DE102020111475A1 - Method and processor circuit and system for operating a mobility solution for a vehicle fleet with several motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle fleet (10) with several motor vehicles (11), with operating devices (14 ') from several people (14) who are strangers to one another who move from a respective starting point (16) by means of the vehicle fleet (10) want to be transported to a respective destination (17), respective location data relating to the starting location (16) and the destination (17) are received and respective route data of a route (15) are determined for each person (14) on the basis of their location data. The invention provides that a processor circuit (12) determines whether their route (15) can be determined for at least two of the people (14) with a common route portion (23), and on the basis of data about the interests of the respective person (14 ) such interests are determined by several of the people (14) who match according to a predetermined matching criterion, and at least two people (14) are selected if a common route share and at least one common interest are recognized for them, and these are identified by means of a single motor vehicle ( 11) are transported together.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a mobility solution for a vehicle fleet with several motor vehicles. In particular, the invention provides that by means of a processor circuit made up of operating devices of several, unfamiliar people who are to be transported from a respective starting point to a respective destination by means of the vehicle fleet, respective location data relating to the starting location and the destination are received and for each person based on their Location data respective route data of a route along which the respective person is to be transported from their starting point to their destination by means of the vehicle fleet, and one of the motor vehicles is currently being operated to transport at least one of the people along the route determined for them. In addition, the invention also provides a processor circuit and a system.

Future mobility solutions will increasingly not be tied to the main user (i.e. based on private vehicles), but will be conveyed and used via mobility services. In other words, motor vehicles will presumably be used to a growing proportion as rental vehicles or autonomous taxi vehicles by different users and will be ordered or ordered by them via order software to a starting point of a trip. As a rule, it is a wish of a person to be transported to have a motor vehicle to himself or to only travel with people they know. This is particularly the case with passenger cars that do not offer sufficient space to evade. If a fleet operator for a mobility service wants to be able to transport a certain number of people who are strangers to each other at the same time, he needs a correspondingly large vehicle fleet, which can make the operation of the mobility service inefficient. Even with a passenger brokerage, one is interested in being able to transport as many people as possible with just a few motor vehicles that are available for carpooling. In the following, mobility services and passenger services are collectively referred to as mobility solutions.

With available electronic social media (social medias such as "spotted" (R)) an attempt is being made to provide a way of being able to contact people who have been seen in another vehicle. In addition, so-called dating apps (app - software application for a mobile device, such as a smartphone) are used to track people who are "ready for dating" in the immediate vicinity. In addition, there are a large number of apps and websites that want to connect people with the same interests.

the EP 0 519 716 A2 shows a system for providing information necessary to meet a desired person while traveling. A participant of the system registers his attribute data, attribute data of a desired person and his travel plan data so that each participant has the opportunity to meet another person desired according to the attribute data while traveling by accessing an output list file via a terminal. The disadvantage here is that the meeting can only take place if the planned travel route and travel time coincide, which is left to chance here.

the US 2014/0129629 A1 shows a system for retrieving social information from passengers associated with a particular flight from a social network and delivering the social information to a potential passenger of that flight. At least two passengers assigned to the flight are brought into contact via the social network by means of social information if they so wish. The disadvantage here is that all persons involved must have booked the same flight in advance in order to be able to recognize them as potential travel companions.

the US 2013/018810 A1 shows a method to allow several customers with similar interests to interact with one another, for example in a tour bus. The method includes collecting profile data from consumers regarding their interests, hobbies or memberships and combining matching consumers when buying or purchasing services, such as a trip. The disadvantage here is that only one seat allocation within a given travel group can be tailored to the interests of an otherwise fully planned trip.

The invention is based on the object of efficiently transporting people traveling independently of one another by means of a vehicle fleet.

The object is achieved by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the following description and the figure.

The invention provides a method for operating a mobility solution or a mobility service for a vehicle fleet with several motor vehicles Location data relating to the starting location and the destination are received and based on for each person their location data, respective route data of a route along which the respective person is to be transported by means of the vehicle fleet from their starting location or a pick-up location assigned to the starting location to their destination or a drop-off location assigned to the destination, and with at least one of the vehicles currently being transported one of the persons is operated along the route determined for this. Said pick-up location and said drop-off location can each be, for example, a parking space reserved for the mobility solution, or a stop. Said assignment can consist, for example, in that the closest pick-up / drop-off location is selected in each case.

