Route guidance device and travel-as-a-service provision method

Abstract

The invention relates to a route guiding device and a travel-as-a-service providing method. The route guidance device guides a route to the user on the basis of the destination information and the departure information. The route guidance device determines whether the user has taken the vehicle associated with the route selected by the user based on the location information of the vehicle associated with the route selected by the user and the location information of the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a route guidance device and a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) providing method. Background Art

[0002] As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-207118, there is known a device that suggests a travel route to a user based on information about a destination and a departure point. Summary of the invention

[0003] When a user takes a transportation tool, he / she needs to swipe an IC card, etc., so the user cannot move seamlessly. There is room for improvement in terms of the user's further seamless movement.

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to achieve further stop-free movement.

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a route guidance device that guides a user on a route (gives directions) based on information about a destination and information about a departure point. The route guidance device determines whether the user has boarded a vehicle associated with the route selected by the user based on location information of the vehicle associated with the route selected by the user and location information of the user.

[0006] A method for providing Mobility as a Service (MaaS) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure uses the above-mentioned route guidance device.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, further stop-free movement can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system according to one embodiment;

[0010] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system according to another embodiment;

[0011] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of steps of a method performed by a central system;

[0012] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of steps of a method performed by a terminal device;

[0013] Figure 5A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device;

[0014] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example in which a plurality of operation routes exist. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In some cases, an unlimited (free) ride ticket (voucher) is sold through an application software executed on a smartphone, etc., and the user can use the unlimited ride ticket to freely use transportation such as buses within a predetermined range. In this case, since the amount of the unlimited ride ticket is predetermined, the unlimited ride ticket can be sold smoothly.

[0016] On the other hand, one-way tickets are sometimes sold through applications executed on smartphones, and users use the one-way tickets to ride on public transportation such as buses. In the case where the fare is calculated based on the distance traveled by the user on the public transportation, it is necessary to calculate and settle the fare based on the boarding point such as a bus stop where the user rides the public transportation and the getting-off point such as a bus stop where the user gets off the public transportation. Therefore, a fare calculation system and a settlement system are required.

[0017] As a comparative example, the bus fare calculation system and settlement system may allow the user to swipe an IC (Integrated Circuit) card near an IC card reader provided at a bus boarding entrance and a bus alighting entrance in order to determine the bus stop where the user gets on the bus and the bus stop where the user gets off the bus. In addition, it may allow the user to obtain a numbered ticket from a numbered ticket issuing machine provided at the bus boarding entrance. In other words, the bus fare calculation system and settlement system may require physical operations by the user.

[0018] Here, in order to realize the fare calculation system and the settlement system by the application software executed on the smartphone, the application software needs to determine the bus stop where the user gets on the bus and the bus stop where the user gets off the bus.

[0019] However, it is difficult to set up a module for communicating with a smartphone on a bus. Therefore, it is difficult to make the smartphone application communicate with the terminal of the bus to determine the bus stop where the user gets on the bus and the bus stop where the user gets off the bus. In addition, consider that the user inputs the situation of getting on the bus or getting off the bus to the application software when getting on or off the bus. However, requiring the user to input reduces the convenience of the user. In addition, there is a problem with the accuracy of the input.

[0020] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fare calculation and settlement when a user takes a public transportation vehicle is implemented in the application software of a smartphone without requiring the user's physical operation or input.

[0021] The embodiments of the present disclosure include a route guidance device for guiding a user to move from a departure point to a destination. The route guidance device can retrieve a route for the user to move from the departure point to the destination based on the departure point and the destination input by the user, and prompt at least one route search result as a candidate route to allow the user to select a route. The route guidance device can determine the location where the user takes the transportation and the location where the user gets off the transportation based on the route search result and the user's location information when the selected route includes a route for taking a transportation tool, and perform calculation and settlement of the ride fare.

[0022] The transportation means may include a bus or a train (electric train) or other transportation means that charges a fare according to the boarding point and the alighting point. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the transportation means is a bus will be described.

[0023] Configuration Example of Information Processing System 1

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a central system 10 and a terminal device 20. The central system 10 can function as the above-mentioned route guidance device. In other words, the route guidance device can be configured to include the central system 10. The route guidance device can be configured to further include the terminal device 20. The route guidance device can be configured as a device that integrates the central system 10 and the terminal device 20.

