DE102018214681A1 - Method, device and computer-readable storage medium with instructions for determining the route for an automatically moving service vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for determining an optimal route for an automatically driving service vehicle (1), wherein at least one service request (16) and at least one route request (17) are recorded and, in response to this, at least one suitable route is automatically determined, with a time to be assumed when determining the route is considered for the provision of a mobile service.

Description

The present invention relates to a method, a device and a computer-readable storage medium with instructions for determining the route for an automatically moving service vehicle.

An important research and development field in the further development of motor vehicles is the development of autonomous, i.e. automatically moving vehicles. Automatic vehicles will be able to be used in a few years at least on selected routes. The first solutions are conceivable in particular on closed areas or also on specially designated routes.

With the use of automatically driving vehicles, people's attitudes to getting around in a vehicle will change significantly. While driving fun was often of great importance in the past, today it is becoming increasingly important to use the time for driving from point A to point B effectively. With the availability of automatic vehicles, completely new solutions will emerge here that will make people's lives more pleasant and efficient, especially in metropolitan areas.

The use of travel time when driving from point A to point B for activities other than driving will result in new service offers. Technical systems are conceivable here that provide passengers with additional services in addition to transportation. A service similar to counseling in a bank or a haircut, as is usually done today in a stationary hairdressing salon, is conceivable as a service.

Vehicle solutions for the provision of a mobile service are already known. An https://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/corporate/20546438.html describes an ecosystem in which automatically driving service vehicles are used as part of mobile services. Depending on the type of service, the service vehicle is equipped with an interior that is set up to perform the service in a task-specific manner. If this unit is able to drive automatically, it can move to any location and pick up a passenger there. During the subsequent transport journey, a service employee traveling in the vehicle or a service system / robot can provide the service desired by the passenger.

An alternative embodiment consists of a two-part service vehicle. Here, a service-specific structure is installed on a standardized carriage, in which a mobile service can be provided. This embodiment offers the advantage that lower investments can be expected due to the multiple use of the carriage.

The route that is chosen for the transport must be specified in an automatically driving vehicle by a navigation system. Optimization methods are usually known for determining the route, based in particular on criteria such as travel time, distance traveled and fuel consumption.

Additional requirements result from route determination in connection with the provision of a mobile service in an automatically driving vehicle. These include, in particular, a necessary synchronization between the duration of the service provision and the duration of the journey, as well as the avoidance of undesired route properties that can have negative effects on the service provision.

This assignment and optimization task cannot be solved manually due to the diverse influencing factors and the resulting variety of solutions. Powerful technical processes and devices are therefore required to solve this task.

• - Berechnen einer ersten Route zwischen dem Startort und dem Zielort anhand von Landkartendaten,
• - Bestimmen eines ersten imaginären Startortes, der ein Ort auf der berechneten ersten Route zwischen dem Startort und dem Zielort ist,
• - Berechnen einer Route zwischen dem imaginären Startort und dem Zielort,
• - Vergleichen der berechneten Route zwischen dem imaginären Startort und dem Zielort mit einer entsprechenden Teilroute der ersten Routen hinsichtlich mindestens einer Routenkennzahl, insbesondere der Routenlänge oder der Fahrzeit,
• - gegebenenfalls Ersetzen der entsprechenden Teilroute der ersten Route durch die berechnete Route zwischen dem imaginären Startort und dem Zielort.

The EP1637841 A3 describes a method for determining a route for a land vehicle between a starting location and a destination with the following method steps:

• Calculating a first route between the starting point and the destination based on map data,
• Determining a first imaginary starting location, which is a location on the calculated first route between the starting location and the destination,
• - calculating a route between the imaginary starting point and the destination,
• Comparing the calculated route between the imaginary starting point and the destination with a corresponding partial route of the first routes with regard to at least one route code, in particular the route length or the driving time,
• - If necessary, the corresponding partial route of the first route is replaced by the calculated route between the imaginary starting point and the destination.

