Method and system for incorporating geographical positions of vehicles available for rental into a digital map

Description

Technical field.

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a system for incorporating into a digital map, geographical positions of vehicles available for reservation.

[0002] The field of the invention relates in particular to methods for filtering and / or selecting geographical positions of vehicles to be displayed on a digital map. State of the art.

[0003] There are known solutions that allow you to book a vehicle using a user's mobile terminal. One such service is UBER ®<, whose computer application allows you to book a ride in cities where the service is available. A booking request is sent from a user's mobile terminal to a server. The server transmits the request to drivers located near the user. When one of them accepts the ride, the application indicates the estimated time of their arrival at the pick-up location. A digital map, displayed on the user's mobile terminal, allows you to track the driver's location and route in real time.

[0004] Document US2011 / 0112969 (ZAID) describes another vehicle reservation solution. A user transmits, from a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a reservation request to a remote computer server. The latter selects an available vehicle and transmits to the user identification and position information of said vehicle. The position of the vehicle is generally visible on a digital map displayed on a graphical interface of the user terminal.

[0005] Document US2017 / 316359 describes a method for determining a location relating to a transportation service, comprising determining the location of drivers in a pickup region, providing a map interface for a mobile computing device and identifying a pickup location from suggested locations.

[0006] In these current systems, and as illustrated in the figure 1, if a user U transmits, from his user terminal EQ U and to the remote server SERV, a reservation request at a time T0, said server generates and displays on said terminal, a digital map generally indicating all the real geographical positions at T0, of the vehicles V 1 -V 6 available for reservation. The computing resources mobilized by the server SERV, the calculation times and the bandwidth on the network R are therefore high insofar as all the real geographical positions of the vehicles V 1 -V 6 are incorporated in the digital map C displayed on a graphical interface of the user terminal. The user U will naturally select the vehicle V1 which is closest to him. The choice of vehicles likely to be reserved by the user U is therefore, in practice, particularly limited.

[0007] One objective of the invention is to remedy this state of affairs. In particular, another objective of the invention is to propose a method for reducing the computing resources mobilized by a server, the calculation times and the bandwidth on the network R allowing the geographical position of vehicles available for reservation to be displayed on a digital map. Presentation of the invention.

[0008] The solution proposed by the invention is a method for incorporating geographical positions of vehicles available for reservation into a digital map, said method comprising the following steps: a) receiving at a time T0, from a user mobile terminal, the geographical position of said mobile terminal and a reservation request, b) automatically calculating, by means of a calculation module, data defining a first geographical area centered on the geographical position of the mobile terminal received at time T0, c) automatically calculating, by means of the calculation module, data defining a second geographical area included in the first geographical area and whose center corresponds to the geographical position of the mobile terminal and whose radius corresponds to a distance, which distance is defined automatically or is included in the reservation request by being entered by a user from an interface of the mobile terminal, - -d) receiving the actual geographical positions, at time T0, of vehicles available for reservation,which geographical positions are received from equipment embedded in said vehicles or are received from mobile terminals of users using said vehicles, e) automatically carry out, by means of a computer processing module, a first selection of vehicles available for reservation whose actual geographical position at time T0 is included in the first geographical area, f) for each of said vehicles selected during the first selection: -- f1) automatically calculate, by means of a route calculation module, a route between: a starting point corresponding to the actual geographical position of said vehicle at T0; and an arrival point defined in relation to the geographical position of the mobile terminal, -- f2) automatically calculate, by means of the calculation module, an estimated geographical position of the vehicle at a time T2 on the calculated route, where T2>T0, g) automatically carry out,by means of the computer processing module, a second selection of vehicles available for reservation whose estimated geographical position is included in the second geographical zone, h) at a time T1 such that T2>T1≥T0: automatically incorporate into a digital map displayed on a graphical interface of the mobile terminal, only the estimated geographical positions of said vehicles at time T2 and which are selected during the second selection.

[0009] The map displayed at time T1 no longer indicates the actual position of the vehicles as in the prior art solutions, but an estimated (future) position of said vehicles at a time T2>T1. T2 being the time taken by the vehicles if they moved towards the user following the calculated route. The selections made on the vehicles make it possible to reduce the number of positions displayed on the digital map and therefore make it possible to reduce the computing resources mobilized, the calculation times and the bandwidth on the network. Notwithstanding this reduction, the map will however be able to display the positions of a greater number of vehicles located near the user so that a wider choice is offered to the user.