[0025] Central System 10

[0026] The central system 10 includes a route search unit 11 , a bus stop location management and fare calculation unit 12 , a ticket management unit 13 , a settlement unit 14 , and an interface 15 .

[0027] The route search unit 11 is connected to the bus stop location management and fee calculation unit 12. The bus stop location management and fee calculation unit 12 is connected to the ticket management unit 13. The ticket management unit 13 is connected to the settlement unit 14. The route search unit 11 and the ticket management unit 13 are connected to the interface 15 respectively. The interface 15 is connected to the terminal device 20 in a manner that allows communication. That is, the route search unit 11 and the ticket management unit 13 are connected to the terminal device 20 via the interface 15 in a manner that allows communication.

[0028] The route search unit 11 searches for routes based on a request from a user. The bus stop location management and fare calculation unit 12 manages the locations of bus stops on the route using the bus, and calculates the fare when the user takes the bus between each bus stop. The ticket management unit 13 manages a ticket indicating the bus ride of the user when the user selects a route using the bus. The settlement unit 14 settles the fare.

[0029] The route search unit 11, the bus stop location management and fare calculation unit 12, the ticket management unit 13, and the settlement unit 14 may be configured to include either a processor or a dedicated circuit, or may be configured to include both a processor and a dedicated circuit. In the present embodiment, the "processor" is a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor that performs specific processing, but is not limited to these. The dedicated circuit may include, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0030] The central system 10 may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to include, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, but is not limited thereto. The storage unit may also function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a buffer memory. The storage unit may be configured to include an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk. The storage unit may be configured to include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The storage unit stores any information or program used for the operation of the central system 10. The storage unit may store, for example, a system program or an application software program. The storage unit may also be provided in a processor or a dedicated circuit.

[0031] The interface 15 is connected to the central system 10 and the terminal device 20 in a communicative manner. The interface 15 may include a communication module. The communication module may correspond to a wired or wireless communication standard. The communication module may correspond to, for example, a mobile communication standard including 4G (4th Generation: fourth generation mobile communication technology) or 5G (5th Generation: fifth generation mobile communication technology). The communication module may correspond to, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) communication standard. Not limited to these, the communication module may correspond to various communication standards. The interface 15 may also be configured to be connectable to an external communication device.

[0032] The central system 10 may be configured to include one or more server devices that can communicate with each other. The central system 10 may also be implemented as a cloud server. The number of central systems 10 included in the information processing system 1 is not limited to one, and may be two or more.

[0033] Terminal device 20

[0034] The terminal device 20 is held by a user. The terminal device 20 includes a screen display unit 21 and a position information acquisition unit 22. The screen display unit 21 is connected to the interface 15 of the central system 10 in a communicable manner. The screen display unit 21 and the position information acquisition unit 22 are connected to each other.

[0035] The terminal device 20 may include a control unit that controls each component of the terminal device 20. The control unit may be configured to include one of a processor and a dedicated circuit, or may be configured to include both a processor and a dedicated circuit. The processor may be configured to be the same as or similar to the processor of the central system 10. The dedicated circuit may be configured to be the same as or similar to the dedicated circuit of the central system 10. In the present embodiment, the control unit is provided in the screen display unit 21.

[0036] The screen display unit 21 outputs the information obtained from the central system 10 as visual information such as images, text, or graphics. The screen display unit 21 can be configured to include, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, or a PDP (Plasma Display Panel). The screen display unit 21 is not limited to these displays, and can be configured to include displays of various other types.

[0037] The location information acquisition unit 22 includes one or more devices for acquiring the location information of the terminal device 20. The location information acquisition unit 22 outputs the location information of the terminal device 20 to the central system 10. The location information of the terminal device 20 corresponds to the location information of the user holding the terminal device 20. That is, the location information acquisition unit 22 acquires the location information of the user holding the terminal device 20 and outputs it to the central system 10. The location information acquisition unit 22 can be configured to include a receiver corresponding to a satellite positioning system. The receiver corresponding to the satellite positioning system can be configured to include, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, but is not limited thereto, and can be configured to include various other receivers. The location information acquisition unit 22 can continuously acquire the location information of the terminal device 20 and output it to the central system 10, or can acquire the location information periodically or irregularly and output it to the central system 10.

