JP7450420B2 - Management devices, management methods, and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a management device, a management method, and a program.

An invention related to a pick-up service using an automated driving vehicle without a driver is disclosed (Patent Document 1).

JP2019-79462A

The operation of this type of service may not be appropriate for the user or operator.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and aims to provide a management device, a management method, and a program that enable users or operators to realize more appropriate service management. Make it one of the objectives.

A management device, a management method, and a program according to the present invention employ the following configuration.
(1): A management device according to one aspect of the present invention is a management device that manages a service in which a vehicle capable of autonomous driving is driven without a driver in the vehicle and a user is transported in the vehicle in a designated section. a receiving unit that receives a transportation request from a terminal device; a determining unit that determines a transportation schedule for the user by the vehicle based on the transportation request; and a reservation unit for determining the transportation schedule for the user included in the transportation request. The management device includes a setting unit that sets a lower usage fee for the service as the allowable time until confirmation is longer.

(2): In the aspect of (1) above, the determining unit does not determine the transport schedule based on the transport request that includes the permissible time exceeding the upper limit time, or the setting unit The longer the allowable time in the range, the lower the usage fee is set.

(3): In the aspect of (1) or (2) above, if it is estimated that the confirmation time until the decision unit confirms the user's reservation for the transport schedule is longer than the allowable time, the The information providing unit further includes an information providing unit that notifies a terminal device associated with the user that the permissible time is estimated to be exceeded.

(4): In the aspect of (3) above, the information providing unit may notify the notification estimated to exceed the permissible time that the usage fee after the confirmed time exceeds the permissible time will exceed the permissible time. Include information indicating that the usage fee will be lower than the previous charge.

(5): In any one of the above (1) to (4), the setting unit may be arranged such that the longer the user's desired time period for boarding the vehicle included in the transportation request is, the more the user charges the usage fee. set low.

(6): In the aspect of (5) above, the setting unit is configured to: The usage fee is set low.

(7): In the aspect of (5) or (6) above, if the determining unit is able to transport the user in a time zone different from the desired ride time zone included in the user's transportation request. , further comprising an information providing unit that notifies a terminal device associated with the user of information on the different time zones.

(8): In the aspect of (7) above, the information providing unit indicates, in the notification of the time zone information, that the usage fee will be lower if the user receives the service in the different time zone. Include information.

(9): In any of the aspects (1) to (8) above, the determination unit determines that the time from the start point of the desired ride time slot included in the transportation request to the end point of the allowable time is less than or equal to a specified time. If so, the transportation schedule is not determined based on the transportation request.

(10): A management method according to another aspect of the present invention is a management device that manages a service in which a vehicle capable of autonomous driving is driven without a driver in the vehicle and a user is transported in the vehicle in a designated section. receives a transportation request from a terminal device, determines a transportation schedule for the user by the vehicle based on the transportation request, and has a long allowable time until confirmation of a reservation for the transportation schedule of the user included in the transportation request. This is a management method that sets the usage fee for the service as low as possible.

(11): A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a management device that manages a service in which a vehicle that can run autonomously runs without a driver in the vehicle and transports users in the vehicle in a designated section. causing a computer to accept a transportation request from a terminal device, determining a transportation schedule for the user by the vehicle based on the transportation request, and allowing time until confirmation of a reservation for the transportation schedule for the user included in the transportation request; This is a program that sets the usage fee for the service lower as the timer becomes longer.

According to aspects (1) to (11) above, the management device sets the service usage fee lower as the allowable time until the reservation is confirmed for the user's transportation schedule included in the transportation request is longer. Alternatively, the operator can realize more appropriate service operation.

According to the aspect (4) above, when the confirmed time exceeds the permissible time, the usage fee is lowered, so that the user's sense of satisfaction is improved.

According to the aspect (5) above, the management device determines that the longer the time period in which the user included in the transportation request wants to board the vehicle, the more the user or operator sets the service fee. Appropriate service operation can be realized.

According to the aspect (6) above, the more the management device has a degree of freedom in determining the transportation schedule, the more the usage fee is suppressed, so the service is operated more appropriately for the user and the service operator. .

According to the aspect (7) or (8) above, if the management device can transport the user in a time zone different from the desired boarding time zone included in the transportation request, the management device notifies information on the different time zone. Therefore, the possibility of realizing more efficient management and improved convenience for users increases.

According to (9) above, if the time from the start point of the desired boarding time slot to the end point of the allowable time period is less than the specified time, the management device does not determine the transportation schedule based on the transportation request, which may be inconvenient for the user. Care can be taken to ensure that no profits are made.

1 is a configuration diagram of a system including a management device 300. FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle 200. 3 is a configuration diagram of a management device 300. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of transportation request list information 374. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of transportation schedule information 376. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the flow of processing executed by the terminal device 100, the vehicle 200, and the management device 300. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image IM1 displayed on the screen of the terminal device 100. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image IM2 displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 100 when setting an allowable time. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing executed by the management device 300. FIG. It is a figure for explaining permissible time. It is a figure which shows an example of the transportation schedule produced|generated by the process performed by the management apparatus of a comparative example. It is a figure which shows an example of the transportation schedule produced|generated by the process performed by the management apparatus 300 of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of image IM3 displayed on the display part of the terminal device 100 when setting a boarding desired time slot|zone. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing executed by the management device 300. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle route according to a desired time slot for boarding. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing executed by the management device 300. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining allowable time and desired riding time slots. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between allowable time, desired time slot for riding, and usage fee. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining information that the management device 300 notifies of different times. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image IM4 displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 100. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a management device, a management method, and a program of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The management device is a device that manages a service in which a vehicle that can run autonomously without a driver is allowed to travel and transports users in a designated section. The designated section is a section designated by a user riding a vehicle or another user. A predetermined point in the designated section becomes the boarding or alighting position of the user.

