Remote driving managing apparatus and computer-readable storage medium

A remote driving managing apparatus is provided, including a request information receiving unit configured to receive, from a communication terminal of a user of a vehicle, request information for requesting for remote driving of the vehicle, a determining unit configured to associate the vehicle with a user of the remote driving apparatus that is to remotely drive the vehicle based on the request information, a key data generating unit configured to generate, based on vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle, key data for enabling to remotely drive the vehicle via a remote driving apparatus of a user associated with the vehicle by the determining unit, and a key data sending unit configured to send the key data to a communication terminal of the user associated with the vehicle by the determining unit.

The contents of the following Japanese patent application are incorporated herein by reference:NO. 2018-114474 filed in JP on Jun. 15, 2018

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a remote driving managing apparatus and a computer-readable storage medium.

2. Related Art

A technology to remotely drive a vehicle by an electric vehicle or to remotely drive a vehicle by a remote driving apparatus for remote driving has been known (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).

PRIOR ART LITERATURE

Patent Document

SUMMARY

It is desirable to provide a technology that can improve vehicle security at the time of providing a remote driving service of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1schematically shows one example of the remote driving system10. The remote driving system10includes a remote driving managing apparatus100, a plurality of remote driving facilities200, a plurality of remote driving vehicles300and a vehicle400. Although one vehicle400is illustrated inFIG. 1, there may be a plurality of vehicles400.

The remote driving facility200is a facility for remotely driving the vehicle400through a network80. The network80may be any network, and, for example, may include at least any one of the Internet, a mobile phone network such as so-called 3rd Generation (3G) network, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 4th Generation (4G) network and 5th Generation (5G) network, a public wireless Local Area Network (LAN) and a dedicated network.

The remote driving facility200is a facility mocking a driver seat of an automobile, for example. The remote driving facility200has a manipulating unit that accepts manipulation by a user20of the remote driving facility200, and a communication unit that sends, to the vehicle400, a control signal corresponding to the manipulation made on the manipulating unit. The remote driving facility200is one example of a remote driving apparatus. The manipulating unit includes a manipulating member that is required for driving the vehicle, such as a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a shift lever and a blinker lever. Also, the manipulating unit may also further include a manipulating member for manipulating equipment such as a car navigation system, an air conditioner, an audio, a slide door, a sunroof and a seat heater. The communication unit receives an image that is of a surrounding area of the vehicle400and that is captured by an image capturing unit included in the vehicle400. The remote driving facility200has a display unit that displays an image that is of the surrounding area of the vehicle400and that is received by the communication unit. The user20manipulates the manipulating unit while viewing the image displayed on the display unit, thereby achieving remote driving of the vehicle400.

The remote driving vehicle300is an automobile that has a remote driving function of remotely driving the vehicle400through the network80. Driving (described as manual driving in some cases) may be possible on the remote driving vehicle300by manipulating a manipulating unit included in the remote driving vehicle300. Also, so-called automated driving may also be possible on the remote driving vehicle300.

The remote driving vehicle300has a manipulating unit that accepts manipulation by a user30of the remote driving vehicle300, and a communication unit that communicates with the vehicle400and the remote driving managing apparatus100. The remote driving vehicle300is one example of a remote driving apparatus. The manipulating unit includes a manipulating member required for driving of the vehicle, such as a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a shift lever and a blinker lever. Also, the manipulating unit may further include a manipulating member for manipulating equipment such as an air conditioner, an audio, a car navigation system, a slide door, a sunroof and a seat heater. The communication unit receives an image that is of a surrounding area of the vehicle400and that is captured by an image capturing unit included in the vehicle400. The remote driving vehicle300has a display unit that displays an image that is of a surrounding area of the vehicle400and that is received by the communication unit. The remote driving vehicle300has, for example, a manual driving mode and a remote driving mode. The remote driving vehicle300travels according to manipulation made on the manipulating unit in the manual driving mode, and sends, to the vehicle400, a signal corresponding to the manipulation made on the manipulating unit in the remote driving mode. The user30can remotely drive the vehicle400by switching the mode of the remote driving vehicle300that is, for example, parked in a parking area of the user30's own home to the remote driving mode.

The vehicle400is an automobile that can be remotely driven by the remote driving facility200and the remote driving vehicle300. In addition to being able to be remotely driven, the vehicle400can be manually driven. Also, automated driving may be possible on the vehicle400. The vehicle400may have a manual driving mode in which the vehicle400travels according to a control signal based on manual driving, an automated driving mode in which the vehicle400travels according to a control signal based on automated driving, and a remotely driven mode in which the vehicle400travels according to a control signal based on remote driving.

In a case of the manual driving mode, the vehicle400travels according to manipulation made on the manipulating unit by a user40. In a case of the automated driving mode, the vehicle400performs travelling, stopping, turning and the like of itself by using an apparatus, such as an image capturing unit and a radar that are provided to the vehicle400, location information and map information independent of steering, accelerator pedal manipulation, brake pedal manipulation, gear change manipulation, and the like by the driver. In a case of the remotely driven mode, the vehicle400performs travelling, stopping, turning and the like according to a control signal received from the remote driving facility200or the remote driving vehicle300.

The remote driving managing apparatus100provides a remote driving service to a plurality of users40of the vehicles400. The remote driving managing apparatus100may provide the remote driving service to the user40who is registered with the service.

The remote driving managing apparatus100may store registration data of a plurality of users40. The registration data may include identification information for identifying the user40, attribute information of the user40, identification information for identifying the vehicle400used by the user40, vehicle information of the vehicle400and identification information for identifying a communication terminal700of the user40. The communication terminal700may be a terminal carried by the user40, and, for example, may be a mobile phone such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer (PC), and the like.