[0038] The terminal device 20 may also include an input device for accepting information or data input by the user. The input device may be configured to include, for example, a touch panel or a touch sensor, or a pointing device such as a mouse. The input device may also be configured to be a touch display integrated with the display of the screen display unit 21. The input device may also be configured to include physical keys. The input device may also be configured to include a voice input device such as a microphone.

[0039] The terminal device 20 can output the input information to the central system 10. The central system 10 can be configured to be connectable to the input device of the terminal device 20 via the interface 15. The central system 10 can obtain information or data input to the input device of the terminal device 20 via the interface 15.

[0040] The terminal device 20 may be configured to include an output device for outputting information or data to the user in addition to the screen display unit 21. The output device may include, for example, a voice output device such as a speaker for outputting auditory information such as voice. The output device is not limited to these examples and may include various other devices.

[0041] The terminal device 20 may be configured to include a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a PC such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet PC. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include various devices without being limited to these examples. The number of terminal devices 20 included in the information processing system 1 is not limited to one, and may be two or more.

[0042] Bus Information Management System 31 and 32

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the information processing system 1 according to another embodiment includes a bus information management system 31 of a transportation operator (transportation company) X1 and a bus information management system 32 of a transportation operator X2 in addition to the central system 10 and the terminal device 20. The bus information management system 31 of the transportation operator X1 and the bus information management system 32 of the transportation operator X2 manage the operation routes or operation schedules of the buses, or the bus fares.

[0044] The bus information management system 31 of the transportation operator X1 provides the latest information on the operation routes or operation schedules of the buses of the transportation operator X1 or the fares thereof by inputting or updating information by the person in charge of the transportation operator X1. The bus information management system 32 of the transportation operator X2 provides the latest information on the operation routes or operation schedules of the buses of the transportation operator X2 or the fares thereof by inputting or updating information by the person in charge of the transportation operator X2.

[0045] The bus information management systems 31 and 32 may be configured to include one or more server devices that can communicate with each other. The bus information management systems 31 and 32 may also be implemented as cloud servers. The information processing system 1 may not include the bus information management system 31 or 32. In the information processing system 1, the route guidance device may also obtain the location information of the bus operated by the transportation operator X1 or X2.

[0046] (Configuration Example of Information Processing System 1)

[0047] As described above, in the information processing system 1, the route guidance device can present the search results of the route for the user to move from the departure point to the destination as candidate routes, and let the user select the route. When the user takes a bus on the selected route, the route guidance device can determine the bus stop where the user takes the bus and the bus stop where the user gets off the bus based on the route search results and the user's location information, and perform calculation and settlement of the bus fare.

[0048] When the route selected by the user includes a bus section, the bus running in the bus section is associated with the route selected by the user. That is, the bus associated with the route selected by the user is a bus running in the bus section included in the route selected by the user. The route guidance device can determine whether the user has boarded the bus associated with the route selected by the user based on the location information of the bus associated with the route selected by the user and the location information of the user. In addition, when the user gets off the bus, the route guidance device can determine the bus stop where the user gets off the bus and settle the bus fare.

[0049] Example of operation of central system 10

[0050] The central system 10 functioning as a route guidance device may perform the following operations: Figure 3 The path guidance method of the steps of the illustrated flowchart is used to guide the path of the user's movement. The path guidance method can be implemented as a path guidance program executed by the processor of the central system 10. The path guidance program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0051] The central system 10 obtains a route search request from the terminal device 20 via the interface 15 (S1). The route search request includes the user's departure point and destination. The route search request may include the user's departure time or expected arrival time.

[0052] The central system 10 searches for a route through the route search unit 11, and outputs the search result of the route to the terminal device 20 via the interface 15 (S2). The central system 10 may output at least one route as a candidate route. The central system 10 searches for a route based on bus operation information such as a bus operation route or operation schedule. The central system 10 may store the bus operation information in advance in the storage unit or manage it in the bus stop location management and fare calculation unit 12. Figure 2 As shown, the central system 10 can also access the bus information management system 31 of the transportation operator X1 or the bus information management system 32 of the transportation operator X2 through the bus stop location management and fare calculation unit 12 to obtain the bus operation information. When the central system 10 accesses the bus information management system 31 or 32, the management and update of the bus operation information can be handed over to each transportation operator. As a result, the burden on the route guidance device can be reduced.

