Vehicle dispatch system, vehicle dispatch method, vehicle-mounted device, and vehicle dispatch server

Abstract

To provide a vehicle dispatch system that enables operation of pickup-only vehicles.SOLUTION: A vehicle dispatch system 1 includes: a user terminal 3 to which a user sends a vehicle dispatch request; a vehicle dispatch server 5 that accepts the vehicle dispatch requests from the user and dispatches a vehicle to the user; an in-vehicle device 9 installed in a vehicle 7 that is dispatched to the user. The in-vehicle device 9 receives a first dispatch request from the dispatch server 5 while the vehicle 7 is in service, and places the vehicle 7 in service in a first pickup state in which the vehicle 7 is dispatched to a first pickup location on the basis of the first dispatch request when the vehicle 7 becomes unoccupied, and changes the first pickup location to a second pickup location of a second dispatch request when the vehicle 7 is dispatched based on the second dispatch request, which is a dispatch request from the user in the first pickup state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle dispatch system, a vehicle dispatch method, and an in-vehicle device for dispatching vehicles such as taxis. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, it has become known that taxis, which are vehicles for transporting passengers, can be used by requesting a taxi dispatch via an application on a user terminal such as a mobile phone. When a taxi dispatch request is received, the taxi will go to a designated pick-up location to pick up the user.

[0003] In recent years, the number of vehicle dispatch requests made through such applications has been increasing, creating a demand for dedicated pick-up vehicles.

[0004] However, when a taxi becomes available, it needs to display this status on a super sign, which is a status display unit, and give a ride to a user if he or she stops the vehicle on the road.

[0005] For this reason, it is not possible to eliminate the possibility that taxis may be used by users on the roadside, etc., making it difficult to operate them as vehicles exclusively for picking up passengers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-187211 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The problem that this invention aims to solve is the difficulty of using such vehicles exclusively for pick-up purposes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a vehicle dispatch system comprising a user terminal through which a user sends a vehicle dispatch request, a vehicle dispatch server that accepts the vehicle dispatch request from the user and dispatches a vehicle to the user, and an on-board device mounted in a vehicle to be dispatched to the user, wherein the on-board device receives a first vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch server while the vehicle is in operation, and places the in-operational vehicle in a first dispatch state in which the vehicle heads to a first pick-up location based on the first dispatch request when it becomes vacant, and when the vehicle is dispatched based on a second dispatch request which is a vehicle dispatch request of the user while the vehicle is in the first dispatch state, changes the first pick-up location to the second pick-up location of the second dispatch request.

[0009] The present invention also provides a vehicle dispatch method that uses a user terminal through which a user sends a vehicle dispatch request, a vehicle dispatch server that accepts the vehicle dispatch request from the user and dispatches a vehicle to the user, and an on-board device mounted on a vehicle to be dispatched to the user, in which the on-board device receives a first vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch server while the vehicle is in the field, puts the in-field vehicle into a first dispatch state in which it heads to a first pick-up location based on the first dispatch request when it becomes vacant, and changes the first pick-up location to the second pick-up location of the second dispatch request when the vehicle is dispatched based on a second dispatch request, which is a vehicle dispatch request of the user, while the vehicle is in the first dispatch state.

[0010] The present invention also provides an on-board device mounted on a vehicle to be dispatched to a user based on a dispatch request from the user, the on-board device receiving a first dispatch request from the dispatch server while the vehicle is in the field, setting the on-board vehicle to a first dispatch state in which the on-board vehicle heads to a first pick-up location based on the first dispatch request when it becomes vacant, and changing the first pick-up location to a second pick-up location of the second dispatch request when the vehicle is dispatched based on a second dispatch request, which is a dispatch request from the user, while the vehicle is in the first dispatch state. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, an empty vehicle is immediately put into a first pick-up state, in which it is directed to a first pick-up location, and then the first pick-up location is changed to a second pick-up location, thereby eliminating the possibility of the vehicle being used by users on the roadside, etc., and enabling the operation of a vehicle dedicated to pick-up. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle dispatch system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a user terminal used in the vehicle dispatch system of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a vehicle dispatch server used in the vehicle dispatch system of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a driver's terminal of an in-vehicle device used in the vehicle dispatch system of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a first vehicle dispatch process by the vehicle dispatch system of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle dispatch process by the vehicle dispatch system of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a driver's terminal of an in-vehicle device used in the vehicle dispatch system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The goal of enabling the operation of vehicles dedicated to picking up passengers was achieved by setting the vehicle in the first pick-up state, in which an empty vehicle immediately heads to the first pick-up point, and then changing the first pick-up point to the second pick-up point.

