DE102018210632A1 - Process for the selection of resources for the provision of a mobile service, device for executing the process as well as automatically moving service vehicle and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for selecting resources for the provision of a mobile service in an automatically moving service vehicle (1), in which a service request is recorded by a recording device (S100), the recorded service request is transmitted to a central control device (S200), an automatic evaluation of the service request is carried out in the central control device (S300), the service request is automatically assigned to the suitable resources on the basis of the evaluation result (S400) and then a service order is automatically generated (S500), which is sent to the service vehicle (1) and / or is transferred to the service employee (14). The invention also relates to a device for executing the method and a computer program (10) and an automatically moving service vehicle (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for selecting resources for the provision of a mobile service in an automatically moving service vehicle, a device for carrying out the method, an automatic service vehicle and a computer program which is set up to carry out the method.

An important research and development field in the further development of motor vehicles is the development of autonomous, i.e. automatically moving vehicles. The technical equipment required for this is essentially based on the vehicle assistance systems that are already in series production today. Supplemented by other elements (also in the vehicle environment), automatic vehicles will be able to be used in a few years at least on selected routes. First solutions are conceivable in particular on closed areas or also on specially designated routes.

• • Level 0: „Driver only“, der Fahrer fährt selbst (lenkt, gibt Gas, bremst, etc.)
• • Level 1: Fahrerassistenz. Bestimmte Assistenzsysteme helfen bei der Fahrzeugbedienung, beispielsweise der Abstandsregeltempomat (ACC).
• • Level 2: Teilautomatisierung. Funktionen wie automatisches Einparken, Spurhalten, allgemeine Längsführung, Beschleunigen, Abbremsen werden von den Assistenzsystemen übernommen, z. B. vom Stauassistent.
• • Level 3: Bedingungsautomatisierung. Der Fahrer muss das System nicht dauernd überwachen. Das Fahrzeug führt selbstständig Funktionen wie das Auslösen des Blinkers, Spurwechsel und Spurhalten durch. Der Fahrer kann sich anderen Dingen zuwenden, wird aber bei Bedarf innerhalb einer Vorwarnzeit vom System aufgefordert, die Führung zu übernehmen.
• • Level 4: Hochautomatisierung. Die Führung des Fahrzeugs wird dauerhaft vom System übernommen. Werden die Fahraufgaben vom System nicht mehr bewältigt, kann der Fahrer aufgefordert werden, die Führung zu übernehmen.
• • Level 5: Vollautomatisierung. Kein Fahrer erforderlich. Außer dem Festlegen des Ziels und dem Starten des Systems ist kein menschliches Eingreifen erforderlich.

A basic distinction is made between six levels for automatically driving vehicles:

• • level 0 : "Driver only", the driver drives himself (steers, accelerates, brakes, etc.)
• • level 1 : Driver assistance. Certain assistance systems help with vehicle operation, for example adaptive cruise control (ACC).
• • level 2 : Partial automation. Functions such as automatic parking, lane keeping, general longitudinal guidance, acceleration, braking are taken over by the assistance systems, e.g. B. from the traffic jam assistant.
• • level 3 : Condition automation. The driver does not have to continuously monitor the system. The vehicle performs functions such as triggering the turn signal, changing lanes and keeping lanes independently. The driver can turn to other things, but if necessary, the system prompts the driver to take the lead within a warning period.
• • level 4 : High automation. The system takes over the management of the vehicle permanently. If the driving tasks are no longer mastered by the system, the driver can be asked to take the lead.
• • level 5 : Fully automated. No driver needed. No human intervention is required other than setting the target and starting the system.

Is full automation (ie level 5 ), people's attitudes to getting around in a vehicle will change significantly. Already today - even due to the traffic problems occurring in metropolitan areas - staying in a vehicle is perceived as stressful. The time spent on this is considered unproductive. The driving pleasure that was often lived out in the past continues to take a back seat. It is becoming increasingly important to effectively use the time to travel from point A to point B. With the availability of automatic vehicles, completely new solutions will emerge here that will make people's lives more pleasant and efficient, especially in conurbations.

The use of the travel time when driving from point A to point B for activities other than driving will result in new service offers. Technical systems are conceivable here that provide a passenger with other services in addition to transportation, with which he can use the time spent in a vehicle for other activities.

Combinations of a chassis and a detachable cabin (CAB) are known as vehicles, which together can be referred to as a service vehicle. Depending on the type of service, the corresponding CAB is mounted on the chassis. If this unit is able to drive automatically, such a unit can move to any location and pick up a passenger there. Depending on the design of the CAB, it will be possible to provide an additional service in addition to the actual passenger transport. For example, counseling similar to counseling in a bank or a haircut that is still performed today in a stationary hairdressing salon is conceivable.