[0053] The central system 10 obtains the route selection result of the user from the terminal device 20 via the interface 15 (S3). The user can select one route from at least one candidate route in the terminal device 20. The central system 10 may also regard the user as purchasing a bus section ticket when the route selected by the user includes a bus section. However, it is assumed that the settlement of the bus section ticket is not performed at this time. Therefore, the central system 10 may regard the user as making a reservation to purchase a bus section ticket. The central system 10 manages the purchase or reservation of bus section tickets through the ticket management unit 13.

[0054] When the route selected by the user includes a route using a bus, the central system 10 determines the location of the bus stop where the user gets on the bus and the location of the bus stop where the user gets off the bus through the bus stop location management and fare calculation unit 12 (S4). The bus stop where the user gets on the bus is also called a boarding bus stop. The bus stop where the user gets off the bus is also called an getting off bus stop.

[0055] The central system 10 obtains the user's location information from the terminal device 20 (S5). The central system 10 determines whether the user has boarded the bus based on the location of the boarding bus stop and the user's location information (S6). The central system 10 can determine that the user has boarded the bus when the user arrives within a predetermined range from the boarding bus stop and the user's location moves along the bus route. The predetermined range can be, for example, a range in which the distance between the boarding bus stop and the user is less than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance can be set to 20 m (meters), for example, but is not limited thereto and can be set to various lengths. When the central system 10 does not determine that the user has boarded the bus (S6: No), it returns to the step of obtaining the user's location information (S5).

[0056] When the central system 10 determines that the user has boarded the bus (S6: Yes), the central system 10 obtains the user's location information from the terminal device 20 (S7). The central system 10 determines whether the user is close to the getting-off bus stop based on the location of the getting-off bus stop and the user's location information (S8). The central system 10 can determine that the user is close to the getting-off bus stop when the bus that the user is riding enters a predetermined range from the getting-off bus stop. The predetermined range can be, for example, a range in which the distance between the getting-off bus stop and the user is less than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance can be set to 20 meters, for example, but is not limited thereto, and can be set to various lengths. When the central system 10 does not determine that the bus that the user is riding is close to the getting-off bus stop (S8: No), it returns to the step of obtaining the user's location information (S7).

[0057] When the central system 10 determines that the bus that the user is riding is approaching the getting-off bus stop (S8: Yes), it predicts that the user will get off the bus soon. The central system 10 calculates the fare from the boarding bus stop to the getting-off bus stop through the bus stop location management and fare calculation unit 12. The central system 10 outputs the bus fare information and the ticket screen display information to the terminal device 20 through the interface 15 through the ticket management unit 13 (S9). The bus fare information is information on the bus fare. The ticket screen display information is information on displaying the ticket from the boarding bus stop to the getting-off bus stop on the screen.

[0058] The terminal device 20 displays the bus fare information and the ticket screen display information on the screen display unit 21, receives the instruction of the fare settlement from the user, and notifies the central system 10. When the central system 10 receives the instruction of the fare settlement from the terminal device 20, it performs the settlement through the settlement unit 14 and notifies the terminal device 20 that the settlement is completed (S10). The terminal device 20 displays the settlement completion notification on the screen display unit 21. The user shows the screen showing the settlement completion notification to the bus driver and then gets off the bus. After executing the step S10, the central system 10 ends. Figure 3 Execution of the steps of the flowchart.

[0059] Operation Example of Terminal Device 20

[0060] The terminal device 20 that functions as a route guidance device may execute the following operations: Figure 4 The route guidance method of the steps of the illustrated flowchart is to guide the route of the user's movement. The route guidance method can be implemented as a route guidance program executed by the processor of the terminal device 20. The route guidance program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0061] The terminal device 20 receives a route search operation input from the user and requests the central system 10 to perform a route search (S21). When receiving the route search operation input, the terminal device 20 may Figure 5 The illustrated route search input screen is displayed on the screen display unit 21. Figure 5 In the example, the departure point is set to Y and the destination is set to Z.

[0062] The central system 10 outputs the route search result to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 can Figure 5 The illustrated route search result screen is displayed on the screen display unit 21. Figure 5 In the example, three candidate routes (1), (2), and (3) are displayed as the route search results. Route (1) is a route that involves walking from the departure point (Y) to the ab station, taking the train from the ab station to the cd station, and walking from the cd station to the destination (Z). Route (2) is a route that involves walking from the departure point (Y) to the ef bus station, taking the bus from the ef bus station to the gh bus station, and walking from the gh bus station to the destination (Z). Route (3) is a route that involves taking a taxi from the departure point (Y) to the destination (Z).

