Vehicle scheduling system, vehicle scheduling control device, and vehicle scheduling method

Abstract

The vehicle scheduling system determines whether or not the predetermined riding points of the plurality of users are the same (S5), if the predetermined riding points of the plurality of users are the same, transmits route information for the plurality of users to each of the plurality of vehicles before the user who wants to ride the vehicle is authenticated (S6), selects route information for the authenticated user (S12-S14), and transmits route information for the plurality of users to each of the plurality of vehicles before the user who wants to ride the vehicle is authenticated (S12-S14). The vehicle is driven on the basis of the selected route information (S13, S15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle scheduling system, a vehicle scheduling control device, and a vehicle scheduling method. Background Art

[0002] The following technique is disclosed in Patent Document 1: When vehicle scheduling to the same area is requested by multiple users, the vehicle scheduling destination is changed so that the vehicle that arrives first is scheduled to the user who arrives at the vehicle scheduling location first.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-81717 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, when multiple vehicles separately scheduled for multiple users arrive at the same predetermined boarding location, it is sometimes difficult for users to determine which vehicle to board. As a result, there is a concern that the time required for boarding increases and the service deteriorates.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to make it smoother for users to board the scheduled vehicles when multiple vehicles are scheduled to the same predetermined boarding location.

[0009] Solutions to the Problems

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle scheduling system including vehicles for providing mobile services to users and a vehicle scheduling control device for scheduling vehicles to users. The vehicle scheduling control device includes a first controller that performs the following processes: acquiring information on the destinations of multiple users; scheduling multiple vehicles to multiple users respectively; setting path information associated with the path from the predetermined boarding location of each user to the destination for each of the multiple users; determining whether the predetermined boarding locations of the multiple users are the same; and, when the predetermined boarding locations of the multiple users are the same, sending the path information for the multiple users to each of the multiple vehicles before the user to board the vehicle is authenticated. The vehicle includes a second controller that performs the following processes: after the user to board the vehicle is authenticated, selecting the path information of the authenticated user from the path information received from the vehicle scheduling control device; and driving the vehicle based on the selected path information or assisting the driving of the vehicle based on the selected path information.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, when multiple vehicles are dispatched to the same predetermined pick-up location, it is possible to make it smoother for users to board the dispatched vehicles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an example of the vehicle dispatching system according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a schematic explanatory diagram of the vehicle dispatching method of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a block diagram of an example of the functional structure of the first controller of the vehicle dispatching control device.

[0016] Figure 4 It is an illustrative explanatory diagram of the arrival timing of the user and the service vehicle at the predetermined pick-up location.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a block diagram of an example of the functional structure of the second controller of the service vehicle.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a block diagram of an example of the functional structure of the third controller of the electronic device.

[0019] Figure 7 It is a flowchart of an example of the processing of the vehicle dispatching system during vehicle dispatching.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a flowchart of an example of the processing of the vehicle dispatching system after the auxiliary path information is sent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, each drawing is schematic and may be different from the actual situation. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention shown below illustrate devices and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention. The technical idea of the present invention does not determine the structure, configuration, etc. of the structural components as the following structure, configuration, etc. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously changed within the technical scope defined by the claims recited in the claims.

[0022] (Structure)

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an example of the vehicle dispatching system according to the embodiment. The vehicle dispatching system 1 according to the embodiment is a system for providing a vehicle dispatching service, which is a service for dispatching vehicles according to a vehicle dispatching request for dispatching a vehicle entrusted by a user. In this specification, the vehicle used for the vehicle dispatching service of the vehicle dispatching system 1 is expressed as a "service vehicle".

[0024] The vehicle scheduling system 1 includes a vehicle scheduling control device 2, a plurality of service vehicles 3A, 3B..., and an electronic device 4 carried by a user. Hereinafter, the service vehicles 3A, 3B... may sometimes be collectively referred to as "service vehicle 3".

[0025] The vehicle scheduling control device 2 includes a communication device 20, a map database (expressed as "Map DB" in the figure) 21, a user information database (expressed as "User Information DB" in the figure) 22, a reservation information database (expressed as "Reservation Information DB" in the figure) 23, a vehicle scheduling information database (expressed as "Vehicle Scheduling Information DB" in the figure) 24, and a first controller 25.

[0026] The communication device 20 provides a communication function between the first controller 25 and an external device. The communication method of the communication device 20 can also be, for example, wired communication, wireless communication, satellite communication based on a public mobile communication network, vehicle-to-vehicle communication with the service vehicle 3, etc.

[0027] The first controller 25 sends and receives data to and from the service vehicle 3 and the electronic device 4 through the communication device 20.

[0028] Map information of the area where the vehicle scheduling system 1 provides vehicle scheduling services is stored in the map database 21. The map information may also include road information related to the roads in the area where the vehicle scheduling system 1 provides vehicle scheduling services. For example, the map information can also be a navigation map (sometimes expressed as "navigation map" in the following description) that can be used in the calculation of the path from the boarding location where the user boards the service vehicle 3 to the destination. The navigation map contains information on road nodes (nodes) representing reference points on the road reference line (for example, the center line of the road) and information on road segments (links) representing the section form of the road between road nodes as information on road units.

[0029] User information, that is, information of users who use the vehicle scheduling service through the vehicle scheduling system 1, is stored in the user information database 22. For example, after the user agrees to the specified terms of use, etc. when using the vehicle scheduling service of the vehicle scheduling system 1, an account is created in the vehicle scheduling system 1 and the required information (information such as the name, address, and settlement account of the passenger user) is registered. For example, the user identification information and required information can also be stored in the user information database 22 as user information.

[0030] In addition, for example, as user information, historical record information of the user when using the vehicle scheduling system 1 in the past can also be stored. For example, the historical record information may also include historical record information of the in-vehicle environment of the service vehicle 3 when the user boarded the service vehicle 3 in the past.

[0031] For example, the history information of the in-vehicle environment may also include information on the use history of the in-vehicle device 36 of the service vehicle 3. The in-vehicle device 36 may be, for example, an in-vehicle audio device, an air conditioner, a lighting device, etc. The use history information of the in-vehicle device 36 may include history information such as music reproduced by the in-vehicle audio device, a broadcast program listened to by the in-vehicle audio device, channel selection, and the temperature, humidity, and lighting setting state in the vehicle cabin set by the air conditioner.

[0032] The reservation information database 23 stores the reservation information of the vehicle dispatch service. For example, the reservation information database 23 stores necessary reservation information such as user identification information, desired boarding point, destination (desired alighting point), and the number of users.

[0033] The vehicle dispatch information database 24 stores information on the vehicle dispatch status of the service vehicle 3 dispatched to the user, i.e., vehicle dispatch information. For example, the vehicle dispatch information may also include identification information of the dispatched service vehicle 3, identification information of the user who dispatched the service vehicle 3, information on the scheduled location for the user to board the service vehicle 3, i.e., the scheduled boarding location (i.e., the location where the user meets the service vehicle 3), and path information on the path from the scheduled boarding location to the user's destination.

[0034] The first controller 25 is a computer device that performs information processing in the vehicle dispatch control device 2. The first controller 25 may also include peripheral components such as a processor 25a and a storage device 25b.