[0014] As shown in the figure, the vehicle dispatch system 1 and vehicle dispatch method include a user terminal 3, a vehicle dispatch server 5, and an in-vehicle device 9. The user terminal 3 is used by a user to send a vehicle dispatch request. The vehicle dispatch server 5 accepts the vehicle dispatch request from the user and dispatches a vehicle to the user. The in-vehicle device 9 is installed in a vehicle 7 that is dispatched to the user.

[0015] The in-vehicle device 9 receives the first dispatch request from the dispatch server 5 while the vehicle 7 is in the field. When the in-vehicle vehicle 7 becomes vacant, the in-vehicle device 9 sets the vehicle 7 to a first pick-up state in which the vehicle 7 is directed to a first pick-up location based on the first dispatch request. When the vehicle 7 is dispatched based on a second dispatch request, which is a dispatch request from the user, while the vehicle 7 is in the first pick-up state, the first pick-up location is changed to the second pick-up location in the dispatch request.

[0016] In this case, it is preferable that the status display unit 43 of the vehicle 7 in the first dispatching state is covered with a cover 45 so as not to be visible from the outside.

[0017] Specifically, the in-vehicle device 9 includes a status display unit 43 that displays the status of the vehicle, and a cover 45 that covers the status display unit 43 so that it cannot be seen from the outside. When the vehicle 7 is in the first pick-up mode, the status display unit 43 displays that the vehicle is vacant, and the status display unit 43 is covered by the cover 45.

[0018] The in-vehicle device 9 can receive the first vehicle dispatch request at any time while in the vehicle, but it is preferable to receive the first vehicle dispatch request before settlement while in the vehicle is started and completed.

[0019] The in-vehicle device 9 may receive, when the vehicle 7 is in operation, a vacant vehicle notice from the driver of the vehicle 7, which notices that the vehicle will become vacant.

[0020] In this case, the vehicle-mounted device 9 becomes able to dispatch a vehicle when it receives an empty vehicle notice, and if a vehicle is dispatched during the empty vehicle notice, the vehicle 7 goes into a second pick-up state heading for the second pick-up location when it becomes empty.

[0021] The first pick-up location may be any area or location. However, the first pick-up location may be an area or location within a predetermined range of the vehicle 7 at the time of the first pick-up that is expected to have a large number of dispatch requests. EXAMPLES

[0022] [Vehicle allocation system] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle dispatch system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The vehicle dispatch system 1 of this embodiment includes a user terminal 3, a vehicle dispatch server 5, and an in-vehicle device 9 mounted on a vehicle 7, and the vehicle 7 is operated as a vehicle exclusively for picking up passengers.

[0024] For ease of understanding, only one user terminal 3 and one vehicle 7 are shown in Fig. 1, but in reality, a plurality of user terminals 3 and vehicles 7 exist in the vehicle dispatch system 1. The vehicle 7 in this embodiment is a vehicle, particularly a taxi, that transports passengers.

[0025] A pick-up vehicle refers to a vehicle that is dispatched only to a user who has made a request for dispatch by telephone or through a user terminal 3, excluding users from the roadside or the like.

[0026] A vehicle dispatch request is a request by a user for vehicle dispatch. Dispatch refers to allocating a vehicle 7 to a user and driving the allocated vehicle 7 to a pick-up location (boarding location) according to the location information specified in the vehicle dispatch request.

[0027] A vehicle dispatch request by a user may be referred to as a second vehicle dispatch request, and the pick-up location of this second vehicle dispatch request is referred to as the second pick-up location. A vehicle 7 heading to the second pick-up location is referred to as the second pick-up location. The second pick-up location refers to a vehicle status in which the vehicle 7 heads to the second pick-up location without a passenger and does not accept passengers other than the passenger who is the user who made the second vehicle dispatch request.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the user terminal 3.