<First embodiment>
[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system including a management device 300. This system includes one or more terminal devices 100 used by users, one or more vehicles 200, and a management device 300. These components can communicate with each other via the network NW. The network NW includes the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a public line, a provider device, a private line, a wireless base station, and the like. A "terminal device used by a user" is a terminal device that can be used by an unspecified number of people, such as a terminal device in an Internet cafe, and may include a terminal device used temporarily by the user. In either case, the term "user's terminal device" refers to a terminal device in which the operating user is specified, for example, by a login operation in which a login name is input.

[Terminal device]
The terminal device 100 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. On the terminal device 100, an application program, a browser, or the like for using the above-mentioned services is activated, and supports the services described below. The following description assumes that the terminal device 100 is a smartphone and that an application program (vehicle dispatch application) for receiving a service is running. The vehicle dispatch application communicates with the management device 300 according to the user's operations, transmits a transportation request from the user to the management device 300, and provides information based on information received from the management device 300. The transportation request is electronic information requesting that the vehicle 200 transport the user over a designated section. In the example of FIG. 1, users U1 and U2 are illustrated. The users U1 and U2 are those who cause the terminal device 100 to send a transportation request for themselves to receive a service. Further, the terminal device 100 includes a position specifying unit that specifies the position of the terminal device 100. The position specifying unit, for example, measures the position of the aircraft based on radio waves arriving from a GNSS satellite (eg, a GPS satellite), and pinpoints the position of the aircraft based on the positioning result.

[vehicle]
Vehicle 200 is a vehicle that includes at least a passenger compartment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 includes, for example, a monitoring unit 210, a communication device 220, a navigation device 230, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 238, an interior monitoring device 240, an authentication device 242, a driving force output device 260, and a brake. It includes a device 262, a steering device 264, a door lock device 266, and an automatic driving control unit 270.

The monitoring unit 210 includes, for example, a camera that images the space outside the vehicle 200, a radar or LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) whose detection range is outside the vehicle 200, and an object recognition system that performs sensor fusion processing based on the outputs of these cameras. Including equipment etc. Monitoring unit 210 estimates the types of objects (particularly vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles) existing around vehicle 200, and outputs the information to automatic driving control unit 270 along with information on their positions and speeds.

The communication device 220 is, for example, a wireless communication module for connecting to the network NW or directly communicating with terminal devices of other vehicles or pedestrians. The communication device 220 performs wireless communication based on Wi-Fi, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and other communication standards. A plurality of communication devices 220 may be prepared depending on the purpose.

The navigation device 230 includes, for example, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 232, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 234, and a navigation control device 236. The HMI 232 includes, for example, a touch panel display device, a speaker, a microphone, and the like. The GNSS receiver 234 measures the position of its own vehicle (the position of the vehicle 200) based on radio waves arriving from a GNSS satellite (eg, a GPS satellite). The navigation control device 236 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various storage devices, and controls the entire navigation device 230. Map information (navigation map) is stored in the storage device. A navigation map is a map that expresses roads using nodes and links. The navigation device 230 uses the communication device 220 to upload position information indicating the measured position to the management device 300. Uploading of location information is performed periodically, for example, in units of milliseconds to seconds.

The HMI 238 is an interface device that exchanges information with a user inside or outside the vehicle. The HMI 238 includes input/output interfaces such as a display device, a speaker, a touch panel, buttons, a mouse, and a keyboard.

The vehicle interior monitoring device 240 includes, for example, a camera, an infrared sensor, etc. that captures an image of the space inside the vehicle interior. The image captured by the camera may be uploaded to the management device 300 by the communication device 220.

Authentication device 242 is a device for confirming that a user who wants to board vehicle 200 is an authorized user (authenticating the user). An authorized user is a user who has made an arrangement with the management device 300 to board the vehicle. The authentication device 242 may be any device that has an authentication function, such as a short-range wireless communication device, a biometric authentication device, or a password input device. Authentication device 242 outputs the authentication result to automatic operation control unit 270.

The driving force output device 260 outputs driving force (torque) for driving the vehicle to the drive wheels. The driving force output device 260 includes, for example, a combination of an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a transmission, and the like, and a power ECU that controls these. The power ECU controls the above configuration according to information input from the automatic operation control unit 270 or information input from a driving operator (not shown).

The brake device 262 includes, for example, a brake caliper, a cylinder that transmits hydraulic pressure to the brake caliper, an electric motor that generates hydraulic pressure in the cylinder, and a brake ECU. The brake ECU controls the electric motor according to information input from the automatic driving control unit 270 or information input from the driving operator, so that brake torque corresponding to the braking operation is output to each wheel. The brake device 262 may include, as a backup mechanism, a mechanism that transmits hydraulic pressure generated by operating a brake pedal included in a driving operator to a cylinder via a master cylinder. Note that the brake device 262 is not limited to the configuration described above, and may be an electronically controlled hydraulic brake device that controls an actuator according to information input from the automatic operation control unit 270 and transmits the hydraulic pressure of the master cylinder to the cylinder. Good too.