[0035] The processor 25a may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). The storage device 25b may include any one of a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, and an optical storage device. The storage device 25b may include a register, a cache memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory) used as a main storage device, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) and other memories.

[0036] The functions of the first controller 25 described below are realized by, for example, the processor 25a executing a computer program stored in the storage device 25b. The functions and processes of the first controller 25 will be described below.

[0037] The service vehicle 3 is a vehicle that operates according to the requests of users of vehicle dispatching services (a vehicle for so-called on-demand transportation), such as a public taxi or a robot taxi. For example, the service vehicle 3 can also be an autonomous vehicle that is automatically driven by a second controller 37 according to the path information sent from the vehicle dispatching control device 2 without the participation of a driver.

[0038] The service vehicle 3 can also be a manually driven vehicle driven by a driver (a person). In this case, the service vehicle 3 can assist the driver in driving the service vehicle 3 according to the path information by presenting the path information sent from the vehicle dispatching control device 2 to the driver.

[0039] In this specification, an example in the case where the service vehicle 3 is an autonomous vehicle is described.

[0040] The service vehicle 3 includes a sensor 30, a positioning device 31, a map database 32, a communication device 33, a terminal device 34, a display device 35, in-vehicle equipment 36, a second controller 37, and an actuator 38.

[0041] The sensor 30 includes an object sensor that detects objects around the service vehicle 3 and a vehicle sensor that detects various information (vehicle state) obtained from the service vehicle 3.

[0042] The object sensor detects, for example, the relative position of an object existing around the service vehicle 3 with respect to the service vehicle 3, the distance between the service vehicle 3 and the object, the direction in which the object exists, and other surrounding environments of the service vehicle 3. The object sensor can, for example, also include a camera that captures the surrounding environment of the service vehicle 3. Additionally, for example, the object sensor can also include ranging devices such as a laser rangefinder (LRF), a radar, and a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) lidar. The object sensor outputs the information on the surrounding environment of the service vehicle 3 detected, that is, the surrounding environment information, to the second controller 37.

[0043] The vehicle sensor can, for example, also include a vehicle speed sensor that detects the traveling speed (vehicle speed) of the service vehicle 3, a wheel speed sensor that detects the rotational speed of each tire of the service vehicle 3, a three-axis acceleration sensor (G sensor) that detects the acceleration (including deceleration) in the three-axis directions of the service vehicle 3, a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle (including the caster angle), a gyro sensor that detects the angular velocity generated by the service vehicle 3, and a yaw rate sensor that detects the yaw rate. The vehicle sensor outputs vehicle state information to the second controller 37.

[0044] The positioning device 31 measures the current position and posture of the service vehicle 3. The positioning device 31 may also include, for example, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. The GNSS receiver may also be, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or the like. The positioning device 31 may also include an inertial navigation device. The positioning device 31 outputs the current position information of the measured current position to the second controller 37.

[0045] The map database 32 stores map information. The map information may also include data of a navigation map and highly accurate map data (hereinafter simply referred to as "highly accurate map") preferably used as a map for autonomous driving.

[0046] The communication device 33 provides a communication function between the service vehicle 3 and an external device. The communication method of the communication device 33 may also be, for example, wireless communication based on a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, or the like. The service vehicle 3 transmits and receives data to and from the vehicle dispatching control device 2 through the communication device 33.

[0047] The terminal device 34 is an interface device for exchanging information between the user in the service vehicle 3 and the second controller 37. For example, the terminal device 34 includes a display device for outputting visual information output from the second controller 37, a speaker, and a buzzer for outputting an alarm sound, a notification sound, and voice information.

[0048] In addition, for example, the terminal device 34 includes an operator for accepting an operation input of the user to the second controller 37 and a voice input device. The operator may be a mechanical interface device such as a button, a switch, a joystick, a dial, or a keyboard, or may be a button, a switch, a joystick, a dial, or a keyboard displayed on a touch panel.

[0049] In addition, for example, when the service vehicle 3 is a manually driven vehicle driven manually by a driver, the terminal device 34 may also be used as an interface device for exchanging information between the driver and the second controller 37.

[0050] The display device 35 is provided on the outer surface (for example, the top, the front surface, the side surface, and / or the back surface) of the body of the service vehicle 3 and displays visual information output from the second controller 37 so as to face the outside of the service vehicle 3. The display device 35 may also be, for example, a display for displaying characters and image information output from the second controller 37.

[0051] The in-vehicle device 36 is various devices mounted on the service vehicle 3. For example, the in-vehicle device 36 may also be an in-vehicle audio device, an air conditioner, or a lighting device.

[0052] The second controller 37 is an electronic control unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) that controls the service vehicle 3. The second controller 37 includes a processor 37a and peripheral components such as a storage device 37b. The processor 37a can also be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The storage device 37b can also include non-transitory tangible storage media such as registers, a cache memory, a ROM used as a main storage device, a RAM, and other memories. The functions of the second controller 37 described below are implemented, for example, by the processor 37a executing a computer program stored in the storage device 37b.

[0053] For example, when the service vehicle 3 is an autonomous vehicle, the second controller 37 performs autonomous driving control to make the service vehicle 3 travel along the path information sent from the vehicle dispatching control device 2 based on the surrounding environment information and vehicle state information from the sensor 30, the positioning result of the positioning device 31, and the high-precision map of the map database 32.

[0054] The actuator 38 operates the steering device, the driving device, and the braking device of the service vehicle 3 according to the control signal generated by the second controller 37 to generate the vehicle behavior of the service vehicle 3, thereby autonomously driving the service vehicle 3. The actuator 38 includes a steering actuator, an accelerator opening actuator, and a brake control actuator.

[0055] The electronic device 4 is an information processing device used by the user of the vehicle dispatching service. The electronic device 4 is, for example, a portable information terminal that can be carried or a small computer that is easy to carry. The electronic device 4 includes a positioning device 40, a communication device 41, a human-machine interface (HMI) 42, and a third controller 43.

[0056] The positioning device 40 measures the current position of the electronic device 4 (i.e., the current position of the user). The positioning device 40 can also include, for example, a GNSS receiver. The GNSS receiver can also be, for example, a GPS receiver, etc. The positioning device 40 can also include an inertial navigation device. The positioning device 40 outputs the current position information of the electronic device 4 to the third controller 43.

[0057] The communication device 41 provides a communication function between the electronic device 4 and an external device. The communication method of the communication device 41 can also be, for example, wireless communication based on a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, etc. The electronic device 4 sends and receives data to and from the vehicle dispatching control device 2 through the communication device 41.

[0058] The HMI 42 is an interface device for exchanging information between the electronic device 4 and the user. The HMI 42 is equipped with a display device that can be visually recognized by the user, a speaker and a buzzer for outputting alarm sounds, notification sounds, and voice information. In addition, the HMI 42 is equipped with an operator for accepting the user's operation input to the electronic device 4 and a voice input device. The operator can also be a button, a switch, a joystick, a dial, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc.

[0059] The third controller 43 is an electronic control unit that controls the operation of the electronic device 4. The third controller 43 includes a processor 43a and peripheral components such as a storage device 43b. The processor 43a can also be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The storage device 43b can also include non-transitory tangible storage media such as ROM and RAM used as a main storage device, memory registers, and cache memories.