The DE102006057427 A1 discloses a routing method and an arrangement for performing such a method as well as a Corresponding computer program and a corresponding processor-readable storage medium in order to provide a user (driver or pedestrian, cyclist, etc.) with comprehensive information about route planning and to provide him with appropriate decision options for route selection. For this purpose, it is provided that motor vehicles are navigated using a vehicle system which can provide maneuvering and / or orientation recommendations for at least two routes from the vehicle.

The DE102007046038 A1 relates to a system in which a traffic network is divided into route sections for which the recording vehicles provide a server with transit times or, in the event of a traffic jam, dwell times, which then provides vehicles with current expected route segment travel times for route segments of a current remaining route, as a result of which vehicles in these vehicles are then free of traffic jams or with fewer congestion-laden alternative routes with the shortest expected remaining route travel time are determined and displayed. This provides early information on the traffic jam, thus enabling timely evasion via a currently fastest and most congestion-free alternative route, or information about the expected duration of the traffic jam. Furthermore, an improved use of capacity and load distribution in the existing traffic infrastructure is achieved, and traffic control centers receive additional traffic control data, for example for dynamic traffic light controls.

The WO09059572A1 relates to a method for operating a navigation system for calculating the expected route duration of a route from a starting point to a destination, the route consisting of a sequence of route segments and nodes between the route segments, using a route calculation method from a database in which a geographical area is described by a network of nodes and the route segments connecting the nodes, wherein each route segment is characterized by a travel time which describes the duration for driving through the route segment, at least one waiting time being assigned to at least one node, and the expected route duration the analyzed route is calculated by adding all travel times of the route segments lying on the route and all waiting times of the nodes lying on the route.

• - Empfangen einer Vorgabe eines Startortes,
• - Empfangen einer Vorgabe eines Zielortes,
• - Auswerten eines Datensatzes repräsentierend eine Lärmbelastung entlang für die Route in Frage kommender Routenabschnitte, und
• - Berechnen einer ersten Route unter Berücksichtigung des Datensatzes.

The DE102014214455A1 describes a navigation system and a method for calculating a noise-reduced route. The process includes the steps:

• - receiving a specification of a starting location,
• - receiving a specification of a destination,
• - Evaluation of a data set representing noise pollution along route sections that are possible for the route, and
• - Calculate a first route taking into account the data set.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a more powerful technical route finding solution for an automatically driving service vehicle.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1, a device according to claim 10 and a computer-readable storage medium with instructions according to claim 11. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The method according to the invention provides that at least one service request is initially recorded in a multi-stage process. A service request is understood to be the description of each service that is provided by a provider for provision in a mobile service vehicle. Examples of such services are, in particular, advisory services in the area of banks and insurance companies or general services such as the provision of a haircut by a hairdresser.

The registration is carried out by the customer of the service, who is initially to be regarded as a potential customer at the moment of registration.

It is also in the spirit of the invention that the potential customer is given the opportunity to record several services. This gives him the opportunity to make the best possible use of his travel time with several services to be performed in succession.

In a further step, the invention provides for the detection of at least one route request. A route request is understood to mean in particular the starting point and the destination of a transport trip. It is also within the scope of the invention to specify intermediate destinations so that a route is to be formed from several route sections.

In a next step, at least one suitable route is determined from the at least one route request and the at least one service request. The method step for determining a suitable route is carried out in such a way that an assumed time for rendering the at least one detected Service is taken into account. A suitable route is therefore a route that both enables the transport service from a starting point to a destination and also allows a sufficient period of time between the starting point and the destination so that the requested service can be provided or the requested services can be provided.

This provides a more efficient method for determining the route. As a result, it provides a route that can be used to provide the requested transport service, but also provides a sufficient period of time to provide the requested service.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a list of possible services is offered to the potential customer when the at least one service request is recorded. On the one hand, this offers a simplified, faster recording by the customer of a service, on the other hand, this configuration advantageously offers the possibility of offering selected services as a priority.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, when more than one service is recorded, the order of the services requested can be specified. This advantageously gives the potential customer the opportunity to specify the best possible sequence of the services requested for him. For example, it is possible to first ask for a haircut and then financial advice. Since several service vehicles may have to be used for this purpose, this embodiment advantageously provides the necessary information for determining the route of multi-stage transport trips with the change of the service vehicle included.

