Server device, system, vehicle-mounted device, vehicle, and system operation method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a server device, system, vehicle-mounted device, vehicle, and system operation method for improving the convenience of users who like games. The server device has: a communication unit; a control unit, which transmits and receives information with other devices through the communication unit, and when receiving a request for dispatching a vehicle from a terminal device, the control unit sends an instruction to pick up the user to a vehicle equipped with a game device corresponding to the game preference of the user of the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device, a system, a vehicle-mounted device, a vehicle, and a working method of the system. Background Art

[0002] Various technologies for allowing users to play games in a network environment have been proposed. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose examples of online games in which a terminal device executes a game program transmitted from a server, or a plurality of game consoles that can communicate via a network execute the game program so that a plurality of users play against each other.

[0003] Prior Art Literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-79303

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019136066 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] There is room for improving the convenience for users who like games.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] The server device in the present disclosure comprises: a communication unit; and a control unit, which sends and receives information with other devices through the communication unit. When receiving a request for dispatching a vehicle from a terminal device, the control unit sends an instruction to pick up the user to a vehicle having a game device corresponding to the game preferences of the user of the terminal device.

[0011] The vehicle-mounted device in the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle equipped with a gaming device and comprises: a communication unit; a control unit, which sends and receives information with other devices through the communication unit, and the control unit receives an instruction to pick up the user from a server device that receives a request for dispatching a vehicle from the terminal device when the gaming preferences of the user of the terminal device correspond to the gaming device.

[0012] The working method of the system disclosed in the present invention is a working method of a system having a server device capable of sending and receiving information to each other, and a vehicle equipped with a game device. In the working method, when the server device receives a request for dispatching a vehicle from a terminal device and the game device corresponds to the game preferences of the user of the terminal device, the server device sends an instruction to pick up the user, and the vehicle receives the instruction.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, the convenience for users who like games can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A diagram showing a configuration example of an information system.

[0016] Figure 2 A diagram showing a structural example of a terminal device.

[0017] Figure 3 A diagram showing a configuration example of a server device.

[0018] Figure 4 A diagram showing a structural example of a vehicle.

[0019] Figure 5 A sequence diagram showing an example of how an information system works.

[0020] Figure 6 A sequence diagram showing an example of how an information system works.

[0021] Figure 7 A diagram showing an example of information stored in a storage unit.

[0022] Fig. 8A A sequence diagram showing an example of how an information system works.

[0023] Figure 8B A sequence diagram showing an example of how an information system works. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described.

[0025] Figure 1, is a diagram showing a structural example of an information system in one embodiment. The information system 10 helps users who like games to use the dispatched vehicle service. The information system 10 has a terminal device 11, a server device 12, and a vehicle 13 connected together via a network 14 in a manner that can communicate information with each other. The terminal device 11 is an information processing terminal with communication functions and game functions, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a PC (Personal Computer), etc. The server device 12 is, for example, a server device that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and is equipped with various functions. The vehicle 13 is a multi-purpose vehicle that is operated by manned or unmanned driving and has a game device while providing a dispatched vehicle service. Although the network 14 is, for example, the Internet, it also includes a self-organizing network, a LAN (Local Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), or other networks, or any combination thereof.

[0026] In this embodiment, the server device 12 receives a request for dispatching a vehicle from the terminal device 11 used by the user, and sends an instruction to pick up the user to the vehicle 13 equipped with a game device corresponding to the game preference of the user of the terminal device 11. The vehicle 13 picks up the user according to the instruction. While the user is traveling by the vehicle 13, he can play a game that matches his preference, so that the travel time can be effectively used. Therefore, the convenience of the user who likes games can be improved.

[0027] Figure 2 The following is a structural example of the terminal device 11. The terminal device 11 includes: a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a positioning unit 24, an input unit 25, and an output unit 26. The terminal device 11 is an information processing device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a PC (Personal Computer), etc., which has a communication function and a game function. The user plays games or uses the dispatched vehicle service through the terminal device 11. Alternatively, the terminal device 11 can also be a home game console with a game function, and performs the work in this embodiment in a manner shared with the information processing device. The structure shown here can also be applied to the case where the terminal device 11 is either a home game console or an information processing terminal.