As a solution to the problem, the invention provides that the processor circuit uses a predetermined search algorithm to determine whether their route can be determined for at least two of the people with a common route portion, and that the processor circuit uses data of interests of the respective person to determine whether their route is common or Matching interests of several of the people are determined who match according to a predetermined match criterion, and at least two people are selected if a common route share and at least one common interest are recognized for them, and the people selected as passengers on the respective common route section each by means of a single motor vehicle are transported together. In other words, strangers are initially transported or transported together in order to increase efficiency, and only people who are compatible according to their interests are combined, which is particularly important in a small space (especially for a distance of less than 1 meter, such as in a passenger car) is advantageous. This results in the advantage that even in a small motor vehicle, e.g. a motor vehicle, people strangers to one another can be transported at a short distance from one another without creating stress and / or a feeling of lack of privacy among the people. In the method, the interest data can include dating data from a dating app and / or profile data from an app for interest groups (e.g. model builders or computer players). Likewise, interests can include an interest in computer games or an interest in a personal relationship. In addition, the respective operating device can be a smartphone or a personal computer (PC). In addition, the respective motor vehicle can be an autonomously driving motor vehicle and / or a passenger car. The match criterion can be interpreted by a person skilled in the art, taking into account how the interests are digitally described in the processor circuit, for example as value information or category information. The apps described at the beginning can be used here.

The invention also includes advantageous additional embodiments.

One embodiment provides that, based on route data of the routes of the people, the search algorithm is configured so that people with the same starting point and / or destination and / or with an intersection of their routes and / or with a common route section between two intersection points along their routes are selected will. In other words, it is provided that people with the same starting point can get into the same motor vehicle together and carry out their journey together to an intersection or to the destination, or people in different motor vehicles are transported separately to an intersection and they are there together in a common motor vehicle Continue your journey to your destination. This has the advantage that a route of a respective trip of two people does not have to match completely, but a partial match (from the starting point to an intersection or between two intersections or from an intersection to a destination) is sufficient to use the same motor vehicle for more than just one person to use at a time. The said intersection can be a junction at which the routes of at least two people converge (at least one person can get on) or diverge (at least one person can get out or change to another motor vehicle). An intersection point can also lie along a common route section, in particular where there is an opportunity to get on / off / change trains. A rest area or a gas station, for example, can be selected as the intersection.

One embodiment provides that at least two of the people whose interests match are initially transported separately in different motor vehicles, and at an intersection and / or along a common section of their route for each of these people at least one predetermined event that leaves the respective Motor vehicle includes, is determined and the events determined for these people are coordinated with one another in terms of time and location. The processor circuit can carry out a corresponding planning in that the events are planned in a coordinated manner. In other words, staying outside the vehicle during the event ensures that every person has an alternative. This has the advantage that each person has his own control over a respective process of getting to know each other or that people who are were recognized ready to date and / or have the same interest, can decide for themselves during the event whether they actually want to speak to each other. With "of equal interest" is meant the agreement according to the agreement criterion. The respective event can include a meal break or a charging process or refueling process for the respective motor vehicle.

One embodiment provides that for people who get to know each other during the event and continue the same route together and signal this by means of change request data, changed route data for a joint transport are determined and these people are transported in a joint motor vehicle according to the changed route data for their further journey will. In other words, it is provided that a person can change his mind spontaneously or during the event if an acquaintance with one of the other people that is of interest to him arises at the event and she would like to continue her journey together with this acquaintance. This has the advantage that people who were transported separately to the event and get to know each other there through their common interests can continue the further journey together. The change request data can in particular include input data to, for example, the respective operating device and / or position data and / or connection data of the respective operating device (e.g. Bluetooth or WLAN connection data), the position data and / or connection data signaling that the person is boarding another motor vehicle or is recognized. In this case, the person simply has to get into another motor vehicle, whereby the said change request data can already arise.

One embodiment provides that, for at least one of the people, a signal indicating the presence of a person of the same interest who is located within a predetermined distance is signaled by means of at least one output unit. In other words, it is provided that the respective person is actively and / or automatically made aware of another person of the same interest. This has the advantage that misunderstandings can be avoided if several people are present and / or at the beginning of a meeting. Here, the distance can be a radius around the person (for example with a 1 meter to 100 meter radius) or a mapped area (e.g. a room or a square or a building). In addition, the presence can be recognized by a geoposition signaled by means of a mobile terminal carried by the person of the same interest.

One embodiment provides that the information signal is output by means of the output unit on a screen and / or a head-up display and / or by means of a headlight projection. In other words, it is provided that the respective person is drawn to the attention graphically or optically. This results in the advantage that the person can be directed in one direction because the person will turn their gaze towards the optical signal. Here, the headlight projection can include a flashing signal or a symbol (e.g. an arrow) projected onto the ground by means of a pixel matrix projector, for example.