The attribute information of the user40may include basic information of the user40. As examples of the basic information of the user40, the name, the address, the date of birth, the age, the gender and the like of the user40are given.

The attribute information of the user40may include a driving style of the user40. The driving style of the user40indicates a driving tendency of the user40. As examples of the driving style, a driving speed tendency, a tendency of the number of times of acceleration/deceleration, a bypath utilization tendency, a side trip tendency and the like are given.

The driving speed tendency indicates a tendency of travelling speed of a vehicle in a case where the user40drives the vehicle. For example, the driving speed tendency indicates whether the driving speed is faster or slower than an average one. As a specific example, the driving speed tendency is represented by levels such as fast, slightly fast, average, slightly slow and slow. Stages of the levels are not limited to five stages and may be stages in any number.

The tendency of the number of times of acceleration/deceleration indicates a tendency of the number of times of acceleration and deceleration in a case where the user40drives the vehicle. Generally, as the number of times of acceleration/deceleration is larger, it is determined in many cases that the driving is rough. For example, the tendency of the number of times of acceleration/deceleration indicates whether the number of times of acceleration/deceleration is larger or smaller than an average one. As a specific example, the tendency of the number of times of acceleration/deceleration is represented by levels such as large, slightly large, average, slightly small and small. Stages of the levels are not limited to five stages and may be stages in any number.

The bypath utilization tendency indicates a utilization tendency of a bypath in a case where the user40drives the vehicle. For example, the bypath utilization tendency indicates whether the bypath utilization tendency is higher or lower than an average one. As a specific example, the bypath utilization tendency is represented by levels such as high, slightly high, average, slightly low and low. Stages of the levels are not limited to five stages and may be stages in any number.

The side trip tendency indicates a tendency of taking a side trip in a case where the user40drives the vehicle. For example, the side trip tendency indicates whether the number of times for taking a side trip until arriving at a destination is higher or lower than an average one. As a specific example, the side trip tendency is represented by levels such as high, slightly high, average, slightly low and low. Stages of the levels are not limited to five stages and may be stages in any number.

The attribute information of the user40may include a driving history of the user40. The driving history of the user40includes various histories in a case where the user40drives the vehicle. As examples of the driving history of the user40, a driving time period, a driving time point, a location of the vehicle at each time point, a speed of the vehicle, manipulation contents by the user40and the like are given. As examples of the manipulation contents, steering wheel manipulation amount, an accelerator pedal stepping amount, a brake pedal stepping amount, the number of times of acceleration/deceleration and the like are given. The driving history of the user40may also include history of an area in which the user40drives and causes the vehicle to travel, a history of a time period during which the user40drives and causes the vehicle to travel, a history of a destination to which the user40drives and causes the vehicle to move, and the like.

The vehicle information may include a vehicle name of the vehicle. The vehicle name is, for example, a designation of the vehicle. The vehicle name may be a so-called pet name. Also, the vehicle name may also be a so-called marque.

The vehicle information may include a specification of the vehicle. The specification is a sign or a term that is used for distinguishing vehicles having the same designation by differences in interiors, exteriors, seats, transmissions and the like. The specification may also be information that is called a so-called grade.

The vehicle information may include a vehicle body style of the vehicle. The vehicle body style is a sign or a term used for indicating a style of the vehicle, and, for example, is information described in a vehicle body style column of a vehicle inspection certificate. As examples of the vehicle body style, a saloon, a convertible, a station wagon and the like are given. Also, the vehicle body style may also be information that is called a so-called body type. As examples of the body type, a sedan, a coupe, a compact car, an open-top car, a minivan, an estate car, a station wagon, a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), a light automobile and the like are given.

The vehicle information may include a vehicle model of the vehicle. The vehicle model may be a classification of structures or sizes of the vehicle. As examples of the vehicle model, a standard passenger car, a small passenger car, a light four-wheel passenger car, a small truck, a light four-wheel truck, a standard automobile, a small automobile, a light automobile, a large special automobile, a small special automobile and the like are given.

The vehicle information may include equipment information that indicates equipment of the vehicle. The equipment information indicates an optional equipment of the vehicle, for example. As examples of the optional equipment, a power sliding door, a sunroof, a seat heater, an air purifier and the like are given.

The remote driving managing apparatus100may cause a user of the remote driving apparatus registered with the remote driving service to remotely drive the vehicle400. The remote driving managing apparatus100may store registration data of the user of the remote driving apparatus. The registration data may include identification information for identifying the user20, attribute information of the user20, identification information for identifying the remote driving facility200used by the user20, identification information for identifying the communication terminal700of the user20, and a time period during which the remote driving can be performed. Also, the registration data may include identification information for identifying the user30, attribute information of the user30, identification information for identifying the remote driving vehicle300used by the user30, vehicle information of the remote driving vehicle300, identification information for identifying the communication terminal700of the user30, and a time period during which the remote driving can be performed. The attribute information of the user20and of the user30may be similar to the attribute information of the user40. The vehicle information of the remote driving vehicle300may be similar to the vehicle information of the vehicle400.

The time period during which the remote driving can be performed is a time period during which the user20and the user30can remotely drive the vehicle400, and can be registered by the user20and the user30, for example. The user20may register the time period during which the remote driving can be performed in the remote driving managing apparatus100via the remote driving facility200. Also, the user30may register the time period during which the remote driving can be performed in the remote driving managing apparatus100via the remote driving vehicle300. Also, the user20and the user30may also register, by the communication terminal700, the time period during which the remote driving can be performed in the remote driving managing apparatus100via the network80.

When receiving the request information for requesting for remote driving of the vehicle400and that is sent from the communication terminal700of the user40, the remote driving managing apparatus100refers to each registration data and selects a user who is to remotely drive the vehicle400.