A fundamental task for such technical systems is the solution of the disposition or assignment problem. The task to be mastered here is to assign from a large number of inquiries (service requirements) to a mobile service unit, the service vehicle.

In addition to assigning the technology, it is absolutely necessary to also select the service employee who is required to provide the service (availability and qualification) according to the identified need. This task of assigning the technical equipment (namely the service vehicle) to a potential customer and a necessary service employee represents a complex task that cannot be solved without technical support.

Against this background, the US 2017/016733 A1 using a method and apparatus for indexing routes of similarity features. In one embodiment, a processor identifies a route, the route comprising one or more connections. The processor identifies a route attribute, the route attribute describing the route. The processor evaluates the one or more connections to determine an optimal connection with an optimal rating. The focus is on finding an optimal route. The assignment of a technical resource and a service employee who provides a mobile service on this route is not part of the solution.

The DE 10 2016 209 099 A describes a passenger vehicle with a passenger compartment and a drive means that can be used more flexibly than the known passenger vehicles. It is provided that the passenger compartment has at least one support means and one passenger compartment connecting means, and the drive means has a drive means connecting means, the passenger compartment and the drive means being temporarily separated from one another and the support means being in active connection with a subsurface, the passenger compartment connecting means and the drive means connecting means are in operative connection with one another if the passenger compartment and the drive means are not separated from one another and the drive means has at least one drive motor, an energy store and an electronic means, which is set up for highly automated driving. Furthermore, a corresponding computer program product is provided, which arranges the passenger compartment and the drive means for carrying out a passenger transport trip or after completing one. The solution is limited to the disposition of the passenger compartment and the drive means. The planning of the necessary human resources is not part of the proposed solution.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a more powerful technical solution for the allocation of resources, in particular a service vehicle and a service employee, for the provision of a mobile service in an automatically driving service vehicle (a CAB).

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device according to claim 11. Furthermore, an automatically moving service vehicle for providing a service and a suitable computer program for executing the method are proposed. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The method according to the invention provides that the service request is first recorded in a multi-stage process. For this purpose, the potential service recipient has to describe his requirements with the aid of a suitable recording device. Essential information here is in particular the type of service requested (e.g. consultation for insurance, haircut etc.) and the desired time of use. Linked to this is the description of the desired transport service. This essentially includes the start and destination of the transport and the time of the start of the transport.

Following the detection, the method according to the invention provides that the service request is transmitted to a central control device. This is typically a computer with a software program stored on it. This computer is designed in such a way that it has the necessary interfaces for receiving a service request.

Various evaluation steps are to be provided in the control device. The control device is designed in such a way that the service requests received can initially be evaluated on the basis of predetermined algorithms. At the end of this process step, an evaluation standard is available. Based on the evaluation result, the service request is automatically assigned to the suitable resources, and the availability of the resources is checked automatically. A service order is then automatically generated and transferred to the service vehicle and / or the service employee.

In an advantageous embodiment, the recording of the service request is carried out using a mobile terminal (in particular a smartphone) and an application program installed thereon. This has the advantage that smartphones are part of everyday life today and an application program on them can be made available to potential customers at no additional cost.

• • Die Art der nachgefragten Dienstleistung
• • Start- und Zielort für die Fahrt der CAB
• • Startzeitpunkt für die Dienstleistungserbringung

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, instead of a smartphone, a publicly accessible data acquisition device is used to record the desired service. Such a device must be equipped with input options for the essential requirement parameters. These are in particular:

• • The type of service requested
• • Start and destination for the journey of the CAB
• • Start time for the provision of services

Such an acquisition device can also be used by customers who do not have a smartphone or do not have it on hand to make a service request. It is also conceivable that such a device is installed in a fixed location (e.g. in an office building).

In an advantageous embodiment, the service request is transmitted using existing mobile radio networks. This is the normal case when a smartphone is used as a recording device. Advantageously, this means that a service request can be recorded and transmitted almost across the board.

In a further preferred embodiment, economic and / or qualification-related and / or availability-related information is processed when evaluating the service request.

Due to the complexity of the task to be accomplished, a suitable mathematical method must be used. The method of complete enumeration is particularly suitable here. When using such a mathematical method, it is advantageously achieved that the optimum combination of a CAB and a service employee is found from the large number of possible assignments.