[0029] 1, the user terminal 3 is an information processing device (computer) such as a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer, and is configured to be able to communicate with the vehicle dispatch server 5 via a network 11. The network 11 is a network such as a public line network or the Internet.

[0030] The user terminal 3 includes a user interface 13, a communication interface 15, a processor 17, and a storage unit 19, as shown in FIGS.

[0031] The user interface 13 allows the input and display of information, and is, for example, a touch panel display. The communication interface 15 is a communication device for transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices including the vehicle dispatch server 5.

[0032] The processor 17 is a control element such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each part of the user terminal 3, and the memory unit 19 is a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0033] The user terminal 3 is capable of making a vehicle dispatch request as a second vehicle dispatch request by executing a user's program (user's application) in the storage unit 19. That is, the processor 17 functions as a second vehicle dispatch request unit 21 by executing the user's program.

[0034] The second vehicle dispatch request unit 21 realizes a second vehicle dispatch request function, and causes at least location information of the second vehicle dispatch request to be input based on an operation on the user interface 13 of the user terminal 3. The location information of the second vehicle dispatch request may be input using a positioning technology such as a Global Positioning System (GPS), map data, etc. However, the location information may also be input by specifying an address or coordinates by text.

[0035] The input location information is location information of a place where the user wishes to board (a second pick-up location where the second pick-up by the vehicle 7 is performed). However, it is also possible to include location information of a place where the user wishes to disembark (a destination).

[0036] The second vehicle dispatch request including the location information thus input is transmitted as second vehicle dispatch request information from the user terminal 3 to the vehicle dispatch server 5. In this embodiment, the transmitted second vehicle dispatch request includes, in addition to the location information, a vehicle dispatch request ID which is identification information of the second vehicle dispatch request, the user's name, phone number, and other user identification information.

[0037] The second vehicle dispatch request can also be made by telephone, etc. In this case, the user contacts the management company or the like of the vehicle dispatch server 5 by telephone, etc., with the user's location information, user identification information, etc., and an operator of the management company or the like inputs a vehicle dispatch request to the vehicle dispatch server 5 based on the information received.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the vehicle dispatch server 5.

[0039] The vehicle dispatch server 5 is configured by an information processing device (computer), and includes a communication interface 23, a processor 25, and a storage unit 27, as shown in FIG.

[0040] The communication interface 23 is a communication device for transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices including the user terminal 3 and the in-vehicle device 9 of the vehicle 7 .

[0041] The processor 25 is a control element such as a CPU that controls the vehicle dispatch server 5, and the memory unit 27 is a memory device such as a RAM, a ROM, a HDD, or an SSD.

[0042] In this embodiment, the processor 25 functions as a vehicle information acquisition unit 29, a vehicle extraction unit 31, a first vehicle dispatch request unit 33, a vehicle dispatch inquiry unit 35, and a vehicle dispatch execution unit 37 by executing the vehicle dispatch program in the memory unit 27.

[0043] The vehicle information acquisition unit 29 realizes a vehicle information acquisition function and acquires vehicle information such as position information and operation information from the vehicle 7. Specifically, the vehicle information acquisition unit 29 receives and acquires the position information and operation information transmitted from the vehicle 7 at any time. The acquired position information and operation information are held in the storage unit 27.

[0044] The operation information indicates the operating status of the vehicle 7, such as for hire, vacant, payment, pick-up, etc. For hire refers to the actual vehicle state in which the vehicle 7 is traveling with passengers on board. Vacant refers to the state in which the vehicle 7 is not carrying passengers and is accepting passengers. Payment refers to the state in which the passenger has made payment. Pick-up refers to the second pick-up described above. In this embodiment, an actual vehicle includes both for hire and payment as the operating status of the vehicle 7.

[0045] The vehicle extraction unit 31 realizes a vehicle extraction function and extracts vehicles 7 that are targets of the first pick-up based on the operation information of the vehicles 7. The first pick-up refers to a vehicle status in which the vehicle 7 is heading to the first pick-up location without a passenger and is not accepting passengers.

