Vehicle allocation processing system and vehicle allocation processing method
By displaying prompt information on the user terminal and distributing different taxi requests, the problem of the user requiring the end point to enter the end point when requesting a taxi is solved, and the effect of reducing request time and improving taxi accessibility is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023158956
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-04
AI Technical Summary
When a user requests a taxi dispatch, the starting point and end point need to be entered, resulting in an extended dispatch time.
By displaying prompt information at the user terminal, the user is asked to enter the destination, and after receiving the destination information, different taxi requests are distributed, including allocating idle vehicles and vehicles that are about to be idle.
Reduces the time for users to request taxi and improves taxi accessibility.
Smart Images
Figure 2025050263000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle dispatch processing system and a vehicle dispatch processing method for dispatching vehicles for transporting users. [Background technology]
[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system is known that determines a travel route based on a boarding point and a destination point inputted by a user on an information terminal, and dispatches a taxi (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-60136 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] To determine the driving route, the user needs to input the boarding point and destination, but if the user inputs the destination when requesting a taxi dispatch, there is a problem that it takes a long time to dispatch the taxi.
[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and has an object to reduce the time required for a user to request vehicle dispatch. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] A vehicle dispatch processing system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a user terminal that requests dispatch of a vehicle for transporting a user, and a vehicle dispatch processing device that executes processing to dispatch a vehicle to the user, the user terminal having a reception unit that receives an input of a boarding location and a vehicle dispatch request operation from the user, a data transmission unit that transmits a vehicle dispatch request including boarding location information indicating the boarding location to the vehicle dispatch processing device when the reception unit receives the vehicle dispatch request operation, and a display processing unit that displays a message prompting input of a destination on a display unit after the data transmission unit transmits the vehicle dispatch request, The vehicle dispatch processing device has a data acquisition unit that acquires the vehicle dispatch request, and a vehicle dispatch processing unit that sends a first vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle belonging to a first category when the data acquisition unit acquires the vehicle dispatch request, and when the reception unit accepts input of a destination after the display processing unit displays the message on the display unit, the data transmission unit transmits destination information indicating the destination to the vehicle dispatch processing device, and when the data acquisition unit acquires the destination information, the vehicle dispatch processing unit transmits a second vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle belonging to a second category different from the first category.
[0007] The vehicles belonging to the first category may be vehicles in an empty state, and the vehicles belonging to the second category may be vehicles for which an empty vehicle scheduling operation has been performed to notify the dispatch processing device that the vehicles are scheduled to become empty among the vehicles in an actual state.
[0008] The vehicle dispatch processing device may further have a memory unit that stores information for determining whether a vehicle belongs to the first category or the second category, associated with vehicle identification information for identifying each of a plurality of vehicles, and a status management unit that, when an empty vehicle state notification is obtained from a vehicle that is empty, stores information indicating that the vehicle is empty in the memory unit associated with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle, and, when an empty vehicle schedule notification is obtained from a vehicle for which the empty vehicle schedule operation has been performed, stores information indicating that the vehicle is scheduled to become empty in the memory unit associated with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle, and the vehicle dispatch processing unit may send the first dispatch request to a vehicle belonging to the first category that is empty, and send the second dispatch request to a vehicle belonging to the second category that is scheduled to become empty, by referring to the memory unit.
[0009] The vehicle dispatch processing device may further have a memory unit that stores information for determining whether a vehicle belongs to the first category or the second category, associated with vehicle identification information for identifying each of a plurality of vehicles, and a status management unit that causes information indicating the current location of the vehicle to be stored in the memory unit, associated with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle, and the vehicle dispatch processing unit may send the first dispatch request to vehicles belonging to the first category that are located within a first distance from the boarding location by referring to the memory unit, and send the second dispatch request to vehicles belonging to the second category that are not located within the first distance from the boarding location but are located within a second distance greater than the first distance.
[0010] The vehicle dispatch processing unit may transmit the second vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle heading toward the destination indicated by the destination information after the data acquisition unit acquires the destination information.
[0011] The vehicle dispatch processing unit may transmit the second vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle whose sales office is within a predetermined range from the destination after the data acquisition unit acquires the destination information.
[0012] After the data acquisition unit acquires the destination information, the vehicle dispatch processing unit may send the second vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle whose pick-up location is within a predetermined range from the destination.