In a further preferred embodiment, further route requests can be specified in addition to the starting point and the destination when the route requests are recorded. Such a route request can be, for example, the avoidance of poor road conditions. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve the best possible service quality when providing a service.

In a further preferred embodiment, stopping times are permitted as an input variable when determining the at least one route. These stopping times are periods in which the transport service is interrupted as scheduled at suitable stopping points. This advantageously offers the possibility of adapting the travel time to the time required to provide the service and to provide the best possible service quality.

In a further preferred embodiment, the driving speed is permitted as an input variable when determining the at least one route. This advantageously also offers the possibility of adapting the travel time to the time required to provide the service and to provide the best possible service quality.

In a further preferred embodiment, when the route is selected from the possible routes determined, the requestor of the service is given the option of selecting a route by manual input. This offers the advantage that the customer of a service can choose a route that suits his needs. This makes it possible, for example, to prefer a route through a scenic area.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, possible services are preferably offered to the person requesting a service. This advantageously makes it possible to advertise services to the requester. In particular, there is also the possibility to offer special price offers in addition to the actual offer of the service.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the route employee is provided with instructions for the best possible execution of the service following the route determination. In particular, information about the person requesting the service is possible here. In the case of a financial advice request, for example, it is possible to provide the service employee with information about the systems that the requester has already made so that he can provide the best possible service quality in the actual consultation.

• - mindestens eine Erfassungsvorrichtung, mit der die mindestens eine Dienstleistungsanforderung eines Anfragers erfassbar ist;
• - mindestens eine Erfassungsvorrichtung, mit deren Hilfe die mindestens eine Routenanforderung erfassbar ist;
• - mindestens eine Datenübertragungsvorrichtung zur Übertragung der erfassten mindestens einen Dienstleistungsanforderung und zur Übertragung der mindestens einen Routenanforderung;
• - eine Steuervorrichtung, die dazu eingerichtet ist
  • ◯ im Ansprechen auf die mindestens eine Dienstleistungsanforderung und die mindestens eine Routenanforderung mindestens eine geeignete Route zu ermitteln und
  • ◯ im Ansprechen auf das Ergebnis der Routenermittlung mindestens eine Route auswählen zu können.
• - mindestens eine Speichervorrichtung zur Speicherung der zur Routenermittlung notwendigen Basisdaten.

The device proposed in the invention is set up to carry out a method according to claims 1 to 9. It includes in particular

• - At least one recording device, with which the at least one service request of an inquirer can be recorded;
• - At least one detection device, by means of which the at least one route request can be detected;
• - At least one data transmission device for transmitting the detected at least one service request and for Transmission of the at least one route request;
• - A control device which is set up for this
  • ◯ determine at least one suitable route in response to the at least one service request and the at least one route request and
  • ◯ being able to select at least one route in response to the result of the route determination.
• - At least one storage device for storing the basic data necessary for route determination.

Smartphones with software applications installed on them are used in particular as the recording device for recording the at least one service. Locally installed acquisition terminals are also suitable acquisition devices in the sense of the invention.

Smartphones with software applications installed on them are also particularly suitable as the recording device for recording the at least one route request. Here too, fixedly installed detection terminals are suitable detection devices in the sense of the invention.

The control device is, in particular, a computer system with software programs installed on it, which are set up to carry out the method according to the invention.

Furthermore, the control device comprises at least one storage device for data storage.

Furthermore, the invention claims a computer-readable storage medium with instructions which, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to carry out the steps of the method according to claims 1 to 9.

The claimed features are explained below with the aid of an exemplary embodiment, using several figures. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to this embodiment and that the described features can also be combined or modified without leaving the scope of protection.

• 1: Aufbau eines Servicemobils
• 2: Aufbau zum Erfassen von Dienstleistungs- und Routenanforderungen sowie zur Ermittlung von Routen.
• 3: Dateiinhalte zur Ermittlung von Routen
• 4: Verfahrensschritte zur Routenermittlung für ein automatisch fahrendes Servicemobil

The following figures are used to explain the exemplary embodiment:

• 1 : Building a service vehicle
• 2 : Structure for recording service and route requirements and for determining routes.
• 3 : File contents for the determination of routes
• 4 : Procedure steps for determining the route for an automatically driving service vehicle

In 1 is an embodiment for the construction of a service vehicle 1 shown. You can see the carriage 2 , In particular, it contains the drive and control components. In the service structure 3 are the necessary devices to provide a service. The merging of the carriage 2 and service structure 3 takes place via a detachable, for example screwable connection. In addition, driving guns 2 and service structure 3 Interfaces for the transmission of energy and information.