The steering device 264 includes, for example, a steering ECU and an electric motor. For example, the electric motor applies force to a rack and pinion mechanism to change the direction of the steered wheels. The steering ECU drives the electric motor to change the direction of the steered wheels according to information input from the automatic driving control unit 270 or information input from the driving operator.

Door lock device 266 locks or unlocks a door provided in vehicle 200. Door lock device 266 may include a mechanism that automatically opens and closes the door.

The automatic driving control unit 270 includes, for example, a route travel control section 272, a boarding/alighting position search section 274, a user recognition section 276, a boarding/alighting control section 280, and an HMI control section 290. The boarding/exiting control section 280 includes, for example, a stop/start control section 282 and a door lock control section 284. These components are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). Some or all of these components are hardware (circuit parts) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). (including circuitry), or may be realized by collaboration between software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (a storage device with a non-transitory storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, or may be stored in a removable storage device such as a DVD or CD-ROM. It may be stored in a medium (non-transitory storage medium), and installed in the storage device by loading the storage medium into a drive device.

Route travel control unit 272 controls driving force output device 260, brake device 262, and steering device 264 so that vehicle 200 travels on a designated route. Route information is received from the management device 300 by the communication device 220. The route information includes information on the boarding position and alighting position for each user. For example, the route travel control unit 272 applies the route acquired from the management device 300 to high-precision map information and determines a recommended lane in which the vehicle 200 should travel on the route. The high-precision map information is more precise than the map information held by the navigation device 230, and includes information such as the road width, gradient, curvature, and position of traffic lights for each lane, for example. The recommended lane is a lane determined for efficient travel on a route based on criteria such as, for example, staying in the left lane before turning left at an intersection or the like.

The route travel control unit 272 automatically causes the vehicle 200 to travel on the recommended lane while avoiding contact with objects whose positions and speeds have been input from the monitoring unit 210. Route travel control unit 272 generates a target trajectory on which vehicle 200 will travel in the future. The target trajectory includes, for example, a velocity element. For example, the target trajectory is expressed as a sequence of points (trajectory points) that the vehicle 200 should reach. The trajectory point is a point that the vehicle 200 should reach after every predetermined travel distance, and apart from that, the target speed and target acceleration for every predetermined sampling time (for example, about 0 tenths [sec]) are determined according to the target trajectory. generated as a part. Alternatively, the trajectory point may be a position to be reached by vehicle 200 at each predetermined sampling time. In this case, information on target speed and target acceleration is expressed by intervals between trajectory points. The boarding/exiting control section 280 also has the same function.

The boarding and alighting position search unit 274 refers to the input information from the monitoring unit 210, high-precision map information, etc., and stops the vehicle 200 at the boarding position and the alighting position included in the route information acquired from the management device 300. Search for a stopping position (boarding/alighting position) where the user can get on or off the vehicle. The boarding and alighting position search unit 274 searches for a boarding and alighting position based on the information input from the monitoring unit 210 and based on recognizable white lines and yellow lines on the road, road signs, road width, presence or absence of sidewalks and guardrails, etc. decide.

User recognition unit 276 recognizes a user who is about to board vehicle 200 based on input information from monitoring unit 210. For example, the user recognition unit 276 inputs images from a camera included in the monitoring unit 210 into a model that is learned by machine learning and can identify "a user who is about to get into the vehicle 200." Recognize users who are present.

The stop/start control unit 282 of the boarding/disembarking control unit 280 performs deceleration control and steering control to stop the vehicle 200 at the boarding/disembarking position searched and determined by the boarding/disembarking position search unit 274, or performs steering control to stop the vehicle 200 from the boarding/disembarking position toward the roadway. It performs deceleration control and steering control for starting the vehicle 200.

For example, when the vehicle 200 is stopped at the boarding/exiting position and information indicating that user authentication has been successful is obtained from the authentication device 242, the door lock control unit 284 locks the door of a predetermined door of the door lock device 266. Unlock the lock. Furthermore, after the user gets on the vehicle 200 and before the vehicle 200 is started by the stop/start control section 282, the door lock control section 284 locks the door lock of a predetermined door of the door lock device 266. do.

The HMI control unit 290 controls the HMI 238 to output various information to the user, and controls the HMI 238 and other devices to reflect instructions received by the HMI 238 from the user.

[Management device]
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the management device 300. The management device 300 includes, for example, a communication section 310, a front processing section 320, a transportation schedule determining section (determining section) 330, a route determining section 340, and a fee processing section (setting section) 350. The front processing section 320 includes a reception section 322 and an information provision section 324. These components are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as LSI, ASIC, FPGA, or GPU, or may be realized by collaboration between software and hardware. Good too. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as an HDD or flash memory (storage device equipped with a non-transitory storage medium), or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transitory storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM. The software may be installed in the storage device by attaching the storage medium to the drive device. The management device 300 may include a storage unit 370. The storage unit 370 is realized by a DVD, RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, or the like. The storage unit 370 stores information such as user information 372 that is information about users, transportation request list information 374, transportation schedule information 376, map information 378, and fee information 380. Details of the information stored in the storage unit 370 will be described later.