[0010] Other advantageous features of the invention are listed below. Each of these features may be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable features defined above, and may be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications: - According to one embodiment, the method comprises the following steps: - automatically calculating, by means of the calculation module, and for each route calculated in step f1), the travel time of the vehicle concerned by said route, between the starting point and the arrival point; - carrying out a third selection of the vehicles available for reservation whose calculated travel time is equal to or less than a determined time limit; - carrying out step h) only for the vehicles selected during the third selection and whose calculated travel time is equal to or less than the determined time limit. - According to one embodiment, the time limit used to carry out the third selection is a time limit entered from an interface of the mobile terminal, which time limit is included in the reservation request.- According to one embodiment, the time T2 corresponds to the time T0 to which is added a delay entered from an interface of the mobile terminal, which delay is included in the reservation request. - According to one embodiment, the radius of the first geographical zone is calculated automatically and depends on the delay entered and included in the reservation request. - According to one embodiment, the radius of the second geographical zone is defined automatically by taking into account an average distance calculated on the basis of recovery distances usually entered by users. - According to one embodiment, in step h), the estimated geographical position of each vehicle at the time T2 is displayed on a graphical interface of the user mobile terminal, in the form of a selectable marker, each said marker being associated with an identifier of the vehicle concerned.

[0011] Another aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising at least one mobile terminal of a user and a remote computer server, configured for implementing the steps of the method according to one of the preceding characteristics.

[0012] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising code instructions for executing a method according to one of the preceding characteristics, when executed by a remote computer server. Brief description of the figures.

[0013] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, produced as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: [ Fig. 1] above-mentioned illustrates an example of a digital map on which the geographical positions of vehicles available for reservation are indicated, [ Fig. 2 ] illustrates an example of a digital map on which are indicated the geographical positions of vehicles available for reservation at a time T0; a first geographical zone and a second geographical zone, centred on the location of a user mobile terminal, are also represented, [ Fig. 3 ] shows the map of the figure 2 on which vehicle routes are illustrated, [ Fig. 4 ] shows the map of the figure 3 on which are illustrated estimated geographical positions of vehicles at a time T2>T0, [ Fig. 5 ] is an example of a digital map obtained according to the method which is the subject of the invention. [ Fig. 6 ] represents a synopsis of the main steps of a method according to the invention. [ Fig. 7] diagrams the arrangement of different elements of a user terminal, computer equipment on board a vehicle and a remote computer server. Description of the embodiments.

[0014] The method and system that are the subject of the invention generate manipulations of physical elements, in particular signals (electrical or magnetic) and digital data, capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, etc., and making it possible to achieve a desired result.

[0015] The invention implements one or more computer applications executed by computer equipment or servers. For the sake of clarity, it should be understood within the meaning of the invention that " a piece of equipment or server does something thing" means " the computer application executed by a processing unit of the equipment or server does something " Just like "the computer application does something thing" means " the computer application executed by the processing unit of the equipment or server does something ".

[0016] Again for the sake of clarity, the present invention refers to one or more “ logical computer processes”.These correspond to the actions or results obtained by the execution of instructions of different computer applications. Also, it must also be understood within the meaning of the invention that "A logical computer process is adapted to do something » means « the instructions of a computer application executed by a processing unit do something thing ".