[0013] A vehicle dispatch processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle dispatch processing method executed by a user terminal that requests the dispatch of a vehicle to transport a user, and a vehicle dispatch processing device that executes processing to dispatch a vehicle to the user, the vehicle dispatch processing method including the following steps: the user terminal receives an input of a boarding location and a vehicle dispatch request operation from the user; when the user terminal receives the vehicle dispatch request operation, sends a vehicle dispatch request including boarding location information indicating the boarding location to the vehicle dispatch processing device; when the vehicle dispatch processing device acquires the vehicle dispatch request, sends a first vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle belonging to a first category; after the user terminal sends the vehicle dispatch request, displays a message on a display unit prompting the user to input a destination; when the user terminal accepts input of a destination after displaying the message on the display unit, sends destination information indicating the destination to the vehicle dispatch processing device; and when the vehicle dispatch processing device acquires the destination information, sends a second vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle belonging to a second category different from the first category. Effect of the Invention
[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required for a user to request vehicle dispatch. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a process executed by the vehicle allocation processing system according to the present embodiment (when a first vehicle allocation request is transmitted). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a process executed by the vehicle allocation processing system after the process shown in FIG. 1 (when a second vehicle allocation request is transmitted). [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal in the present embodiment. [Figure 4]2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the flow of processing executed by the vehicle dispatch processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a user terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a vehicle dispatch processing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle state data according to the embodiment; [Figure 8] 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation according to the present embodiment when a second dispatch request is transmitted to a vehicle heading toward a destination. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing a process flow in the vehicle dispatch processing device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] [Outline of the vehicle dispatch processing system S] First, an overview of the vehicle dispatch processing system S according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 are diagrams for explaining the overview of the vehicle dispatch processing system S. The vehicle dispatch processing system S includes a user terminal 1, a vehicle dispatch processing device 2, and a driver terminal 3. The vehicle dispatch processing system S may include other devices such as a server and a terminal.
[0017] The user terminal 1 is an information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal used by a user (also called a customer or passenger) who uses a taxi. The user terminal 1 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display capable of displaying information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel capable of accepting operations by a human. A vehicle dispatch application that accepts input of taxi dispatch conditions from a user is installed in the user terminal 1.
[0018] The dispatch processing device 2 is a computer such as a server that manages dispatch of taxis. The dispatch processing device 2 receives a dispatch request from a user, selects a vehicle that can be dispatched in response to the dispatch request, and transmits a dispatch request to the selected vehicle. The dispatch processing device 2 is connected to a plurality of user terminals 1 and a plurality of driver terminals 3 via a communication network such as the Internet.
[0019] The crew terminal 3 is an information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal used by the taxi crew (also called the driver), and is provided in each taxi. The crew terminal 3 may be a device integrated with the vehicle, such as a car navigation system. The crew terminal 3 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display capable of displaying information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel capable of receiving operations by a human. A crew application is installed on the crew terminal 3, which displays a request for dispatch to the crew and receives approval for dispatch from the crew.
[0020] The outline of the processing executed by the vehicle dispatch processing system S according to this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the processing executed by the vehicle dispatch processing system S according to this embodiment (when transmitting a first vehicle dispatch request). As shown in Fig. 1, when the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 acquires a vehicle dispatch request including boarding location information but not destination information from the user terminal 1, it transmits the first vehicle dispatch request to vehicles belonging to the first category (G1 in Figs. 1 and 2). The first category is a category to which vehicles to which the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 transmits a vehicle dispatch request belong when a destination has not been input in the user terminal 1.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the process executed by the vehicle dispatch processing system S after the process shown in FIG. 1 (when a second dispatch request is transmitted). As shown in FIG. 2, when the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 acquires destination information from the user terminal 1 in which the destination is input, it transmits a second dispatch request to vehicles belonging to the second category (G2 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The second category is a category to which vehicles belong that the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 does not transmit a dispatch request when the destination is not input in the user terminal 1, and to which the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 transmits a dispatch request when the destination is input. Although details will be described later, one vehicle may belong to the first category or the second category depending on the user's boarding location or the time zone, etc.
[0022] 2, when a driver of a vehicle belonging to the second division accepts the second dispatch request, the dispatch processing device 2 transmits a dispatch instruction to the vehicle belonging to the second division. When destination information is acquired from the user terminal 1, the dispatch processing device 2 may transmit the second dispatch request not only to the vehicle belonging to the second division but also to the vehicle belonging to the first division.