[0063] The terminal device 20 allows the user to select a route from at least one candidate route included in the route search results. The terminal device 20 outputs the selected route to the central system 10, and when a route including a bus section is selected, outputs a ticket purchase intention to the central system 10, and allows the user to start moving (S22). Figure 5 The screen for selecting the results and indicating the purchase intention is displayed on the screen display unit 21. Figure 5 In the example, route (2) among the candidate routes is selected and displayed as the selected route. In addition, a confirmation whether to purchase a bus ticket is displayed. The intention to purchase a bus ticket can also be replaced by a reservation to purchase a bus ticket. The user selects "Yes" in the confirmation whether to purchase a bus ticket, thereby indicating the intention to purchase a bus ticket.

[0064] The terminal device 20 determines whether the user has arrived at the boarding bus stop based on the location information of the terminal device 20 itself and the location of the boarding bus stop (S23). The terminal device 20 may determine that the user has arrived at the boarding bus stop when the distance between the location of the terminal device 20 itself and the location of the boarding bus stop becomes less than a predetermined distance. When the terminal device 20 does not determine that the user has arrived at the boarding bus stop (S23: No), the determination step (S23) is repeated.

[0065] When the terminal device 20 determines that the user has arrived at the boarding bus stop (S23: Yes), it determines whether the user is traveling along the predetermined bus route by bus (S24). The terminal device 20 can determine whether the user is traveling along the bus route based on the location information of the terminal device 20 itself. The terminal device 20 can also determine whether the user is traveling along the bus route by bus based on the location information of the terminal device 20 itself and the location information of the bus. The terminal device 20 can determine whether the user is traveling along the bus route by bus before or while executing the determination step (S24). Figure 5 The illustrated screen of arriving at the boarding bus stop is displayed on the screen display unit 21. Figure 5 In the example of , the user's status is displayed as arriving at the ef bus stop and riding the bus. When the terminal device 20 does not determine that the user is moving along the bus route (S24: No), the determination step (S24) is repeated.

[0066] When the distance between the bus and the user is less than the pre-boarding threshold, the terminal device 20 may increase the frequency of obtaining the location information of the terminal device 20 compared to when the distance between the bus and the user is greater than the pre-boarding threshold. When the distance between the bus and the user is less than the pre-boarding threshold, the terminal device 20 may increase the frequency of outputting the location information of the terminal device 20 to the central system 10. In other words, when the distance between the bus and the user is less than the pre-boarding threshold, the central system 10 or the terminal device 20 may increase the frequency of obtaining the location information of the user compared to when the distance between the bus and the user is greater than the pre-boarding threshold. In this way, the route guidance device can maintain the accuracy of determining whether the user has boarded the bus while reducing the amount of communication of the location information.

[0067] When the terminal device 20 determines that the user is moving along the bus route (S24: Yes), the bus riding process (S25) is executed. As the bus riding process, the terminal device 20 can output the location information of the terminal device 20 itself to the central system 10 as the location information of the user. The terminal device 20 can reduce the frequency of obtaining the location information of the terminal device 20 when the user is riding on the bus and the distance from the getting-off bus stop is greater than the riding threshold. The terminal device 20 can reduce the frequency of outputting the location information of the terminal device 20 to the central system 10 when the user is riding on the bus and the distance from the getting-off bus stop is greater than the riding threshold. In other words, when the distance between the location of the getting-off bus stop and the location of the user is greater than the riding threshold, the central system 10 or the terminal device 20 can reduce the frequency of obtaining the location information of the user compared to when the distance between the location of the getting-off bus stop and the location of the user is less than the riding threshold. By changing the frequency of obtaining the location information, the route guidance device can maintain the accuracy of determining whether the user has gotten off the bus while reducing the amount of communication of the location information. The bus riding process is not limited to the change of the acquisition frequency of the position information, and the terminal device 20 may execute other processes.