[0017] For the sake of clarity, the following clarifications are made to certain terms used in the description and claims: - " Computer resource » may be understood in a non-limiting way as: component, hardware, software, file, connection to a computer network, quantity of RAM memory, hard disk space, bandwidth, processor speed, number of CPUs, etc. - " Computer server »can be understood in a non-limiting way as: computer device (hardware or software) comprising computer resources to perform the functions of a server and which offers services, computer, plurality of computers, virtual server on the Internet, virtual server on the Cloud, virtual server on a platform, virtual server on a local infrastructure, server networks, cluster, node, server farm, node farm, etc. - " Request » designates an execution order which can follow a communication protocol and includes input parameters (question, information, etc.) and possibly return parameters (response, information, etc.), which can be presented in a format linked to the protocol used. - "Processing unit" can be understood in a non-limiting way as: processor, microprocessors, CPU (for Central Processing Unit), etc. - "Computer application"can be understood as: software, computer program, computer microprogram, executable lines of code, software, etc. - " Data network » can be understood in a non-limiting way as: internet network, cellular network, satellite network, etc. It is a set of computer equipment connected together to exchange, securely or not, information and / or data according to a communication protocol (ISDN, Ethernet, ATM, IP, CLNP, TCP, HTTP, ...). - " Database » can be understood in a non-limiting way as a structured and organized set of data recorded on media accessible by computer equipment and which can be queried, read and updated. Data can be inserted, retrieved, modified and / or destroyed. Management and access to the database can be ensured by a set of computer applications which constitute a database management system (DBMS). - « Service» can be understood in a non-limiting way as all the functionalities offered and provided by a server and / or by at least one computer device. The service can include, for example, the following functionalities: reservation of a vehicle, location (actual and / or estimated) of a vehicle, locking / unlocking of a vehicle, etc. - “Shared vehicle » can be understood in a non-limiting way as a rental vehicle or a self-service vehicle (in English « car sharing”)made available to “customers” or members. The vehicle may be: an autonomous car (capable of driving on the road, without driver intervention), a car or truck (thermal and / or electric engine), a motorized two-wheeler (thermal and / or electric engine), a bicycle (classic or with electric assistance), a scooter (classic or with electric assistance), a skateboard, an electric unicycle, a Segway, a boat, etc. When a user uses a shared vehicle, he may be charged a certain amount generally depending on the number of kilometers traveled and / or the time of use of the vehicle and / or the model or type of vehicle. - “ Digital map »may be understood as an actual or pictorial representation of a geographical area. The digital map is intended to be displayed on a screen or other graphical interface of computer equipment. The digital map is generated using a map generator of the mapping software type, for example, Google Map ® software. - As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object merely indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are being referred to and does not imply that the objects so described must be in any given sequence, whether in time, space, ranking, or otherwise. System

[0018] A system for implementing the method according to the invention comprises a user mobile terminal EQ U and a remote server SERV, configured for implementing the steps of said method, and more particularly for displaying the geographical position of vehicles V 1 -V 6 available for reservation.

[0019] As an illustrative example, vehicles V 1 -V 6 are autonomous vehicles with a status of "available for reservation". They could also be taxi-type vehicles, a VTC vehicle (for the acronym "Tourist Vehicle with Driver") or vehicles whose drivers are registered with the UBER ® service.

[0020] Referring to the figure 7, each vehicle V i preferably integrates on-board EQ VEi computer equipment. This equipment can, for example, be part of a telematics box allowing the vehicle to exchange information (e.g.: geographic position, speed, etc.) with a remote server SERV, via a data network R. The EQ VEi computer equipment can also be dedicated equipment, independent of the telematics box.

[0021] Each EQ VEi on-board equipment comprises, among other computing resources, a processing unit 10, a signal transmitter / receiver 11, and one or more memories 12 in which a computer application is recorded. The EQ VEi on-board equipment also comprises a communication interface 13. These different elements are connected at least to the processing unit 10 by a communication bus.

[0022] The instructions of the computer application stored in the memory 12, when executed by the processing unit 10, make it possible to carry out steps of the method which are described further in the description. The memory 12 is also adapted to store a certain number of other pieces of information.

[0023] The transmitter / receiver 11 is adapted to exchange signals, via a short-range wireless link L CP , with the user terminal EQ U described further in the description and / or with the on-board equipment of other vehicles. The link L CP has, for example, a range less than or equal to 100 meters. The signals exchanged are preferably infrared signals or radiofrequency signals. The link L CP preferably uses a communication protocol from the following family: Bluetooth, Wifi, Z-Wave, ANT, ZIGBEE, Infrared.

[0024] The communication interface 13, for example GSM, 3G, 4G or Wifi, is suitable for establishing a wireless communication link with the communication interface 32 of the remote server SERV, via the data network R.

[0025] Each vehicle V 1 -V 6 is associated with a unique identification number (e.g. a numeric code or an alphanumeric code) recorded in the database B.