[0023] In this way, a user who uses the vehicle dispatch processing system S does not need to input a destination when making a vehicle dispatch request, and the time required for a vehicle dispatch request is reduced. After that, when the user inputs the destination, the number of vehicles to which a vehicle dispatch request is sent increases, making it easier to find a vehicle that can be dispatched. As a result, the vehicle dispatch processing system S reduces the time required for a user to make a vehicle dispatch request and motivates the user to input the destination as soon as possible.
[0024] An outline of the process flow executed by the vehicle dispatch processing system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the process flow executed by the vehicle dispatch processing system S.
[0025] Fig. 3(a) is a screen for requesting a ride, and a user using the user terminal 1 can request a ride by inputting a boarding point on this screen. Fig. 3(b) is a screen displayed after a ride is requested, and displays a text message for prompting the user to input a destination. By displaying such a text message on the user terminal 1, it becomes easier for the user using the user terminal 1 to input a destination on this screen, and therefore the time required for a ride to be dispatched can be shortened.
[0026] The process flow will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. First, when the user terminal 1 accepts input of a boarding location by the user from the screen shown in Fig. 3(a) (S1 in Fig. 4), it transmits a dispatch request including boarding location information indicating the boarding location to the dispatch processing device 2 (S2 in Fig. 4). When the dispatch processing device 2 acquires the dispatch request, it selects a driver terminal of a vehicle belonging to the first category (S3 in Fig. 4) and transmits a first dispatch request to the selected driver terminal (S4 in Fig. 4).
[0027] Thereafter, the user terminal 1 prompts the user to input a destination by displaying the screen shown in Fig. 3(b) (S5 in Fig. 4). For example, if the user terminal 1 does not receive a notification from the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 that a vehicle has been dispatched within a predetermined time after sending a vehicle dispatch request to the vehicle dispatch processing device 2, the user terminal 1 displays a screen for prompting the user to input a destination. If a destination has not been input (S6 in Fig. 4: NO), the user terminal 1 displays the estimated arrival time of the vehicle (S13 in Fig. 4).
[0028] If a destination is input (S6 in FIG. 4: YES), the user terminal 1 transmits destination information indicating the destination to the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 (S7 in FIG. 4). Upon acquiring the destination information, the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 selects a driver terminal of a vehicle belonging to the second category (S8 in FIG. 4) and transmits a second vehicle dispatch request to the selected driver terminal (S9 in FIG. 4).
[0029] When the driver terminal approves the second dispatch request received from the dispatch processing device 2 (S10 in FIG. 4), the driver terminal transmits a notice of approval of the dispatch to the dispatch processing device 2 (S11 in FIG. 4). When the dispatch processing device 2 receives the notice of approval of the dispatch, it transmits a notice of the dispatch schedule to the user terminal 1 (S12 in FIG. 4). When the user terminal 1 receives the notice of the dispatch schedule, it displays the estimated arrival time of the vehicle (S13 in FIG. 4).
[0030] [User terminal 1 configuration] Next, the configuration of the user terminal 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The user terminal 1 requests the dispatch of a vehicle to transport a user. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the user terminal 1 includes an operation unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.
[0031] The operation unit 11 is, for example, a touch panel provided so as to be superimposed on the display unit 13, and receives operation inputs from a user.
[0032] The communication unit 12 is a communication interface for communicating with the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 via a communication network such as the Internet.
[0033] The display unit 13 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc. The display unit 13 displays various information according to the control of the control unit 15.
[0034] The storage unit 14 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 14 stores a program executed by the control unit 15. For example, the storage unit 14 stores a passenger program that causes the control unit 15 to function as a reception unit 151, a data transmission unit 152, and a display processing unit 153.
[0035] The control unit 15 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 15 executes a passenger program stored in the storage unit 14, thereby functioning as a reception unit 151, a data transmission unit 152, and a display processing unit 153.
[0036] The reception unit 151 receives an input of a boarding location and a vehicle dispatch request operation from the user. Specifically, the reception unit 151 causes the display unit 13 to display a vehicle dispatch request screen including a map of the vicinity of the position P of the user terminal 1 and a boarding position determination button B1 for determining a boarding position, as shown in Fig. 3(a) via the display processing unit 153. When the user selects the boarding position determination button B1 on the vehicle dispatch request screen, the reception unit 151 receives an input of a boarding location and a vehicle dispatch request operation from the user.