[0060] The user can also pre-install the dedicated application software for using the vehicle scheduling system 1 in the electronic device 4 before making a reservation for the vehicle scheduling service and use the dedicated application software to make a reservation. In addition, the user can use the browser function of the electronic device 4 to make a reservation for the vehicle scheduling service at a website on the Internet for accepting reservations for the vehicle scheduling service.

[0061] Regarding the reservation of the vehicle scheduling service, the electronic device 4 accepts the user's input operation on the HMI 42. For example, the user inputs the required information such as the user's identification information, the desired pick-up location, the destination (desired drop-off location), and the number of passengers. The third controller 43 generates a vehicle scheduling request for applying for a reservation of the vehicle scheduling service based on the information input by the user.

[0062] The third controller 43 sends the information of the vehicle scheduling request to the vehicle scheduling control device 2 through the communication device 41. The vehicle scheduling control device 2 saves the information of the vehicle scheduling request as reservation information in the reservation information database 23.

[0063] The vehicle scheduling control device 2 selects the service vehicle 3 scheduled for the user based on the reservation information, and calculates the route for the service vehicle 3 carrying the user to travel to the destination based on the user's desired pick-up location and the destination. The vehicle scheduling control device 2 sets a predetermined pick-up location based on the calculated route.

[0064] The vehicle scheduling control device 2 calculates the predetermined time for the service vehicle 3 to reach the predetermined pick-up location as the predetermined meeting time between the user and the service vehicle 3. In addition, the vehicle scheduling control device 2 calculates the time for the service vehicle 3 to reach the destination (predetermined arrival time).

[0065] The vehicle scheduling control device 2 sends information on the scheduled pick-up location and destination, path information from the scheduled pick-up location to the destination, information on the scheduled meeting time and the scheduled arrival time to the electronic device 4. The electronic device 4 presents this information to the user via the HMI 42.

[0066] Figure 2 This is a schematic explanatory diagram of the vehicle scheduling method of the present invention. For example, consider a case where the vehicle scheduling control device 2 receives a vehicle scheduling request from the user 5A to schedule the service vehicle 3A for the user 5A. When the user 5A and the service vehicle 3A reach the scheduled pick-up location respectively, the user 5A performs an authentication operation for the vehicle scheduling service. When the authentication is successful, the service vehicle 3A picks up the user 5A and starts driving to the destination.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the vehicle scheduling control device 2 pre-sends path information associated with the path from the scheduled pick-up location of the user 5A to the destination to the service vehicle 3A at least at a time point before the time point when the user 5A performs the authentication operation. For example, it may also be sent at a time point before the time point when the service vehicle 3A reaches the scheduled pick-up location. In the following description, the path information associated with the path from the scheduled pick-up location of each user to the destination may sometimes be referred to as "the path information of the user".

[0068] By pre-sending the path information to the service vehicle 3A in this way, when the user 5A and the service vehicle 3A meet on the road R, one of the two sides SL and SR of the road R can be set as the scheduled pick-up location so that the departure direction of the service vehicle 3A immediately after the user 5A boards is the same as the forward direction of the path to the destination.

[0069] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the "scheduled pick-up location" may also include the designation of which side of the two sides of the road the user is scheduled to board the service vehicle 3 when the user and the service vehicle meet on the road.

[0070] In Figure 2 the example, the forward direction of the path of the user 5A to the destination is the direction shown by the arrow, which is the same as the traffic direction of the lane L1 on the SL side close to the road R and opposite to the traffic direction of the lane L2 on the SR side close to the road R.

[0071] Therefore, by setting the SL side of the road R as the scheduled pick-up location, the departure direction of the service vehicle 3A immediately after the user 5A boards can be made the same as the forward direction of the path to the destination. By making the departure direction of the service vehicle 3A immediately after the user 5A boards the same as the forward direction of the path to the destination in this way, waste such as direction conversion or detouring immediately after departure can be prevented.

[0072] Next, consider a case where the same predetermined pick-up location is set for the service vehicles 3 respectively dispatched to multiple users.

[0073] In Figure 2 's example, consider the following situation: When user 5A makes a vehicle dispatch request, the vehicle dispatch control device 2 initially dispatches service vehicle 3A for user 5A and pre-sends the path information of user 5A to service vehicle 3A.

[0074] In addition, consider the following situation: When user 5B makes a vehicle dispatch request, the vehicle dispatch control device 2 initially dispatches service vehicle 3B for user 5B and pre-sends the path information of user 5B to service vehicle 3B.

[0075] In the following description, the service vehicle 3 initially dispatched for a vehicle dispatch request of a certain user is sometimes referred to as the "predetermined vehicle". In Figure 2 's example, the predetermined vehicle of user 5A is service vehicle 3A, and the predetermined vehicle of user 5B is service vehicle 3B.

[0076] In this case, for example, when service vehicles 3A and 3B arrive at the predetermined pick-up location at the same timing, user 5A may sometimes have difficulty determining which service vehicle is the predetermined vehicle 3A for user 5A. For example, when service vehicles 3A and 3B are vehicles with the same appearance, user 5A may sometimes have difficulty determining the predetermined vehicle 3A. Similarly, user 5B may sometimes have difficulty determining which service vehicle is the predetermined vehicle 3B for user 5B. As a result, there is a concern that the time required for the user to board the service vehicle 3 will increase, leading to a decline in service.

[0077] In addition, for example, when users 5A and 5B both arrive at the predetermined pick-up location before service vehicles 3A and 3B arrive at the predetermined pick-up location, it may sometimes be difficult to determine whether the subsequently arriving service vehicle 3 is the predetermined vehicle 3A for user 5A or the predetermined vehicle 3B for user 5B.

[0078] In addition, for example, when users 5A and service vehicle 3B arrive at the predetermined pick-up location before user 5B and service vehicle 3A, user 5A may sometimes mistakenly want to board service vehicle 3B. The same is true when users 5B and service vehicle 3A arrive at the predetermined pick-up location before user 5A and service vehicle 3B. In these cases, there is also a concern that the time required for the user to board the service vehicle 3 will increase, leading to a decline in service.

[0079] In addition, sometimes in the following description, the combination of a certain user and the service vehicle 3A initially scheduled for that user is expressed as "the correct combination of user and vehicle", "the correct combination". Further, for such a combination of user and service vehicle 3A, it is sometimes expressed as "the combination of user and vehicle is correct", "the combination is correct". For example, the combination of user 5A and the scheduled vehicle 3A, and the combination of user 5B and the scheduled vehicle 3B are correct combinations.

[0080] Therefore, the vehicle scheduling control device 2 of the embodiment determines whether the scheduled pick-up locations of multiple users are the same. When the scheduled pick-up locations of multiple users are the same, before authenticating the users who are to board the service vehicle 3, path information for the number of multiple users is sent to each of the multiple service vehicles.

[0081] After the users who are to board the service vehicle 3 are authenticated, the service vehicle 3 selects the path information of the authenticated users from the path information received from the vehicle scheduling control device 2, and drives the service vehicle 3 based on the selected path information.

[0082] When the service vehicle 3 is a manually driven vehicle, it assists the driving of the service vehicle 3 by the driver based on the selected path information. For example, the selected path information is presented to the driver through the terminal device 34.