[0026] At any given moment, vehicles V 1 -V 6 can be: - with a status called "Available": the vehicle is parked (parked) and / or not reserved, - with a status called "Unavailable": either the vehicle is parked, but already reserved by a user (status "Unavailable-Reserved"), or the vehicle is in operation (status "Unavailable-in operation").

[0027] User U has at least one EQ U mobile terminal. This preferably consists of a smartphone, a digital tablet, a laptop, etc.

[0028] On the figure 7, the EQu terminal integrates a processing unit 20, a signal transmitter / receiver 21 and one or more memories 22 in which a computer application for implementing the service is recorded ("application-service"), a communication interface 23 and a graphical interface 24 of the touch screen type. These different elements are connected at least to the processing unit 20 by a communication bus. It also includes the computer resources making it possible to carry out steps of the method of the invention. The transmitter / receiver 21 is similar to that of the EQ VEi on-board equipment. The communication interface 23, for example GSM, 3G, 4G or Wifi, is adapted to establish a wireless communication link with the communication interface 32 of the remote server SERV, through the data network R.

[0029] According to one example, to download the application-service, and have access rights to the service, the user U must first register with a rights management server which may or may not be the aforementioned remote server. According to one embodiment, the registration of the user U is carried out with a web service of the remote server SERV associated with the service. The registration includes the recording of a user identifier and / or an identifier of the terminal EQ U. This may be a port, an IP address, a MAC address or any other address or combinations making it possible to identify the terminal EQu. According to one embodiment, the user U is pre-registered from software and is known because an identifier is recorded in a database B.

[0030] On the figure 7, the server SERV integrates a processing unit 30, one or more memories 31, a communication interface 32, a location module 33, a route calculation module 34, a calculation module 35, a digital map generator 36, a computer processing module 37, which are mutually connected via a bus. One or more computer applications are recorded in the memory(ies) 31 and whose instructions, when executed by the processing unit 30, make it possible to carry out the functionalities described further in the description.

[0031] The location modules 33, route calculation 34, calculation 35, processing 37 and the map generator 36 are hardware and / or software components of the SERV server.

[0032] The SERV server regularly updates, preferably in real time, the database B. This database includes in particular: the identifier of each vehicle V i , their status (“Available” or “Unavailable”), and their geographical position. Other information and / or data may be grouped in the database B, if necessary. The database B may be stored in a memory area of ​​the SERV server or be remote from said server.

[0033] Information on the status of a vehicle V i is transmitted to the SERV server in real time or at predefined time intervals (for example every 5 minutes). This information can be transmitted to the SERV server, for example from the EQ VEi on-board equipment of the vehicle V i following the detection of an event. This event is for example generated by an action of the user or the driver on a specific control arranged on the dashboard of the vehicle V i . This control can be activated when a user has parked his vehicle and released the vehicle or when a driver has finished a trip. The status then changes from "Unavailable" to "Available".

[0034] When the server SERV receives a reservation request from the user U and it can grant this request (i.e. a vehicle is available for reservation), said server changes the status of a vehicle from “Available” to “Unavailable”. This reservation request is preferably generated via the user mobile terminal EQ U.

[0035] The geographical position of the vehicles V 1 -V 6 can be obtained by satellite (GPS or Galileo system) or by a triangulation system (for example, a system using the cells of a 4G network) or by a combination of the two location systems. The EQ VEi equipment of a vehicle V i advantageously comprises a component, for example a GPS component, making it possible to obtain geolocation information which can be retrieved by the location module 33 of the server SERV. The location module 33 can automatically retrieve this information by querying in real time or at regular time intervals (for example every 5 minutes), the EQ VEi equipment of the vehicles. The EQ VEi equipment of the vehicles can also automatically transmit this information to the location module 33 (without responding to a query request), in real time or at regular time intervals (for example every 5 minutes).The geographical position of each vehicle V i is then recorded in the database B.

[0036] Alternatively, the geographic position of a vehicle V i may correspond to the geographic position (obtained by satellite and / or by a triangulation system) of a mobile terminal (for example a Smartphone) of a user or a driver using said vehicle. This geographic position is automatically retrieved by the location module 33 or transmitted to it.