In 2 are in particular the device for recording service and route requests 8th , the control device 5 to determine suitable routes and a storage device 6 shown. In the storage device 6 In particular, the necessary data for route determination are stored. This is, in particular, data on the road network 13 and data on the properties of the service vehicles 14 , Furthermore, the information required for route determination is available for the service vehicles 14 and the service employee 15 as well as the service request 16 and the route request 17 deposited.

• S100: Erfassen mindestens einer Dienstleistungsanforderung 16 unter Einsatz einer Erfassungsvorrichtung 8.
• S200: Erfassen mindestens einer Routenanforderung 17 unter Einsatz einer Erfassungsvorrichtung 8.
• S300: Automatisches Ermitteln mindestens einer geeigneten Route auf Basis der erfassten Dienstleistungs- und Routenanforderungen (16, 17), wobei insbesondere der Zeitbedarf zur Erbringung der angeforderten Dienstleistung als Eingangsgröße für die Routenermittlung herangezogen wird.

In 4 the individual process steps are shown in an exemplary embodiment. In this example, the procedure consists in particular of the following steps:

• S100 : Capture at least one service request 16 using a detection device 8th ,
• S200 : Capture at least one route request 17 using a detection device 8th ,
• S300 : Automatic determination of at least one suitable route based on the recorded service and route requirements ( 16 . 17 ), whereby in particular the time required to provide the requested service is used as an input variable for route determination.

Reference list

1

Servicemobile (consisting of carriage and service structure)

2

Carriage

3

Service structure

4

control device

5

Program code

6

Storage medium

7

Requester

8th

Acquisition device (smartphone)

9

Data transmission link

10

Data transmission link

11

Data transmission link

12th

Service staff

13

Track segment data

14

Service mobile data

15

Service employee data

16

Service requirements

17

Route requirements

S100

Capture a service request

S200

Capture a route request

S300

Find a route

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 1637841 A3 [0010]
• DE 102006057427 A1 [0011]
• DE 102007046038 A1 [0012]
• WO 09059572 A1 [0013]
• DE 102014214455 A1 [0014]

Claims (11)

Method for determining an optimal route for an automatically moving service vehicle (1), comprising the steps - detecting at least one service request (16, S100); - detecting at least one route request (17, S200); - In response to the at least one service request (16) and the at least one route request (17), automatically determining at least one suitable route (S300); characterized in that - when determining the at least one suitable route, an assumed time for the provision of a mobile service is taken into account. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a list of available services is made available as a detectable service request (16). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sequence of the services which can be recorded are specified when several services are recorded. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that qualitative descriptions of the condition of the roadway are specified when the route requirements (17) are recorded. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that stopping times are taken into account when determining a route. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when determining a proposed route, the driving speed is used as a variable variable for determining the driving time. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the comparison between the at least one route and the at least one service request (16) is influenced by manual entries by the requestor of the service. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, regardless of the recorded service requirements (16), suggestions are made to the recorder for possible services. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when a route is selected, instructions for the service employee in the service vehicle (1) for the best possible provision of the service are generated. Device for executing a method for determining an optimal route for an automatically moving service vehicle (1), comprising - at least one detection device (8) with which at least one service of a service vehicle can be detected; - at least one detection device (8), with the aid of which at least one route request (17) can be detected; - at least one data transmission device (9) for transmitting the detected at least one service request (16) and for transmitting the at least one route request (17); - A control device (4) which is set up for this o in response to the at least one service request (16) and the at least one route request (17) by processing a program code (5) to determine at least one suitable route and ◯ to take into account an assumed time for the provision of services when determining the at least one suitable route. Computer-readable storage medium with instructions (5) which, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to carry out the steps of the method according to claims 1 to 9.

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