[0068] The terminal device 20 determines whether the bus that the user is riding has arrived near the getting-off bus stop based on the location information of the terminal device 20 itself or the location information of the bus and the location of the getting-off bus stop (S26). The terminal device 20 can determine that the bus that the user is riding has arrived near the getting-off bus stop when the distance between the location of the terminal device 20 itself or the location information of the bus and the location of the getting-off bus stop becomes less than a predetermined distance. When the bus that the user is riding has arrived near the getting-off bus stop, the central system 10 outputs the bus fare information and the boarding ticket screen display information to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 can also determine that the bus that the user is riding has arrived near the getting-off bus stop when the bus fare information and the boarding ticket screen display information are obtained from the central system 10. When the terminal device 20 does not determine that the user has arrived near the getting-off bus stop (S26: No), it returns to the bus boarding process step (S25).

[0069] When the terminal device 20 determines that the bus taken by the user has arrived near the getting-off bus stop (S26: Yes), the fare amount is displayed on the screen display unit 21, prompting the user to settle the fare (S27). The terminal device 20 may obtain the bus fare information and the fare screen display information from the central system 10 before determining that the bus taken by the user has arrived near the getting-off bus stop. The terminal device 20 may obtain the bus fare information and the fare screen display information from the central system 10 after determining that the bus taken by the user has arrived near the getting-off bus stop.

[0070] The terminal device 20 can Figure 5 The illustrated screen of the approaching bus stop for getting off is displayed on the screen display unit 21. Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 5 , the user's status of approaching a bus stop, bus fare information, and confirmation of whether to pay the bus fare are displayed.

[0071] The user selects "Yes" to confirm whether to pay the bus fare, and instructs the settlement of the bus fare. The terminal device 20 outputs the user's instruction to settle the bus fare to the central system 10. When the central system 10 obtains the instruction to settle the bus fare from the terminal device 20, it performs the settlement and notifies the terminal device 20 of the completion of the settlement.

[0072] The terminal device 20 determines whether settlement has been performed (S28). The terminal device 20 may determine that settlement has been performed when receiving a settlement completion notification from the central system 10. When the terminal device 20 does not determine that settlement has been performed (S28: No), the determination step (S28) is repeated.

[0073] When the terminal device 20 determines that the settlement has been performed (S28: Yes), the terminal device 20 displays the settlement completed information on the screen display unit 21 (S29). Figure 5 The illustrated bus fare payment and getting off screen is displayed on the screen display unit 21. Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 1 , it is displayed that the payment of the bus fare is completed and the user has got off the bus. The user shows the screen showing the completion of the payment of the bus fare to the bus driver and then gets off the bus. After the terminal device 20 executes step S29, the process ends. Figure 4 Execution of the steps of the flowchart.

[0074] summary

[0075] As described above, the route guidance device according to the present embodiment can determine the boarding bus stop and the alighting bus stop of the user based on the user's location information and settle the bus fare when the route selected by the user includes a bus section. In this way, the user does not need to record or input the operation of getting on and off the bus when getting on and off the bus. As a result, further non-stop movement can be achieved. In addition, the communication volume for the user to record or input the operation of getting on and off the bus can be reduced.

[0076] In addition, the route guidance device according to the present embodiment can determine the bus route that the user takes based on the result of searching for the route in advance. In this case, the route guidance device can determine whether the user is close to the bus stop based on the distance between the location of the bus stop included in the route search result and the location of the user. In other words, the route guidance device can determine whether the user is close to the bus stop to be used in a state where the locations of the boarding bus stop and the alighting bus stop are recognized in advance. As a result, the boarding bus stop and the alighting bus stop can be determined with higher accuracy compared to the case where the bus stop used by the user is determined based only on the location information of the user.

[0077] Other Implementations

[0078] Hereinafter, a configuration example of the information processing system 1 according to another embodiment will be described.

[0079] Applications for transportation other than buses

[0080] In the above embodiment, an operation example in which the transportation means is a bus is described. The route guidance device involved in the present disclosure can be applied to a transportation means that calculates the fare based on the boarding position of the transportation means and the getting-off position of the transportation means, for example, it can also be applied to a tram. In the case where the transportation means is a tram, the route guidance device can also work in a manner that allows the user to settle the fare without passing through the ticket gate. In this case, the route guidance device can be configured so that it can be set in advance to automatically settle the settlement without requiring the user to confirm the settlement.