One embodiment provides that the respective route of the people is determined by the search algorithm on the basis of a comparison of a trip duration and / or route length and / or start time on the one hand and an opportunity to get to know another person of the same interest on the other hand, and the match criterion the match as Describes a respective numerical value and, according to a predetermined cost function, two routes and / or start times of two people that differ from one another and are minimized in terms of travel duration and / or route length are aligned with one another and that a detour is planned for at least one of the two people or both people if the cost function is a Value optimization based on the numerical value of the match results. The value optimization can provide an increase in a profit value calculated by the cost function or a decrease in a cost value calculated by the cost function. The value optimization can mean an absolute optimum or just an improvement in terms of the cost function. The respective minimized route is the route that leads from the respective starting point to the destination with the shortest driving distance and / or in the presumably shortest driving time. In other words, it is provided that an incentive or incentive to accept a detour is created. This has the advantage that a single motor vehicle can be used to transport more than one of the people on at least one part of the route, without the people having to perceive the detour as a deterioration in the mobility solution. The cost function can include a comparison function for the (eg time and / or monetary) effort through the detour and the gain through the numerical value of the correspondence and / or an optimization function for an optimization problem from the prior art. The minimized route can be assigned an initial value for its length / its assigned travel duration. Every detour (additional distance and / or travel time) can have a penalty value, but every time that can be spent with a person of the same interest and / or shared On the other hand, a section of the route can result in a bonus value. The sum of the initial value + malus value + bonus value can be optimized in compliance with the boundary condition that every person should reach their destination. In addition, the numerical value of the agreement can include, for example, a number of corresponding interests or a quantification of different degrees of interest (e.g. “very interested” or “moderately interested”) in the same topic (e.g. football).

One embodiment provides that, according to the cost function when aligning the routes, a resulting detour and / or a resulting travel time extension and / or a start time deviation is permitted to be greater, the greater the agreement and / or the more people with the same interest have been identified . In other words, it is provided that the maximum possible deviation from the minimized route depends on what “profit” there is for the respective person in relation to the possibility of getting to know a person with the same interests, that is to say a person with the same interests. This has the advantage that the greater the correspondence between the interests of two people, this can be used to increase the merging of routes and thus the reduction in the number of motor vehicles for the transport of these two people by adding a correspondingly larger deviation is set by the respective minimized route. Here, the detour can include a deviation from the minimized route length of the minimized route. In addition, the travel time extension can include a deviation from a minimized probable travel time of the minimized route.

The invention also provides a processor circuit for controlling a vehicle fleet, at least one processor being provided in the processor circuit and the processor circuit being set up to receive location data from operating devices of people and to use the location data to determine routes for transporting people. The invention is characterized in that the processor circuit is set up to carry out a method according to the invention. The processor circuit can be implemented, for example, as a computer or a computer network. The processor circuit can be implemented, for example, as a server on the Internet.

The invention also provides a system for transporting people, the system for transporting a vehicle fleet with a plurality of motor vehicles. The system is characterized in that the system has a processor circuit according to the invention.

The motor vehicle used according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger vehicle or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

Realizations of the invention can also have combinations of the features of several of the described embodiments, if these have not been expressly described as alternatives.

• Fig. eine schematische Darstellung eines Systems aus einer Prozessorschaltung und einer Fahrzeugflotte mit mehreren Kraftfahrzeugen.

The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawings. The only figure shows:

• FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system comprising a processor circuit and a vehicle fleet with several motor vehicles.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention which are to be considered independently of one another and which also further develop the invention in each case independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described.

In the figure, the same reference symbols denote functionally identical elements.

A vehicle fleet is shown 10 . At least one motor vehicle, for example, can be part of this 11 and / or a processor circuit 12th , for example at least one processor 13th , be. The vehicle fleet 10 and the processor circuit 12th represent a system of a mobility solution. As part of the mobility solution, the motor vehicles 11 be used as rental vehicles or, for example, privately used vehicles that offer a lift.

Furthermore, at least one person is shown 14th . the respective person 14th may be interested in using the mobility solution, ie getting away from at least one of the motor vehicles 11 from a respective starting point 16 to a respective destination 17th to be promoted. Each person can do this using an operating device 14 ' corresponding location data 18th to the processor circuit 12th send. The respective control unit 14 ' can be designed, for example, as a mobile terminal device, such as a smartphone or tablet PC. The location data 18th can, for example, via a respective communication link 19th to the processor circuit 12th be transmitted. The processor circuit 12th for example as a server of the Internet 20th be realized. The respective communication link 19th for example, a cellular connection to a cellular network 21 and / or an internet connection 19 ' include.