The communication unit 310 is, for example, a network card for connecting to the network NW. Communication unit 310 communicates with terminal device 100 and vehicle 200 via network NW.

The reception unit 322 acquires the transport request issued from the user's terminal device 100 via the communication unit 310 and registers it in the storage unit 370 as transport request list information 374.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the transportation request list information 374. The transportation request list information 374 includes, for example, an applicant ID that is the user ID of the user (applicant) who issued the transportation request, and a passenger ID that is the user ID of the user (passenger) who rides the vehicle 200. , the boarding position that is the starting point of the section related to transportation, the alighting position that is the ending point, the desired boarding time, and a transportation determined flag indicating whether or not transportation has been determined by the transportation schedule determination unit 330 (for example, 1 indicates transportation determined , 0 indicates undetermined transportation) are associated with each other. A set of applicant ID, rider ID, boarding position, alighting position, desired boarding time, and transport determined flag related to one transport request is referred to as a record. A transportation request is information in any format that contains the content necessary for a record to be generated.

The information providing unit 324 causes the terminal device 100 to provide information to the user in cooperation with the application program of the terminal device 100 by transmitting information to the user's terminal device 100. The form of information provision is not limited to this, and may be provided by e-mail or web page. The details will be described later.

The transportation schedule determination unit 330 determines a transportation schedule for the user by the vehicle 200 based on the records registered in the transportation request list information 374, and registers it in the transportation schedule information 376. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the transportation schedule information 376. The transportation schedule information 376 is generated for each vehicle ID, which is the identification information of the vehicle 200 used when a plurality of vehicles 200 are present, and for each operation date, for example. The transportation schedule information 376 is information in which, for example, information such as the boarding and alighting point, the scheduled arrival time, information indicating whether to board or alight, and the user ID of the user who is boarding and alighting is arranged in chronological order. The transportation schedule determination unit 330 determines the scheduled arrival time in the case of boarding based on the desired boarding time in the record of the transportation request list information 374, and determines the scheduled arrival time in the case of disembarking by taking into account the traffic information of the day, legal speed information, etc. Determine the scheduled arrival time.

Route determining section 340 determines a route to be instructed to vehicle 200 based on transport schedule information 376 and map information 378, and transmits the route information to vehicle 200 using communication section 310. The function of the route determination unit 340 is similar to existing navigation systems.

The fee processing unit 350 determines the fee (usage fee) for the user's transportation request. The fee processing unit 350 performs processing for collecting fees from users. For example, the fee processing unit 350 collects fees from users in cooperation with a credit card or electronic money management server.

[sequence]
The fee processing unit 350 determines the fee for using the service from the terminal device 100 based on the allowable time for confirming a reservation for the user's transportation schedule. For example, the fee processing unit 350 sets the service usage fee lower as the allowable time is longer. This process will be explained below.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the flow of processing executed by the terminal device 100, the vehicle 200, and the management device 300. The order of the processes in this sequence diagram may be changed, or some of the processes may be omitted.

First, the terminal device 100 transmits a transportation request to the management device 300 (step S100). The transportation request includes the applicant ID and the location information of the terminal device 100. Furthermore, the transportation request includes the boarding date and time when the user gets on the vehicle 200, the boarding position, the alighting position, the desired boarding time period, and the permissible time period. The desired riding time period is the time period during which the user will board the vehicle. Desired ride times include, for example, boarding a vehicle arranged by a transportation request between 10:00 and 11:00, or boarding a vehicle arranged by a transport request between 10:00 and 10:10. It is.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image IM1 displayed on the screen of the terminal device 100. The image IM1 includes a button G1 for setting the boarding date and time, a button G2 for setting the boarding position, a button G3 for setting the alighting position, a button G4 for setting the desired boarding time, and a button G4 for setting the boarding time. It includes a button G5 for setting, a button G6 for confirming the contents set by operating the buttons G1 to G5, and a button G7 for transmitting the determined contents to the management device 300. These buttons G1 to G7 are, for example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface).

As described above, the user can operate the terminal device 100 to set the boarding date and time, boarding position, alighting position, desired boarding time zone, permissible time, etc.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an image IM2 displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 100 when setting the permissible time. For example, when button B5 is operated on image IM1, image IM2 is displayed. Image IM2 includes button G5A, button G5B, and button G5C. Button G5A is a button for setting the shortest mode. Button G5B is a button for setting standard mode. Button G5C is a button for setting the longest mode. The shortest mode is a mode in which the user requests the management device 300 to confirm the transportation schedule earlier than other modes. The longest mode is a mode that allows users to have their transportation schedule finalized later than other modes. The standard mode is a mode that requires the transportation schedule to be determined in a standard time between the shortest mode and the longest mode.

For example, when the shortest mode is set, after the user sends a transportation request to the management device 300, the service can be used for the boarding point, the time period in which the vehicle arrives at the boarding point, and the service in a relatively short time. A vehicle is determined. Since these details are determined in a relatively short time, it is easy for the user to make a schedule.