In a further advantageous embodiment, sensors for detecting the emotional state of the service employee are present in the service vehicle. The information recorded by the sensors can be taken into account when evaluating service requests.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the determined service order is transmitted using a wireless transmission technology. In particular, existing mobile radio networks come into consideration here, whereby - similar to the transmission of the service request - an almost nationwide transmission is achieved.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the user is shown the available services for selection when recording his service request. In this way, it is advantageously achieved that the user is offered only those services that can actually be carried out at an early stage, that is to say immediately when the requested service is recorded.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the travel time for the transport service is taken into account when recording the service requested. This advantageously means that services that cannot be carried out in full due to short travel times are not offered to the potential customer.

The device according to the invention for carrying out the method comprises at least one technical device with the aid of which a mobile service request can be recorded; and at least one control device that is set up to carry out the steps necessary to carry out the method. For this purpose, it has a receiving unit with which a request for a mobile service can be received, at least one automatically running evaluation routine for evaluating the service request with regard to a resource requirement, a program routine, with the aid of which an automatic allocation of resources, in particular one automatically, based on the evaluation result moving service vehicles and a service employee required to provide the service, taking into account the availability of resources, and a program routine with the help of which an automatic generation and transmission of a service order can be carried out to the service vehicle and / or the service employee.

The proposed method and the device necessary for executing the method are used according to the invention for assigning a service request to an automatically moving service vehicle (a CAB), which consists of a carriage and a structure thereon, as well as the service employee who is responsible for executing the mobile service suitable is.

Furthermore, the invention claims a computer program which is part of the proposed device and is set up in such a way that the method according to the invention can run thereon.

The claimed features of the invention are explained by way of example below with reference to several figures. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to this embodiment and that the described features can also be combined or modified without leaving the scope of protection.

• 1: Aufbau eines Servicemobils (CAB)
• 2: Aufbau eines Smartphone-basierten Erfassungsgerätes
• 3: Bestandteile der Vorrichtung zur Ausführung einer Dienstleistungsanforderung
• 4: Verfahren zur Auswahl der Ressourcen (Servicemobil und/oder Servicemitarbeiter)

The following figures are used for the explanation:

• 1 : Building a service vehicle (CAB)
• 2 : Setup of a smartphone-based registration device
• 3 : Components of the device for executing a service request
• 4 : Procedure for the selection of resources (service vehicle and / or service staff)

In 1 An embodiment for the construction of a service vehicle (CAB) is shown. You can see the carriage 2 , In particular, it contains the drive and control components. In the service structure 3 are the necessary facilities to provide a service. Furthermore, the necessary sensors are available in the service structure with which the emotional mood of the service employee can be detected. The carriage and service structure are brought together via a detachable, for example screwable connection. In addition, the carriage and service structure have interfaces for the transmission of energy and information.

In 2 An exemplary embodiment of a recording device for recording the requested service is shown. An embodiment with a smartphone is selected here 4 , There is a software application 5 on it, with the help of which the customer can record the information necessary to describe the service request.

• • ein Erfassungsgerät (z.B. ein Smartphone 4, 7) mit einer darauf befindlichen Softwarapplikation 5 zur Erfassung einer Dienstleistungsanforderung durch den Nachfrager der Dienstleistung 6;
• • eine Datenverbindung 8 zur Übertragung der Dienstleistungsanforderung an eine zentrale Steuerungsvorrichtung 9;
• • eine Steuerungsvorrichtung 9, die zum Empfang der erfassten Dienstleistungsanforderung eingerichtet ist;
• • eine automatisch ablaufende Bewertungsroutine zur Bewertung der Dienstleistungsanforderung, welche in einem Programmspeicher 11 auf der Steuerungsvorrichtung 9 hinterlegt ist und mit Hilfe eines Computerprogramms 10 ausführbar ist;
• • eine automatisch ablaufende Programmroutine zur Zuordnung der bewerteten Dienstleistungsanforderung zu einem Servicemobil 1 und/oder einem Servicemitarbeiter 14, und
• • Datenübertragungsverbindungen 12, 13 zur Übertragung des erzeugten Dienstleistungsauftrages an das Servicemobil 1 und/oder den Servicemitarbeiter 14.