[0037] When the reception unit 151 receives a vehicle dispatch request operation, the data transmission unit 152 transmits a vehicle dispatch request including boarding location information indicating the boarding location to the vehicle dispatch processing device 2. For example, when the data transmission unit 152 receives a notification of the boarding location from the reception unit 151, the data transmission unit 152 transmits the vehicle dispatch request to the vehicle dispatch processing device 2.
[0038] The display processing unit 153 displays various information on the display unit 13. For example, the display processing unit 153 displays a screen for requesting a vehicle dispatch as shown in FIG. 3(a) on the display unit 13. After the data transmission unit 152 transmits a vehicle dispatch request, the display processing unit 153 displays a message prompting the user to input a destination as shown in FIG. 3(b) on the display unit 13. Specifically, if the data transmission unit 152 does not receive a notification from the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 that a vehicle has been dispatched within a predetermined time after the data transmission unit 152 transmits a vehicle dispatch request to the vehicle dispatch processing device 2, the display processing unit 153 displays a message prompting the user to input a destination, "Entering a destination will make it easier to find a taxi," as well as options "Enter a destination" and "Wait as is," on the display unit 13, as shown in FIG. 3(b).
[0039] The user can input a destination by selecting the option "Enter destination" on the screen shown in FIG. 3(b). The method of inputting the destination is not particularly limited, and for example, the destination may be selected on a map, or the name of the destination may be input. On the other hand, if the user does not wish to input a destination, the user may continue waiting without informing the user of the destination by selecting the option "Wait as is" on the screen shown in FIG. 3(b).
[0040] When the user selects "Enter destination" on the screen shown in FIG. 3(b) and inputs a destination, the data transmission unit 152 transmits destination information indicating the input destination to the vehicle dispatch processing device 2. That is, when the reception unit 151 accepts the input of a destination after the display processing unit 153 displays a message on the display unit 13, the data transmission unit 152 transmits destination information indicating the destination to the vehicle dispatch processing device 2. The vehicle dispatch processing device 2 that receives the destination information also transmits a vehicle dispatch request to vehicles in the second category. Therefore, by the user inputting a destination, it becomes easier to find vehicles that can be dispatched.
[0041] [Configuration of vehicle dispatch processing device 2] Next, the configuration of the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 according to this embodiment will be described. The vehicle dispatch processing device 2 executes processing for dispatching a vehicle to a user. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle dispatch processing device 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.
[0042] The communication unit 21 is a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 1 and the crew terminal 3 via a communication network such as the Internet.
[0043] The storage unit 22 is a storage medium including a ROM, a RAM, etc. The storage unit 22 stores a program executed by the control unit 23. For example, the storage unit 22 stores a vehicle dispatch processing program that causes the control unit 23 to function as a data acquisition unit 231, a state management unit 232, and a vehicle dispatch processing unit 233.
[0044] The storage unit 22 also stores vehicle state data including information for determining whether a vehicle belongs to the first or second category in association with vehicle identification information for identifying each of the multiple vehicles. The information for determination is, for example, vehicle state information indicating the state of the vehicle or vehicle position information indicating the current position of the vehicle. The vehicle state data may further include destination information indicating the destination of the vehicle.
[0045] The vehicle status information is information indicating which state the vehicle is in among an actual vehicle state in which the vehicle is carrying passengers, a planned vacant vehicle state in which the vehicle is scheduled to become vacant, and an vacant vehicle state in which the vehicle is vacant. The vehicle status information may further include information indicating whether the vehicle is being refueled or charged.
[0046] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle state data stored in memory unit 22. "Vehicle ID" in Fig. 7 corresponds to vehicle identification information. "In actual vehicle" in Fig. 7 corresponds to an actual vehicle state, "Planned vacant vehicle" in Fig. 7 corresponds to a planned vacant vehicle state, and "Vacant vehicle" in Fig. 7 corresponds to an vacant vehicle state. "Current location" in Fig. 7 corresponds to vehicle position information. "Destination" in Fig. 7 corresponds to destination information.
[0047] The control unit 23 is, for example, a CPU. The control unit 23 executes a vehicle dispatch processing program stored in the storage unit 22, and thereby functions as a data acquisition unit 231, a state management unit 232, and a vehicle dispatch processing unit 233.