[0046] The first vehicle dispatch target is a vehicle 7 that has been set in advance as a dedicated pick-up vehicle in the on-board device 9 of the vehicle 7 and whose operation information is in the actual vehicle state from hire to completion of payment. In this embodiment, among the dedicated pick-up vehicles, a vehicle 7 whose operation information has become paid, that is, a vehicle 7 for which payment has started, is the first dispatch target.

[0047] Furthermore, the vehicle extraction unit 31 extracts vehicles 7 to be dispatched based on the location information, operation information, and location information of the second dispatch request of the vehicles 7. That is, the vehicle extraction unit 31 extracts dispatchable vehicles 7 that are vacant in operation and have a travel time to the user within a predetermined range.

[0048] The travel time can be predicted by a known method using the location information of the vehicle 7 and the second dispatch request, traffic conditions, etc. The predetermined range can be set arbitrarily. However, it may be a time specified by the user when requesting dispatch.

[0049] In addition, vehicles 7 that are vacant in operation may include vehicles that are not set as pick-up vehicles only.

[0050] The first vehicle dispatch request unit 33 realizes a first vehicle dispatch request function and transmits a first vehicle dispatch request to the vehicle 7 that is the target of the first vehicle dispatch. In this embodiment, the target of the first vehicle dispatch is the vehicle 7 for which payment has been initiated and that is extracted by the vehicle extraction unit 31 as described above.

[0051] The first dispatch request includes location information of the first pick-up location. The first pick-up location is an area or place within a predetermined range from the vehicle 7 when the first dispatch occurs, where it is predicted that there will be a large number of dispatch requests. In this embodiment, it is an area or place within a predetermined range centered on the location information of the vehicle 7 where the payment has been initiated. The prediction of a large number of dispatch requests can be made based on past data using a known method, taking into account the weather, time, day of the week, etc.

[0052] The first dispatch request may be made to vehicle 7 before payment begins. In this case, operation information for the start of payment is obtained from vehicle 7 that sent the first dispatch request along with location information, and the first pick-up location is transmitted to vehicle 7 based on the location information.

[0053] The vehicle dispatch request unit 35 realizes a vehicle dispatch request function, and in response to a second vehicle dispatch request, which is a vehicle dispatch request from a user, transmits vehicle dispatch requests to a plurality of vehicles 7 that are targets of the second vehicle dispatch all at once. In this embodiment, the targets of the second vehicle dispatch are the vehicles 7 whose operating status is vacant and that are extracted by the vehicle extraction unit 31 as described above.

[0054] However, the vehicle dispatch request may be sent not only to the vehicle 7 set as a dedicated pick-up vehicle, but also to vehicles other than the dedicated pick-up vehicle. However, it is preferable to give priority to the dedicated pick-up vehicle. For example, the vehicle dispatch request is first sent to only the vehicle 7 set as a dedicated pick-up vehicle, and then to vehicles that are not dedicated pick-up vehicles and are vacant.

[0055] The vehicle dispatch request may be sent only to vehicles dedicated to picking up the vehicle. The vehicle dispatch request may be sent one by one starting from the vehicle 7 closest to the user. The vehicle dispatch request may be sent simultaneously starting from the vehicle 7 in the relatively close group by classifying the vehicles 7 available for dispatch into a relatively close group and a far group according to the distance from the user.

[0056] The vehicle dispatch request is information indicating the content corresponding to the second vehicle dispatch request received from the user. This vehicle dispatch request includes a vehicle dispatch request ID, user location information, etc., and may be either one created in response to the second vehicle dispatch request, or one created by adding information required for the second vehicle dispatch request. In addition, the second vehicle dispatch request may be sent as it is as the vehicle dispatch request.

[0057] The vehicle allocation execution unit 37 realizes a vehicle allocation execution function, and performs a second vehicle allocation to allocate a vehicle 7 to a user based on a second vehicle allocation request from the user. When the vehicle allocation execution unit 37 of this embodiment receives from a vehicle 7 an acceptance of the vehicle allocation request sent by the vehicle allocation request unit 35, the vehicle allocation execution unit 37 allocates the vehicle 7 that sent the acceptance to the user. Vehicle allocation execution information is sent to the vehicle 7. The acceptance is accepted by the acceptance information sent from the vehicle 7.