[0037] The geographical position of the EQu terminal can be obtained in the same way. By satellite and / or by a triangulation system. The EQ U terminal advantageously comprises a component, for example a GPS component, making it possible to obtain geolocation information which can be automatically retrieved by the location module 33 or transmitted to it. Process

[0038] There figure 6illustrates steps of a method according to the invention. User U wishes to reserve a vehicle. According to one embodiment, user U generates, from his terminal EQ U , a reservation request (Gen_Req) ​​indicating that he wishes to retrieve a vehicle. The user can also specify that he wishes to retrieve a vehicle within a determined time and at a determined distance from his position. For example, user U wishes to have a vehicle available in 15 minutes maximum, and at a maximum of 200 meters from his position. This request is generated by launching the application-service and entering the time and distance information from the graphical interface 24 of the terminal EQ U .

[0039] According to one embodiment, this reservation request is transmitted (Transf_Req) ​​to the server SERV, from the terminal EQ U, at a time T0 (for example at 4:00 p.m.). The reservation request can directly contain the geographical position of the terminal EQu. Alternatively, upon receipt of the reservation request, the location module 33 of the server SERV can automatically retrieve this geographical position.

[0040] According to one embodiment, when the server SERV receives the reservation request at time T0, it queries (Req_Inter) the database B to identify the vehicles available for reservation, i.e. having an “Available” status at T0. In the example illustrated by figure 2, all vehicles V 1 -V 6 are considered available for reservation. The database B returns to the server SERV the list (or identifiers) of vehicles V 1 -V 6 (Transf_List) with their actual geographic position at T0. Alternatively, upon receipt of the list, the location module 33 of the server SERV can query each vehicle in said list to retrieve their actual geographic position at T0.

[0041] To reduce the computing resources mobilized by the server SERV, the calculation times and the bandwidth on the network R, it is advantageous to limit the search and processing to vehicles located at a reasonable distance from the user. By "reasonable" we mean a distance such that the vehicles have a good probability of arriving at the user U within the time indicated in the reservation request. The extent of this distance can be determined by an algorithm taking into account in particular the type of vehicle, and the type of area where the user is located (urban, rural, etc.). For example, in an urban area, we can consider that a car type vehicle travels on average at 30Km / h. A proportionality rule makes it possible to estimate that in a time D, the vehicle travels 30xD / 60 Km. For example, if the time is 15 min, this distance is then approximately 7.5 Km.The search and processing will then be limited to vehicles located within a radius of 7.5 km around the user's geographical position.

[0042] Also, upon receipt of the reservation request, the calculation module 35 of the server SERV advantageously automatically calculates data defining a first geographical area centered on the geographical position of the terminal EQ U at time T0. This geographical area is illustrated on the figure 2 and bears the reference GEO 1. The center of this zone corresponds to the position of the EQu terminal and its radius corresponds to the aforementioned “reasonable” distance (e.g.: 7.5 km).

[0043] The only vehicles selected will be those which, at T0, are available for reservation and have a real geographical position included in the first GEO zone 1. In the example of the figure 2, only the vehicles V 1 , V 2 , V 4 , V 5 and V 6 will be selected, the vehicle V 3 being located, at T0, outside the first GEO zone 1 . According to one embodiment, this selection is carried out by the processing module 37 of the server SERV, when said server receives the list of vehicles V 1 -V 6 (Transf_Liste) with their real geographical position at T0. According to another embodiment, the data relating to the first GEO zone 1 are integrated into the interrogation request (Req_Inter), so that only the identifiers and real geographical positions of the vehicles V 1 , V 2 , V 4 , V 5 and V 6 are retrieved from the database B.

[0044] For each vehicle V 1 -V 6 , the SERV server automatically calculates a route ( figure 6; Calc_Itin) between: a starting point corresponding to the actual geographical position of said vehicle at T0; and an arrival point defined in relation to the geographical position of the terminal EQu. According to a preferred embodiment, this calculation is only carried out for vehicles V 1 , V 2 , V 4 , V 5 and V 6 included in the first GEO zone 1 . The calculation of the routes is carried out by the route calculation module 34 (for example of the Mapquest ®< or Google Maps ®< type) of the server SERV.