[0081] In the case where the route guidance device is also applied to a means of transport other than a bus, the operation of the route guidance device is described as follows. The route guidance device may determine whether the user has boarded the means of transport associated with the route selected by the user based on the position information of the means of transport associated with the route selected by the user and the position information of the user. The route guidance device may determine the position where the user gets off the means of transport when the user gets off the means of transport and settle the fare of the means of transport. When the distance between the means of transport associated with the route selected by the user and the user is less than a pre-boarding threshold, the route guidance device may increase the frequency of obtaining the position information of the user or the position information of the means of transport associated with the route selected by the user, compared to when the distance between the means of transport associated with the route selected by the user and the user is greater than a pre-boarding threshold. When the distance between the get-off position of the means of transport associated with the route selected by the user and the user is greater than a boarding threshold, the route guidance device may reduce the frequency of obtaining the position information of the user, compared to when the distance between the get-off position and the user's position is less than a boarding threshold.

[0082] When you take a bus that runs on another route with the same boarding and getting-off bus stops

[0083] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the central system 10 determines whether the user gets on the bus at the boarding bus stop in the bus section included in the route selected by the user and gets off at the getting off bus stop, and settles the bus fare. Figure 6 As shown, buses run on multiple routes from bus stop A as a boarding bus stop to bus stop E as a getting-off bus stop. Bus stop A as a boarding bus stop corresponds to Figure 5 ef bus station in the example. Bus station E as the getting-off bus station corresponds to Figure 5 In the example of gh bus station. Figure 6 In the example, as the route from bus stop A to bus stop E, there are a route via bus stops B and C, a route via bus stop D, and a route via bus stops F and G. When the travel distances of the routes are different, the fares of the routes are different. In this case, even if the central system 10 determines the location of the boarding bus stop and the location of the alighting bus stop, it may not be able to accurately calculate the fare of the actual route of the bus that the user took.

[0084] Therefore, the central system 10 can determine the bus route based on the user's location information when the user is riding the bus or the location information of the bus that the user is riding. For example, the central system 10 determines that the user has ridden the bus after determining that the user has arrived at bus stop A from the departure place, and determines that the user has ridden the bus on a route that passes through bus stop B when determining that the bus ridden by the user has passed through bus stop B. When the central system 10 determines that the user has arrived at bus stop E closest to the destination, it calculates the bus fare for the route that passes through bus stop B and outputs it to the terminal device 20 to settle the bus fare. That is, when the user rides a transportation tool that runs on another route different from the transportation tool associated with the route selected by the user, the route guidance device can calculate the user's fare based on another route.

[0085] The route guidance device according to the present disclosure can accurately identify the bus route on which the user has boarded, even for a complex bus route, by obtaining information on the user's boarding bus stop and alighting bus stop in advance based on the searched route.

[0086] MaaS provision method

[0087] As an example, the route guidance device can also be used to provide MaaS (Mobility as a Service) as a service that flexibly utilizes travel tools. Figure 3 or Figure 4 The steps of the route guidance method illustrated can be performed when providing a service (MaaS) using transportation means such as a bus. In this case, the route guidance method including the above steps is an example of a method for providing a service (MaaS) using transportation means such as a bus.

[0088] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described based on the drawings and embodiments, but it should be noted that those skilled in the art can perform various modifications and changes based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and changes are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each unit or step can be reconfigured in a logically non-contradictory manner, and multiple units or steps can be combined into one or divided.

Claims

1. A route guidance device that guides a user on a route based on information about a destination and information about a departure point, Based on the position information of the transportation tool associated with the route selected by the user and the position information of the user, it is determined whether the user has boarded the transportation tool associated with the route selected by the user.

2. The path guide device according to claim 1, When the user gets off the transportation means, the location where the user gets off the transportation means is determined, and the transportation fare is settled.

3. The path guide device according to claim 2, In a case where the user has boarded a transportation tool that operates on another route different from the transportation tool associated with the route selected by the user, a ride fare for the user is calculated based on the other route.

4. The path guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, When the distance between the transportation associated with the route selected by the user and the user is less than a pre-boarding threshold, the frequency of obtaining the user's location information or the location information of the transportation associated with the route selected by the user is increased compared to a case where the distance between the transportation associated with the route selected by the user and the user is greater than the pre-boarding threshold.

5. The path guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, When the distance between the getting-off position of a vehicle associated with the route selected by the user and the user's position is greater than a threshold during the ride, the frequency of obtaining the user's position information is reduced compared to a case where the distance between the getting-off position and the user's position is less than the threshold during the ride.

6. A method for providing travel as a service, which is a method using the route guidance device according to claim 1.

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