Through the processor circuit 12th can be based on the location data 18th a procedure to be carried out for that particular person 14th an itinerary or route for short 15th to determine by means of which respective person 14th with at least one of the motor vehicles 11 from the respective starting point 16 to the respective destination 17th should be promoted. The method can be implemented on the basis of program instructions that are stored in a data memory of the processor circuit 12th can be stored and which cause the processor circuit, when executed by the processor circuit, to carry out the method.

In one step S10 can use the location data 18th be received. In one step S11 can by means of a predetermined search algorithm 22nd it is determined whether there is at least two of the people 14th their route 15th with a common route share 23 can be determined, and in one step S12 can based on data of interest 24 of the respective person 14th such common interests several of the people 14th are determined according to a predetermined match criterion 25th to match. Here, for example, on a match criterion 25th can be accessed from a dating app or an app for interest groups.

In one step S13 can at least two of the people 14th selected or identified as the respective common passengers of the mobility solution, if a common route share for them 23 and at least one matching interest can be recognized.

In one step S14 will be the people selected as passengers 14th on the respective common route section 23 each by means of a single motor vehicle 11 promoted together. The processor circuit 12th corresponding control signals or route data 15 ' to the vehicle fleet 10 send out. Is it the vehicle fleet? 10 about autonomous vehicles 11 or motor vehicles 11 with autonomous driving function, so can through the processor circuit 12th a remote control of the motor vehicles 11 be made. Is it the case of the motor vehicles 11 The respective driver of the motor vehicle can 11 be instructed accordingly.

The said data of interest 24 can for example through the respective control unit 14 ' over the communication link 19th to the processor circuit 12th be transmitted. The interest data 24 can also be retrieved from another data source, for example an Internet portal, in which the respective person 14th can be registered as a member. It can be an internet portal for the mobility solution.

The search algorithm 22nd may provide that initially for each person 14th a minimized route 26th is determined, which can be optimized (namely minimized) with regard to the travel distance and / or travel time. As shown in the figure, this can lead to that for any person 14th another minimized route 26th results, so there is no common route section. Then would be for the transportation of the two people 14th two vehicles throughout 11 the vehicle fleet 10 necessary.

The search algorithm 22nd but can provide that based on the interest data 24 it is determined that for the two people 14th the match criterion 25th is satisfied. This can be used to monitor the utilization of the vehicle fleet 11 to reduce. To do this, building on the minimized routes 26th or with only a minimized route 26th each a detour 27 planned or determined through which the common route section is 23 for the routes 15th of the two people 14th results. The balance between the length and / or duration of the detour 27 and the interest data 24 can by means of a cost function 22 ' of the search algorithm 22nd be carried out in the manner described.

The resulting, determined routes 15th can at an intersection 28 converge and come to an intersection 29 diverge. Each person 14th can up to the intersection 28 by means of a respective motor vehicle 11 be promoted at the intersection 28 can a person 14th e.g. to the other person 14th in their motor vehicle 11 get on, so on the common section of the route 23 only one motor vehicle 11 for the transport of both people 14th necessary is. The remaining motor vehicle 11 is thus available for other passenger transport. At the intersection 29 can be another motor vehicle 11 join them (shown by the dashed arrow) or wait for one of the people 14th can get out and the two people 14th on the separately continuing routes 15th to their respective destination 17th can be promoted.

To the people 14th to give them the opportunity to spontaneously decide during their respective journey whether they should be with the other person at all 14th travel together or get promoted want to be, it can be provided that at the intersection 28 an event 30th for both vehicles 11 of which the people 14th to the intersection 28 promoted, is planned with a temporal overlap. Such an event 30th can, for example, fill up or charge vehicles 11 provide. During such an event 30th can the people 14th are made aware of each other (for example by means of an output unit 31 such as a graphic display on the operator panels 14 ' ). The people 14th can then decide whether they want to continue traveling separately or along the same route 23 together in a single motor vehicle 11 want to be promoted.

In the manner described, instead of a starting location 16 a pick-up location and / or destination 17th a drop-off point should be provided.