For example, when the longest mode is set, after the user sends a transportation request to the management device 300, the service is used for a relatively long time at the boarding point, the time period during which the vehicle arrives at the boarding point, and the service. A vehicle is determined. The user determines these details in a relatively short period of time, but as will be described later, the usage fee is set lower than the usage fee when other modes are set. This is convenient for users who have plenty of time.

Note that the allowable time may be arbitrarily set by the user. However, an upper limit time may be set for the allowable time. If the allowable time exceeding the upper limit time is set, the management device 300 may request the user to reduce the allowable time to the upper limit time or less without determining a transport schedule for the transport request. Note that when the allowable time is arbitrarily set, the fee processing unit 350 sets the usage fee lower as the allowable time is longer within the range up to the upper limit time.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 6. When the management device 300 receives a transportation request from the terminal device 100 (step S102), the management device 300 determines a route for transporting the user and a transportation schedule based on the allowable time, the transportation request sent in step S100, and other transportation requests. (Step S104). Next, the management device 300 determines the usage fee for the service (step S106). Details of the processing in step S104 and step S106 will be described later.

Next, the management device 300 provides the terminal device 100 with the transportation schedule and usage fee information determined in step S104 and step S106 (step S108). The terminal device 100 displays the information provided to the management device 300 on the display unit. When the user performs an operation on the terminal device 100 to indicate consent to the determined transportation schedule and usage fee, the terminal device 100 transmits information indicating consent to the management device 300 (step S110).

Next, upon acquiring the information transmitted in step S110, the management device 300 transmits transportation schedule information to the vehicle 200 operated according to the transportation schedule based on the transportation schedule (step S112).

In this way, the management device 300 determines the transportation schedule based on the time allowed by the user until the transportation schedule is determined.

[flowchart]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing executed by the management device 300. This process is a process in which the management device 300 determines the transportation schedule and usage fee.

First, the management device 300 determines whether a transportation request has been obtained (step S200). When a transportation request is acquired, the management device 300 starts generating a transportation schedule (step S202). Next, the management device 300 determines whether the allowable time included in the transportation request has arrived (step 204). The allowable time is the time associated with the mode (shortest mode, standard mode, or longest mode) set by the user. When the allowable time has arrived, the management device 300 determines a transportation schedule (step S206). For example, the management device 300 refers to the transportation requests sent to other users and the transportation request acquired in step S200 until the allowable time arrives, and efficiently provides services to the user. Determine the transportation schedule that can be provided. Note that the relationship between the degree of subtraction, the degree of addition, and the allowable time mode is stored in the fee information 380.

Next, the management device 300 determines whether the mode related to the allowable time is the shortest mode (step S208). If the mode related to the allowable time is the shortest mode, the management device 300 determines the usage fee as a fee obtained by adding a predetermined amount to the standard fee (step S210). Next, the management device 300 transmits information indicating confirmation of the reservation including the determined usage fee to the user's terminal device 100 (step S212).

If the mode related to the allowable time is not the shortest mode, the management device 300 determines whether the mode related to the allowable time is the standard mode (step S214). If the mode related to the allowable time is the standard mode, the management device 300 determines the usage fee to be the standard usage fee (step S216), and proceeds to the process of step S212.

If the mode related to the allowable time is not the standard mode, the management device 300 determines that the mode related to the allowable time is the longest mode, and determines the fee obtained by subtracting the first predetermined degree as the usage fee (step S218), and in step S212 Proceed to processing.

Note that in the above process, the transportation schedule may be determined at a timing that exceeds the time corresponding to the mode set by the user. For example, this may be the case when a vehicle cannot be dispatched within the allowable time, or when a predetermined unspecified situation occurs. In this case, the usage fee may be subtracted according to the time that exceeds the allowable time. For example, if determining the transportation schedule takes more time than the longest mode, the management device 300 may subtract a second predetermined amount from the usage fee. The second predetermined degree is a subtraction degree greater than the first predetermined degree.

Furthermore, if the transportation schedule is determined (or is estimated to be determined) at a timing that exceeds the time corresponding to the mode set by the user (or the set time), the management device 300 A specific notification may be sent to the terminal device 100 including information indicating that the determination of the transportation schedule will exceed the time corresponding to the set mode. This improves user convenience.

Further, the specific notification may include information indicating that the usage fee after the confirmed time exceeds the permissible time will be lower than the usage fee before the permissible time. For example, the specific notification may include information indicating that a discount of XX percent will be given if the permissible time is exceeded, or the usage fee after the discount.

Through the above-described processing, the management device 300 can efficiently determine the transportation schedule based on real-time situations such as information obtained during the allowable time (for example, transport requests) and the situation during the allowable time.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the allowable time. As described above, the allowable time is the time from when the management device 300 acquires the transport request to when the transport schedule is determined. The time from when the transportation schedule is determined to the scheduled boarding time (the beginning of the scheduled boarding time) in the transportation schedule should be longer than the specified time, taking into account the time it takes for the user to travel to the boarding point. Set. For example, when determining a transportation schedule based on the allowable time of the mode set by the user, if the time from the determination of the transportation schedule to the scheduled boarding time is predicted to be less than the specified time, the management device 300 Does not accept mode settings. In this case, the management device 300 transmits information to that effect to the terminal device 100.

In the above example, the upper limit of the allowable time is set based on the time from the timing when the transportation schedule is determined to the scheduled boarding time that is equal to or longer than the specified time.