[0083] Thereby, a user can board any one of the multiple service vehicles 3 that arrive at the same scheduled pick-up location. As a result, the time required for boarding can be reduced, and thus it becomes smoother for the user to board the scheduled service vehicle 3.

[0084] Next, the operations and functions of each part of the vehicle scheduling system 1 of the embodiment will be described in more detail. Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the first controller 25 of the vehicle scheduling control device 2. The first controller 25 includes a reservation information setting unit 60, a path information setting unit 61, a path information sending unit 62, a position information acquisition unit 63, a scheduled time calculation unit 64, an arrival determination unit 65, an authentication determination unit 66, a passenger determination unit 67, a driving path update unit 68, and a history information sending unit 69.

[0085] When receiving a vehicle scheduling request from the electronic device 4 through the communication device 20, the reservation information setting unit 60 sets reservation information based on information such as the identification information, desired pick-up location, destination, and number of users included in the vehicle scheduling request, and stores the reservation information in the reservation information database 23.

[0086] The route information setting unit 61 selects the service vehicle 3 scheduled for the user based on the reservation information, and calculates the route for the service vehicle 3 carrying the user to travel to the destination based on the desired boarding location and the destination of the user. The route information setting unit 61 sets the scheduled boarding location based on the calculated route.

[0087] For example, the route information setting unit 61 may also set, based on the destination, which side of the road the scheduled boarding location is on when the user and the service vehicle 3 meet on the road. For example, one of the two sides of the road may be set as the scheduled boarding location so that the departure direction of the service vehicle immediately after the user boards is the same as the forward direction of the route to the destination.

[0088] The route information sending unit 62 pre-sends, at a time point before the time point when the user performs the authentication operation, route information associated with the route from the scheduled boarding location to the user's destination to the service vehicle 3. In addition, the route information sending unit 62 sends the route information to the electronic device 4.

[0089] In the following description, the route information of each user sent to the scheduled vehicle of that user is sometimes referred to as "basic route information". In Figure 2 the example, the route information of user 5A sent to the scheduled vehicle 3A of user 5A is an example of "basic route information", and the route information of user 5B sent to the scheduled vehicle 3B of user 5B is an example of "basic route information".

[0090] The route information sending unit 62 sends the route information of the user to the electronic device 4 of the user. In addition, the vehicle scheduling information of the scheduled service vehicle 3 is stored in the vehicle scheduling information database 24.

[0091] The position information acquisition unit 63 acquires the position information of the current position of the service vehicle 3 received from the service vehicle 3 through the communication device 20. In addition, the position information of the current position of the electronic device 4 received from the electronic device 4 through the communication device 20 is acquired as the position information of the user.

[0092] The scheduled time calculation unit 64 calculates the scheduled time for the service vehicle 3 to reach the scheduled boarding location as the scheduled meeting time between the user and the service vehicle 3. In addition, the scheduled time calculation unit 64 calculates the scheduled arrival time for the service vehicle 3 to reach the destination. The scheduled time calculation unit 64 sends the information of the scheduled meeting time and the scheduled arrival time to the electronic device 4 through the communication device 20.

[0093] The arrival determination unit 65 determines whether multiple users arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within a specified time, or whether multiple service vehicles 3 arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within a specified time. In addition, it determines whether the combination of a user and a service vehicle 3 that arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within a specified time is a correct combination.

[0094] For example, the arrival determination unit 65 can also estimate when the user and the service vehicle 3 will arrive at the predetermined pick-up location based on the history of the user's location information and the history of the service vehicle 3. Additionally, for example, the arrival determination unit 65 can assume the predetermined meeting time calculated by the predetermined time calculation unit 64 as the time when the user and the service vehicle 3 arrive at the predetermined pick-up location.

[0095] Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram of a mode example of the arrival timing when the user and the service vehicle 3 arrive at the predetermined pick-up location. Here, as an example, an example including two combinations, namely the combination of user 5A and service vehicle 3A, and the combination of user 5B and service vehicle 3B, is shown. However, the combination of the user and the service vehicle 3 that arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location is not limited to two groups, and it is also possible to determine whether three or more combinations arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location.

[0096] In mode A, the combination (correct combination) of user 5A and service vehicle 3A (the predetermined vehicle of user 5A) arrives at the predetermined pick-up location first, and then the combination (correct combination) of user 5B and service vehicle 3B (the predetermined vehicle of user 5B) arrives at the predetermined pick-up location first.

[0097] In mode B, the combination (correct combination) of user 5B and service vehicle 3B arrives at the predetermined pick-up location first, and then the combination (correct combination) of user 5A and service vehicle 3A arrives at the predetermined pick-up location.

[0098] In the cases of mode A and mode B, the arrival determination unit 65 does not determine that multiple users and multiple service vehicles 3 arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within a specified time. In addition, it is not determined that an incorrect combination of a user and a service vehicle 3 arrives at the same predetermined pick-up location within a specified time.

[0099] In mode C, users 5A and 5B arrive at the predetermined pick-up location first, and then service vehicles 3A and 3B arrive at the predetermined pick-up location. Therefore, it is determined that multiple users arrive at the predetermined pick-up location within a specified time at the same predetermined pick-up location.

[0100] In mode D, users 5A and 5B and service vehicle 3A first arrive at the predetermined pick-up location, and then service vehicle 3B arrives at the predetermined pick-up location. Therefore, it is determined that multiple users arrive at the predetermined pick-up location within the specified time at the same predetermined pick-up location. In addition, it is determined that the incorrect combination of user 5B and service vehicle 3A arrives at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time.

[0101] In mode E, users 5A and 5B and service vehicle 3B first arrive at the predetermined pick-up location, and then service vehicle 3A arrives at the predetermined pick-up location. Therefore, it is determined that multiple users arrive at the predetermined pick-up location within the specified time at the same predetermined pick-up location. In addition, it is determined that the incorrect combination of user 5A and service vehicle 3B arrives at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time.

[0102] In mode F, users 5A and 5B and service vehicles 3A and 3B arrive at the predetermined pick-up location at approximately the same time. Therefore, it is determined that multiple users arrive at the predetermined pick-up location within the specified time at the same predetermined pick-up location. In addition, it is determined that multiple service vehicles 3 arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time. In addition, it is determined that the incorrect combination of user 5A and service vehicle 3B and the incorrect combination of user 5B and service vehicle 3A arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time.

[0103] In mode G, user 5A and service vehicles 3A and 3B first arrive at the predetermined pick-up location, and then user 5B arrives at the predetermined pick-up location. Therefore, it is determined that multiple service vehicles 3 arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time. In addition, it is determined that the incorrect combination of user 5A and service vehicle 3B arrives at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time.

[0104] In mode H, user 5A and service vehicle 3B first arrive at the predetermined pick-up location, and then user 5B and service vehicle 3A arrive at the predetermined pick-up location. Therefore, it is determined that the incorrect combination of user 5A and service vehicle 3B arrives at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time.

[0105] In mode I, user 5B and service vehicle 3A first arrive at the predetermined pick-up location, and then user 5A and service vehicle 3B arrive at the predetermined pick-up location. Therefore, it is determined that the incorrect combination of user 5B and service vehicle 3A arrives at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time.