The idea thus provides that when a vehicle is used, it is recorded whether passengers of the mobility solution (mobility service) are searched for and conveyed to people with the same interests in a dating app or an app (example of interest can be: "together yarns", " classical music"). In addition, the route data can be used to expand the search algorithm so that people with the same start, the same end destination or intersections on the route are included in the search of the respective app. In an advantageous embodiment, the idea provides that special events such as meal breaks or loading / refueling are coordinated with people who are willing to date / have the same interests, provided that both users of the respective mobility solution accept / wish this. In addition, the idea provides that the information about the availability of a person who is ready to date / has the same interest is signaled graphically (e.g. via display, head-up, headlight projection, to name just a few examples). Advertisements (display data) that are visible to all persons are preferably transmitted in encrypted form.

The user of a mobility solution can thus make targeted contact with people with the same interests and also design their route to get to know such people. Users who get to know each other in this way and take the same route (slightly delayed) can also continue their further journey in a mobility solution (e.g. by parking a car sharing vehicle and using several people in a shared vehicle).

Overall, the examples show how electronic contact initiation can be provided.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Patent literature cited

• EP 0519716 A2 [0004]
• US 2014/0129629 A1 [0005]
• US 2013018810 A1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Method for operating a mobility solution for a vehicle fleet (10) with several motor vehicles (11), whereby a processor circuit (12) made up of control devices (14 ') of several people (14) who are foreign to one another and who are controlled by a respective one by means of the vehicle fleet (10) Starting point (16) are to be conveyed to a respective destination (17), respective location data relating to the starting location (16) and the destination (17) are received and, for each person (14) based on their location data, respective route data (15 ') of a route ( 15), along which the respective person (14) is to be transported by means of the vehicle fleet (10) from their starting location (16) or a pick-up location assigned to the starting location (16) to their destination (17) or a drop-off location assigned to the destination (17) , are determined and in each case one of the motor vehicles (11) is currently operated to transport at least one of the people (14) along the route (15) determined for this, characterized in that the processor switch ung (12) it is determined by means of a predetermined search algorithm (22) whether for at least two of the people (14) their route (15) can be determined with a common route portion (23), and on the basis of interest data (24) of the respective person ( 14) such common interests are determined by several of the people (14) who match according to a predetermined matching criterion (25), and at least two people (14) are selected as respective common passengers of the mobility solution, if a common route share (23) and matching interests are recognized, and the people (14) selected as passengers are transported together on the respective common route section (23) by means of a single motor vehicle (11). Procedure according to Claim 1 , the search algorithm (22) being configured based on route data of the people (14) so that people (14) with the same starting point (16) and / or destination (17) and / or with an intersection (28) of their routes (15 ) and / or can be selected with a common route section (23) between two intersection points (28, 29) along their routes (15). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the people (14) whose interests match are initially transported separately in different motor vehicles (11) and at an intersection (28) and / or along a common section of their route (23) (15) for each of these persons (14) at least one predetermined event (30), which includes leaving the respective motor vehicle (11), is determined and the events (30) determined for the persons (14) are coordinated with one another in terms of time and location . Procedure according to Claim 3 , wherein for people (14) who get to know each other during the event (30) and continue the same route (15) together and signal this by means of change request data, changed route data for a joint transport are determined and these people (14) according to the changed route data for their further journey in the mobility solution can be carried in a shared motor vehicle (11). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein for at least one of the persons (14) an indicator of the presence of a person (14) of the same interest who is within a predetermined distance is signaled by means of an output unit. Procedure according to Claim 5 , wherein the information signal is output on a screen and / or a head-up display and / or by means of a headlight projection by means of the output unit. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the search algorithm (22) determines the respective route (15) of the people (14) on the basis of a comparison of the duration of the journey and / or the length of the journey and / or the start time on the one hand and the possibility of identifying other people of the same interest ( 14), on the other hand it is determined and for this purpose the correspondence criterion describes the correspondence as a respective numerical value and, according to a predetermined cost function (22 '), two routes (26) of two people (14) and / or which differ from one another and are minimized in terms of travel duration and / or route length Start times are adjusted to one another if the cost function (22 ') results in a value optimization based on the numerical value of the agreement. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein according to the cost function (22 ') when aligning the routes (15) a resulting detour and / or a resulting travel time extension and / or a start time shift is permitted or selected to be greater, the greater the convergence of the Interests and / or the more people (14) with the same interest have been identified. Processor circuit (12) for controlling a vehicle fleet (10), at least one processor (13) of the processor circuit (12) being set up to receive location data (18) from control devices (14 ') of persons (14) and to use the location data ( 18) to determine routes (15) for the transport of persons (14), characterized in that the processor circuit (12) is set up to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. System for transporting people (14), the system for transporting a vehicle fleet (10) with several motor vehicles (11), characterized in that the system has a processor circuit (12) according to Claim 9 having.

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