[0058] The vehicle allocation execution unit 37 may omit the vehicle allocation request unit 35 and allocate a vehicle 7 that is available for allocation to a user based on the second vehicle allocation request without waiting for acceptance from the vehicle 7.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 9 is mounted in each vehicle 7 that is dispatched to a user, and includes a super sign 43, a cover 45, and a driver terminal .

[0060] The super sign 43 is a status display unit that displays to the outside the operating status of the vehicle 7. The operating information displayed on the super sign 43 is vacant, rented, picked up, payment, etc. The super sign 43 is installed, for example, on a dashboard (not shown) and can be seen from the outside through a windshield (not shown).

[0061] The cover 45 covers the Super Sign 43 so that it cannot be seen from the outside. The form of the cover 45 is not particularly limited, and it can be, for example, a plate- or sheet-like cover that covers the front of the Super Sign 43, a cover that is attached to the windshield in front of the Super Sign 43 and covers the front of the Super Sign 43, or a bag-like cover that is placed over the Super Sign 43.

[0062] A display indicating that the vehicle is available for pickup, for example, the characters "pick up vehicle" are written on the cover 45 in a portion visible from the outside. The cover 45 covers the super sign 43 that indicates an available vehicle when the vehicle 7 is in the first dispatching state.

[0063] Covering the super sign 43 with the cover 45 can be done manually or automatically. In the case of automatic operation, the cover 45 is operated by an actuator or the like to a position that covers the super sign 43 when the vehicle 7 is in the first dispatch state, and to a position that does not cover the super sign 43 when the vehicle 7 is in the second dispatch state.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the in-vehicle device 9 of the vehicle 7. As shown in FIG.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 4, the driver terminal 46 includes a communication interface 39, a user interface 41, a processor 47, and a storage unit 49.

[0066] The communication interface 39 is a communication device for transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices including the vehicle dispatch server 5.

[0067] The user interface 41 is an input / output device operated by the driver of the vehicle 7, and is formed of, for example, a touch panel display. This user interface 41 is capable of displaying the operating status of the vehicle 7 to the driver.

[0068] The processor 47 is a control element such as a CPU that controls each part of the in-vehicle device 9, and the storage unit 49 is a memory device such as a RAM, a ROM, a HDD, or an SSD.

[0069] In this embodiment, the processor 47 functions as an input / output control unit 50, a vehicle information transmission unit 51, a first dispatch reception unit 53, an acceptance transmission unit 55, and a pick-up location change unit 57 by executing a driver's program (driver's application) in the memory unit 49.

[0070] The input / output control unit 50 realizes an input / output control function and controls the input / output of the user interface 41. In this embodiment, the input / output control unit 50 displays the operating status of the vehicle 7 to the driver on the user interface 41. In addition, the input / output control unit 50 accepts on / off of the setting as a pick-up only vehicle on the user interface 41.

[0071] The vehicle information transmission unit 51 realizes a vehicle information transmission function, and constantly transmits position information and operation information of the vehicle 7 to the vehicle dispatch server 5. The position information may be obtained by GPS, and the operation information can be obtained based on the driver's operation on the user interface 41, etc.

[0072] In addition, the vehicle information transmission unit 51 transmits to the vehicle dispatch server 5 the on / off status of the setting as a pick-up-only vehicle accepted on the user interface 41.

[0073] The first vehicle dispatch reception unit 53 realizes a first vehicle dispatch reception function, and receives a first vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch server 5 while the vehicle 7 is in the field. In this embodiment, the first vehicle dispatch request is received in the vehicle 7 between the start and end of payment. The first vehicle dispatch reception unit 53 sets the vehicle 7 in the field to a first pick-up state in which the vehicle 7 is directed to a first pick-up location based on the first vehicle dispatch request that was received when the vehicle became vacant. The user to whom the vehicle 7 is first dispatched is the administrator of the vehicle dispatch server 5, etc.

[0074] The acceptance transmission unit 55 realizes an acceptance transmission function, and is capable of accepting an acceptance of a vehicle dispatch request and transmitting it to the vehicle dispatch server 5. Specifically, when the acceptance transmission unit 55 receives a vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch server 5, it accepts whether or not to accept the vehicle dispatch request on the user interface 41. The received acceptance information on whether or not to accept is transmitted to the vehicle dispatch server 5.