[0028] The control unit 21 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 21 controls each part of the terminal device 11 and performs information processing related to the operation of the terminal device 11.

[0029] The storage unit 22 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of them. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (Static RAM) or a DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a super-high-speed cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores information used in the operation of the terminal device 11 and information obtained through the operation of the terminal device 11.

[0030] The communication unit 23 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation), or a LAN interface. The communication unit 23 receives information used in the operation of the terminal device 11, and also sends information obtained through the operation of the terminal device 11. The terminal device 11 is connected to the network 14 via a nearby router device or a base station for mobile communication through the communication unit 23, and performs information communication with other devices via the network 14.

[0031] The positioning unit 24 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. GNSS includes, for example, at least one of GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo. The positioning unit 24 obtains the location information of the terminal device 11.

[0032] The input unit 25 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, an electrostatic capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone for receiving voice input. Furthermore, the input interface may also include a camera for acquiring a captured image or an image code, or an IC card reader. The input unit 25 receives an operation of inputting information used in the operation of the terminal device 11, and sends the input information to the control unit 21.

[0033] The output unit 26 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface includes, for example, an external or internal display that outputs information as an image or video, a speaker that outputs information as voice, or a connection interface with an external output device. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The output unit 26 outputs information obtained by the operation of the terminal device 11.

[0034] The operation of the terminal device 11 is realized by executing a program by a processor included in the control unit 21. A part or all of the operation of the terminal device 11 may be executed by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 21.

[0035] Figure 3 1 shows a configuration example of the server device 12. The server device 12 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, an input unit 35, and an output unit 36. The server device 12 is, for example, a server computer that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functions as a server that has various functions installed. The server device 12 may also be one or more server computers that are connected to each other in a manner that allows information communication and work in cooperation.

[0036] The control unit 31 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA, an ASIC, etc. The control unit 31 controls each unit of the server device 12 and performs information processing related to the work of the server device 12.

[0037] The storage unit 32 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of them that function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit 32 stores information used in the operation of the server device 12 and information obtained by the operation of the server device 12.

[0038] In the server device 12, the control unit 31 and the storage unit 32 may be connected via a bus or directly connected to each other without a bus. Alternatively, the control unit 31 may have the storage unit 32 built therein and be integrally configured with the storage unit 32.

[0039] The communication unit 33 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 33 receives information used in the operation of the server device 12, and also sends information obtained by the operation of the server device 12. The server device 12 is connected to the network 14 through the communication unit 33, and performs information communication with other devices via the network 14.

[0040] The input unit 35 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, an electrostatic capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone for receiving voice input. Furthermore, the input interface may also include a camera for acquiring a captured image or an image code, or an IC card reader. The input unit 35 receives an operation of inputting information used in the operation of the server device 12, and sends the input information to the control unit 31.

[0041] The output unit 36 ​​includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 36 ​​outputs information obtained by the operation of the server device 12.

[0042] The functions of the server device 12 are realized by executing a control program by a processor included in the control unit 31. The control program is a program for causing a computer to perform the processing of the steps included in the operation of the server device 12, thereby causing the computer to realize the function corresponding to the processing of the steps. In other words, the control program is a program for causing a computer to function as the server device 12. In addition, a part or all of the functions of the server device 12 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 31.

[0043] Figure 4 1 shows a configuration example of a vehicle-mounted device 40 mounted on a vehicle 13. The vehicle-mounted device 40 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a communication unit 43, a positioning unit 44, an input unit 45, and an output unit 46. In addition, a game device 47 controlled by the vehicle-mounted device 40 is mounted on the vehicle 13. The vehicle-mounted device 40 controls the vehicle 13 by executing the operations involved in this embodiment.