[0048] The data acquisition unit 231 acquires a vehicle dispatch request and destination information from the user terminal 1 via the communication unit 21. The data acquisition unit 231 notifies the acquired vehicle dispatch request and destination information to the vehicle dispatch processing unit 233. The data acquisition unit 231 also acquires information indicating the vehicle status from the crew terminal 3 via the communication unit 21. The data acquisition unit 231 notifies the status management unit 232 of the acquired information indicating the vehicle status.
[0049] The status management unit 232 manages the status of the vehicle, such as the vehicle's operating status and the vehicle's location. When the status management unit 232 acquires an empty vehicle status notification from an empty vehicle via the data acquisition unit 231, the status management unit 232 updates the vehicle status data by storing information indicating the empty vehicle status in association with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle in the storage unit 22. When the status management unit 232 acquires an empty vehicle schedule notification indicating that a vehicle is scheduled to become empty via the data acquisition unit 231 from a vehicle for which an empty vehicle schedule operation has been performed, the status management unit 232 updates the vehicle status data by storing information indicating the scheduled empty vehicle status in association with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle in the storage unit 22.
[0050] Furthermore, the status management unit 232 acquires location information indicating the current location of the vehicle from the crew terminal 3 via the communication unit 21. The status management unit 232 updates the vehicle status data by storing the information indicating the current location of the vehicle in association with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle in the storage unit 22.
[0051] The vehicle allocation processing unit 233 sequentially transmits vehicle allocation requests to preregistered vehicles, and when vehicle allocation approval is received from a vehicle, it dispatches the vehicle. When the data acquisition unit 231 acquires a vehicle allocation request that does not include destination information, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 transmits a first vehicle allocation request to vehicles belonging to the first category. Furthermore, when the data acquisition unit 231 acquires destination information after acquiring a vehicle allocation request, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 transmits a second vehicle allocation request to vehicles belonging to a second category different from the first category. When the data acquisition unit 231 acquires a vehicle allocation request that includes destination information, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 transmits a vehicle allocation request to vehicles belonging to the first category and vehicles belonging to the second category.
[0052] Vehicles belonging to the first category are, for example, vehicles in an empty state, and vehicles belonging to the second category are vehicles that have undergone an empty vehicle schedule operation to notify the dispatch processing device that they are scheduled to become empty among the vehicles in an actual vehicle state. In the example of vehicle status data in Fig. 7, the vehicles belonging to the first category are vehicles with a circle in the "empty vehicle" column (vehicles with vehicle ID = 003 and vehicle ID = 006), and the vehicles belonging to the second category are vehicles with a circle in the "scheduled to be empty" column (vehicles with vehicle ID = 002, vehicle ID = 004, and vehicle ID = 007).
[0053] The vehicle allocation processing unit 233 transmits a first vehicle allocation request to vehicles belonging to the first category that are vacant, and transmits a second vehicle allocation request to vehicles belonging to the second category that are scheduled to be vacant, by referring to the storage unit 22. In this manner, in this embodiment, even if an vacant vehicle cannot be found at the stage of requesting a vehicle allocation, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 can make a vehicle allocation request for vehicles scheduled to be vacant by inputting a destination by the user. Therefore, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 can find a vehicle that can be allocated more quickly than when continuing to make vehicle allocation requests only to vacant vehicles.
[0054] The dispatch processing unit 233 may classify vehicles located within a first distance from the passenger's boarding location as vehicles belonging to a first category, and may classify vehicles located within a second distance from the passenger's boarding location that is not within the first distance but is greater than the first distance as vehicles belonging to a second category. In the example of vehicle status data in Fig. 7, if the passenger's boarding location is Chiyoda Ward, the vehicles belonging to the first category are vehicles currently in Chiyoda Ward (vehicles other than vehicle ID = 004), and the vehicles belonging to the second category are vehicles currently in Shinjuku Ward (vehicle ID = 004).
[0055] The vehicle allocation processing unit 233 transmits a first vehicle allocation request to vehicles belonging to a first category that are located within a first distance from the boarding location, and transmits a second vehicle allocation request to vehicles belonging to a second category that are not located within the first distance from the boarding location but are located within a second distance greater than the first distance, by referring to the storage unit 22. In this manner, in this embodiment, even if a vehicle close to the boarding location cannot be found at the stage of requesting a vehicle allocation, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 can make a vehicle allocation request for vehicles that are somewhat far from the boarding location by inputting a destination by the user. Therefore, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 can find a vehicle that can be allocated more quickly than when continuing to make a vehicle allocation request only to vehicles close to the boarding location.