[0045] The arrival point may coincide with the geographical position of the terminal EQ U. According to one embodiment, the calculation module 35 of the server SERV advantageously calculates data defining a second geographical zone centered on the geographical position of the terminal EQu at time T0. This second geographical zone is illustrated in the figure 2and has the reference GEO 2 . The center of this zone corresponds to the position of the terminal EQu and its radius corresponds to the recovery distance which is indicated in the reservation request (Gen_Req) ​​and at which the user agrees to recover the vehicle. Taking the above-mentioned example, the radius of the second GEO 2 zone is 200 meters. In this embodiment, the arrival point corresponds to an entry point of the vehicle in the second GEO 2 zone. In the case where the arrival point coincides with the position of the terminal EQu, it can be considered that the second GEO 2 zone has a zero radius.

[0046] If the reservation request does not contain a retrieval distance, the radius of the second GEO 2 zone can be defined automatically by the SERV server, for example by taking into account an average retrieval distance calculated on the basis of retrieval distances usually provided by users of the service.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, for each vehicle V 1 , V 2 , V 4 , V 5 and V 6 , the server SERV, and more specifically its route calculation module 34, automatically develops the fastest and / or shortest route between the starting point and the arrival point. In one example, the route calculation takes into account road traffic so as to propose the fastest path to reach the arrival point. These routes are shown diagrammatically and referenced respectively I 1 , I 2 , I 4 , I 5 , I 6 on the figure 3 .

[0048] For each vehicle V 1 , V 2 , V 4 , V 5 and V 6 for which a route has been calculated, the calculation module 35 of the server SERV automatically calculates an estimated geographical position (Calc_Estim) of said vehicle at a time T2>T0 on said route. According to one embodiment, this time T2 corresponds to the time T0 to which is added the delay indicated in the reservation request (Gen_Req) ​​and during which the user wishes to recover the vehicle. Using the above-mentioned example, the user generates the reservation request at T0=4:00 p.m. by indicating that he wishes to have a vehicle in 15 minutes, hence T2=4:15 p.m. In other words, at T0 (ignoring the calculation latencies), the server SERV will predict what the future position of the vehicle V i will be on the route I i at time T2. This prediction preferentially takes into account the nature of the vehicle V i (and therefore a predefined average travel speed) and the state of road traffic on the route I i .If the reservation request does not contain a deadline, the time T2 can be automatically predefined by the SERV server, for example by taking into account an average deadline calculated on the basis of the deadlines usually provided by users of the service.

[0049] The map generator 36 will then generate a digital map (Gen_Map) on which will be automatically incorporated only the estimated geographical positions of the vehicles V 1 , V 2 , V 4 , V 5 and V 6 . The data of this map and of these positions are transmitted to the terminal EQ U (Transf_Map). The latter displays (Affich_Map) on its interface 24, the map and only the estimated geographical positions of the vehicles V 1 , V 2 , V 4 , V 5 and V 6 . Such a map C is visible on the figure 4 .

[0050] The digital map C is displayed on the EQ terminal U at a time T1 <T2. Cet instant T1 peut correspondre à l'instant T0, en faisant abstraction des latences de calcul (T1=T0). En prenant en compte les éventuelles latences de calcul, T1 peut être légèrement supérieur à T0, par exemple de quelques millisecondes ou quelques secondes. La carte C s'affiche alors sur le terminal EQ U avec un retard par rapport à l'envoi de la requête de réservation (Transf_Req).

[0051] Compared to the map of the figure 1 , the map of the figure 4 displays a smaller number of vehicles so that the computing resources mobilized by the SERV server are reduced, as well as the calculation times and bandwidth on the R network. But the vehicles of the figure 4 are closer to user U's position, so the user has more choices.

[0052] The only vehicles whose estimated geographic position will be displayed are those whose estimated position is included in the second GEO 2 zone. To do this, the SERV server selects only the vehicles whose estimated geographic position is included in the second GEO 2 zone. In the example of the Figure 5 , only vehicles V 1 , V 4 and V 6 will be selected, vehicles V 2 and V 5 being located, at T2, outside the second GEO 2 zone. According to one embodiment, this second selection is carried out by the processing module 37 of the server SERV, after said server has calculated the estimated geographical positions (Calc_Estim) and before the transfer of the map data (Transf_Carte).

