that will perform remote control of the mobile object that is the source of the remote control request information.(15) An information processing device comprising: a receiving unit that receives remote control request information from a mobile object; and an execution operator determination unit that determines, based on the remote control request information, the remote operator that satisfies a service manager requirement that represents a requirement of a service manager regarding the allocation of a remote operator to remotely control the mobile object, as an execution operator that will perform remote control of the mobile object that is the source of the remote control request information.

[0473] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Mobile object 20 Service manager terminal 30 Remote control terminal 40 Information processing device 45 Control unit 45C Executing operator determination unit 45D Transmission control unit 45E Remuneration amount determination unit

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, comprising: a receiving step of receiving remote control request information from a mobile object; and an executing operator determination step of determining, based on the remote control request information, the remote operator that satisfies a service manager requirement condition that represents a service manager's requirement condition regarding allocation of a remote operator to remotely control the mobile object, as an executing operator that will perform remote control of the mobile object that is the source of the remote control request information.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the execution operator determination step determines, as the execution operator, the remote operator having a remote control history for an area of ​​driving rules corresponding to the driving area of ​​the mobile body that transmitted the remote control request information.

3. The information processing method of claim 1, wherein the execution operator determination step, when the remote control request information is received or has been received multiple times from the same mobile object within a specified range of time or distance, determines the same remote operator as the execution operator for the multiple remote control request information.

4. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the executing operator determination step, when receiving or having received multiple pieces of remote control request information from mobile objects within the same area within a specified period, determines the same remote operator as the executing operator for the multiple pieces of remote control request information.

5. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the executing operator determination step determines, as the executing operator, the remote operator who remotely controls a mobile object similar to the mobile object that transmitted the remote control request information within a predetermined period of time from receiving the remote control request information.

6. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein said executing operator determining step determines as said executing operator a remote operator for whom a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the previous remote control.

7. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the execution operator determination step determines the remote operator having a confirmation history of the driving rules of the driving area of ​​the mobile object that has transmitted the remote control request information as the execution operator.

8. The information processing method of claim 1, wherein the execution operator determination step, when the driving conditions of the mobile object that sent the remote control request information require a predetermined high level of remote control capability, determines as the execution operator the remote operator whose required time for remote control of the mobile object in the driving conditions is less than a predetermined time.

9. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the executing operator determination step determines the remote operator remotely monitoring the travel area of ​​the mobile object that has transmitted the remote control request information as the executing operator.

10. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the execution operator determination step determines the same remote operator as the execution operator for a plurality of mobile objects that perform cooperative operations with the mobile object that is the source of the remote control request information.

11. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the execution operator determination step determines, as the execution operator, the remote operator who satisfies the service manager requirement conditions and the remote operator requirement conditions representing the remote operator requirement conditions regarding the allocation of the remote operator to remotely control a mobile object.

12. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a remuneration determination step of determining a remuneration for the executing operator in accordance with at least one of the remote control request information, the determination status of the executing operator, and the remote control status by the executing operator.

13. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission control step of transmitting remote control assistance request information to a remote control terminal operated by said execution operator.

14. An information processing program executed by an information processing device, comprising: a receiving step of receiving remote control request information from a mobile object; and an executing operator determination step of determining, based on the remote control request information, the remote operator that satisfies a service manager requirement condition that represents a service manager's requirement condition regarding allocation of a remote operator to remotely control the mobile object, as an executing operator that will perform remote control of the mobile object that is the source of the remote control request information.

15. An information processing device comprising: a receiving unit that receives remote control request information from a mobile object; and an execution operator determination unit that determines, based on the remote control request information, the remote operator that satisfies service manager requirement conditions that represent the service manager's requirement conditions regarding the allocation of remote operators to remotely control the mobile object, as an execution operator that will perform remote control of the mobile object that is the source of the remote control request information.

Images