[0106] In mode J, user 5B and service vehicles 3A and 3B first arrive at the predetermined pick-up location, and then user 5A arrives at the predetermined pick-up location. Therefore, it is determined that multiple service vehicles 3 arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time. In addition, it is determined that the incorrect combination of user 5B and service vehicle 3A arrives at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time.

[0107] In mode K, service vehicles 3A and 3B first arrive at the predetermined pick-up location, and then users 5A and 5B arrive at the predetermined pick-up location. Therefore, it is determined that multiple service vehicles 3 arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time.

[0108] Refer to Figure 3 . When the arrival determination unit 65 determines that multiple users arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location, the path information sending unit 62 sends the path information of all the other remaining users to each of the predetermined vehicles of the multiple users arriving at the same predetermined pick-up location.

[0109] For example, when it is determined that multiple users arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time, the path information sending unit 62 may also send the path information of all the other remaining users to the predetermined vehicle of any one of the multiple users arriving at the same predetermined pick-up location.

[0110] In this way, in the following description, the path information of other users sent to the predetermined vehicle of any one of the multiple users arriving at the same predetermined pick-up location is sometimes referred to as "auxiliary path information".

[0111] In addition, when sending the path information of other users to the predetermined vehicle of a certain user among the multiple users arriving at the same predetermined pick-up location as auxiliary path information, the other users are sometimes referred to as "users corresponding to the auxiliary path information".

[0112] Similarly, when it is determined that multiple service vehicles 3 arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time and it is determined that an incorrect combination of a user and a service vehicle 3 arrives at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time, the path information sending unit 62 also sends the auxiliary path information.

[0113] Therefore, for example, in Figure 4 the case of modes C to K shown, the path information sending unit 62 sends the auxiliary path information to the service vehicle 3 in advance.

[0114] For example, when the users arriving at the same predetermined pick-up location are User 5A and User 5B, the path information of User 5A is sent as auxiliary path information to the service vehicle 3B which is the predetermined vehicle of User 5B, and the path information of User 5B is sent as auxiliary path information to the service vehicle 3A which is the predetermined vehicle of User 5A.

[0115] When the users arriving at the same predetermined pick-up location are the three users User 5A to User 5C, the path information of User 5A is sent as auxiliary path information to the service vehicles 3B and 3C which are the predetermined vehicles of User 5B and User 5C, the path information of User 5B is sent as auxiliary path information to the service vehicles 3A and 3C which are the predetermined vehicles of User 5A and User 5C, and the path information of User 5C is sent as auxiliary path information to the service vehicles 3A and 3B which are the predetermined vehicles of User 5A and User 5B. The same applies when there are four or more users arriving at the same predetermined pick-up location.

[0116] When sending the path information of a certain user as auxiliary path information, the path information sending unit 62 may also notify the user that as long as it is the service vehicle 3 arriving at the predetermined pick-up location, the user can board any vehicle. For example, the path information sending unit 62 may also send information of such a notice to the electronic device 4. The electronic device 4 may also display the received information on the HMI 42.

[0117] On the other hand, when not sending the auxiliary path information, the path information sending unit 62 may also notify the user to board the service vehicle 3 which is the predetermined vehicle. For example, the path information sending unit 62 may also send information for identifying the predetermined vehicle (such as the number, symbol, license plate recorded on the body of the service vehicle 3) to the electronic device 4. The electronic device 4 may also display the received information on the HMI 42.

[0118] Therefore, for example, in Figure 4 the cases of the shown Modes A and B, the user is notified to board the predetermined vehicle. In addition, in the cases of Modes C to K, the user is notified that they can board any service vehicle.

[0119] When the user and the service vehicle 3 respectively arrive at the predetermined pick-up location, the user performs an authentication operation for boarding the service vehicle 3. For example, the user may input the authentication operation to the electronic device 4 carried by the user. Additionally, for example, the user inputs the authentication operation to the terminal device 34 of the service vehicle 3. When the authentication operation is performed by the user, the authentication determination unit 66 determines whether the user's authentication is successful.

[0120] For example, when an authentication operation is input to the electronic device 4, it is determined whether the user is within a specified distance range of a predetermined vehicle based on the user's location information and the location information of the service vehicle 3. It is also possible to determine that the user's authentication is successful when the user is within the specified distance range of the predetermined vehicle and the authentication information is appropriate. Additionally, for example, when an authentication operation is input to the terminal device 34 of the user's predetermined vehicle, it is also possible to determine that the user's authentication is successful based on whether the authentication information is appropriate.

[0121] Furthermore, even if the service vehicle 3 that has authenticated the user is not the predetermined vehicle, as long as the service vehicle 3 has received the user's path information as auxiliary path information, it is also possible to determine whether authentication can be performed in the same manner as in the case of the predetermined vehicle. In addition, when the service vehicle 3 that has authenticated the user is neither the predetermined vehicle nor the service vehicle 3 that has received the user's path information as auxiliary path information, it is determined that the user's authentication is unsuccessful.

[0122] When the user's authentication by the authentication determination unit 66 is successful, the passenger determination unit 67 determines the user who has boarded the service vehicle 3 based on the authentication result. As will be described later, it is also possible for the service vehicle 3 to determine whether the user's authentication is successful. In this case, the first controller 25 can also receive the identification information of the user who has boarded the service vehicle 3 from the service vehicle 3.

[0123] The travel path update unit 68 determines whether the combination of the user who has boarded the service vehicle 3 and the service vehicle 3 is a correct combination. That is, it determines whether the user has boarded the predetermined vehicle.

[0124] When it is determined that the combination of the user and the service vehicle 3 is correct, the travel path update unit 68 sends a first instruction signal to the service vehicle 3, and this first instruction signal is used to instruct the service vehicle 3 to depart in a manner of traveling based on the basic path information.

[0125] Therefore, in Figure 4 In the cases of modes A and B shown, a first instruction signal is sent to the service vehicle 3, and this first instruction signal is used to instruct traveling based on the basic path information. Additionally, when the user has boarded the predetermined vehicle in modes C to K, a first instruction signal is also sent to the service vehicle 3.

[0126] When the travel path update unit 68 does not determine that the combination of the user and the service vehicle 3 is correct, the travel path update unit 68 selects the path information of the user who has boarded the service vehicle 3 from the auxiliary path information as the updated path information. The travel path update unit 68 sends a second instruction signal to the service vehicle 3, and this second instruction signal is used to instruct the service vehicle 3 to depart in a manner of traveling based on the updated path information.

[0127] Therefore, inFigure 4 When the user rides in a vehicle other than the scheduled vehicle in the patterns C to K shown, a second instruction signal is sent to the service vehicle 3, and this second instruction signal is used to instruct driving based on the auxiliary path information.

[0128] The history information transmission unit 69 acquires the history information of the user determined by the passenger determination unit 67 from the user information database 23. The history information transmission unit 69 sends the history information of the in-vehicle environment when the user previously rode in the service vehicle 3 to the service vehicle 3.

[0129] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the second controller 37 of the service vehicle 3. The second controller 37 includes a position information transmission unit 70, an automatic driving control unit 71, a path information control unit 72, a path information storage unit 73, an authentication operation input unit 74, an authentication determination unit 75, a passenger determination unit 76, a path information display unit 77, and an in-vehicle environment setting unit 78.