The request information includes at least any one of the identification information of the user40, the identification information of the communication terminal700of the user40and the identification information of the vehicle400. The request information may include section information that indicates a travelling section in which the vehicle400travels by remote driving. The request information may include location information that indicates the location of the vehicle400. The request information may include time information that indicates a time period during which the remote driving of the vehicle400is desired.

When it is desired to perform the remote driving from the user40's home to a destination, for example, the user40of the vehicle400sends, to the remote driving managing apparatus100, the request information including the section information that indicates a travelling section from the user40's home to the destination, and the time information determined based on departure time and required time from the user40's home to the destination. The required time from the user40's home to the destination may be set by the user40, may also be set by the communication terminal700of the user40, and may also be set by a navigation apparatus included in the vehicle400.

Also, for example, when the vehicle40is moved by manual driving on a path to the destination and when the remote driving is desired on a partial section of the path, the user40of the vehicle400sends, to the remote driving managing apparatus100, the request information including section information that indicates the section and time information that indicates a time period during which the vehicle travels on the section.

Also, for example, when the vehicle400is moved by automated driving to the destination and when a remote driving section that is a section in which the vehicle400travels by remote driving is included within the movement path, the vehicle400sends, to the remote driving managing apparatus100, the request information including the section information that indicates the section and the time information that indicates a time period during which the vehicle400travels in the section. The remote driving section is, for example, a section in which the automated driving cannot be performed, a section in which the automated driving is prohibited, a section in which the automated driving is not proper, and the like.

When receiving a plurality of pieces of request information, with respect to each of the plurality of pieces of request information, the remote driving managing apparatus100selects a user of the remote driving apparatus who is to remotely drive the vehicle400and associates the selected user with the vehicle400. For example, the remote driving managing apparatus100first refers to the time information included in the request information, and the time period during which the remote driving can be performed included in the registration data of the user of the remote driving apparatus, and specifies, as a candidate, a user having a time period during which the remote driving can be performed that includes a time period indicated by the time information. If there are a plurality of candidates, the remote driving managing apparatus100selects the user who is to remotely drive the vehicle400of the vehicle400and associates the selected user with the vehicle400based on the attribute information of the user40of the vehicle400and the attribute information of the plurality of the candidate users of the remote driving apparatuses.

Also, the remote driving managing apparatus100may also refer to the plurality of pieces of request information with respect to each of the plurality of users of the remote driving apparatuses, and select, from a plurality of users40, a user40of the vehicle400that is to be remotely driven by the user of the remote driving apparatus, and associate the selected user40with the user of the remote driving apparatus. For example, the remote driving managing apparatus100first determines, as a target to be processed, one user among a plurality of users of the remote driving apparatuses registered with the service, and refers to the time period, during which the remote driving can be performed, of the one user and the time information included in the plurality of pieces of request information to specifies, as a candidate, an user40who has the time period, indicated in the time information, which is included in the time period during which the remote driving can be performed. If there are a plurality of candidates, the remote driving managing apparatus100selects a user40of a vehicle400that is to be remotely driven by one user of one remote driving apparatus based on the attribute information of the one user of the one remote driving apparatus, and the attribute information of the plurality of candidate users40of the vehicles400, and associates the selected user40with the one user of the one remote driving apparatus.

After associating the user40of the vehicle400with the user of the remote driving apparatus, the remote driving managing apparatus100generates, based on the identification information of the vehicle400, key data for enabling to remotely drive the vehicle400via the remote driving apparatus of the user. The remote driving managing apparatus100generates the key data that is valid only once, for example. The remote driving managing apparatus100may generate the key data by using any method.

The remote driving managing apparatus100sends the generated key data to the communication terminal700of the user of the remote driving apparatus. The user sends the key data to the remote driving apparatus via short-range radio communication from the communication terminal700, for example.

The remote driving apparatus establishes connection with the vehicle400by using the received key data. The remote driving apparatus sends, to the vehicle400, a control signal based on the remote driving by the user via the established connection. According to such a flow, the remote driving of the vehicle400is achieved by the user of the remote driving apparatus.

FIG. 2schematically shows one example of a processing flow of the remote driving system10. Here, a processing flow is described from a time when the communication terminal700of the user40sends the request information to the remote driving managing apparatus100to a time when the remote driving of the vehicle400is performed.

In Step102(the term “Step” may be abbreviated to S), the communication terminal700sends, to the remote driving managing apparatus100, the request information according to an instruction of the user40. The remote driving managing apparatus100selects the user who is to remotely drive the vehicle400based on the received request information. Here, a case where the user30of the remote driving vehicle300is selected is given as an example.

In S104, the remote driving managing apparatus100generates the key data based on the identification information of the vehicle400and sends the generated key data to the communication terminal700of the user30. In S106, the communication terminal700sends the key data to the remote driving vehicle300. For example, short-range radio communication, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Felica (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark) and the like, is possible between the communication terminal700and the remote driving vehicle300. The communication terminal700sends the key data to the remote driving vehicle300by the short-range radio communication.

In S108, the remote driving vehicle300establishes the connection with the vehicle400by using the key data received in S106. In S110, the remote driving vehicle300is remotely driven by the vehicle400via the connection established in S108. The vehicle400sends, to the remote driving vehicle300, an image that is of a surrounding area of the vehicle400and that is captured by an image capturing unit, and the remote driving vehicle300sends a control signal based on the remote driving to the vehicle400.

FIG. 3schematically shows one example of a functional configuration of the vehicle400. The vehicle400includes a manipulation contents acquiring unit402, an image capturing unit412, a radar apparatus414, a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)416, an object recognizing unit418, an image acquiring unit420, a wireless communication unit430and a vehicle control unit440.

The manipulation contents acquiring unit402acquires the manipulation contents to a manipulating unit included in the vehicle400. For example, the manipulation contents acquiring unit402acquires a steering angle of the steering wheel, a stepping operation amount of the accelerator pedal, a stepping operation amount of the brake pedal and the like.