In 3 the claimed device is shown in an exemplary embodiment. It includes:

• • an acquisition device (eg a smartphone 4 . 7 ) with a software application on it 5 to record a service request by the customer of the service 6 ;
• • a data connection 8th to transmit the service request to a central control device 9 ;
• • a control device 9 configured to receive the detected service request;
• An automatically running evaluation routine for evaluating the service request, which is stored in a program memory 11 on the control device 9 is stored and with the help of a computer program 10 is executable;
• • An automatically running program routine for assigning the evaluated service request to a service vehicle 1 and / or a service representative 14 , and
• • Data transmission connections 12 . 13 to transfer the generated service order to the service vehicle 1 and / or the service employee 14 ,

• • S100: Erfassen einer Dienstleistungsanforderung mit Hilfe eines Datenerfassungsgerätes (insbesondere einem Smartphone 4, 7 mit darauf befindlicher Softwareapplikation 5);
• • S200: Übertragen der Dienstleistungsanforderung an eine zentrale Steuerungsvorrichtung 9 über eine Datenübertragungsstrecke 8, zum Beispiel eine Mobilfunkverbindung;
• • S300: Automatisches Bewerten der Dienstleistungsanforderung mit Hilfe der Steuerungsvorrichtung 9 und der darauf befindlichen Software 10;
• • S400: Automatische Zuordnung der Dienstleistungsanforderung zu den Ressourcen, wobei als Ressourcen insbesondere ein Servicemitarbeiter 14 und ein Servicemobil 1 der Dienstleistungsanforderung zugeordnet werden; und
• • S500: Erzeugen und Übermitteln des Dienstleistungsauftrages an das Servicemobil 1 und/oder den Servicemitarbeiter 14 unter Verwendung einer oder mehrerer Datenübertragungsstrecken 12, 13 vorzugsweise unter Nutzung eines vorhandenen Mobilfunknetzes.

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

• • S100: Acquisition of a service request with the aid of a data acquisition device (in particular a smartphone 4 . 7 with software application on it 5 );
• S200: transmission of the service request to a central control device 9 over a data transmission link 8th , for example a cellular connection;
• S300: Automatic evaluation of the service request using the control device 9 and the software on it 10 ;
• • S400: Automatic assignment of the service request to the resources, with a service employee in particular as resources 14 and a service vehicle 1 associated with the service request; and
• • S500: Generation and transmission of the service order to the service vehicle 1 and / or the service employee 14 using one or more data links 12 . 13 preferably using an existing mobile network.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Servicemobile (consisting of carriage and service structure)

2

gun carriage

3

Service structure (CAB)

4

Smartphone

5

app

6

Service requester (customer)

7

acquisition device

8th

Data transmission link

9

control device

10

computer program

11

Database

12

Data transmission link

13

Data transmission link

14

service staff

S100

Capture a service request

S200

Submit the service request

S300

Assess the service requirement

S400

Assignment of the service request to the resources

S500

Creation and transmission of a service order

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Patent literature cited

• US 2017016733 A1 [0009]
• DE 102016209099 A [0010]

Claims (13)

Method for an automatically driving service vehicle (1) for selecting resources for the provision of transport services and for the provision of mobile, individually agreed services during a transport trip, comprising the steps a. Detection of a service request (S100) using a detection device (7), b. Transmitting the service request to a central control device (S200), c. Automatic evaluation of the service request with regard to a resource requirement (S300), d. Based on the evaluation result, automatic allocation of the suitable resources to the service request, the resources comprising a service vehicle (1) and / or a service employee (14) for providing a service (S400), and e. Automatic generation and transmission of a service order (S500) to the service vehicle (1) and / or the service employee (14). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the recording of the service request is carried out with the aid of a mobile terminal (4) using a special application program (5). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a publicly accessible data acquisition device is used to record the service request. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the service request is transmitted wirelessly using a mobile radio network. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that economic and / or qualification-related and / or availability-related information is processed in the evaluation of the service request. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when selecting the service employee (14), the available working time and / or the prescribed break times are automatically taken into account. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that sensors for detecting the emotional state of the service employee (14) are present in the service vehicle (1) and the information generated by the sensors is taken into account when evaluating service requests. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission of the service order takes place on the basis of a wireless transmission using a mobile radio network. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user is shown the available services for selection when recording his service request. Procedure according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the travel time for the transport service is taken into account in the availability check of the services. Device for carrying out a method according to the Claims 1 to 10 comprehensive a. at least one technical device (4, 7) which can be used to detect a mobile service request; b. at least one control device (9) which is set up to i. receive a request for a mobile service; ii. to be able to execute at least one automatically running evaluation routine for evaluating the service request with regard to a resource requirement; iii. to be able to carry out an automatic allocation of resources, in particular an automatically moving service vehicle (1) and a service employee (14) required to provide the service, based on the evaluation result, taking into account the availability of the resources; and iv. to be able to automatically generate and send a service order to the service vehicle (1) and / or the service employee (14). Automatically moving service vehicle (1) consisting of a carriage (2) and an interchangeable service-related attachment (3). Computer program (10) for executing the method.

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