[0130] The position information transmission unit 70 acquires the position information of the service vehicle 3 from the positioning device 31. The position information transmission unit 70 sends the position information to the vehicle dispatching control device 2 through the communication device 33.

[0131] The automatic driving control unit 71 performs automatic driving control to make the service vehicle 3 travel along the path information sent from the vehicle dispatching control device 2. For example, the automatic driving control unit 71 calculates the target driving trajectory for the service vehicle 3 to travel based on the current position and posture of the service vehicle 3, the path information, the high-precision map, and the surrounding environment of the service vehicle 3. For example, the automatic driving control unit 71 generates a path space map showing the paths around the service vehicle 3, the presence or absence of objects, and a risk map obtained by quantifying the degree of danger during driving, and generates a target driving trajectory based on the motion characteristics of the service vehicle 3, the vehicle state information, the path space map, and the risk map. Then, the automatic driving control unit 71 drives the actuator 38 to make the service vehicle 3 travel along the generated target driving trajectory.

[0132] When the path information control unit 72 receives the basic path information from the vehicle dispatching control device 2 through the communication device 33, it stores the basic path information in the path information storage unit 73. In addition, when the path information control unit 72 receives the auxiliary path information from the vehicle dispatching control device 2 through the communication device 33, it stores the auxiliary path information in the path information storage unit 73.

[0133] In addition, when the path information control unit 72 receives the path information of a certain user as the auxiliary path information, it may also notify that the user (i.e., the user corresponding to the auxiliary path information) can also board the service vehicle 3. That is, it may also notify that the user corresponding to the auxiliary path information can also board a service vehicle 3 other than the user's reserved vehicle.

[0134] Thereby, multiple users arriving at the same reserved boarding location can be judged to be able to board any service vehicle 3 arriving at the reserved boarding location.

[0135] For example, the path information control unit 72 may also display, via a display device 35 provided on the outer surface of the body of the service vehicle 3, that users corresponding to the auxiliary path information other than the user who initially dispatched the service vehicle 3 (the user who set the service vehicle 3 as the reserved vehicle) can also board. For example, the path information control unit 72 may also display information (such as the acceptance number of the vehicle dispatch request) that can identify these users who can board the service vehicle 3 on the display device 35.

[0136] When the user operates the terminal device 34 to input an authentication operation, the authentication operation input unit 74 accepts the user's authentication operation.

[0137] When performing an authentication process for the user who has input an authentication operation via the terminal device 34 in the service vehicle 3, an authentication determination unit 75 and a passenger determination unit 76 are provided. When no authentication process is performed in the service vehicle 3, the authentication determination unit 75 and the passenger determination unit 76 may be omitted.

[0138] When an authentication operation is input via the terminal device 34, the authentication determination unit 75 determines whether the user's authentication is successful. For example, when the user performs an authentication operation in the reserved vehicle and the authentication information is appropriate, it may be determined that the user's authentication is successful.

[0139] In addition, even if the service vehicle 3 for which the user has performed an authentication operation is not the reserved vehicle, as long as it is a service vehicle 3 that has received the user's path information as the auxiliary path information, it may be determined whether authentication can be performed in the same manner as in the case of the reserved vehicle.

[0140] When performing the user's authentication process in the service vehicle 3, the vehicle dispatch control device 2 may also send, in addition to the basic path information and the auxiliary path information, the identification information of the user of these path information to the service vehicle 3.

[0141] When the authentication of the user by the authentication determination unit 75 is successful, the passenger determination unit 76 determines the user who has boarded the service vehicle 3 based on the authentication result. The passenger determination unit 76 sends the identification information of the user who has boarded the service vehicle 3 to the vehicle dispatch control device 2.

[0142] The route information display unit 77 displays the route information and the destination sent from the vehicle scheduling control device 2 to the user who has boarded the service vehicle 3. For example, the route information display unit 77 may also display the route information and the destination on the terminal device 34.

[0143] When the route information display unit 77 receives a first instruction signal from the vehicle scheduling control device 2 for instructing travel based on the basic route information, it displays the basic route information and its destination to the user.

[0144] On the other hand, when the route information display unit 77 receives a second instruction signal from the vehicle scheduling control device 2 for instructing travel based on the updated route information, it displays the selected auxiliary route information as the updated route information and its destination to the user. Therefore, even if the service vehicle 3 boarded by the user is not the scheduled vehicle, the route information display unit 77 can display the destination and route information of the user.

[0145] In addition, when the route information control unit 72 receives the first instruction signal from the vehicle scheduling control device 2, it sets the basic route information as the target travel route of the service vehicle 3. In addition, when the route information control unit 72 receives the second instruction signal from the vehicle scheduling control device 2, it sets the selected auxiliary route information as the updated route information as the target travel route. The automatic driving control unit 71 executes automatic driving control to make the service vehicle 3 travel along the target travel route set by the route information control unit 72. Thus, when the automatic driving control unit 71 receives the first instruction signal from the vehicle scheduling control device 2, it makes the service vehicle 3 travel to the destination according to the basic route information, and when it receives the second instruction signal from the vehicle scheduling control device 2, it makes the service vehicle 3 travel to the destination according to the selected auxiliary route information as the updated route information.

[0146] The in-vehicle environment setting unit 78 receives the historical record information of the user who has boarded the service vehicle 3 from the vehicle scheduling control device 2. The historical record information includes the historical record information of the in-vehicle environment when the user has boarded the service vehicle 3 in the past. The in-vehicle environment setting unit 78 sets the in-vehicle environment of the service vehicle 3 based on the received historical record information of the in-vehicle environment. For example, the in-vehicle environment setting unit 78 controls the operation of the in-vehicle device 36 based on the received historical record information of the in-vehicle environment.

[0147] Figure 6 It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the third controller 43 of the electronic device 4. The third controller 43 includes a position information transmission unit 80, a scheduled meeting time display unit 81, a scheduled arrival time display unit 82, an authentication operation input unit 83, and a route information display unit 84.

[0148] The location information sending unit 80 obtains the location information of the electronic device 4 from the positioning device 40. The location information sending unit 80 sends the obtained location information to the vehicle dispatching control device 2 as the user's location information through the communication device 41.

[0149] The scheduled meeting time display unit 81 displays the scheduled meeting time received from the vehicle dispatching control device 2 on the HMI 42. The scheduled arrival time display unit 82 displays the scheduled arrival time received from the vehicle dispatching control device 2 on the HMI 42.

[0150] When the user inputs an authentication operation to the electronic device 4 (for example, when the user operates the HMI 42 to input an authentication operation), the authentication operation input unit 83 accepts the user's authentication operation. The authentication operation input unit 83 sends the input authentication information to the vehicle dispatching control device 2 through the communication device 41.

[0151] The route information display unit 84 displays the route information received from the vehicle dispatching control device 2 and its destination on the HMI 42.

[0152] (Operation)

[0153] Figure 7 It is a flowchart of an example of the processing of the vehicle dispatching system 1 during vehicle dispatching.

[0154] In step S1, the reservation information setting unit 60 receives a vehicle dispatching request.

[0155] In step S2, the route information setting unit 61 dispatches the service vehicle 3 to the user.