For example, as described above, the management device 300 creates a transportation schedule that is appropriate for the user and the operator based on the allowable time and the specified time, taking into account the convenience of the user and the efficiency of the operation. can be determined.

[Comparative example]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transportation schedule generated by processing performed by a management device of a comparative example. The management device of the comparative example determines the route of the transportation schedule based on a predetermined time without using the allowable time. In this case, when picking up a user at each of positions P1 and P2 at a predetermined time, the vehicle heads to the destination while repeatedly making detours such as right turns and left turns as shown in route R1. In this case, the operator cannot perform efficient operations. If efficient operations cannot be carried out, the costs required for operation will need to be reflected in usage fees.

On the other hand, the management device 300 of this embodiment determines the transportation schedule based on the allowable time. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a transportation schedule generated by the processing performed by the management device 300 of this embodiment. In this case, the management device 300 can flexibly determine the transportation schedule based on the service-related situation (vehicles to be dispatched and transportation requests) during the allowable time. For example, if the allowed time is longer than a predetermined time, the transportation requests obtained during that time increase (increase to requests related to P1-P4). The management device 300 determines a transportation schedule for a route R2 that picks up the user at positions P1 and P3, respectively, and determines a transportation schedule for a route R3 that picks up the users at positions P2 and P4, respectively. The cost of traveling on route R2 or route R3 to provide a service to a user is lower than the cost of traveling on route 1 and providing a service to a user. In this way, if the allowable time is set relatively long, the service can be operated efficiently and the operator can reduce usage fees.

In addition, if the allowable time is shorter than the predetermined time, the usage fee will be higher than the standard usage fee, so even if the operation is not efficient, the operator can compensate for the cost of operation with the addition of the usage fee. can. Furthermore, even if the usage fee is higher than the standard usage fee, the transportation schedule is determined at the desired time, which gives the user a sense of satisfaction and improves convenience.

According to the first embodiment described above, the management device 300 allows the user or the operator to set the service usage fee lower as the allowable time for the user's transportation schedule to confirm the reservation is longer. , it is possible to realize more appropriate service management.

<Second embodiment>
The second embodiment will be described below. In the first embodiment, the permissible time is set, but in the second embodiment, instead of (or in addition to) this, the user sets a desired time slot for boarding. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly explained.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image IM3 displayed on the display section of the terminal device 100 when setting the desired time slot for boarding. For example, when button B4 is operated on image IM1 in FIG. 7, image IM3 is displayed. Image IM4 includes button G4A, button G4B, and button G4C. Button G4A is a button for setting the first time zone. Button G4B is a button for setting standard time. Button G4C is a button for setting the second time zone. The first time slot is longer than the standard time or the second time slot. The second time slot is a standard time or a time slot shorter than the first time slot. The management device 300 determines the desired riding time slot to be the first time slot, standard time, or second time slot based on the user's operation on the image IM4.

[flowchart]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing executed by the management device 300. This process is a process in which the management device 300 determines the transportation schedule and usage fee. For example, the fee processing unit 350 sets the usage fee lower as the time period in which the user included in the transportation request wishes to board the vehicle is longer.

First, the management device 300 determines whether a transportation request has been obtained (step S300). When acquiring a transportation request, the management device 300 generates a transportation schedule (step S302). Next, the management device 300 determines whether the desired ride time slot is the first time slot (step S304).

If the desired ride time slot is the first time slot, the management device 300 adds a predetermined amount to the usage fee (step S306), and transmits information indicating confirmation of the reservation to the user's terminal device 100 (step S306). S308). The degree of addition may be different from the degree of addition in the first embodiment, or may be the degree of identification.

If the desired boarding time slot is not the first time slot, the management device 300 determines whether the boarding desired time slot is standard time (step S310). If the desired ride time slot is the standard time, the management device 300 sets the usage fee to the standard fee (step S312), and proceeds to the process of step S308. If the desired boarding time slot is not the standard time, the management device 300 determines that the boarding desired time slot is the second time slot, and subtracts the usage fee by a third predetermined degree (step S314), and step S308 Proceed to processing. Note that the relationship between the degree of subtraction and the degree of addition and the length of the desired ride time slot is stored in the fare information 380. This completes the processing of one routine in this flowchart.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle route depending on the desired time slot for boarding. For example, in pattern S1, it is assumed that the user transmits a transportation request to the management device 300 to ride at the boarding point P2 during the boarding time period 10:00-10:30. For example, in pattern S2, it is assumed that the user transmits a transportation request to the management device 300 to ride at the boarding point P2 during the boarding time period 10:00-11:30. It is assumed that the expected time required to reach position P2 from a point where the user stops before position P2 (for example, position P0) is the same.

In pattern S1, the boarding time slot is shorter than the desired boarding time slot in pattern S2, so the degree of freedom in route selection is small. Therefore, pattern S1 is a transportation schedule for a route in which user U1 is picked up at position P0, and then user U2 is picked up at position P2.

On the other hand, in pattern S2, the boarding time slot is longer than the desired boarding time slot in pattern S1, so the degree of freedom in route selection is greater. Therefore, pattern S2 is a transportation schedule for a route in which user U1 is picked up at position P0, user U3 is picked up at position P1, and then user U2 is picked up at position P2. As mentioned above, when the boarding time period is long, the vehicle only needs to arrive at the boarding position during that time period, so it is possible to allow other users to board or transport the vehicle along the way.