[0056] The vehicle allocation processing unit 233 may determine the vehicles belonging to the first category and the vehicles belonging to the second category based on the vehicle occupancy status and the vehicle location. For example, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 determines the vehicles belonging to the first category and the vehicles belonging to the second category by one of the following patterns (A) to (C). The vehicle allocation processing unit 233 transmits the first vehicle allocation request or the second vehicle allocation request to the vehicle selected according to the following categories (A) to (C) by referring to the storage unit 22.
[0057] (A) Vehicles in the first category = vehicles that are vacant and located within the first distance, and vehicles in the second category = vehicles that are scheduled to be vacant and located within the first distance. (B) Vehicles in the first category = vehicles that are unoccupied and located within the first distance, and vehicles in the second category = vehicles that are unoccupied and not located within the first distance but located within the second distance. (C) Vehicles belonging to the first category = vehicles that are vacant and located within the first distance, and vehicles belonging to the second category = vehicles that are scheduled to be vacant and are not located within the first distance but are located within the second distance.
[0058] The dispatch processing unit 233 may change the first distance and the second distance depending on the time period. As an example, the dispatch processing unit 233 sets the first distance and the second distance in a time period when the roads are congested shorter than the first distance and the second distance in a time period when the roads are not congested. By operating in this manner, the dispatch processing unit 233 can prevent dispatching a vehicle that takes too long to arrive at the user's boarding location in a time period when the roads are congested.
[0059] In addition, since time passes between when the user makes a vehicle dispatch request and when the user inputs the destination, even if a vehicle belonging to the first category is not found at the stage of making the vehicle dispatch request, a vehicle belonging to the first category may be found at the stage of the user inputting the destination. In other words, a vehicle belonging to the first category may be found without making a vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle in the second category. For this reason, after starting to send a second vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle belonging to the second category, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 233 may send a first vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle that has become part of the first category between when the user made the vehicle dispatch request and when the user inputs the destination.
[0060] However, even if a vehicle belongs to the second category, it is not desirable to dispatch a vehicle heading to a location far from the user's destination. Therefore, the dispatch processing unit 233 may transmit a second dispatch request to a vehicle heading to the destination indicated by the destination information after the data acquisition unit 231 acquires the destination information. If such a vehicle is dispatched, a vehicle that was scheduled to run in an empty state on a route to the destination indicated by the destination information can move to the destination in an actual state, thereby improving the efficiency of vehicle use.
[0061] Hereinafter, two specific modes will be described in which the second vehicle dispatch request is transmitted to a vehicle heading toward the destination indicated by the destination information.
[0062] As a first pattern, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 233 may transmit the second vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle whose sales office is within a predetermined range from the destination after the data acquisition unit 231 acquires the destination information. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
[0063] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation when a second dispatch request is sent to a vehicle heading toward a destination. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing the travel route of the vehicle before the second dispatch request is sent. FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing the travel route of the vehicle shown in FIG. 8(a) after the vehicle receives a dispatch instruction. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the vehicle traveled in an empty state on the way back to the office, so the vehicle usage efficiency was poor. In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8(b), when a vehicle returning to the office receives a second dispatch request and picks up a passenger, the vehicle can travel in an occupied state on the way back to the office, so the vehicle usage efficiency is improved.
[0064] As a second pattern, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 233 may transmit the second vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle whose pick-up location is within a predetermined range from the destination after the data acquisition unit 231 acquires the destination information. Even in this case, the vehicle can travel to the pick-up location in an actual vehicle state, improving the vehicle usage efficiency.
[0065] [Processing flow in the vehicle dispatch processing device 2] Finally, the flow of processing in the vehicle dispatch processing device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the vehicle dispatch processing device 2.
[0066] First, the data acquisition unit 231 receives a vehicle dispatch request from the user terminal 1 (S21). Next, the vehicle dispatch processing unit 233 determines whether or not a destination is input in the vehicle dispatch request (S22). If a destination is input in the vehicle dispatch request (S22: YES), the vehicle dispatch processing unit 233 transmits a vehicle dispatch request to both vehicles belonging to the first category and vehicles belonging to the second category (S23).