[0156] In step S3, the route information setting unit 61 calculates the route for the service vehicle 3 carrying the user to travel to the destination.

[0157] In step S4, the route information sending unit 62 sends the basic route information to the service vehicle 3 that becomes the user's scheduled vehicle.

[0158] In step S5, the arrival determination unit 65 determines whether multiple users arrive at the same scheduled boarding location within a specified time, whether multiple service vehicles 3 arrive at the same scheduled boarding location within a specified time, or whether an incorrect combination of user and service vehicle 3 arrives at the same scheduled boarding location within a specified time.

[0159] Whether multiple users arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time, whether multiple service vehicles 3 arrive at the same predetermined pick-up location within the specified time, or whether an incorrect combination of a user and a service vehicle 3 arrives at the same predetermined pick-up location (step S5: "Yes"), the process proceeds to step S6. In cases where these conditions are not met (step S5: "No"), the service vehicle 3 meets the user at the predetermined pick-up location in the basic path information and drives to the destination after the user gets on the vehicle.

[0160] In step S6, the path information sending unit 62 of the vehicle scheduling control device 2 sends auxiliary path information to each of the service vehicles 3 scheduled for multiple users arriving at the same predetermined pick-up location. Then the process ends.

[0161] Figure 8 It is a flowchart of an example of the process of the vehicle scheduling system 1 after the auxiliary path information is sent.

[0162] In step S10, the path information sending unit 62 of the vehicle scheduling control device 2 notifies the user that for users arriving at the same predetermined pick-up location, any of the service vehicles 3 arriving at that predetermined pick-up location can be boarded. In addition, the path information control unit 72 of the service vehicle 3 displays on the display device 35 the situation that users other than the user who initially scheduled the service vehicle 3 can also board the service vehicle 3 arriving at the predetermined pick-up location.

[0163] In step S11, the authentication determination unit 66 of the vehicle scheduling control device 2 or the authentication determination unit 75 of the service vehicle 3 performs the user authentication process.

[0164] In step S12, the driving path update unit 68 determines whether the combination of the user who has undergone the authentication process and the service vehicle 3 is correct. If the combination is correct (step S12: "Yes"), the process proceeds to step S13. If the combination is incorrect (step S12: "No"), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0165] In step S13, the autonomous driving control unit 71 makes the service vehicle 3 drive to the destination according to the basic path information. Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0166] In step S14, the path information control unit 72 updates the target driving path of the service vehicle 3 from the path of the basic path information to the path of the auxiliary path information.

[0167] In step S15, the autonomous driving control unit 71 makes the service vehicle 3 drive to the destination according to the auxiliary path information.

[0168] In step S16, the travel route update unit 68 determines whether there are two or more remaining combinations of users whose authentication is not completed and service vehicles. If there are two or more remaining combinations of users whose authentication is not completed and service vehicles (step S16: "Yes"), the process returns to step S11. If there is one remaining combination of a user whose authentication is not completed and a service vehicle (step S16: "No"), the process proceeds to step S17.

[0169] In step S17, the travel route update unit 68 determines whether the remaining combination is correct. If the combination is correct (step S17: "Yes"), the process proceeds to step S18. If the combination is incorrect (step S17: "No"), the process proceeds to step S19.

[0170] In step S18, the automatic driving control unit 71 causes the service vehicle 3 to travel to the destination according to the basic path information. Then the process ends.

[0171] In step S19, the path information control unit 72 updates the target travel path of the service vehicle 3 from the path of the basic path information to the path of the auxiliary path information.

[0172] In step S20, the automatic driving control unit 71 causes the service vehicle 3 to travel to the destination according to the auxiliary path information. Then the process ends.

[0173] (Variant example)

[0174] (1) The path information transmission unit 62 may also transmit only the information of the destination of the user to the service vehicle 3 as the auxiliary path information. The path information control unit 72 of the service vehicle 3 may also calculate the path from the predetermined boarding location of the basic path information to the destination of the auxiliary path information. For example, the path information control unit 72 may calculate the path to the destination of the user after the user who is to board the service vehicle 3 is authenticated. For example, it may also be that, when the second instruction signal is received, the path to the destination of the auxiliary path information selected as the updated path information is calculated.

[0175] Similarly, the path information transmission unit 62 may also transmit only the information of the predetermined boarding location and the destination as the basic path information. The path information control unit 72 may also calculate the path to the destination of the user after the user boards the service vehicle 3 as the predetermined vehicle is authenticated. For example, it may also be that, when the first instruction signal is received, the path to the destination of the basic path information is calculated.

[0176] (2) The path information sending unit 62 may also send only the information of the path in the overlapping section and the information of the user's destination to the service vehicle 3 as the auxiliary path information, where the overlapping section is the section where the driving paths to the destinations of multiple users arriving at the same predetermined boarding location overlap. The path information control unit 72 of the service vehicle 3 may also calculate the path from the end point of the overlapping section to the destination of the auxiliary path information. For example, the path information control unit 72 may calculate the path from the end point of the overlapping section to the user's destination after the user who is to board the service vehicle 3 is authenticated. For example, it may also be that, in the case of receiving the second instruction signal, the path from the end point of the overlapping section to the destination of the auxiliary path information selected as the updated path information is calculated.

[0177] Similarly, the path information sending unit 62 may also calculate the information of the path in the overlapping section and the path to the destination as the basic path information. The path information control unit 72 may also calculate the path from the end point of the overlapping section to the user's destination after the authentication of the user who is to board the service vehicle 3 as the predetermined vehicle. For example, it may also be that, in the case of receiving the first instruction signal, the path to the destination of the basic path information is calculated.

[0178] (Effect of the embodiment)

[0179] (1) The vehicle scheduling system 1 includes a service vehicle 3 for providing a mobility service to a user, and a vehicle scheduling control device 2 for scheduling the service vehicle 3 to the user.

[0180] The vehicle scheduling control device 2 includes a first controller 25, and the first controller 25 performs the following processes: acquiring the information of the destinations of multiple users; scheduling multiple service vehicles 3 to multiple users respectively; setting path information associated with the path from the user's predetermined boarding location to the destination for each of the multiple users; determining whether the predetermined boarding locations of the multiple users are the same; and, in the case where the predetermined boarding locations of the multiple users are the same, sending the path information of the quantity of the multiple users to each of the multiple service vehicles 3 before the user who is to board the service vehicle 3 is authenticated.

[0181] The service vehicle 3 includes a second controller 37, and the second controller 37 performs the following processes: after the user who is to board the service vehicle 3 is authenticated, selecting the path information of the authenticated user from the path information received from the vehicle scheduling control device 2; and driving the service vehicle 3 based on the selected path information, or assisting the driving of the service vehicle 3 based on the selected path information.

[0182] As a result, the user can board any one of the service vehicles 3 that arrive at the same predetermined boarding location. As a result, the time required for boarding can be reduced, and thus it becomes smoother for the user to board the dispatched service vehicle 3.

[0183] (2) Alternatively, the route information may include information on the destinations of the users. Alternatively, after the user who is to board the service vehicle 3 is authenticated, the second controller 37 calculates the driving route to the destination included in the route information.

[0184] As a result, the amount of route information sent to and stored in the service vehicle 3 can be reduced, and thus communication volume and memory can be saved.