[0053] The second selection can be based on an analysis and comparison of the data delimiting the second GEO 2 zone and those defining the estimated positions of the vehicles.

[0054] According to another embodiment, a selection is made based on an analysis of the travel times of the vehicles V 1 , V 2 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 on the routes I 1 , I 2 , I 4 , I 5 , I 6 . The calculation module 35 of the server SERV calculates, for each route I i , the travel time of the vehicle concerned V i , between the starting point and the arrival point (either the entry into the second geographical zone GEO 2 , or the geographical position of the terminal EQu). Only the vehicles whose calculated travel time is equal to or less than the time determined in the reservation request (Gen_Req) ​​will be selected, i.e. 15 minutes using the above-mentioned example. If the reservation request does not contain such a delay, it can be determined automatically by the SERV server, for example by taking into account an average delay calculated on the basis of the delays usually provided by users of the service. Taking the example of the Figure 5, the calculation module 35 calculates that only vehicles V 1 , V 4 and V 6 have a travel time less than or equal to the determined time. The other vehicles V 2 and V 5 have a longer travel time. Vehicles V 1 , V 4 and V 6 will then be selected so that their estimated position is displayed on the map C.

[0055] The estimated geographical position of each vehicle V 1 , V 4 , V 6 is preferably displayed on the graphical interface 24 of the EQu terminal, in the form of a selectable marker, appearing for example in the form of a point or an icon (e.g.: a star on the Figure 5). Other information may be displayed in addition to the marker, including identification information allowing the user U to identify a vehicle V i very simply and very quickly. This information may be: the code (numeric or alphanumeric) of its registration plate, and / or its model and / or its color and / or its image or photo, etc.

[0056] Each marker is advantageously associated with the identifier of the vehicle V i concerned V 1 , V 4 , V 6 . These identifiers are retrieved by the server SERV in the database B and associated with the data transmitted in the Transf_Carte step.

[0057] Referring to the figure 6 , when the user U selects (Select) one of the markers, for example that of the vehicle V 6 , the terminal EQ U generates and transmits to the computer server SERV, a reservation confirmation (Transf_ConfRes). This confirmation contains the identifier of the vehicle V 6 .

[0058] Upon receipt of the reservation confirmation, the server SERV will then reserve the vehicle V 6 . The latter will then begin its journey to reach its estimated position. If the vehicle V 6 is an autonomous vehicle, the server SERV transmits to the equipment EQ VE6 , a command to start its journey according to the route I 6 , to its estimated position. If the vehicle V 6 is a taxi or VTC type vehicle, the server SERV transmits a message to the driver (for example by email or SMS), to tell him for example to go to the estimated position by following the route I 6 . According to one embodiment, the map C displays information on the real-time location of the vehicle V 6 on the route I 6 , so that the user U can follow its movement in real time.

[0059] Upon receipt of the booking confirmation by the server SERV, in the database B, the status of the vehicle V 6 will change from "Available" to "Unavailable" so that no other user will be able to use it. User U is thus assured that the vehicle V 6 will be available when it reaches its estimated position. The mention "Unavailable for booking" can also be displayed on a graphical interface installed visibly on the vehicle Vs.

[0060] In addition to or as a substitute for modifying the status of the vehicle V 6 , the server SERV can make said vehicle physically unusable by persons other than the user U. Indeed, the vehicle V 6 can be equipped with a remote locking / unlocking device. This can, for example, be an engine immobilizer controlled by the on-board equipment EQ VE6 . The server SERV then transmits to the equipment EQ VE6 a command to activate the locking device, temporarily rendering the vehicle V 6 unusable. When the user U accesses the vehicle V 6 , he can transmit to the on-board equipment EQ VE6 , from his terminal EQu, for example via the short-range wireless link L CP , a command to deactivate the locking device, making said vehicle usable. Alternatively, the server SERV can detect, in particular by geolocation, that the position of the user (i.e.of its EQ U equipment), coincides with that of the vehicle V 6 . From then on, it is the SERV server which transmits the deactivation command to the EQ VE6 equipment. Computer program product

[0061] According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising code instructions for executing the method according to the invention, when executed by the mobile terminal EQ U.