[0067] Next, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 determines whether or not vehicle allocation approval has been obtained (S29). If vehicle allocation approval has not been obtained (S29: NO), the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 repeats the process of S29 until vehicle allocation approval can be obtained. On the other hand, if vehicle allocation approval has been obtained (S29: YES), the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 transmits a vehicle allocation completion notification to the user terminal 1 (S30) and ends the process.
[0068] If no destination is input in the dispatch request (S22: NO), the dispatch processing unit 233 transmits a dispatch request to a vehicle belonging to the first division (S24). Next, the dispatch processing unit 233 determines whether or not there is a vehicle belonging to the second division (S25). If there is no vehicle belonging to the second division (S25: NO), the process proceeds to S29. On the other hand, if there is a vehicle belonging to the second division (S25: YES), the dispatch processing unit 233 instructs the user terminal 1 to display a destination input screen (S26).
[0069] Next, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 determines whether or not the destination information has been received (S27). If the data acquisition unit 231 does not receive the destination information before the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 receives vehicle allocation approval from any vehicle (S27: NO), the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 proceeds to the process of S29. On the other hand, if the data acquisition unit 231 receives the destination before the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 receives vehicle allocation approval from any vehicle (S27: YES), the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 transmits a vehicle allocation request to vehicles belonging to the second category (S28).
[0070] Next, the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 determines whether or not vehicle allocation approval has been obtained (S29). If vehicle allocation approval has not been obtained (S29: NO), the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 repeats the process of S29 until vehicle allocation approval can be obtained. On the other hand, if vehicle allocation approval has been obtained (S29: YES), the vehicle allocation processing unit 233 transmits a vehicle allocation completion notification to the user terminal 1 (S30) and ends the process.
[0071] [Effects of this embodiment] As described above, in the vehicle dispatch processing system S according to this embodiment, the user does not need to input a destination at the stage of requesting a vehicle dispatch, but can input the destination when the vehicle is in a "waiting" state after making a vehicle dispatch request, thereby reducing the time required for the user to request a vehicle dispatch. In addition, the vehicle dispatch processing system S according to this embodiment provides the following effects from the user's perspective and the driver's perspective.
[0072] From the user's perspective, the vehicle dispatch processing system S has, for example, the following two effects. First, in this embodiment, the vehicle dispatch request itself can be made in advance, making it possible to input the destination during the "waiting" time, and as a result, the vehicle dispatch request can be made efficiently. Secondly, in the past, when the vehicle was in a waiting status, the user would have to wait for a considerable amount of time, which caused stress for the user, but in this embodiment, if the vehicle itself has been secured, a UI (User Interface) such as "Vehicle is on the way" can be displayed, which relieves the user from the anxiety that "I won't be able to catch a vehicle."
[0073] From the driver's perspective, the dispatch processing system S has the following three effects, for example. First, the driver (especially a part-time driver who is unfamiliar with the area, such as a part-time driver) can decide whether to approve the dispatch request after confirming the destination in advance, and if he / she approves, can take measures such as checking the destination on the navigation system in advance, thereby reducing the driver's stress. Second, in the past, when returning to a business area, a driver may pick up a user whose destination is on the opposite side of the business area, resulting in work outside of business hours, but this embodiment can prevent this. Third, it can prevent the driver from mistaking the destination for the user.
[0074] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by distributing or integrating functionally or physically in any unit. In addition, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effect of the new embodiment resulting from the combination combines the effect of the original embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]
[0075] 1 User terminal 11 Control section 12 Communications Department 13 Display section 14 Storage section 15 Control section 151 Reception 152 Data transmission unit 153 Display processing unit 2. Vehicle dispatch processing device 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 231 Data Acquisition Department 232 Status Management Unit 233 Vehicle Dispatch Processing Unit 3. Crew terminal S Vehicle dispatch processing system
Claims
1. A vehicle dispatch processing device that executes a process of dispatching a vehicle to the user, comprising: a user terminal that requests dispatch of a vehicle for transporting a user; The user terminal, A reception unit that receives an input of a boarding location and a vehicle dispatch request operation from the user; a data transmission unit that transmits a vehicle dispatch request including boarding location information indicating the boarding location to the vehicle dispatch processing device when the reception unit receives the vehicle dispatch request operation; a display processing unit that causes a display unit to display a message prompting the user to input a destination after the data transmission unit transmits the vehicle dispatch request; having The vehicle dispatch processing device includes: A data acquisition unit that acquires the dispatch request; a vehicle dispatch processing unit that transmits a first vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle belonging to a first category when the data acquisition unit acquires the vehicle dispatch request; having when the reception unit receives an input of a destination after the display processing unit displays the message on the display unit, the data transmission unit transmits destination information indicating the destination to the vehicle dispatch processing device; When the data acquisition unit acquires the destination information, the vehicle allocation processing unit transmits a second vehicle allocation request to vehicles belonging to a second category different from the first category. Vehicle dispatch processing system.