Through the processing described above, the management device 300 can generate an appropriate transportation schedule according to the boarding time period. For example, the management device 300 may set the usage fee relatively low when the boarding time period is relatively long and the efficiency of service operation is high; By setting the fees relatively high, it is possible to improve the user's sense of satisfaction and to operate the service more efficiently.

According to the second embodiment described above, the management device 300 provides a more appropriate service by setting the usage fee lower as the time period in which the user included in the transportation request wishes to board the vehicle is longer. Management can be realized.

<Third embodiment>
The third embodiment will be described below. The third embodiment is an embodiment that integrates the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the allowable time described in the first embodiment and the desired boarding time period described in the second embodiment are set. Hereinafter, differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be mainly described.

The management device 300 determines the usage fee and transportation schedule based on the allowable time and riding time zone set by the user. This will be explained below with reference to FIG.

[flowchart]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing executed by the management device 300. First, the management device 300 determines whether a transportation request has been obtained (step S400). If a transportation request is acquired, the management device 300 starts generating a transportation schedule (step S402).

Next, the management device 300 derives the degree of addition or subtraction regarding the desired time slot for the usage fee (step S404). Next, the management device 300 determines whether the allowable time has arrived (step S406). When the allowable time has arrived, the management device 300 generates a transportation schedule (step S408). Next, the management device 300 derives the degree of addition or subtraction regarding the allowable time to the usage fee (step S410).

Next, the management device 300 integrates (accumulates) the addition degree or subtraction degree derived in step S404 and the addition degree or subtraction degree derived in step S410, and derives a usage fee (step S412). Next, the management device 300 transmits information indicating confirmation of the reservation including the derived usage fee and the determined transportation schedule to the user's terminal device 100 (step S414). This completes the processing of one routine in this flowchart.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the allowable time and the desired riding time zone. If the end of the allowable time and the start of the desired ride time slot are less than the specified time, the management device 300 allows the user to Information requesting a change in the allowable time or the desired ride time slot may be transmitted to the terminal device 100 of the vehicle.

The fee processing unit 350 may set the usage fee to be lower as the difference between the timing at which the reception unit 322 receives the transportation request and the starting point of the desired ride time slot included in the transportation request is greater. For example, if the user sets the start of the desired ride time slot to a later time in the transportation request, the fee processing unit 350 lowers the usage fee according to the time from the start. However, an upper limit is set for times further in the future.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the allowable time, the desired ride time slot, and the usage fee. For example, the longer one or both of the allowable time and the desired ride time slot is, the cheaper the usage fee becomes, and the shorter the allowable time and/or the desired ride time slot are, the higher the usage fee is. For example, the influence that the allowable time has on the usage fee and the influence that the desired ride time period has on the usage fee may be the same or different.

For example, as described above, the management device 300 manages the user and management system based on the allowable time, the desired boarding time period, and the specified time, taking into account the convenience of the user and the efficiency of the operation. be able to determine an appropriate transportation schedule for the individual.

According to the third embodiment described above, more appropriate service operation is realized by determining the transportation schedule based on the user's allowable time until reservation confirmation for the transportation schedule and the desired ride time slot. can do.

<Fourth embodiment>
The fourth embodiment will be described below. The management device 300 of the fourth embodiment further has functions different from those of the first to third embodiments. If the user can be transported in a time zone different from the desired ride time zone included in the user's transportation request, the management device 300 sends information about the different time zone to the terminal device 100 associated with the user. Notice.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining information that the management device 300 notifies of different times. For example, assume that after a transportation schedule is generated to pick up user P21 at 10:00 and user P22 at 10:10, a transportation request is sent to the management device 300 in which user P23 requests a ride at 11:00. do. It is assumed that the position where the user P23 gets on the vehicle is a position on the route R21 along which the vehicle carrying the users P21 and P22 heads to the destination, and the destinations of each user are in the same direction. In this case, the management device 300 notifies the user P23 in order to suggest that the user P23 ride the vehicle at another riding time slot. Furthermore, the management device 300 includes information indicating that the usage fee will be lower if the user receives the service in another different riding time slot in the notification of the information on the other boarding time slots. When the user P23 heads to the destination using a schedule different from the schedule for route R21 (schedule for route R22), the usage fee is cheaper than when the user P23 heads for the destination using the schedule for route R21.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the image IM4 displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 100. For example, if user P23 rides in the same vehicle as users P21 and P22, the service can be provided by one vehicle. The management device 300 provides information indicating that the boarding time will be changed to a time within a predetermined time (for example, 10:15) after the user P22 boarded the vehicle, and that the usage fee will be reduced if the boarding time is changed. Provide users with information indicating the For example, when the user accepts the change, if the user operates the consent button displayed on the display unit, the ride time will be changed, and if the user operates the button not to accept, the ride time will not be changed.

According to the fourth embodiment described above, when the management device 300 can transport the user in a time zone different from the desired ride time zone included in the user's transportation request, the management device 300 allows the management device 300 to By notifying this information, it is possible to improve the convenience between users and operators.