The image capturing unit412is a digital camera utilizing a solid-state imaging device such as Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS), for example. One or more image capturing units412are provided to any position of the vehicle400. When capturing an image of the front area, the image capturing unit412is provided to an upper portion of a front windshield, a back surface of a room mirror, or the like. When a plurality of image capturing units412are provided, the plurality of image capturing units412may capture images in different directions. The image capturing unit412periodically and repeatedly captures images of the surrounding area of the vehicle400, for example. The image capturing unit412may be a stereo camera.

The radar apparatus414radiates radio waves such as a millimeter wave and the like toward areas surrounding the vehicle400, and detects a radio wave (reflected wave) reflected by an object to detect at least a location (a distance and a direction) of the object. One or more of radar apparatuses414are provided to any position of the vehicle400. The radar apparatus414may also detect a location and a speed of the object by a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FM-CW) manner.

The LIDAR416emits light toward areas surrounding the vehicle400to measure scattered light. The LIDAR416detects a distance to a target based on a period of time from light emission to light reception. The emitted light is, for example, pulse laser light. One or more LIDARs416are provided to any position of the vehicle400.

The object recognizing unit418recognizes a location, a type, a speed and the like of the object based on a detection result by some or all of the image capturing unit412, the radar apparatus414and the LIDAR416. The object recognizing unit418outputs the recognition result to the vehicle control unit440. Also, if necessary, the object recognizing unit418may output, to the vehicle control unit440, the detection results by the image capturing unit412, the radar apparatus414and the LIDAR416as they are.

The image acquiring unit420acquires an image captured by the image capturing unit412. The wireless communication unit430performs wireless communication with the remote driving managing apparatus100, the remote driving facility200and the remote driving vehicle300via the network80. In a case where the vehicle400is in a remotely driven mode, the wireless communication unit430sends the image acquired by the image acquiring unit420to the remote driving facility200or the remote driving vehicle300. Also, in a case where the vehicle400is in a remotely driven mode, the wireless communication unit430receives a control signal based on remote driving from the remote driving facility200or the remote driving vehicle300and outputs the control signal to the vehicle control unit440.

The vehicle control unit440controls the vehicle400. The vehicle control unit440may have a location acquiring unit that acquires a location of the vehicle400. The location acquiring unit receives location information of the vehicle400from the navigation apparatus included in the vehicle400, for example. The navigation apparatus of the vehicle400has a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, for example, and the GNSS receiver identifies the location of the vehicle400based on a signal received from a GNSS satellite. Note that the location acquiring unit may also have the GNSS receiver.

The vehicle control unit440may acquire destination information that indicates a destination of the vehicle400and path information that indicates the movement path to the destination. The vehicle control unit440acquires the destination information and the path information from the navigation apparatus included in the vehicle400, for example.

The vehicle control unit440acquires first map information including at least map information of the movement path indicated by the path information. The vehicle control unit440receives the first map information from the navigation apparatus of the vehicle400, for example. Also, the vehicle control unit440may also receive the first map information via the network80from a map management server that manages map information of various locations. The first map information is information in which shapes of roads are represented by links showing the roads and by nodes connected by the links, for example. The first map information may also include curvatures of the roads, Point Of Interest (POI) information or the like. The first map information may be updated at any time.

The vehicle control unit440may also further acquire second map information including at least map information of the movement path indicated by the path information. Similar to the first map information, the vehicle control unit440may receive the second map information from the navigation apparatus of the vehicle400, or receive the second map information via the network80. The second map information is map information with higher precision than the first map information. The second map information includes information of a center of a lane, information of a boundary between lanes or the like, for example. Also, the second map information may include road information, traffic regulation information and the like. The second map information may be updated at any time.

In a case where the vehicle400is in the automated driving mode, the vehicle control unit440may control the travelling of the vehicle400by using the location acquired by the location acquiring unit, the information received from the object recognizing unit418and the first map information. The vehicle control unit440may control the travelling of the vehicle400by further using the second map information. In a case where the vehicle400is in the manual driving mode, the vehicle control unit440may control the travelling of the vehicle400according to the manipulation contents acquired by the manipulation contents acquiring unit402.

In a case where the vehicle400is in the remotely driven mode, the vehicle control unit440controls the travelling of the vehicle400according to the control signal received by the wireless communication unit430from the remote driving facility200or the remote driving vehicle300.

FIG. 4schematically shows one example of a remote driving facility200. InFIG. 4, the illustration of a manipulating member other than the steering wheel214and the pedal216is omitted.

The remote driving facility200includes a display unit218, a control unit220, a key data reading unit230, a wireless communication unit240, a display control unit250and a manipulation contents acquiring unit260. The control unit220performs various types of control.

The key data reading unit230reads the key data from the communication terminal700. The key data reading unit230may read the key data from the communication terminal700by the short-range radio communication.

The wireless communication unit240communicates with the remote driving managing apparatus100. Also, the wireless communication unit240communicates with the vehicle400. The wireless communication unit240may communicate with the vehicle400via the remote driving managing apparatus100. Also, the wireless communication unit240may also communicate with the vehicle400via the network80without using the remote driving managing apparatus100.

The manipulation contents acquiring unit260acquires the manipulation contents to the manipulating member of the remote driving facility200. The manipulation contents acquiring unit260acquires the steering angle of the steering, the stepping operation amount of the pedal216, and the like, for example.

When the key data reading unit230reads the key data, the control unit220controls the wireless communication unit240and uses the key data to establish the connection with the vehicle400. After the connection with the vehicle400is established, the control unit220causes the wireless communication unit240to send, to the vehicle400, a control signal corresponding to the manipulation contents acquired by the manipulation contents acquiring unit260.