[0075] The pick-up location changing unit 57 realizes a pick-up location changing function, and when a vehicle is dispatched based on a second vehicle dispatch request of a user while the vehicle 7 is in the first dispatch, the pick-up location changing unit 57 changes the first pick-up location to the second pick-up location of the second vehicle dispatch request. In other words, when the vehicle dispatch request is accepted, the second pick-up location included in the second vehicle dispatch information or the vehicle dispatch request transmitted from the vehicle dispatch server 5 is set in place of the first pick-up location. This causes the vehicle 7 to change from the first vehicle dispatch state to the second vehicle dispatch state.

[0076] [Dispatch method] The vehicle dispatch method of this embodiment will be described below as processing of the vehicle dispatch system. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the first vehicle dispatch processing by the vehicle dispatch system 1 of this embodiment. The flowchart of Fig. 5 is started while the vehicle 7 set as a pick-up vehicle is running for hire.

[0077] In step S1, vehicle information is transmitted from the vehicle 7. That is, the in-vehicle device 9 of the vehicle 7 transmits vehicle information such as position information and operation information of the vehicle 7 to the vehicle dispatch server 5 at all times.

[0078] In step S2, the vehicle dispatch server 5 determines whether or not payment has been initiated in the vehicle 7 based on the operation information received from the vehicle 7. If payment has been initiated, the process proceeds to step S3, and if not, the process returns to step S1.

[0079] In step S3, the vehicle dispatch server 5 transmits a first vehicle dispatch request to the vehicle 7 for which payment has been initiated. Specifically, the vehicle dispatch server 5 sets a first pick-up location based on the location information of the vehicle 7 for which payment has been initiated. Then, the vehicle dispatch server 5 transmits a first vehicle dispatch request including information on this first pick-up location to the vehicle 7 for which payment has been initiated.

[0080] In step S4, the in-vehicle device 9 of the vehicle 7 receives the first vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch server 5, and the process proceeds to step S5.

[0081] In step S5, the in-vehicle device 9 determines whether the operating status of the vehicle 7 has become vacant. Specifically, the in-vehicle device 9 determines whether the payment has been completed and the operating status has become vacant through the operation of the user interface 41, etc. If the operating status of the vehicle 7 has become vacant, the process proceeds to step S6, and if not, step S5 is repeated.

[0082] In step S6, the in-vehicle device 9 of the vehicle 7, in response to the operation status becoming vacant, sets the vehicle 7 to a first pickup state in which the vehicle 7 is directed to the first pickup location based on the first dispatch request received in step S4. At this time, the super sign 43 displays "vacant" in accordance with the operation status.

[0083] In this way, since the super sign 43 of the vehicle 7 in the first pick-up state indicates that the vehicle is vacant, the super sign 43 is covered by the cover 45 so that it cannot be seen from the outside. In this state, the vehicle 7 heads to the first pick-up location.

[0084] In step S7, the vehicle dispatch server 5 manages the vehicle 7 in the first pick-up state as a target for vehicle dispatch requests. That is, the vehicle dispatch server 5 receives operation information from the vehicle 7 indicating that the vehicle is vacant, and thereby the management status of the vehicle 7 in the vehicle dispatch server 5 becomes the first pick-up state. This vehicle 7 in the first pick-up state becomes a target for vehicle dispatch requests from the vehicle dispatch server 5.

[0085] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the vehicle dispatch process by the vehicle dispatch system 1 of this embodiment. The flowchart in Fig. 6 is started during the first pick-up of the vehicle 7 set as a dedicated pick-up vehicle.

[0086] In step S11, the second vehicle dispatch request transmitted from the user terminal 3 is received and accepted by the vehicle dispatch server 5.

[0087] In step S12, the vehicle dispatch server 5 extracts vehicles 7 that are the targets of the vehicle dispatch request. In this embodiment, among the vehicles 7 that are set as pick-up-only vehicles, the vehicles 7 that are vacant in operation and within a predetermined range from the user are extracted as targets of the vehicle dispatch request.

[0088] In step S13, the vehicle allocation server 5 simultaneously transmits a vehicle allocation request to the extracted vehicles 7.

[0089] In step S14, the in-vehicle device 9 of the vehicle 7 accepts from the driver whether or not to accept the vehicle dispatch request received from the vehicle dispatch server 5. If acceptance is accepted, the process proceeds to step S15, and if acceptance is not accepted, the process returns to step S11.

[0090] In step S15, the in-vehicle device 9 of the vehicle 7 changes the first pick-up location to the second pick-up location. The vehicle 7 thus enters the second pick-up state, and the super sign 43 displays "pick-up." Therefore, the cover 45 is removed from the super sign 43, and the vehicle 7 heads to the second pick-up location.

[0091] When vehicle 7 in the second pick-up state picks up the user who made the second dispatch request at the second pick-up location, its operating state becomes hire, and the first dispatch process of Figure 5 is executed again.

[0092] As described above, the vehicle dispatch system 1 and vehicle dispatch method of this embodiment include a user terminal 3 to which a user sends a second vehicle dispatch request, a vehicle dispatch server 5 that receives the second vehicle dispatch request from the user and dispatches a vehicle to the user, and an on-board device 9 mounted on a vehicle 7 to be dispatched to the user.

[0093] In the vehicle dispatch system 1 and the vehicle dispatch method, the in-vehicle device 9 receives a first dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch server 5 while the vehicle 7 is in the field, and when the in-vehicle vehicle 7 becomes vacant, the in-vehicle device 9 sets the vehicle 7 to a first pick-up state in which the vehicle 7 heads to a first pick-up location based on the first dispatch request. When the vehicle 7 is dispatched based on a second dispatch request of the user while in the first pick-up state, the in-vehicle device 9 changes the first pick-up location to the second pick-up location of the second dispatch request.

[0094] Therefore, in this embodiment, the vehicle 7 that has become empty is immediately put into the first pick-up state, heading to the first pick-up location, and then the first pick-up location is changed to the second pick-up location, thereby eliminating the possibility of users using the roadside, etc., and enabling the operation of a vehicle dedicated to pick-up.

[0095] The in-vehicle device 9 receives the first vehicle dispatch request by the time settlement is started and completed while the vehicle is actually in use, so the vehicle 7 that has become vacant can immediately be put into a first pick-up state heading to the first pick-up location based on the received first vehicle dispatch request.

[0096] The first pick-up location is an area or location within a predetermined range from the vehicle 7 when the first pick-up location is reached, where a large number of dispatch requests are expected. Therefore, when the first pick-up location is changed to the second pick-up location, the possibility that the first pick-up location and the second pick-up location will be close to each other is increased, and dispatch efficiency can be improved.

[0097] In this embodiment, the super sign 43 of the first pick-up vehicle 7 indicates that the vehicle is available, and the super sign 43 is covered by the cover 45 so that it cannot be seen from the outside, so that the first pick-up vehicle 7 does not notify users on the roadside or the like that the vehicle is available. Therefore, this embodiment makes it possible to operate vehicles exclusively for pick-up more reliably. EXAMPLES

[0098] 7 is a block diagram of a vehicle dispatch system used in a vehicle dispatch system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, components corresponding to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0099] In the vehicle dispatch system 1 of this embodiment, the in-vehicle device 9 receives a vacant vehicle notice from the driver. The vacant vehicle notice is a notice that the vehicle 7 will become vacant during actual shooting.

[0100] Therefore, by executing the driver's program, the processor 47 of the driver's terminal 46 functions as an vacant vehicle notice receiving unit 59 in addition to the input / output control unit 50, vehicle information transmission unit 51, first vehicle dispatch receiving unit 53, acceptance transmission unit 55, and pick-up location change unit 57 of Example 1.

[0101] When the vehicle 7 is in operation, the vacant vehicle notice receiving unit 59 receives a vacant vehicle notice from the driver on the user interface 41. This reception may be performed, for example, by displaying a vacant vehicle notice button in a selectable manner. The received vacant vehicle notice is transmitted to the vehicle dispatch server 5 as vacant vehicle notice information.

[0102] When the vehicle 7 receives the empty vehicle notice, it becomes possible to dispatch the vehicle, and when the vehicle is dispatched to a user during the empty vehicle notice, the pick-up location change unit 57 changes the vehicle 7 to a second pick-up state heading for the second pick-up location when the vehicle 7 becomes empty.

[0103] When the vehicle allocation server 5 receives a vacant vehicle notice from a vehicle 7, it manages the vehicle 7 so that it can be allocated. In other words, the vehicle extraction unit 31 equates a vehicle 7 that has received a vacant vehicle notice with an vacant vehicle, and extracts a vehicle allocation request transmission target.

[0104] When the acceptance transmission unit 55 of the driver terminal 46 receives a vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch server 5 after the vacant vehicle notice, it accepts the acceptance from the driver on the user interface 41. When the acceptance is accepted, the pick-up location change unit 57 changes the vehicle 7 to a second pick-up state heading for the second pick-up location when the vehicle 7 becomes vacant. In this case, the acceptance is canceled after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0105] In this way, in this embodiment, by making an empty vehicle notice, when vehicle 7 becomes empty, it can immediately be put into the second pick-up state heading to the second pick-up location, making it possible to operate vehicles exclusively for pick-up more reliably. Also, even if an empty vehicle notice is always accepted and a vehicle dispatch request can be accepted, if a predetermined time has passed since the request was accepted, the acceptance is canceled. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the user's waiting time due to an inappropriate empty vehicle notice. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1. Vehicle dispatch system 3 User terminal 5. Vehicle dispatch server 7. Vehicles 9 Onboard equipment 43 Super Sign (Status Display) 45 Cover

Claims

1. The system includes a vehicle dispatch server and an on-board device mounted in a vehicle, The vehicle dispatch server, a first vehicle dispatch request that is not based on a vehicle dispatch request from a user, and a second vehicle dispatch request that is based on a vehicle dispatch request from the user, The in-vehicle device based on receiving the first vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch server, setting the vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle device in a first pickup state, which is a state for heading to a first pickup location; When the vehicle is in a first pickup state, based on receiving the second vehicle dispatch request, the vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle device is changed to a second pickup state, which is a state for heading to a second pickup location. Vehicle dispatch system.

2. The vehicle dispatch system of claim 1, The first pickup location is a predetermined area, and the second pickup location is a location specified in a vehicle dispatch request from the user. Vehicle dispatch system.

3. The vehicle dispatch system of claim 1, The first pickup location is a predetermined area or location where a large number of vehicle dispatch requests are expected. Vehicle dispatch system.

4. The vehicle dispatch system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, When the in-vehicle device receives the second vehicle dispatch request, the in-vehicle device changes from the first vehicle pickup state to the second vehicle pickup state without performing an acceptance operation. Vehicle dispatch system.

5. A vehicle dispatch method using a vehicle dispatch server and an on-board device mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle dispatch server is capable of transmitting to the vehicle-mounted device a first vehicle dispatch request that is not based on a vehicle dispatch request from a user and a second vehicle dispatch request that is based on the vehicle dispatch request from the user; the in-vehicle device, based on receiving the first vehicle dispatch request from the vehicle dispatch server, sets the vehicle in which the in-vehicle device is installed to a first pickup state, which is a state for heading to a first pickup location; When the vehicle is in a first pickup state, the in-vehicle device changes the vehicle in which the in-vehicle device is installed to a second pickup state, which is a state for heading to a second pickup location, based on receiving the second vehicle dispatch request. Delivery method.

6. An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, a first pickup state in which the vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle device is directed to a first pickup location based on a first vehicle dispatch request received from the vehicle dispatch server that is not based on a vehicle dispatch request from a user; When the vehicle is in a first pickup state, based on receiving a second vehicle dispatch request based on the vehicle dispatch request from the user, the vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle device is changed to a second pickup state, which is a state for heading to a second pickup location. In-vehicle device.

7. transmits to the in-vehicle device a first dispatch request for setting the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle in a first pickup state without being based on a dispatch request from a user, and a second dispatch request for setting the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle in a second pickup state based on the dispatch request from the user; by transmitting the second vehicle dispatch request to the in-vehicle device for which a first pickup location is set based on the first pickup state, the vehicle's pickup location is changed to the second pickup location; Dispatch server.

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