The embodiment described above can be expressed as follows.
A management device that manages a service in which a vehicle that can run autonomously runs without a driver on board and transports users in the vehicle in a designated section,
a storage device that stores the program;
comprising a hardware processor;
By the hardware processor executing the program,
Accepts transportation requests from terminal devices,
determining a transportation schedule for the user by the vehicle based on the transportation request;
The longer the allowable time until confirmation of a reservation for the transportation schedule of the user included in the transportation request, the lower the usage fee for the service is set;
Management device.

Although the mode for implementing the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments in any way, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. can be added.

For example, the management device 300 may be mounted on the vehicle 200. Furthermore, vehicle 200 may be a remotely operated vehicle that is remotely operated from a remote location. In this case, vehicle 200 transmits various information acquired by monitoring unit 210 to an external device using communication device 220. The external device generates (or reproduces) an image showing the surrounding situation of the vehicle 200 based on the received various information and presents it to the remote operator. At this time, images and the like may be corrected by pre-reading processing in order to compensate for delays due to communication. The remote operator operates the driving controls based on the presented image. The operation performed on the driving operator is transmitted to the vehicle 200, and the vehicle 200 runs based on the received operation.

100 Terminal device 200 Vehicle 220 Communication device 240 In-vehicle monitoring device 242 Authentication device 270 Automatic driving control unit 300 Management device 310 Communication section 320 Front processing section 322 Reception section 324 Information provision section 330 Transportation schedule determination section 340 Route determination section 350 Fares processing Section 370 Storage section 372 User information 374 Transportation request list information 376 Transportation schedule information 378 Map information U User

Claims (11)

A management device that manages a service in which a vehicle that can run autonomously runs without a driver in the vehicle and transports users in the vehicle in a designated section determined according to the user's reservation status ,
a reception unit that accepts transportation requests from terminal devices;
a setting unit that sets a usage fee for the service to be lower as the allowable time until confirmation of a reservation for the transportation schedule of the user included in the transportation request is longer;
a determining unit that determines a transportation schedule for the user by the vehicle, including dispatch of the vehicle and a route for the vehicle, based on the transportation request including the allowable time ;
A management device comprising: A management device that manages a service in which a vehicle that can run autonomously runs without a driver on board and transports users in the vehicle in a designated section,
a reception unit that accepts transportation requests from terminal devices;
a determining unit that determines a transportation schedule for the user by the vehicle based on the transportation request;
a setting unit that sets a usage fee for the service to be lower as the allowable time until confirmation of a reservation for the transportation schedule of the user included in the transportation request is longer;
If it is estimated that the confirmation time until the decision unit confirms the user's reservation for the transportation schedule exceeds the allowable time, a message is sent to the terminal device associated with the user, indicating that if the allowable time is exceeded. an information provision department that notifies that it is estimated;
A management device comprising: The information providing unit indicates, in the notification that it is estimated that the permissible time will be exceeded, that the usage fee after the confirmed time exceeds the permissible time will be lower than the usage fee before exceeding the permissible time. include information;
The management device according to claim 2. A management device that manages a service in which a vehicle that can run autonomously runs without a driver on board and transports users in the vehicle in a designated section,
a reception unit that accepts transportation requests from terminal devices;
a determining unit that determines a transportation schedule for the user by the vehicle based on the transportation request;
a setting unit that sets a usage fee for the service lower as the allowable time until confirmation of a reservation for the transportation schedule of the user included in the transportation request is longer;
The determining unit does not determine a transportation schedule based on the transportation request if the time from the start point of the desired boarding time slot included in the transportation request to the end point of the allowable time period is less than or equal to a specified time;
Management device. The determining unit does not determine the transportation schedule based on the transportation request that includes the allowable time that exceeds the upper limit time.
A management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The setting unit sets the usage fee to be lower as the time period during which the user wants to board the vehicle included in the transportation request is longer.
A management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The setting unit sets the usage fee to be lower as the difference between the timing at which the reception unit receives the transportation request and the starting point of the desired time period included in the transportation request is large.
The management device according to claim 6. The determining unit,
If the user can be transported in a time zone different from the desired ride time zone included in the user's transportation request, information on the different time zone is notified to a terminal device associated with the user. further comprising an information provision department;
A management device according to claim 6 or 7. The information providing unit includes information indicating that the usage fee will be lower if the user receives the service in the different time slot in the notification of the time slot information.
The management device according to claim 8. A management device that manages a service in which a vehicle that can run autonomously runs without a driver and transports users in a specified section determined according to the user's reservation status ,
Accepts transportation requests from terminal devices,
The longer the allowable time until the reservation is confirmed for the transportation schedule of the user included in the transportation request, the lower the usage fee for the service is set;
determining a transportation schedule for the user by the vehicle, including dispatch of the vehicle and a route for the vehicle, based on the transportation request including the allowable time ;
Management method. In a computer of a management device that manages a service in which a vehicle that can run autonomously runs without a driver on board and transports users in a specified section determined according to the user's reservation status ,
Accept transportation requests from the terminal device,
The longer the allowable time until confirmation of a reservation for the transportation schedule of the user included in the transportation request, the lower the usage fee for the service is set;
determining a transportation schedule for the user by the vehicle, including dispatch of the vehicle and a route for the vehicle, based on the transportation request including the allowable time ;
program.

Images