The wireless communication unit240receives an image sent by the wireless communication unit430of the vehicle400. The display control unit250displays the image received from the vehicle400by the wireless communication unit240on the display unit218. Note that the remote driving facility200may also include a projector and a screen instead of the display unit218. In this case, the display control unit250may project, by the projector, the image received by the wireless communication unit240on the screen.

FIG. 5schematically shows one example of a functional configuration achieved by the control unit220. The control unit220may function as a key data acquiring unit222, a connection establishing unit224and a control signal sending unit226.

The key data acquiring unit222acquires the key data. The key data acquiring unit222receives the key data from the key data reading unit230. The connection establishing unit224uses the key data acquired by the key data acquiring unit222to establish the connection with the vehicle400. The control signal sending unit226controls the wireless communication unit240so as to send, to the vehicle400, a control signal corresponding to the manipulation contents acquired by the manipulation contents acquiring unit260via the connection established by the connection establishing unit224.

FIG. 6schematically shows one example of the functional configuration of the remote driving vehicle300. The remote driving vehicle300includes a control unit310, a manipulation contents acquiring unit320, a key data reading unit330, a wireless communication unit340and a display control unit350. The control unit310performs various types of control.

The manipulation contents acquiring unit320acquires the manipulation contents to the manipulating unit included in the remote driving vehicle300and outputs the acquired manipulation contents to the control unit310. For example, the manipulation contents acquiring unit320acquires the steering angle of the steering, the stepping operation amount of the accelerator pedal, the stepping operation amount of the brake pedal, and the like. In a case where the remote driving vehicle300is in the manual driving mode, the control unit310controls the remote driving vehicle300according to the manipulation contents.

The key data reading unit330reads the key data from the communication terminal700. The key data reading unit330may read the key data from the communication terminal700by the short-range radio communication.

The wireless communication unit340communicates with the remote driving managing apparatus100. Also, the wireless communication unit340communicates with the vehicle400. The wireless communication unit340may communicate with the vehicle400via the remote driving managing apparatus100. Also, the wireless communication unit340may also communicate with the vehicle400via the network80without using the remote driving managing apparatus100.

When the remote driving vehicle300is in the remote driving mode and when the key data reading unit330reads the key data, the control unit310controls the wireless communication unit340and uses the key data to establish the connection with the vehicle400. After the connection with the vehicle400is established, the control unit310outputs, to the wireless communication unit340, the control signal corresponding to the manipulation contents acquired by the manipulation contents acquiring unit320. The wireless communication unit340sends the control signal to the vehicle400via the network80.

The wireless communication unit340receives an image sent by the wireless communication unit430of the vehicle400and outputs the received image to the display control unit350. The display control unit350causes the display unit included in the remote driving vehicle300to display the received image.

In a case where the automated driving can be performed on the remote driving vehicle300, a similar configuration to the image capturing unit412, the radar apparatus414, the LIDAR416and the object recognizing unit418may further included.

FIG. 7schematically shows one example of the functional configuration achieved by the control unit310. The control unit310may function as a key data acquiring unit312, a connection establishing unit314and a control signal sending unit316.

The key data acquiring unit312acquires the key data. The key data acquiring unit312receives the key data from the key data reading unit330. The connection establishing unit314uses the key data acquired by the key data acquiring unit312to establish the connection with the vehicle400. The control signal sending unit316controls the wireless communication unit340so as to send, to the vehicle400, a control signal corresponding to the manipulation contents acquired by the manipulation contents acquiring unit320via the connection established by the connection establishing unit314.

FIG. 8schematically shows one example of the functional configuration of the remote driving managing apparatus100. The remote driving managing apparatus100includes a storage unit102, a driving history acquiring unit104, a history analyzing unit106, an attribute indication receiving unit108, a vehicle information collecting unit110, a request information receiving unit120, an information acquiring unit122, a determining unit124, a key data generating unit126and a key data sending unit128. Note that the remote driving managing apparatus100does not necessarily include all of these components.

The storage unit102stores various types of information. The storage unit102stores the registration data of the user40. Also, the storage unit102stores the registration data of the user20. Also, the storage unit102stores the registration data of the user30.

The driving history acquiring unit104acquires the driving history. The driving history acquiring unit104stores the acquired driving history in the storage unit102.

The driving history acquiring unit104acquires the driving history of the user40. The driving history acquiring unit104may regularly acquire the driving history of the user40registered with a remote driving service provided by the remote driving managing apparatus100.

The driving history acquiring unit104receives, from the vehicle400, the driving history of the user40recorded by the vehicle400during a period during which the user40performs the manual driving on the vehicle400, for example. When the communication terminal700of the user40manages the driving history of the user40, the driving history acquiring unit104may also receive the driving history of the user40from the communication terminal700. Also, the driving history acquiring unit104may also receive the driving history of the user40from a management server that manages the driving history of the user40.

Also, the driving history acquiring unit104acquires the driving history of the user of the remote driving apparatus. The driving history acquiring unit104may regularly acquire the driving history of the user of the remote driving apparatus registered with the remote driving service provided by the remote driving managing apparatus100.

The driving history acquiring unit104receives, from the remote driving vehicle300, the driving history of the manual driving of the user30recorded by the remote driving vehicle300during a period during which the user30performs the manual driving on the remote driving vehicle300, for example. Also, the driving history acquiring unit104receives the driving history of the remote driving of the user30recorded by the remote driving vehicle300, the remote driving managing apparatus100or the vehicle400during a period during which the user30performs the remote driving on the vehicle400by the remote driving vehicle300, for example. In a case where the communication terminal700of the user30manages the driving history of the user30, the driving history acquiring unit104may also receive the driving history of the user30from the communication terminal700. Also, the driving history acquiring unit104may also receive the driving history of the user30from a management server that manages the driving history of the user30.