[0044] The control unit 41 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 41 controls each part of the vehicle-mounted device 40 and performs information processing related to the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 40.

[0045] The storage unit 42 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of them that function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit 42 performs information processing related to the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 40, and stores information used in the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 40 and information obtained through the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 40.

[0046] The communication unit 43 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. The communication unit 43 receives information used in the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 40, and also transmits information obtained by the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 40. The vehicle-mounted device 40 is connected to the network 14 via a base station of mobile communication through the communication unit 43, and performs information communication with other devices via the network 14.

[0047] The positioning unit 44 includes one or more GNSS receivers. GNSS includes, for example, at least one of GPS, QZSS, BeiDou, GLONASS, and Galileo. The positioning unit 44 acquires position information of the vehicle 13 .

[0048] The input unit 45 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, an electrostatic capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone for receiving voice input. Furthermore, the input interface may also include a camera for acquiring a captured image or an image code, or an IC card reader. The input unit 45 receives an operation of inputting information used in the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 40, and sends the input information to the control unit 41.

[0049] The output unit 46 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 46 outputs information obtained by the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 40.

[0050] The functions of the vehicle-mounted device 40 are realized by executing a control program by a processor included in the control unit 41. The control program is a program for causing a computer to perform a process of a step included in the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 40, thereby causing the computer to realize a function corresponding to the process of the step. In other words, the control program is a program for causing a computer to function as the vehicle-mounted device 40. In addition, a part or all of the functions of the vehicle-mounted device 40 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 41.

[0051] The game device 47 is installed in the vehicle as part of the multi-purpose use of the vehicle 13, and is equipped with equipment and space for users to play games. The game device 47 has a storage unit such as a memory that stores information required for the progress of the game, a control unit such as a processor that performs information processing required for the progress of the game, and an input and output interface of a different type and specification from the terminal device 11 that can input and output information accompanying the progress of the game, thereby providing a specialized environment for users to play predetermined games in the vehicle 13. In addition, the game device 47 is configured to be able to communicate information with the server device 12, other servers, other terminal devices 11, or game devices 47 in other vehicles 13 through the communication unit 43, so that games can be played in cooperation with other devices. The input interface of the game device 47, which is different in type and specification from the terminal device 11, is, for example, an input device imitating a steering wheel, a joystick, etc. suitable for games such as racing games and flight simulators, an input device imitating weapons such as guns or swords used in fighting action games, an input device imitating tools such as bats and rackets used in sports games, a wearable device worn by the user to detect the user's movements as input, etc. In addition, the output interface of the game device 47 is a theater device that outputs images, voices, etc. accompanying the progress of the game, various decorations that express the world view of the game and are driven according to the progress of the game, an operating device or wearable device, a seat, etc. having a driving unit that provides the user with physical stimulation such as vibration corresponding to the progress of the game. According to the game device 47 involved, the user can obtain a sense of presence and fun when playing games that cannot be obtained in the terminal device 11.

[0052] Next, use Figures 5 to 8B The operation of the information system 10 will be described. The operation of the terminal device 11 described below may be an operation performed by an information processing terminal having a game function and a communication function, or may include an operation executed by a home game machine and an operation performed by an information processing terminal.

[0053] Figure 5 It is a sequence diagram showing the operation steps when the terminal device 11 and the server device 12 work in cooperation. Figure 5 The steps are executed when the user plays the game through the terminal device 11.

[0054] In step S500, the user plays a game using the terminal device 11. In the storage unit 22 of the terminal device 11, programs of one or more games that the user likes are stored in advance or by downloading each time the game is played. The control unit 21 executes the game program stored in the storage unit 22, receives the user's operation through the input unit 25, advances the game according to the operation, and outputs information corresponding to the progress of the game through the output unit 26.

[0055] In step S502, the terminal device 11 sends user identification information and game history to the server device 12. User identification information is a user name, password, etc. that specifically specifies the user. The game history includes information such as identification information of games played on the terminal device 11, game date and time, and elapsed time. The game identification information includes information such as the product name and developer of the game.

[0056] In step S504, the server device 12 manages the user's preference information. The preference information includes one or more game types that the user likes. Game types include, for example, action games, role-playing games, puzzle games, simulation games, adventure games, shooting games, sports games, racing games, music games, and the like. Each game type may further have a lower type. In addition, there may be more than two game types in one game. The control unit 31 of the server device 12, for example, stores information on games circulated on the market classified according to game types in the storage unit 32 in advance. The control unit 31 retrieves and specifically specifies the game type from the information in the storage unit 32 based on the identification information of the game included in the game history. Then, the control unit 31 totals the user's game playing time for each game type, and ranks the game types in the order of the length of the total game playing time. At this time, the control unit 31 may also, for example, add a weight corresponding to the frequency of playing the game for each game type to the total game playing time. Then, the control unit 31 associates, for example, any number of game types in the upper rank as the user's preference information with the user's identification information and stores the associated information in the storage unit 32. Figure 7 As shown, the storage unit 32 stores the favorite information 72 in association with the user's identification information 71 .

[0057] Figure 6 It is a sequence diagram showing the operation procedure when the terminal device 11, the server device 12, and the vehicle 13 work in cooperation. Figure 6 The steps are executed when the user utilizes the dispatched vehicle service through the terminal device 11.

[0058] In step S600, the terminal device 11 receives a request for a dispatched vehicle from a user. The control unit 21 of the terminal device 11, for example, receives user identification information input by the user into the input unit 25 when the dispatched vehicle application is started in response to the user's operation on the input unit 25. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may store the user identification information input once by the user at the start of the use of the dispatched vehicle application in the storage unit 22 in advance, and read the user identification information from the storage unit 22. Then, the control unit 21 receives map information from the server device 12 or reads the map information from the storage unit 22 according to the current position of the terminal device 11, and displays the map information through the output unit 26, thereby prompting the user to input the boarding location and the alighting location. The user inputs the boarding location and the alighting location by, for example, clicking on the desired location on the map or inputting an address, thereby requesting the dispatched vehicle. Thus, the control unit 21 receives the input from the user via the input unit 25.

[0059] In step S602, the terminal device 11 sends the user identification information and the dispatched vehicle request to the server device 12. The user identification information is a user name, password, etc. that specifically specifies the user. The control unit 21 of the terminal device 11 sends the dispatched vehicle request including the information of the boarding point and the alighting point together with the user identification information to the server device through the communication unit 23. The control unit 31 of the server device 12 receives the user identification information and the dispatched vehicle request through the communication unit 33.

[0060] In step S604, the server device 12 implements the selection of the vehicle to be dispatched and the generation of the operation instruction. The control unit 31 of the server device 12 selects the vehicle 13 that has the game device 47 corresponding to the user's preference and can be dispatched. The storage unit 32 stores in advance the information of the vehicle 13 that can provide the dispatch vehicle service. For example, Figure 7As shown, the storage unit 32 stores the vehicle identification information 73 of each vehicle 13 and the game information 74 related to the game device 47 mounted on each vehicle 13 in a corresponding manner. The game information 74 includes the game types of the game provided by the game device 47. When one game device 47 can provide multiple types of games, the game information 74 associated with the identification information 71 of one vehicle 13 includes multiple game types. The control unit 31 retrieves the game information 74 having the game type corresponding to the user's preference information 72 from the storage unit 32, and specifies the vehicle identification information 73 associated with the game information 74. Then, the control unit 31 obtains the position information from the vehicle 13 of the specified vehicle identification information 73, and confirms whether the vehicle 13 is located in the area where it can be deployed. When multiple vehicles 13 can be deployed, for example, the control unit 31 selects the vehicle 13 closest to the user's boarding location. Then, the control unit 31 generates an operation instruction for requesting the selected vehicle 13 to perform an operation to pick up the user based on the user's boarding location, the alighting location, etc.

[0061] In step S606, the server device 12 transmits the operation instruction to the vehicle 13. The control unit 31 of the server device 12 transmits the operation instruction to the vehicle 13 via the communication unit 33. In the vehicle 13, the control unit 41 of the vehicle-mounted device 40 receives the operation instruction via the communication unit 43.

[0062] In step S608, the vehicle 13 sends an operation response to the server device 12 in response to the operation request. For example, the control unit 41 of the vehicle-mounted device 40 displays the boarding location and the alighting location included in the operation instruction to the driver through the output unit 46, and receives the response to the operation instruction implemented by the driver through the input unit 45, thereby generating an operation response. In the case where the vehicle 13 is unmanned, the control unit 41 determines whether it is an empty vehicle, or whether it is not an empty vehicle but can be ridden, and generates an operation response. The operation response includes the identification number of the vehicle 13, the current location information, etc. The control unit 41 of the vehicle-mounted device 40 sends the operation response to the server device 12 through the communication unit 43. The control unit 31 of the server device 12 receives the operation response through the communication unit 33.

[0063] In step S610, the server device 12 generates a dispatched vehicle response corresponding to the operation response, and sends the dispatched vehicle response to the terminal device 11. The control unit 31 of the server device 12 estimates the expected arrival time to the boarding location based on the current position of the vehicle 13, for example. Then, the control unit 31 generates a dispatched vehicle response including the identification number of the vehicle 13, the current position, the expected arrival time, the game type of the game provided by the game device 47, etc. Then, the control unit 31 sends the dispatched vehicle response to the terminal device 11 through the communication unit 33. The control unit 21 of the terminal device 11 receives the dispatched vehicle response through the communication unit 23.

[0064] In step S612, the terminal device 11 outputs the vehicle allocation response to the user. The control unit 21 of the terminal device 11 displays the vehicle allocation response to the user through the output unit 36. For example, the current position of the vehicle 13, the estimated arrival time of the vehicle 13 to the boarding location, the game that can be played in the game device 47 of the vehicle 13, etc. are displayed together with text information such as "the vehicle allocation has been completed". When the vehicle 13 arrives at the boarding location, the user gets on the vehicle 13.

[0065] After accepting the user's boarding, in step S614, the vehicle 13 starts running to the get-off location.

[0066] In step S616, the user plays a game through the game device 47 of the vehicle 13. In the vehicle 13, when the user operates the game device 47 and instructs the start of the game, the game device 47 responds to the instruction to execute the game program and play the game. The game played can be a stand-alone game or an online game played while communicating with any other game device or terminal device through the communication unit 43.

[0067] In step S618, the vehicle 13 transmits the progress information of the game to the server device 12 at an arbitrary period (e.g., a period of several seconds to several tens of seconds). The vehicle-mounted device 40 generates progress information corresponding to the progress status of the game in the game device 47, and transmits the progress information to the server device 12 via the communication unit 43. The control unit 31 of the server device 12 receives the progress information via the communication unit 33.

[0068] In step S620, the server device 12 generates an operation adjustment instruction. The control unit 31 of the server device 12 calculates the remaining required time for the operation based on the current position, moving speed, and disembarkation location of the vehicle 13. On the other hand, the control unit 31 calculates the remaining required time until the end of the game based on the progress information of the game. In the case where the required time for the operation is shorter than the required time for the game, an operation adjustment instruction will be generated to make the vehicle 13 detour on the driving path or reduce the driving speed so that the required time for the operation becomes longer than the required time for the game. The control unit 31 can also search for a detour path and include information on the detour path in the operation adjustment instruction.

[0069] In step S622, the server device 12 sends an operation adjustment instruction to the vehicle 13. The control unit 31 of the server device 12 sends the operation adjustment instruction to the vehicle 13 through the communication unit 33. The control unit 41 of the vehicle 13 receives the operation adjustment instruction through the communication unit 43. In addition, the operation adjustment instruction for the vehicle 13 may be generated and sent and received before or at the start of the operation of the vehicle 13 based on the required time on the driving path and the standard required time of the game provided by the game device 47.

[0070] In step S624, the vehicle 13 adjusts its operation. The control unit 41 of the vehicle-mounted device 40 controls the operation of the vehicle 13 so as to change the route or the moving speed according to the operation adjustment instruction.

[0071] By adopting the above method, the user can play the favorite game even when the user is on the move. In addition, since the operation of the vehicle 13 is adjusted according to the time required to get off the vehicle and the time required to end the game, the user can end the game before reaching the get-off location, thereby avoiding the situation of having to get off the vehicle in the middle of the game, thereby improving the convenience of the user who likes the game.

[0072] Fig. 8A , 8B 1 is a sequence diagram showing operation steps when the terminal device 11, the server device 12, and the vehicle 13 in the modified example operate in cooperation. Fig. 8A , 8B The steps are performed when a plurality of users who share a common gaming preference use a terminal device 11 to utilize a dispatched vehicle service. Here, the terminal devices 11 used by user A and user B are respectively labeled as terminal device 11a and terminal device 11b. In addition, the vehicles 13 used by user A and user B using terminal device 11a and terminal device 11b are respectively labeled as vehicle 13a and vehicle 13b. Fig. 8A ,8B In the steps performed by the terminal device 11a, the server device 12 and the vehicle 13a, Figure 6 The same steps as shown in Figure 6 The same symbols are used and the description is appropriately omitted.

[0073] In step S600, the terminal device 11a receives a request for dispatching a vehicle from the user A. In step S601, the terminal device 11b receives a request for dispatching a vehicle from the user B in the same manner as in step S600.

[0074] In step S602, the terminal device 11a transmits the identification information of user A and a request for vehicle dispatch to the server device 12. In step S603, the terminal device 11b transmits the identification information of user B and a request for vehicle dispatch to the server device 12 similarly to step S602.

[0075] In step S605, the server device 12 implements the selection of the vehicle to be allocated and the generation of the operation instruction. The control unit 31 of the server device 12 selects the vehicles 13a and 13b that can be allocated and have the game devices 47 corresponding to the preferences of the user A and the user B, respectively. The control unit 31 retrieves the game information 74 having the game types corresponding to the preference information 72 of the user A and the user B from the storage unit 32, and specifies the vehicle identification information 73 corresponding to the game information 74, respectively. Here, since the user A and the user B have the same game preferences, the vehicle identification information 73 corresponding to the same game type is respectively specified. Then, the control unit 31 obtains the position information from the vehicles 13a and 13b corresponding to the specified vehicle identification information 73, and confirms whether the vehicles can be allocated, respectively. Then, the control unit 31 generates the operation instruction for requesting the operation for the selected vehicles 13a and 13b, based on the boarding place and the getting-off place of the user A and the user B, respectively.

[0076] In step S606, the server device 12 transmits an operation instruction to the vehicle 13a. In step S607, similarly to step S606, the server device 12 transmits an operation instruction to the vehicle 13b.

[0077] In step S608, the vehicle-mounted device 40 of the vehicle 13a transmits an operation response in response to the operation request to the server device 12. In step S609, similarly to step S608, the vehicle-mounted device 40 of the vehicle 13b transmits an operation response in response to the operation request to the server device 12.

[0078] In step S610, the server device 12 generates a dispatched vehicle response corresponding to the operation response from the vehicle 13a, and sends the dispatched vehicle response to the terminal device 11a. In addition, in step S611, similarly to step S610, the server device 12 generates a dispatched vehicle response corresponding to the operation response from the vehicle 13b, and sends the dispatched vehicle response to the terminal device 11b.

[0079] In step S612, the terminal device 11a outputs a vehicle dispatch response to the user. In step S613, similarly to step S612, the terminal device 11b outputs a vehicle dispatch response to the user.

[0080] When the vehicle 13a arrives at the boarding location and the user A gets on the vehicle 13a, in step S614, the vehicle 13a starts to move to the alighting location. In addition, when the vehicle 13b arrives at the boarding location and the user B gets on the vehicle 13b, in step S615, similarly to step S614, the vehicle 13b starts to move to the alighting location.

[0081] In step S616, user A plays the game through the game device 47 of vehicle 13a. In step S617, user B plays the game through the game device 47 of vehicle 13b. In vehicles 13a and 13b, user A and user B can play the game independently, or user A and user B can play the online game together while vehicles 13a and 13b communicate information with each other. Since vehicles 13a and 13b corresponding to the common preferences of user A and user B are allocated, user A and user B can play the game of common preference even while moving.

[0082] In step S618, the vehicle 13a transmits the progress information of the game to the server device 12 at an arbitrary cycle. In step S619, similarly to step S618, the vehicle 13b transmits the progress information of the game to the server device 12 at an arbitrary cycle.

[0083] In step S620, the server device 12 generates an operation adjustment instruction. The control unit 31 of the server device 12 generates the operation adjustment instruction for the vehicles 13a and 13b in such a manner that the time required for the game of each vehicle 13a and 13b becomes less than the time required for the operation. In addition, when the vehicles 13a and 13b send and receive information to each other and the user A and the user B are playing an online game together, the control unit 31 obtains progress information from the vehicles 13a and 13b and obtains information indicating that the online game is being played together, and the control unit 31 generates the operation adjustment instruction for the vehicles 13a and 13b in such a manner that the time required for the operation of the vehicles 13a and 13b is both greater than the time required for the game being played, and more preferably, the time required for the operation of the vehicles 13a and 13b is consistent within an arbitrary error.

[0084] In step S622, the server device 12 transmits the operation adjustment instruction to the vehicle 13a. In step S623, similarly to step S622, the server device 12 transmits the operation adjustment instruction to the vehicle 13b.

[0085] In step S624, the vehicle 13a adjusts its operation according to the operation instruction. In step S625, similarly to step S624, the vehicle 13b adjusts its operation according to the operation instruction.

[0086] By adopting the above method, user A and user B can play their favorite game even while moving. In addition, since the operation of the vehicles 13a and 13b is optimally adjusted according to the time required to get off the vehicle and the time required to end the game, both user A and user B can end the game before reaching the get-off vehicle, thereby avoiding the situation of having to get off the vehicle in the middle of the game, thereby improving convenience. In addition, by controlling the operation of the vehicles 13a and 13b so that user A and user B end the game at the same time, the satisfaction of the users can be optimized.

[0087] Furthermore, in step S605, when the movement paths of user A and user B overlap at an arbitrary ratio or more and user A and user B can be accommodated in the game device 47 of one vehicle 13, the server device 12 may send an instruction to the vehicle 13a to pick up user A and also send an instruction to the vehicle 13a to pick up user B. For example, when the boarding locations and the alighting locations of user A and user B are within an arbitrary distance range, the control unit 31 causes the vehicle 13a to pick up user A and user B. By adopting this method, the allocation of the vehicles 13 can be optimized.

[0088] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the prescribed processing or control program for the operation of the terminal device 11 or the vehicle-mounted device 40 can be stored in the server device 12 and downloaded to the terminal device 11 or the vehicle-mounted device 40 via the network 14, or it can be stored in a non-temporary recording or storage medium such as a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, an optical magneto-recording medium or a semiconductor memory that can be read by each device, so that each device reads it from the medium.

[0089] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, multiple modules recorded in the block diagram may be integrated, or one module may be divided. It is also possible to execute multiple steps recorded in the flowchart in a time sequence instead of according to the description, so that the steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order according to the processing capacity of the device executing each step or as needed. In addition, changes can be made within the scope of the main purpose of the present disclosure.