[0185] (3) Alternatively, the route information may include the routes of the overlapping sections that overlap with each other among the driving routes from the predetermined boarding location to the respective destinations of the multiple users. Alternatively, after the user who is to board the service vehicle 3 is authenticated, the second controller 37 calculates the driving route from the end point of the overlapping section to the destination of the user who is to board the service vehicle 3.

[0186] As a result, the amount of route information sent to and stored in the service vehicle 3 can be reduced, and thus communication volume and memory can be saved.

[0187] (4) Alternatively, the first controller 25 determines whether the arrival times of the multiple users at the same predetermined boarding location are within a specified time, and if it is determined that the arrival times are within the specified time, sends the route information for the number of multiple users to each of the multiple service vehicles 3.

[0188] As a result, the users who arrive at the same predetermined boarding location within the specified time can board any one of the service vehicles 3 that arrive at the predetermined boarding location. As a result, the time required for boarding can be reduced, and thus it becomes smoother for the user to board the dispatched service vehicle 3.

[0189] (5) Alternatively, the service vehicle 3 is an autonomous vehicle. According to the present invention, even if the service vehicle 3 is an unmanned vehicle such as an autonomous vehicle, it is possible to prevent the user from hesitating about which service vehicle to board.

[0190] (6) Alternatively, the first controller 25 or the second controller 37 notifies any one of the multiple users that the user can board the service vehicle 3 dispatched for the other users among the multiple users except the any one user.

[0191] As a result, it is possible to notify the user that the user can board any one of the service vehicles 3 that arrive at the predetermined boarding location.

[0192] (7)Alternatively, the first controller 25 may set on which side of the road the predetermined pick-up location is based on the destination.

[0193] Thereby, it is possible to prevent waste such as the service vehicle 3 changing direction or taking a detour immediately after the user boards.

[0194] (8)Alternatively, the vehicle scheduling control device 2 may further include a storage device that stores historical record information of the in-vehicle environment set when the user previously used the service vehicle 3. Alternatively, the second controller 37 may receive the historical record information of the authenticated user from the vehicle scheduling control device 2 and set the in-vehicle environment of the service vehicle 3 on which the user boards based on the historical record information.

[0195] Thereby, it is possible to set the in-vehicle environment of the service vehicle 3 in accordance with the preferences of the user who actually boards the service vehicle 3.

[0196] Description of Reference Numerals

[0197] 1: Vehicle scheduling system; 2: Vehicle scheduling control device; 3, 3A, 3B: Service vehicles; 4: Electronic device; 20, 33, 41: Communication devices; 21, 32: Map databases; 22: User information database; 23: Reservation information database; 24: Vehicle scheduling information database; 25: First controller; 25a, 37a, 43a: Processors; 25b, 37b, 43b: Storage devices; 30: Sensors; 31: Positioning devices; 34: Terminal device; 35: Display device; 36: In-vehicle equipment; 37: Second controller; 38: Actuator; 40: Positioning device; 42: Man-machine interface; 43: Third controller; 60: Reservation information setting unit; 61: Route information setting unit; 62: Route information sending unit; 63: Position information acquisition unit; 64: Predetermined time calculation unit; 65: Arrival determination unit; 66: Authentication determination unit; 67: Passenger determination unit; 68: Travel route update unit; 69: Historical record information sending unit; 70: Position information sending unit; 71: Autopilot control unit; 72: Route information control unit; 73: Route information holding unit; 74: Authentication operation input unit; 75: Authentication determination unit; 76: Passenger determination unit; 77: Route information display unit; 78: In-vehicle environment setting unit; 80: Position information sending unit; 81: Predetermined time display unit; 82: Predetermined arrival time display unit; 83: Authentication operation input unit; 84: Route information display unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle scheduling system includes vehicles that provide mobile services to users and a vehicle scheduling control device that schedules the vehicles to the users. The vehicle scheduling system is characterized in that: The vehicle scheduling control device includes a first controller that performs the following processes: Obtain information on the destinations of multiple users; Schedule multiple vehicles to multiple users respectively; Set path information associated with the path from the predetermined boarding location of each user to the destination for each of the multiple users; Determine whether the predetermined boarding locations of multiple users are the same; And In the case where the predetermined boarding locations of multiple users are the same, before the user who is to board the vehicle is authenticated, send the path information of the multiple users to each vehicle among the multiple vehicles; The vehicle includes a second controller that performs the following processes: After the user who is to board the vehicle is authenticated, select the path information of the authenticated user from the path information received from the vehicle scheduling control device; And Drive the vehicle based on the selected path information or assist in driving the vehicle based on the selected path information.

2. The vehicle scheduling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The path information includes information on the destination of the user. After the user who is to board the vehicle is authenticated, the second controller calculates the driving path to the destination included in the path information.

3. The vehicle scheduling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The path information includes the path of the repeated section that is repeated among the driving paths from the predetermined boarding location to the destinations of multiple users respectively. After the user who is to board the vehicle is authenticated, the second controller calculates the driving path from the end point of the repeated section to the destination of the user who is to board the vehicle.

4. The vehicle scheduling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first controller determines whether the arrival times of multiple users arriving at the same predetermined boarding location are within a specified time. If it is determined that the arrival times are within the specified time, send the path information of the multiple users to each vehicle among the multiple vehicles.

5. The vehicle scheduling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

6. The vehicle scheduling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first controller or the second controller notifies any one of the multiple users that the any one user can board the vehicle scheduled for other users among the multiple users.

7. The vehicle scheduling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first controller sets on which side of the road the predetermined boarding location is based on the destination.

8. The vehicle scheduling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vehicle scheduling control device further includes a storage device that stores historical record information of the in-vehicle environment set when the user previously used the vehicle. The second controller receives the historical record information of the authenticated user from the vehicle scheduling control device and sets the in-vehicle environment of the vehicle in which the user rides based on the historical record information.

9. A vehicle scheduling control device for scheduling a vehicle for providing a mobility service to a user, the vehicle scheduling control device being characterized by including a controller that executes the following processes: Obtain information on the destinations of a plurality of the users; Schedule a plurality of the vehicles to a plurality of the users respectively; Set route information including at least the destination information for each of the plurality of users; Determine whether the predetermined boarding locations of the plurality of users are the same; And When the predetermined boarding locations of the plurality of users are the same, send the route information of the quantity of the plurality of users to each of the plurality of vehicles before the user who is to ride in the vehicle is authenticated.

10. A vehicle scheduling method for scheduling a vehicle for providing a mobility service to a user, the vehicle scheduling method being characterized by causing at least one controller to execute the following processes: Obtain information on the destinations of a plurality of the users; Schedule a plurality of the vehicles to a plurality of the users respectively; Set route information associated with the route from the predetermined boarding location of the user to the destination for each of the plurality of users; Determine whether the predetermined boarding locations of the plurality of users are the same; When the predetermined boarding locations of the plurality of users are the same, send the route information of the quantity of the plurality of users to each of the plurality of vehicles before the user who is to ride in the vehicle is authenticated; After the user who is to ride in the vehicle is authenticated, select the route information of the authenticated user from the route information of the quantity of the plurality of users; And Drive the vehicle based on the selected route information or assist in driving the vehicle based on the selected route information.

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