Also, the driving history acquiring unit104receives the driving history of the remote driving of the user20recorded by the remote driving facility200, the remote driving managing apparatus100or the vehicle400during a period during which the user20performs the remote driving on the vehicle400by the remote driving facility200, for example. In a case where the communication terminal700of the user20manages the driving history of the user20, the driving history acquiring unit104may also receive the driving history of the user20from the communication terminal700. Also, the driving history acquiring unit104may also receive the driving history of the user20from a management server that manages the driving history of the user20.

The history analyzing unit106analyzes the driving history acquired by the driving history acquiring unit104. The history analyzing unit106analyzes the driving history of the user40to specify the driving style of the user40, for example. Also, the history analyzing unit106analyzes the driving history of the user of the remote driving apparatus to specify the driving style of the user of the remote driving apparatus, for example.

The attribute indication receiving unit108receives an indication of an attribute information type. The attribute indication receiving unit108receives one or more attribute indications among a plurality of types of attributes included in the attribute information. The attribute indication receiving unit108receives the indications of the attribute information types by the user40, for example. The attribute indication receiving unit108causes a display unit included in the communication terminal700of the user40, or the vehicle400to display a list of the attribute information types and receives the indications of the attribute information types from the user40, for example.

The vehicle information collecting unit110collects the vehicle information. The vehicle information collecting unit110may receive the vehicle information of the remote driving vehicle300from the remote driving vehicle300. Also, the vehicle information collecting unit110may also receive the vehicle information of the remote driving vehicle300from the communication terminal700of the user30. The vehicle information collecting unit110may receive the vehicle information of the vehicle400from the vehicle400. Also, the vehicle information collecting unit110may also receive the vehicle information of the vehicle400from the communication terminal700of the user40. Note that the vehicle information collecting unit110may also receive the vehicle information of the remote driving vehicle300and the vehicle information of the vehicle400via the network80from a vehicle information management server that manages vehicle information of a plurality of vehicles.

The storage unit102may include the vehicle information collected by the vehicle information collecting unit110in each registration data. The storage unit102may also store the vehicle name correspondence information. The vehicle name correspondence information is information associating vehicle names of vehicles that have the same or similar structures with each other. For example, the vehicle names of the vehicles in an Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) relation are associated with each other and registered with the vehicle name correspondence information. Also, for example, the vehicle names of the vehicles that are determined to have similar structures may also be associated with each other and registered with the vehicle name correspondence information. The determination is performed by an administrator and the like of the remote driving managing apparatus100, for example.

The request information receiving unit120receives the request information for requesting for the remote driving of the vehicle400. The request information receiving unit120may receive the request information sent by the communication terminal700of the user40. The request information receiving unit120may store the received request information in the storage unit102.

The information acquiring unit122acquires the information stored in the storage unit102. In a case where the request information receiving unit120has received the request information, for example, the information acquiring unit122acquires the attribute information of the user40of the vehicle400that is a target to be remotely driven. Also, the information acquiring unit122acquires the attribute information of the user of the remote driving apparatus who can perform the remote driving during a time period indicated by the time information included in the request information among a plurality of users of remote driving apparatuses.

Also, in a case where the request information receiving unit120has received the request information, the information acquiring unit122acquires the vehicle information of the vehicle400that is a target to be remotely driven. When the request information includes vehicle information, the information acquiring unit122acquires the vehicle information. When the request information does not include the vehicle information, the information acquiring unit122receives the vehicle information from the storage unit102.

Also, the information acquiring unit122acquires vehicle information of a plurality of remote driving vehicles300. The information acquiring unit122acquires the vehicle information of the remote driving vehicle300of the user30that can perform the remote driving during a time period indicated by the time information included in the request information, among the plurality of remote driving vehicles300.

The determining unit124associates the vehicle400with the user of the remote driving apparatus that is to remotely drive the vehicle400based on the request information received by the request information receiving unit120. The determining unit124selects, from a plurality of remote driving apparatuses, a user that is to remotely drive the vehicle400and associates the user with the vehicle400based on one piece of request information received by the request information receiving unit120, for example. For example, the determining unit124selects, as a candidate, from the plurality of users of the remote driving apparatuses, a user that can remotely drive the vehicle400during a time period indicated by the time information included in the request information. If there are a plurality of candidates, the determining unit124may also select a user that is to remotely drive the vehicle400further based on the information acquired by the information acquiring unit122.

For example, the determining unit124selects, from a plurality of users of remote driving apparatuses, an user of the remote driving apparatus that remotely drive the vehicle400based on the attribute information of the user40acquired by the information acquiring unit122and the attribute information of the plurality of users of the remote driving apparatuses.

When the attribute indication receiving unit108has received an indication of an attribute information type, the determining unit124may select the user of the remote driving apparatus based on the indicated attribute type that is included in the attribute information of the user40and the indicated attribute type that is included in the attribute information of the user of the remote driving apparatus. Accordingly, for example, the user of the remote driving apparatus can be selected based on an attribute type on which the user40places importance among a plurality of types of attributes.

The determining unit124may select one user of a remote driving apparatus based on the attribute information of the user40and the attribute information of the plurality of users of remote driving apparatuses. Also, the determining unit124may also first select a plurality of users of remote driving apparatuses based on the attribute information of the user40and the attribute information of the plurality of users of the remote driving apparatuses, and present the selected users of the remote driving apparatuses to the user40as candidates, and select one user of the remote driving apparatus indicated by the user40as the user of the remote driving apparatus that is to remotely drive the vehicle400. Presentation of the candidates to the user40and reception of the indication from the user40may be performed via the vehicle400or the communication terminal700of the user40.