[0090] Explanation of symbols

[0091] 10…Information systems;

[0092] 11…Terminal device;

[0093] 12… server device;

[0094] 13…Vehicles;

[0095] 14…Network;

[0096] 21…Control Department;

[0097] 22… storage unit;

[0098] 23…Ministry of Communications;

[0099] 24… positioning unit;

[0100] 25…input unit;

[0101] 26…output unit;

[0102] 31…Control Department;

[0103] 32… storage unit;

[0104] 33…Ministry of Communications;

[0105] 35…input unit;

[0106] 36…output unit;

[0107] 40…vehicle mounted device;

[0108] 41…Control Department;

[0109] 42… storage unit;

[0110] 43…Ministry of Communications;

[0111] 44… positioning unit;

[0112] 45…input unit;

[0113] 46…output unit;

[0114] 47…Gaming device.

Claims

1. A server device comprising: Ministry of Communications; a control unit that transmits and receives information with other devices through the communication unit, When receiving a request for vehicle dispatch from a terminal device, the control unit sends an instruction to pick up the user to a vehicle equipped with a game device corresponding to the game preferences of the user of the terminal device. The control unit sends an instruction to the vehicle to change a driving route or a driving speed according to a required time of a game provided by the game device, When receiving a request for vehicle dispatch from a terminal device of another user having the preference, the control unit sends an instruction to pick up the other user to another vehicle having a game device that communicates with the game device of the vehicle, When the vehicle and the other vehicle send and receive information to each other and the user and the other user are playing an online game together, the control unit obtains progress information from the vehicle and the other vehicle and obtains information indicating that the online game is being played together, and the control unit generates operation adjustment instructions for the vehicle and the other vehicle in such a way that the time required for the operation of the vehicle and the other vehicle is jointly greater than the time required for the game being played.

2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit receives information on game preferences of users of each terminal device from the terminal device.

3. A system comprising the server device according to claim 1 or 2 and a vehicle.

4. A vehicle-mounted device, which is mounted on a vehicle equipped with a gaming device and comprises: Ministry of Communications; a control unit that transmits and receives information with other devices through the communication unit, The control unit receives an instruction to pick up the user from the server device that has received a request to dispatch a vehicle from the terminal device, when the game preference of the user of the terminal device corresponds to the game device. The control unit receives an instruction from the server device to change the driving route or driving speed according to the time required for the game provided by the game device, When the server device receives a request for vehicle allocation from a terminal device of another user having the preference, the control unit causes the game device to communicate with the game device of the other vehicle to which the request for vehicle allocation has been sent. When the vehicle and the other vehicle send and receive information to each other and the user and the other user are playing an online game together, the control unit receives an instruction from the server device to change the driving path or driving speed in such a way that the time required for the operation of the vehicle and the other vehicle is jointly greater than the time required for the game being played.

5. A vehicle equipped with the game device and the vehicle-mounted device according to claim 4.

6. A method of operating a system having a server device capable of mutually transmitting and receiving information and a vehicle equipped with a game device, wherein: The server device, when receiving a request for vehicle dispatch from a terminal device and the game device corresponds to the game preferences of the user of the terminal device, sends an instruction to pick up the user. The server device sends an instruction to change the driving route or driving speed according to the required time of the game provided by the vehicle, The vehicle receives the instruction, When receiving a request for vehicle dispatch from a terminal device of another user having the above preference, the server device sends an instruction to pick up the other user to another vehicle having a game device that communicates with the game device of the vehicle. The vehicle communicates with the other vehicle, When the vehicle and the other vehicle send and receive information to each other and the user and the other user are playing an online game together, the server device obtains progress information from the vehicle and the other vehicle and obtains information indicating that the online game is being played together, and the server device generates operation adjustment instructions for the vehicle and the other vehicle in such a way that the time required for the operation of the vehicle and the other vehicle is jointly greater than the time required for the game being played.

7. The working method according to claim 6, wherein: The server device receives information on game preferences of users of each terminal device from the terminal device.

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