2. The vehicles belonging to the first category are vehicles in an empty state, and the vehicles belonging to the second category are vehicles for which an empty vehicle schedule operation has been performed to notify the vehicle dispatch processing device that the vehicles are scheduled to become empty among the vehicles in an actual vehicle state. The vehicle dispatch processing system according to claim 1 .
3. The vehicle dispatch processing device includes: a storage unit that stores information for determining whether a vehicle belongs to the first category or the second category in association with vehicle identification information for identifying each of a plurality of vehicles; a status management unit that, when receiving a vacant vehicle status notification from a vehicle in an vacant state, causes information indicating the vacant state to be stored in the storage unit in association with vehicle identification information of the vehicle, and, when receiving a vacant vehicle schedule notification from a vehicle for which the vacant vehicle schedule operation has been performed, causes information indicating the vacant vehicle scheduled state to be stored in the storage unit in association with vehicle identification information of the vehicle; and the dispatch processing unit transmits the first dispatch request to vehicles belonging to the first category that are in an unoccupied state, and transmits the second dispatch request to vehicles belonging to the second category that are scheduled to be unoccupied, by referring to the storage unit. The vehicle dispatch processing system according to claim 2 .
4. The vehicle dispatch processing device includes: a storage unit that stores information for determining whether a vehicle belongs to the first category or the second category in association with vehicle identification information for identifying each of a plurality of vehicles; a state management unit that causes information indicating a current position of the vehicle to be stored in the storage unit in association with vehicle identification information of the vehicle; and The vehicle dispatch processing unit transmits the first vehicle dispatch request to vehicles belonging to the first category that are located within a first distance from the boarding location by referring to the storage unit, and transmits the second vehicle dispatch request to vehicles belonging to the second category that are not located within the first distance from the boarding location but are located within a second distance that is greater than the first distance. The vehicle dispatch processing system according to claim 1 .
5. After the data acquisition unit acquires the destination information, the vehicle allocation processing unit transmits the second vehicle allocation request to a vehicle moving toward the destination indicated by the destination information. The vehicle dispatch processing system according to claim 1 .
6. the vehicle dispatch processing unit transmits the second vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle whose sales office is within a predetermined range from the destination after the data acquisition unit acquires the destination information; The vehicle dispatch processing system according to claim 5.
7. After the data acquisition unit acquires the destination information, the vehicle dispatch processing unit transmits the second vehicle dispatch request to a vehicle for which a pick-up location is within a predetermined range from the destination. The vehicle dispatch processing system according to claim 5.
8. A vehicle dispatch processing method executed by a user terminal that requests dispatch of a vehicle for transporting a user and a vehicle dispatch processing device that executes a process of dispatching a vehicle to the user, comprising: A step in which the user terminal receives an input of a boarding location and a vehicle dispatch request operation from the user; When the user terminal accepts the vehicle dispatch request operation, the user terminal transmits a vehicle dispatch request including boarding location information indicating the boarding location to the vehicle dispatch processing device; When the vehicle dispatch processing device acquires the vehicle dispatch request, the vehicle dispatch processing device transmits a first vehicle dispatch request to vehicles belonging to a first category; a step of causing the user terminal to display, on a display unit, a message prompting the user to input a destination after transmitting the vehicle dispatch request; a step of, when the user terminal accepts an input of a destination after displaying the message on the display unit, transmitting destination information indicating the destination to the vehicle dispatch processing device; When the vehicle dispatch processing device acquires the destination information, a second vehicle dispatch request is transmitted to a vehicle belonging to a second category different from the first category; A vehicle dispatch processing method comprising the steps of:
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Taxi information processing method, taxi information processing system, and taxi terminal system
JP2022060136A
Cited By
Compositions and methods for application over skin
US12419906B2