For example, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus having the indicated information among the basic information and that matches the indicated information among the basic information of the user40. The determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus whose age matches the age of the user40, for example. Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus whose gender matches the gender of the user40, for example. When the age and the gender are the same, a possibility that the driving characteristics are also similar to each other is relatively higher. Accordingly, the user of the remote driving apparatus who has the driving characteristic similar to the driving characteristic of the user40can remotely drive the vehicle400of the user40.

The determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus whose driving style matches the driving style of the user40, for example. Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus whose driving style similar to the driving style of the user40, for example.

The determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus who has a tendency of the driving speed matches the tendency of the driving speed of the user40, for example. Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus who has a tendency of the driving speed similar to the tendency of the driving speed of the user40, for example. That the tendencies of the driving speeds are similar may mean that the levels of the driving speeds are adjacent levels such as the level “slight fast” and the level “fast”, for example. Accordingly, the user of the remote driving apparatus who drives at a driving speed that possibly makes the user40feel less uncomfortable can remotely drive the vehicle400of the user40.

Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus who has a tendency of the number of times of acceleration/deceleration matches the tendency of the number of times of acceleration/deceleration of the user40, for example. Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus who has a tendency of the number of times of acceleration/deceleration similar to the tendency of the number of times of acceleration/deceleration of the user40, for example. That the tendencies of the number of times of acceleration/deceleration are similar may mean that the levels of the number of times of acceleration/deceleration are adjacent levels such as the level “slightly large” and the level “large”, for example. Accordingly, the user of the remote driving apparatus whose roughness of driving or a degree of safety driving matches that of the user40can remotely drive the vehicle400of the user40.

Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus having a bypath utilization tendency that matches the bypath utilization tendency of the user40, for example. Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus having a bypath utilization tendency that is similar to the bypath utilization tendency of the user40, for example. That the bypath utilization tendencies are similar may mean that the levels of the bypath utilization tendencies are adjacent levels such as the level “slightly high” and the level “high”, for example. Accordingly, for the user40who rarely utilizes a bypath and prefers to travel a main street, the user of the remote driving apparatus who often utilizes a bypath can be prevented from being selected. Also, for the user40who often utilizes a bypath, the user of the remote driving apparatus who travels on a main street only can be prevented from being selected.

Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus having a side trip tendency that matches the side trip tendency of the user40, for example. Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus having a side trip tendency that is similar to the side trip tendency of the user40, for example. That the side trip tendencies are similar may mean that the levels of the number of times of the side trip are adjacent levels such as the level “slightly high” and the level “high”, for example. Accordingly, when the user40is a person who often takes a side trip and is a person who also prefers to take a side trip at the time of remote driving, a user of a remote driving apparatus who has got used to a side trip can remotely drive the vehicle400of the user40.

The determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus having a driving history that matches the driving history of the user40, for example. Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus having a driving style similar to the driving history of the user40, for example.

The determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus having a travelling area tendency that matches the travelling area tendency of the user40, for example. Accordingly, for example, the user of the remote driving apparatus who is familiar with geography of an area in which the vehicle400is to be remotely driven can remotely drive the vehicle400. Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus having a travelling time tendency that matches the travelling time tendency of the user40, for example. Also, the determining unit124selects the user of the remote driving apparatus having a destination tendency that matches the destination tendency of the user40, for example. Accordingly, for example, when the user40is a person who often visits a ramen restaurant, a user of a remote driving apparatus who is with the large number of times of movements to a ramen restaurant by a vehicle and who is familiar with ramen restaurants that can be visited by a vehicle can remotely drive the vehicle400of the user40.

The determining unit124may select the user of the remote driving apparatus by combining a plurality of the above-described conditions. Accordingly, from a plurality of viewpoints, the user of the remote driving apparatus who is suitable for the user40can remotely drive the vehicle400of the user40.

The determining unit124compares the vehicle information of the vehicle400acquired by the information acquiring unit122to the vehicle information of the plurality of remote driving vehicles300, and selects the user30who is to remotely drive the vehicle400based on a comparison result. The determining unit124may select one user30based on the comparison result. Also, the determining unit124may also first select the plurality of users30based on the comparison result, present the selected users30as candidates to the user40, and select one user30indicated by the user40as the user30who is to remotely drive the vehicle400. The presentation of the candidates to the user40and the reception of the indication from the user40may be performed via the vehicle400or the communication terminal700of the user40.

The determining unit124may select the user30based on the vehicle name of the vehicle400and the vehicle names of the plurality of remote driving vehicles300. For example, the determining unit124selects the user30of the remote driving vehicle300whose vehicle name matching the vehicle name of the vehicle400. Also, for example, the determining unit124selects the user30of the remote driving vehicle300including a part of the vehicle name of the vehicle400. Also, for example, the determining unit124selects the user30of the remote driving vehicle300whose vehicle name has a higher matching degree with the vehicle name of the vehicle400than a threshold. The matching degree of the vehicle names may be calculated by any calculation method. For example, the matching degree of the vehicle names may be a matching degree of strings of the vehicle names. The threshold may be arbitrarily determined, and may also be changeable. Also, for example, the determining unit124may also refer to vehicle name correspondence information stored in the storage unit102and select the user30of the remote driving vehicle300who has the vehicle name corresponding to the vehicle name of the vehicle400.

The determining unit124may also select the user30based on the vehicle name and the specification of the vehicle400, and the vehicle names and the specifications of a plurality of remote driving vehicles300. For example, the determining unit124selects the user30of the remote driving vehicle300having the matched specification among the remote driving vehicles300selected based on the vehicle names as described above. Also, for example, the determining unit124calculates a matching degree between the specification of the vehicle400and the specification of each of the remote driving vehicles300selected based on the vehicle names, and selects the user30of the remote driving vehicle300based on the matching degree. The matching degree of the specifications may be calculated by any calculation method. For example, a similarity degree of the specifications may be a matching degree of the strings of the specifications. The determining unit124selects the user30of the remote driving vehicle300having the maximum matching degree, for example.