[0062] The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. For example, the geographical areas GEO 1 and GEO 2 may be defined in a form other than a circle, for example in the form of a rectangle or a square. Such areas are then defined, not by the length of their radius, but by the length of their sides and / or diagonals or half-diagonals. Also, the location and / or route calculation and / or calculation and / or processing module and / or the map generator, may be hardware and / or software components of the EQu terminal. All or part of the steps associated with these elements are then implemented in the EQu terminal.

Claims

1. Method for incorporating geographical positions of vehicles (V1, V4, V6) available for hire into a digital map (C), said method comprising the following steps: - a) receiving at a time T0, from a user mobile terminal, (EQU), the geographical position of said mobile terminal and a hiring request (Gen_Req), - b) automatically calculating, by means of a calculation module (35), data defining a first geographical area (GEO1) centered on the geographical position of the mobile terminal (EQU) received at time T0, - c) automatically calculating, by means of the calculation module (35), data defining a second geographical area (GEO2) included in the first geographical area (GEO1) and the center of which corresponds to the geographical position of the mobile terminal (EQU) and the radius of which corresponds to a distance, which distance is automatically defined or is included in the hiring request (Gen_Req) by being entered by said user from an interface of the mobile terminal (EQu), - d) receiving the real geographical positions, at the time T0, of vehicles (V1-V6) available for hire, which geographical positions are received from equipment (EQVEi) embedded in said vehicles (Vi) or are received from mobile terminals of users using said vehicles, - e) automatically performing, by means of a computer processing module (37), a first selection of vehicles available for hire (V1, V2, V4, V5, V6), the real geographical position of which at time T0, is included in the first geographical area (GEO1), - f) for each of said vehicles selected during the first selection: -- f1) automatically calculating, by means of a route calculation module (34), a route (I1, I2, I4, I5, I6) between: a point of departure corresponding to the real geographical position of said vehicle at T0; and a point of arrival defined with respect to the geographical position of the mobile terminal (EQU), -- f2) automatically calculating, by means of the calculation module (35), an estimated geographical position of the vehicle at a time T2 on the calculated route, where T2> T0, - g) automatically performing, by means of the computer processing module (37), a second selection of vehicles (V1, V4, V6) available for hire, the estimated geographical position of which is included in the second geographical area (GEO2), - h) at a time T1 such that T2> T1≥T0: automatically incorporating in a digital map (C) displayed on a graphic interface of the mobile terminal, only the estimated geographical positions of said vehicles (V1, V4, V6) at the time T2 and which are selected during the second selection.

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: - calculating automatically, by means of the calculation module (35), and for each route (I1, I2, I4, I5, I6) calculated in step f1), the travel time of the vehicle concerned by said itinerary, between the point of departure and the point of arrival, - making a third selection of vehicles (V1, V4, V6) available for reservation whose calculated travel time is equal to or less than a determined time, - performing step h) only for the vehicles (V1, V4, V6) selected during the third selection and the calculated travel time of which is equal to or less than the determined timeframe.

3. Method according to claim 2, in which the timeframe used to make the third selection is a timeframe entered from an interface of the mobile terminal (EQU), which timeframe is included in the hiring request (Gen_Req).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the time T2 corresponds to the time T0 to which is added a timeframe entered from an interface of the mobile terminal (EQU), which timeframe is included in the hiring request (Gen_Req).

5. Method according to claim 4, in which the radius of the first geographical area (GEO1) is calculated automatically and depends on the timeframe entered and included in the hiring request (Gen_Req).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the radius of the second geographical area (GEO2) is defined automatically by considering an average distance calculated based on the collection distances usually entered by users.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which in step h), the estimated geographical position of each vehicle (V1, V4, V6) at the time T2 is displayed on the graphic interface of the user mobile terminal (EQU), in the form of a selectable marker, each said marker being associated with an ID of the vehicle concerned.

8. System comprising a mobile terminal (EQU11. of a user (U) and a remote computer server (SERV), configured for the implementation of the steps of the method of claims 1 to 7.

9. Computer program product comprising code instructions for the execution of a method according to claim 1, when it is executed by a remote computer server (SERV).