The determining unit124may also select the user30based on the equipment information of the vehicle400and the equipment information of the plurality of remote driving vehicles300. For example, the determining unit124selects the user30of the remote driving vehicle300having the equipment information that matches the equipment information of the vehicle400. Also, for example, the determining unit124calculates the matching degree between the equipment information of the vehicle400and the equipment information of the plurality of remote driving vehicles300, and selects the user30of the remote driving vehicle300based on the matching degree. The matching degree of the equipment information may be calculated by any calculation method. For example, the matching degree of the equipment information may be a ratio of the number of the equipment which matches the equipment of the remote driving vehicle300among the equipment of the vehicle400, to the number of the equipment of the vehicle400. For example, when the number of the equipment of the vehicle400is 10, and 8 pieces of the equipment among the equipment of the vehicle400match the equipment of the remote driving vehicle300, the matching degree is 80%.

The determining unit124may also select the user30based on the vehicle name and the equipment information of the vehicle400, and the vehicle names and the equipment information of the plurality of remote driving vehicles300. Also, the determining unit124may also select the user30based on the vehicle name, the specification and the equipment information of the vehicle400, and the vehicle names, the specifications and the equipment information of the plurality of remote driving vehicles300.

Also, with respect to one user of one remote driving apparatus among the plurality of remote driving apparatuses registered with the remote driving service, the determining unit124may also select, based on a plurality of pieces of request information received by the request information receiving unit120, one vehicle400from among a plurality of vehicles400and associate the selected vehicle400with the user of the remote driving apparatus. The determining unit124specifies, as a candidate from the plurality of vehicles400, the vehicle400whose time information included in the request information is included in the time period, during which the remote driving can be performed, of the one user of the one remote driving apparatus, for example. When there are a plurality of candidates, the determining unit124may also select the vehicle400that is to be remotely driven by the one user of the one remote driving apparatus further based on the information acquired by the information acquiring unit122.

For example, the determining unit124selects, from among the plurality of vehicles400, the vehicle400that is to be remotely driven by one user of one remote driving apparatus based on the attribute information of the one user of the one remote driving apparatus, and the attribute information of the plurality of users40of the vehicles400. The selection method may be similar to the above-described method of selecting, from among the plurality of users of the remote driving apparatuses, the user of the remote driving apparatus who is to remotely drive the vehicle400.

When the remote driving apparatus is the remote driving vehicle300, the determining unit124may compare the vehicle information of the remote driving vehicle300acquired by the information acquiring unit122to the vehicle information of the plurality of vehicles400, and select the vehicle400that is to be remotely driven by one user30of one remote driving vehicle300based on the comparison result. The selection method may be similar to the above-described method of comparing the vehicle information of the vehicle400acquired by the information acquiring unit122to the vehicle information of the plurality of remote driving vehicles300, and selecting the user30who is to remotely drive the vehicle400based on the comparison result.

The key data generating unit126generates the key data. The key data generating unit126generates, based on the identification information of the vehicle400that is a target to be remotely driven, the key data for enabling to remotely drive the vehicle400via the remote driving apparatus corresponding to the vehicle400. For example, the key data generating unit126may generate, based on the identification information of the vehicle400that is a target to be remotely driven, the key data for enabling to remotely drive the vehicle400via the remote driving apparatus of the user associated with the vehicle400by the determining unit124. The key data generating unit126generates the key data that is valid only once, for example.

The key data sending unit128sends the key data generated by the key data generating unit126, to the communication terminal700of the user of the remote driving apparatus associated, by the determining unit124, with the vehicle400that is the target to be remotely driven.

FIG. 9schematically shows one example of a hardware configuration of a computer1000that functions as the remote driving managing apparatus100. The computer1000according to the present embodiment includes a CPU peripheral unit having a CPU1010, a RAM1030and a graphic controller1085that are mutually connected by a host controller1092, and an input/output unit having a ROM1020, a communication I/F1040, a hard disk drive1050and an input/output chip1080that are connected to the host controller1092by an input/output controller1094.

The CPU1010operates based on programs stored in the ROM1020and the RAM1030to perform control on each unit. The graphic controller1085acquires image data generated by the CPU1010and the like on a frame buffer provided within the RAM1030, and displays the image data on a display. Instead of this, the graphic controller1085may also include the frame buffer that stores the image data generated by the CPU1010and the like therein.

The communication I/F1040communicates with another apparatus via a wired or wireless network. Also, the communication I/F1040functions as hardware performing communications. The hard disk drive1050stores programs and data that are used by the CPU1010.

The ROM1020stores a boot program that is executed when the computer1000runs, and a program and the like depending on the hardware of the computer1000. The input/output chip1080connects various input/output devices to the input/output controller1094via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port and the like, for example.

A program provided to the hard disk drive1050via the RAM1030is stored in a recording medium such as an IC card and is provided to a user.

The program is read from the recording medium, installed in the hard disk drive1050via the RAM1030, and executed on the CPU1010.

A program that is installed in the computer1000and that causes the computer1000to function as the remote driving managing apparatus100may work on the CPU1010and the like to cause the computer1000to respectively function as each unit of the remote driving managing apparatus100. The information processing described in these programs function, by being read by the computer1000, as the storage unit102, the driving history acquiring unit104, the history analyzing unit106, the attribute indication receiving unit108, the vehicle information collecting unit110, the request information receiving unit120, the information acquiring unit122, the determining unit124, the key data generating unit126and the key data sending unit128that are specific means on which software and the above-described various hardware resources cooperate with each other.

Then, by implementing, by these specific means, an information operation or processing in accordance with a purpose of usage of the computer1000in the present embodiment, a specific remote driving managing apparatus100in accordance with the purpose of usage is constructed.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES